Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Proposed Standardized Nomenclature For Anomalous Aortic Origin Of A Coronary Artery: An International Multidisciplinary Initiative, Carlos M Mery, Meena Nathan, Christoph Gräni, Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Cristina Basso, Marshall L Jacobs, Julie A Brothers, Massimo A Padalino, Silvana Molossi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Increasing use of advanced noninvasive imaging has provided great anatomic and morphologic details to characterize congenital coronary artery anomalies. Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is a subtype that may lead to myocardial ischemia with variable clinical manifestations across the lifespan. Management decision making in AAOCA is hindered by anatomic variants of differing physiologic consequences. Several systems of nomenclature have been used that lack uniformity in potentially high-risk morphologic features. The ICAAC (International Coronary Artery Anomalies Collaborative), a group of experts in coronary artery anomalies, proposes a standardized nomenclature to describe anatomy and morphologic features of AAOCA using …

Patiromer For Patients With Heart Failure At Risk Of Hyperkalemia: Care-Hk In Hf Registry, Omar Cantu-Martinez, Stephen J Greene, Khaja M Chinnakondepalli, Stefan D Anker, Biykem Bozkurt, Javed Butler, John G Cleland, Nihar Desai, Diederick E Grobbee, Ellie Kelepouris, Giuseppe Rosano, Tibor Kempf, Martin Schulz, Carla-Maria Brandes, Victoria Donachie, Andrew J Sauer

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: For patients with heart failure (HF), hyperkalemia (HK) may prevent optimal renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi) use. Randomized trials show that patiromer, a contemporary potassium binder, reduces serum potassium (sK+) concentrations and HK, potentially enabling RASi optimization. We sought to assess the real-world effectiveness of patiromer in facilitating RASi optimization in HF patients at increased risk of HK.

Methods and results: The CARE-HK in HF (Cardiovascular and Renal Treatment in HF Patients with HK or at High Risk of HK) (NCT04864795) was a prospective registry of patients with chronic HF at increased risk of HK (prior or current …

Multimerin1 And Not Galectin-8 Tempers Wnt Signaling To Promote Gastric Chief Cell Differentiation, Xiaobo Lin, Gabriel Nicolazzi, Xuemei Liu, Chinye Nwokolo, Yehiel Zick, José B Sáenz, Jeffrey W Brown

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Galectins are a family of proteins that bind galactose-containing glycans. One member, galectin-8, preferentially binds galactose that contains a terminal sulfate. Aberrant expression and secretion of sulfated glycosylation epitopes, such as 3'-Sulfo-Le

Transformational Leadership In Higher Education, Dr. Jewel Hale, Jr., Kristi Apostel

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

A crisis can highlight the critical need for resilient leadership within higher educational settings. Educational leaders encounter extraordinary difficulties, ranging from different learning options to prioritizing the well-being of both staff and students, necessitating flexible and innovative methods. By exploring how school leaders apply transformational techniques in actual educational environments, this article addresses the impact of the four I’s of transformational leadership, idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, on building educator resiliency, sustaining school effectiveness, and promoting student achievement in higher education.

Fierce Leadership-Perspectives Of Black Women Educational Leaders: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Janice Taylor, Dianne Reed

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

The authors of this transcendental phenomenological study aimed to describe the lived experiences of Black women based on their perceptions, values, and beliefs about the complexities of leadership and the kind of leadership required to succeed in their respective roles, as educational leaders. This study was framed by the adaptive leadership theory. Adaptive leadership recognizes the need for leaders to stay flexible and resilient in fast-paced environments (Nelson & Squires, 2017). The three Black women leaders in this study were fierce adaptive leaders. The information acquired from this study is significant and highlights how Black women educational leaders developed the …

Research Literacy And Research Production Skills As Core Competencies In Leaders, Kk O'Byrne

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

No abstract provided.

Factors For Successful Craniosynostosis Surgery Gofundme Campaigns, Annarose Taylor, Rena Atayeva, Shikha Trivedi, Phavon Sage, David Park, Brendan Podszus, Jessica Bigner, Yifan Guo

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Introduction

Craniosynostosis surgery costs can be as high as 100,000 dollars. Even with complete insurance coverage, patients often face large out-of-pocket expenses. Thus, patients seek other financial resources. As a crowdfunding platform, GoFundMe (GFM) is one of those resources. The objective of our study was to identify GFM campaign factors associated with greater fundraising success.

Methods

GoFundMe.com was queried for: craniosynostosis, synostosis, brachycephaly, trigonocephaly, scaphocephaly, and fused skull suture. Included campaigns had patients in the U.S. fundraising for craniosynostosis surgery or related expenses. Excluded campaigns were duplicates, for animals, helmets, charities, or other surgeries. Successful campaigns achieved third quartile of …

Touching Lives With Empathy And Assurance In Medicine (Team): An Experiential Palliative Care Medicine Program For Medical Students, Kevin A. Barnes, Simone K. Schumaecker, Madeline L. Dunstan, Marissa C. Galicia-Castillo

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Palliative Care Medicine (PCM) education presents unique challenges as core competencies like communication, response to grief, and engaging seriously ill patients are difficult to teach through classroom instruction. Despite didactics and modules, many medical students report feeling underprepared for end-of-life discussions. Emerging evidence suggests that experiential learning, particularly one-on-one interactions with patients, reduces learner insecurity and deepens understanding of serious illness. The Touching Lives with Empathy and Assurance in Medicine (TEAM) program at Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital was developed to address this gap through a structured, longitudinal PCM experience. This project analyzes the program’s design, implementation, and early participation …

Concomitant Subacromial Decompression Remains Commonly Performed During Rotator Cuff Repair: A Trinetx Study, Madison Baldauf, Zachary Krumm, Savannah Ward, Katherine Worcester, Kevin Bonner Md

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Introduction:

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) is among the most frequently performed shoulder procedures in the US and is often accompanied by concomitant subacromial decompression (SAD). In recent years some studies have called into question the benefit of SAD in this setting. The topic is controversial as many surgeons still feel SAD is indicated. This study aims to characterize the changes in proportion of SAD performed concomitantly with RCR over recent years using TriNetX.

Methods:

The TriNetX database was queried for all patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair from 2013 to 2025. Cohorts were established using the Current Procedural Terminology …

Complex Tandem Gait Performance In Collegiate Athletes With And Without A History Of Concussion, Irenia R. Torre

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

No abstract provided.

Sex Differences In Complex Tandem Gait Performance Among Division I Collegiate Athletes, Destiny Mcknight, Thomas Campbell

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Background:
Sport-related concussions remain a significant concern in collegiate athletics, accounting for approximately 6% of sport-related injuries annually. Athletic trainers play a critical role in identifying concussion-related impairments, particularly deficits in balance and postural control. Dynamic balance impairments may persist beyond symptom resolution and negatively affect performance and functional mobility. The Complex Tandem Gait (CTG) test, a component of visio-vestibular assessment, evaluates postural control under varying sensory conditions and may detect lingering deficits associated with concussion history.

Objective:
To examine gender differences in baseline dynamic balance performance during complex tandem gait tasks among Division I athletes.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study …

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation In Trauma Before And After Covid-19: Associations Of Utilization, Timing, And Outcomes, Ryan Mancoll, William Rice, Theodore Chin, Grayson Mast M.D, Samantha Olafson M.D.

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Objectives:

The COVID-19 pandemic expanded and altered general ECMO utilization and provider experience; however, any impact on trauma-specific ECMO practice following this shift remains unclear. We hypothesize that trauma ECMO utilization patterns, timing of initiation, and outcomes have differed following COVID-19.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of trauma patients receiving ECMO (2017-2024) using the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) Participant Use Files. The primary exposure was the COVID era (2017-2019 vs. 2021-2024). Primary outcomes included ECMO utilization, time to initiation, and in-hospital mortality; secondary outcomes included discharge disposition, major complications, and length of stay …

Staged Versus Immediate Bilateral Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction In A Community Hospital Setting: A Procedure And Patient‑Level Analysis Of Recovery Burden And Safety:, Ryan Mancoll, Adam Akari, Shreyas Bhalle, Lawrence Colen, John Mancoll

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Introduction: Reconstruction using Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flaps is standard for muscle-sparing breast restoration following mastectomy. Staging the procedure in two is becoming increasingly common and an option for community surgeons to decrease operation-specific time burden. We hypothesize that in our community hospital-based cohort, staged reconstruction will be associated with lower recovery burden and decreased complication risk.
Methods: This study was a retrospective single-surgeon cohort of patients receiving staged, immediate or unilateral DIEP breast reconstruction (N = 276) from 2011-2021. Procedure-level multivariate regression evaluated surgical time, Length of stay, opioid use (MME), and perioperative change. Patient-level multivariate regression assessed …

Exploring The Relationship Between Behavioral Health Early Prediction Model And Patient Outcomes In The Emergency Department, Karen M. Richendollar, Kathie M. Zimbro

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Problem: Emergency departments (EDs) are increasingly utilized for mental health (MH) care, often resulting in overcrowding and delayed access to specialized services. A significant proportion of MH patients are discharged without a psychiatric consult, raising concerns about safety and readmission rates. This trend places additional strain on already limited behavioral health resources and contributes to care delays for patients in acute crisis. Moreover, the lack of standardized discharge criteria for MH patients increases variability in care and may compromise patient outcomes. Purpose: This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Behavioral Health Early Discharge Prediction Model (BHEDPM) in identifying MH patients …

Acidosis During Dhca Is Associated With Neurologic Injury In A Canine Model, Rishab Agarwal

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Introduction: Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is utilized for neuroprotection during aortic surgery. The associations between the hemodynamic, metabolic and neurologic effects are not well characterized. We hypothesized that DHCA would be associated with hemodynamic and physiologic derangements which would correlate with neurological injury in a large animal model.

Methods: Twenty canines underwent 90 min DHCA at 18 °C with a randomized antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) flow rate (2.5, 5, or 10 cc/kg/min, n=6 for each) and were survived for 3 days. No ACP was implemented in controls (n=2).  Intraoperative assessments included hemodynamic (mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate …

Molecular Xenomonitoring For Early Detection Of West Nile Virus Circulation In New Jersey: A Field Validation Study, Viet-Linh Nguyen, Pratap Kafle

Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Symposium

West Nile virus (WNV) remains a persistent public health concern in New Jersey, yet current pooled-mosquito PCR surveillance often detects viral activity only after significant amplification, narrowing the window for timely intervention. Molecular xenomonitoring (MX), which is the detection of viral RNA in mosquito excreta or saliva deposited on honey-baited FTA cards, offers a non-destructive alternative that preserves nucleic acids at room temperature, passively captures signals from hundreds of mosquitoes per card, and has the potential to detect WNV circulation earlier than conventional surveillance by continuously sampling mosquito activity without the need for lethal collection. This project aims to (1) …

Crowdfunding For Solid Organ Transplants In The United States: A Rising Trend., Annarose Taylor, Sai Kottapalli, Meghana Sunkara, Gabriella Adams, Rena Atayeva, Riccardo De Cataldo, Phavon Sage, Jashanna Walia, Jessica Bigner, Yifan Guo

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Introduction

This study aims to characterize patients undergoing solid organ transplants (heart, lung, liver, and kidney) who utilize crowdfunding platforms, including GoFundMe, by examining their financial needs, goals, and the characteristics that make certain fundraisers more successful.

Methods

GoFundMe fundraisers were the respective terms “heart,” “lung,” “liver” and “kidney transplant.” Details were collected about fundraisers in America including monetary status, beneficiary demographics, and campaign characteristics. Single-variable analysis was used to assess factors contributing to extremely successful (≥70%), successful (≥50%), and unsuccessful fundraisers (≤25% of funding goal).

Results

1324 campaigns met inclusion criteria. The majority of beneficiaries described in fundraisers were …

Recent Progress In Nanogel Technology: From Molecular Design To Biomedical Applications, Fatima Raed Al-Ahmed, Mohammed Sabar Al-Lami

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Nanogels, a hydrophilic polymer network at the nanoscale, combine the structural flexibility of hydrogels with the dynamic behavior of nanoparticles, offering unprecedented control over drug loading and release. Their large surface area, tunable porosity, high water content, biocompatibility, and stimuli-responsive behavior enable transport across biological barriers. This review critically examines nanogels’ unique properties, classifications, diverse methods of preparation, drug release mechanisms, characterization techniques, and various applications in therapeutic areas, such as cancer therapy, wound healing, transdermal and ocular drug delivery, and theranostics. Highlights are shed on nanogels’ potential to target specific sites, both by functionalization and stimuli-responsive behavior, therefore improving …

Influenza B Viral Infection Complicated By Acute Fulminant Myocarditis Requiring Mechanical Support: A Case Report., Tareef Hesham Kannout, Muhammad Azam Shah, Fahmi Abdullah Alkaf, Faisal A. Alghamdi, Mohammed Alreshidan

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Acute fulminant myocarditis represents a severe complication of myocarditis, necessitating early suspicion and intervention for improved patient outcomes. Influenza B-induced myocarditis remains a relatively rare entity. A young lady presented to the emergency department with symptoms of heart failure and cardiogenic shock, requiring inotropes without significant improvement. For the continued deterioration of her hemodynamics, she underwent mechanical circulatory support, including Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP).  The follow-up investigations showed positive influenza B. She was treated with antiviral therapy and steroids, resulting in gradual improvement in hemodynamics and left ventricular ejection fraction

Cbx6-Ca9 Axis: An Epigenetic-Metabolic Vulnerability In Glioblastoma, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most therapeutically recalcitrant malignancies, with median survival rarely exceeding 15 months despite maximal therapy.¹ The hypoxic tumor microenvironment drives treatment resistance through epigenetic and metabolic adaptations.²

In this issue of Molecular Therapy Oncology, the study by Wang et al.³ demonstrates a novel regulatory axis between CBX6 (chromobox 6), a polycomb group protein, and CA9 (carbonic anhydrase 9), revealing how hypoxia-driven epigenetic reprogramming promotes tumor progression and identifying a mechanistically linked pathway for therapeutic intervention in GBM.

The study by Wang et al.3 advances our understanding of how the tumor microenvironment …

Predictors Of Employment Attrition In Lebanon During Multifaceted Crises: The Role Of Chronic Diseases – A National Cross-Sectional Study, Myriam Dagher, Ali Abboud, Ghada E. Saad, Rita Itani, Rindala Fayyad, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Stephen J. Mccall, Jocelyn Dejong, Malak Ghezzawi, Nisreen Salti, Sasha Fahme, Serena Canaan

Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic and Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis exacerbated existing workforce and health disparities. This study explored the predictors of employment attrition during Lebanon’s concurrent crises and examined the association between chronic conditions and employment attrition. This cross-sectional study recruited adults aged 19–64 years residing in Lebanon through random digit dialing (January – July 2024). Data collected included socio-demographics, household characteristics, employment history and characteristics, and self-reported chronic conditions. The outcome was loss of paid employment (employment attrition) during the crises. Predictors were identified through a Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression, and model discrimination and calibration were …

Before And After The Bottleneck: Pediatric Group A Streptococcal Infections In Houston, Tx, From 2013 To 2023, Misu A Sanson, Maria Gabriela Segura, Aya Aboulhosn, Luis A Vega, Sakina Chinwala, Lauren M Sommer, J Chase Mcneil, Anthony R Flores

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Toward the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, many reports described increasing group A streptococcal (GAS) infections. We sought to describe pandemic-associated changes in GAS clinical and molecular epidemiology. GAS isolates were collected from Texas Children's Hospital laboratory from 01 January 2013 to 31 December 2023 and grouped into pre-pandemic (2013-2019) and pandemic (2020-2023) periods. Invasive (INV), skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI), and pharyngeal (PHG) disease types were determined by medical record review. All isolates were emm typed, and nonsusceptibility (NS) to tetracycline, erythromycin, and clindamycin was determined using standard methods. We analyzed 2,717 isolates (pre-pandemic, n = 1,640; pandemic, …

Atrial Fibrillation In Athletes: Mechanisms, Management, And Future Directions, Ibrahim Alameh, Ghina Al Fout, Michael D. Ezekowitz, Mohammed Kamareddine

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: High-volume endurance training may shift exercise from cardioprotective to arrhythmogenic, increasing the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in healthy athletes.

CASE SUMMARY: A 38-year-old marathon runner with a 15-year history of high-intensity endurance training presented with episodic palpitations and reduced athletic performance. Electrocardiogram showed paroxysmal AF; echocardiography revealed mild left atrial enlargement without structural heart disease. Symptoms worsened during the recovery phase after runs, suggesting vagally mediated AF. After unsuccessful flecainide therapy, he underwent pulmonary vein isolation. Twelve months later, he remained free of recurrent AF on Holter monitoring and successfully resumed endurance training following an 8-week recovery period. …

Explainable Drug Side Effect Prediction In Central Neural System Via Biologically Informed Graph Neural Network, Tongtong Huang, Ko-Hong Lin, Rodrigo Machado-Vieira, Jair C Soares, Xiaoqian Jiang, Yejin Kim

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The early detection of potential side effects (SEs) is a critical yet formidable challenge within the realms of drug development and patient healthcare management. Conventional in-vitro or in-vivo approaches for SE detection are often not feasible to scale during the preclinical phase for numerous drug candidates. Innovations in explainable artificial intelligence offer the prospect of early detection of potential SEs for novel therapeutics prior to their release in the market, as well as the explication of the underlying biological mechanisms. In this context, we present a novel biologically informed graph-based model, called HHAN-DSI, which capitalizes on multimodal interactions among molecular …

Mdm4 At The Crossroads: Beyond P53 And Mdm2., Dipesh Thapa, Allison St John, Alejandro Parrales, Atul Ranjan, Tomoo Iwakuma

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

MDM4 (Murine Double Minute 4), also known as MDMX, is a crucial negative regulator of the tumor suppressor p53. MDM4 heterodimerizes with MDM2 to enhance MDM2-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of p53, thereby promoting tumorigenesis. Beyond its canonical role in inhibiting p53 activity, recent studies have revealed diverse p53-independent functions. MDM4 interacts with various proteins, including p73, E2F1, casein kinase 1α, PPARα, and TRIM21 to regulate cell cycle progression, β-catenin-mediated pre-leukemic progression, and ferroptosis independent of p53. In addition, MDM4 functions independently of both p53 and MDM2 by interacting with proteins, such as SMAD family members 3/4, retinoblastoma protein (pRB), p21, …

Spatial Narrative Beyond The Proscenium: Set Design As A Tool For Wellness, Christina Griffey

LSU Master's Theses

Inspired by a health crisis that led to spending time in medical settings, this thesis examines how our surroundings impact our well-being. By developing a framework that explores the topics of storytelling, space, place, theatre, and expanded scenography, I propose that set design can be used as a tool for wellness. I explore several disciplines through the lens of set design and highlight the disciplines, professionals, and designers that are contributing to the creation of therapeutic environments using scenographic practices.

Qualitative Versus Quantitative Analysis Of Entheses: Using An Ordinal Scale And 3d Scanned Metrics To Understand Entheseal Differences In The Charity Hospital Cemetery (16or108), Gillian Stewart

LSU Master's Theses

Using a sample from New Orleans’ Charity Hospital Cemetery (16OR108), an analysis between ordinal scores and digital quantitative analysis (DQA) measurements of the entheses (muscle attachment sites) was performed. The skeletal elements (n = 235) examined were the humerus, radius, femur, and tibia. The entheses were 3D scanned using an Artec Space Spider scanner and processed with the Artec Studio Professional© v.2018 and Geomagic Wrap® v.2021 software. Entheses were analyzed by: left and right sides, male and female, and distribution of scores across elements. The analyses yielded significant differences between proliferative and erosive score distribution. Scores between elements exhibited variation. …

A Hemorheological Perspective On Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction: Association Of Erythrocyte Parameters With Angiography-Derived Coronary Microcirculatory Resistance, Abdulrahman Alqazzaz, Yanfeng Lu, Jasmine Bao, Gary S. Mintz, Jiahao Feng, Yong Zhang, Shanshan Gao, Qiang Song, Feifei Ning, Hytham H. Al-Samawi, Mohsen Al-Manj, Mohammed Al-Asadi, Xin Huang, Ning Guo

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

BACKGROUND: Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) contributes to myocardial ischemia in patients both without obstructive coronary artery disease (e.g., MINOCA/INOCA) and in those with co-existing epicardial stenosis. While its etiology includes structural and functional causes. hematologic parameters have been linked to cardiovascular outcomes. However, the relationship between red blood cell (RBC) markers and microvascular resistance remains poorly characterized. We aim to evaluate whether RBC parameters are correlated with the angiography-derived index of microcirculatory resistance (angio-IMR).

METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the association between red blood cell (RBC) parameters and angio-IMR in patients with intermediate coronary artery disease (30%-70% stenosis). Data were …

A Scoping Review Of Gender-Based Violence Interventions Conducted In Afghanistan, Wahiba Abu-Ras, Basil H. Aboul-Enein, Patricia J. Kelly, Dilshod Achilov

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

BACKGROUND: Gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the most pervasive human rights and public health challenges worldwide, with disproportionate impacts on women and girls in conflict-affected and fragile states. Afghanistan represents one of the most restrictive environments for women's rights, where structural, cultural, and political barriers severely limit the implementation and evaluation of GBV-prevention programs. This scoping review aims to identify and critically appraise GBV prevention and response interventions implemented in Afghanistan and assess their contribution to advancing gender and health equity.

METHODS: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the PICOS framework, nine databases were systematically searched for studies published between 2010 …

Bridging The Gap In Women's Healthcare — The Homoeopathic Perspective And Evidence Base, Subhash Kaushik

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

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