Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Aberrant Cd25 And Increased Cd123 Expression Are Common In Acute Myeloid Leukemia With Kmt2a Partial Tandem Duplication And Are Associated With Flt3 Internal Tandem Duplication, Qing Wei, Guilin Tang, Shaoying Li, Sa A Wang, Pei Lin, Wei Wang, Sanam Loghavi, Wei J Wang, L Jeffrey Medeiros, Jie Xu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: KMT2A partial tandem duplication (PTD) occurs in approximately 5-10% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases and is associated with poor prognosis. While its cytogenetic and molecular features are well described, the immunophenotypic characteristics of AML with KMT2A-PTD remain incompletely defined.

Methods: We identified 47 cases of AML with KMT2A-PTD by optical genome mapping. All cases underwent flow cytometric immunophenotypic analysis and next-generation sequencing using an 81-gene panel.

Results: The cohort included 32 men and 15 women with a median age of 67 years (range, 19-87). Thirty-eight cases were de novo AML, and nine were secondary to myelodysplastic …

Emt-Induced Stem Cell And Mesenchymal Programs Can Be Decoupled Via Cell Division And Esrp1-Dependent Mechanisms, Petra Den Hollander, Maria Castaneda, Suhas V Vasaikar, Joanna Joyce Maddela, Claire Gould, Breanna R Demestichas, Robiya Joseph, Shivangi Agarwal, Abhijeet P Deshmukh, Alvina Zia, Shruti Shah, Tieling Zhou, Geraldine Raja, Paul Allegakoen, Nick A Kuburich, Mika Pietila, Chunxiao Fu, Jeffrey Chang, Chad J Creighton, William F Symmans, Rama Soundararajan, Sendurai A Mani

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is known to induce both stemness and mesenchymal properties, and our findings reveal that these two programs can be uncoupled. During EMT, epithelial cells transition from symmetric divisions producing differentiated daughter cells to self-renewing daughter cells. When we block cell division and induce EMT, cells gain mesenchymal properties but not stemness, suggesting the importance of cell division for gaining stemness. We identified ESRP1 as a key regulator of EMT-driven stemness, which get downregulated during EMT in a cell division-dependent manner. Overexpression of ESRP1 prevents the gain of stemness without affecting the mesenchymal program. Only the stemness and …

Role Of The Etv5/P38 Signaling Axis In Aggressive Thyroid Cancer Cells, Jerry H Houl, Rozita Bagheri-Yarmand, Muthusamy Kunnimalaiyaan, Paola Miranda Mendez, Joseph L Kidd, Ali Dadbin, Andrea Ruiz-Jurado, Parag A Parekh, Ying C Henderson, Nikhil S Chari, Aatish Thennavan, Reid T Powell, Clifford C Stephan, Xiao Zhao, Anastasios Maniakas, Roza Nurieva, Naifa L Busaidy, Maria E Cabanillas, Ramona Dadu, Mark Zafereo, Jennifer R Wang, Stephen Y Lai, Marie-Claude Hofmann

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Patients with poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) face a much poorer prognosis than those with differentiated thyroid cancers. Around 25% of PDTCs and 35% of ATCs carry the BRAFV600E mutation, which constitutively activates the MAPK pathway, a key driver of cell growth. Although combining BRAF and MEK inhibitors can shrink tumors, resistance often develops. The exact cause of this resistance remains unclear. We previously found that in PDTC and ATC cells, the BRAFV600E mutation is strongly linked to the expression of ETV5, a transcription factor downstream of the MAPK pathway. In the current study, we …

The Effectiveness Of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prophylaxis Programme Using Palivizumab In Preterm Infants: A Single Institute Retrospective Study, Hilal Al Mandhari, Saif Al Kendi, Noura Al-Balushi, Aqeela Bintaqi, Abdulrahman Al Saadi, Mohamed Abdellatif

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an established respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis programme by assessing RSV-related hospitalisations (RSVH) and identify associated risk factors among preterm infants born at <32 weeks’ gestation. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Eligible participants were preterm infants <32 weeks’ gestation, born between January 2015 and December 2020, who received RSV prophylaxis. Data were extracted from electronic medical records and analysed. Results: A total of 282 infants were included. The mean gestational age was 28.56 ± 2.03 weeks and the mean birth weight was 1.23 ± 0.35 kg. A total of 5 infants (1.8%) experienced RSV-related hospitalisation while receiving palivizumab prophylaxis. Infants with RSVH were significantly more likely to be …

Advances In Targeting Her2 Across Cancer Subtypes: A Pan-Tumor Approach, Taiwo Adesoye, Ecaterina E Dumbrava, Kanwal P S Raghav, Aysegul A Sahin, Hui Chen, Sunyoung S Lee, Milind M Javle, Shubham Pant, Omar Alhalabi, Xiuning Le, Vicente Valero, Paula R Pohlmann, Funda Meric-Bernstam

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is an established therapeutic target in multiple solid tumors, particularly breast and gastric cancers. Significant advancements have been made in the development of HER2-targeted therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), and novel bispecific antibodies. These agents have revolutionized the treatment landscape for HER2-positive metastatic cancers, resulting in improved progression-free and overall survival, and quality of life for patients. Beyond breast and gastric cancers, HER2 expression/amplification has been observed in other solid tumors, such as colorectal, lung, bladder, ovarian, and biliary tract cancers, offering new opportunities for personalized therapy in …

Integrative Spatial Multi-Omics Reveal Niche-Specific Inflammatory Signaling And Differentiation Hierarchies In Aml, Enes Dasdemir, Ivo Veletic, Christopher P Ly, Andres E Quesada, Christopher D Pacheco, Fatima Z Jelloul, Pamella Borges, Sreyashi Basu, Sonali Jindal, Zhiqiang Wang, Alexander Lazar, Khalida M Wani, Dinler A Antunes, Patrick K Reville, Preethi H Gunaratne, Robert J Tower, Padmanee Sharma, Hussein A Abbas

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal disorder characterized by immature blasts and arrested differentiation that primarily affects the bone marrow (BM) and occasionally presents as extramedullary (EM) disease. EM manifestations highlight AML's adaptability to distinct microenvironments, which we examined using spatial analyses of medullary and EM tissues. We describe a workflow for Visium-based spatial transcriptomics in medullary and EM AML, revealing insights into cell-cell communication and the spatial organization of AML hierarchies. In BM, monocytes and granulocyte-monocyte progenitors colocalized with leukemic populations, sharing molecular signatures with those in EM sample. CXCL12-CXCR4-mediated communication correlated with PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in inflammatory niches.

Extra-Axial Cerebrospinal Fluid Volumes From 6 To 24 Months Of Age Are Associated With Poorer Executive Function At School-Age In Children With And Without Autism, Yichi Zhang, Robert C Mckinstry, Natasha Marrus, John R Pruett Jr., Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Abnormally increased extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid (EA-CSF) volume is present as early as 6 months in infants later diagnosed with autism and is associated with symptom severity at the age of diagnosis, but it is unknown whether early EA-CSF enlargement has long-term impacts on other clinical domains. Executive function (EF) deficits are frequently observed in children with autism and are linked with worse academic outcomes, higher anxiety, and lower adaptive functioning. The current study examines the association between EA-CSF volume at infancy and EF at school age in a longitudinally phenotyped cohort of children with either high (HL) or low …

Peace Innovation And Healing: A Design Justice Framework To Support Change Processes, Strengthen Relationships, Foster Trust, And Build Community, Michelle Helman

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

Many organizations aiming to achieve peace and health equity outcomes often focus their design processes and innovation efforts externally without addressing how their organizational culture can unintentionally reproduce the very harms they are trying to address. The purpose of this qualitative design research study is to explore the role of a design justice framework in piloting a Peace Innovation Project aimed at facilitating an organizational culture change process. Specifically, the study focuses on better understanding how integrating a design justice approach could support research collaborators to center equity and justice as core components in building a culture of peace and …

Embodying Design Justice: A Peace Education Framework To Strengthen Relationships, Foster Trust And Build Community, Michelle Helman

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

BACKGROUND

Groups working toward creating peace and equity often focus on external innovation without addressing internal culture shifts necessary to navigate change and achieve their goals. Michelle’s doctoral research and practice address this challenge through a design research study and peace innovation project focused on organizational culture transformation through a design justice framework. Findings suggest that interweaving the framework with storytelling, arts, and embodiment practices are key to support people in navigating change processes to strengthen relationships, foster trust, and build community.

ABOUT

The workshop offers an applied learning experience for participants to explore the concepts of design and innovation …

Reconstructing Life One Clay Pot At A Time, Kelly Allen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Kate Lewis, a ceramicist and teaching artist based in Grand Rapids, MI, created the artwork for the Winter 2026 issue of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). The image features a collection of heart-shaped ceramic pinch pots, produced after she was told she may never be able to move her left arm again. She created them on the recommendation of an occupational therapist who understood the value of meaningful occupations for recovery. These vessels represent a pivotal shift in Kate’s rehabilitation from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Diagnosed in 2018 after sustaining an injury to her wrist, the minor …

Meeting Population Health Needs: Are Occupational Therapy Health Promotion Programs Scalable?, Tracy Chippendale, Szu-Wei Chen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Facilitators And Barriers To Sustainable Global Rehabilitation Projects, Fredrick Pociask, Rosanne Dizazzo-Miller

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The sustainability of projects addressing significant rehabilitation needs in lower-resource countries is considered one of the most critical outcomes of these initiatives. While some information is available from public health and medical projects on promoting sustainability, less evidence exists on facilitators and barriers to the sustainability of global rehabilitation development projects. Interviews with eleven medical and rehabilitation professionals, each with over 8 years of experience in global project development, contributed to the discussion of barriers and facilitators for sustainability with direct implications for occupational therapy practice and research. The presence of established professional standards was a distinctive facilitator, and disruptions …

Brain Gains: A Review Of Remediation Treatment Strategies Using Exercise Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Jessica Smith, Kristin Biggins, Loriann Helgeson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

In this Opinions in the Profession article, we explore remediation treatment strategies using exercise for recovery from post-traumatic brain injury and aim to justify the use of such treatment in the occupational therapy profession to increase skills for functional gain. Common treatment strategies used by occupational therapists after brain injury are compensatory strategies, indicating the client learns a new way to perform the task. Though effective, it is also necessary to consider how remediation and neuroplasticity are essential. Teaching new approaches to complete tasks results in functional gains; however, focusing on foundational skills using exercises to relearn motor patterns to …

Professional Standards As Gateways, Not Barriers, In Occupational Therapy, Ryan Thomure

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Understanding Graduate Occupational Therapy Educators’ Use Of Trauma-Informed Approaches In The Classroom, Sean M. Brim

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Traumatic events can alter the brain structure and affect cognitive capacities and academic performance. Educators at all grade levels are responsible for supporting students through trauma-informed approaches. Previous trauma-informed research focused on K–12 education levels. The experience of graduate-level occupational therapy educators who have applied trauma-informed approaches to improve student learning have not been explored. This general qualitative study explored the experiences of occupational therapy educators who used trauma-informed approaches. The conceptual framework was the trauma-informed care model. Ten graduate-level occupational therapy educators with at least 1 year of teaching experience were recruited and participated in semi structured interviews. Data …

Perceived Educational Value Of Different Types Of Simulation In Occupational Therapy Education: A Mixed-Methods Study, Marie-Eve Bolduc, Barbara Shankland, Bernadette Nedelec

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Simulation is an important instructional method in occupational therapy (OT) programs. However, it remains unclear if the various types of simulation hold the same educational value. The objective of this study was to determine the perceived educational value of three different types of simulations (role-play between students, live scenarios with simulated patients [SPs] and tele-simulation with SPs) and the factors that contributed to a higher educational value. This cross-sectional study used a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. An online questionnaire was used, and two focus groups were conducted to develop a richer understanding of the answers obtained in the questionnaire. Forty-two …

Investigating The Efficacy Of An Online Multigenerational Awareness Course For Occupational Therapy Students – A Pilot Study, Susan Blair, Barbara M. Doucet, Jerilyn Callen, Kirsten Davin, Shelby Hutchinson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

In today’s multigenerational society, particularly in health care settings, thriving can be challenging because of generational differences. Occupational therapy educational programs (OTEPs) prepare students for work environments where three to four different generations may be present. This study examines the effectiveness of an online multigenerational awareness (MGA) course. The secondary objectives include increasing students’ knowledge of enhanced multigenerational collaboration and communication strategies in preparation for future clinical practice. A pilot group of eight participants from various university departments reviewed the course content and completed preenrollment and postenrollment surveys, providing feedback regarding the applicability and perceived usefulness of the multigenerational awareness …

Intentional Resiliency Mentoring: A Mixed Methods Study Exploring A Pilot Mentorship Program For Occupational Therapy Students, Courtney J. Taylor, Ana K. Brussa, Kate G. Barlow

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Because of high levels of reported stress, occupational therapy (OT) students’ ability to employ interpersonal skills and professionally manage conflicts is impeded. This mixed methods pilot study investigated the impact of an Intentional Relationship Model (IRM) informed mentorship program on OT students’ perceived stress and self-efficacy for interpersonal communication. Students (N = 21) completed pre and posttests of the Self Efficacy for Therapeutic Use of Self Scale (SETUS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Six monthly mentor journals (N = 6) were collected to further explore the student experience. Quantitative findings demonstrated students’ (N = 21) ability to manage stress …

Occupational Therapy Students’ Perspectives On Using Virtual Reality Simulation In Preparation For Objective Structured Clinical Examinations: A Qualitative Study, Pegah Firouzeh, Craig R. St. Jean, Christine Ha, Mary Roduta Roberts

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The use of virtual reality (VR) simulations in clinical education has been receiving increased research attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate first-year occupational therapy (OT) students’ experiences using a VR-simulated clinical interview as part of their preparation for a client history-taking Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). This qualitative study used focus groups to understand students’ (n = 20) perceptions of the effect of VR simulation on learning and exam readiness. We also explored students’ perceptions of the simulation’s authenticity, strengths, and weaknesses. Qualitative data analysis was conducted to identify codes and develop categories in association with the …

Ruth Coleman Denard (1906-2002): One Of The First Registered Black Occupational Therapists, Mirline Milien

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The experiences and contributions of underrepresented groups in the occupational therapy profession are insufficiently explored and largely absent from occupational therapy education. For instance, the narratives of early Black occupational therapists and students are virtually nonexistent in the literature. As the profession moves toward greater inclusivity, it is essential to uncover these hidden stories and legacies to better understand the profession’s evolution and help shape its future. This article highlights Ruth Coleman Denard, one of the first registered Black occupational therapists in the United States, and provides an overview of her career trajectory. Historical research methods, including a review of …

An Occupation-Based Review Of Assessments Used In Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practice, Alysha Skuthan, Wendy B. Stav, Gracyn Mcvey, Jennifer Martinez, Marissa Hunter, Erin Diroll, Maureen Flanagan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Assessment tools are a critical component of the occupational therapy evaluation process. Despite the profession’s push toward occupation-centered practice, the classification of assessment tools as occupation-based versus skill-based does not exist. An occupation-based review of pediatric occupational therapy assessment tools was completed and scored according to the Occupation-Based Practice Assessment to classify assessment tools on a continuum of discrete or skill-based to occupation-based. Of the top 11 most frequently used tools, four were classified as occupation-based, three were classified as intermediate, and four were classified as discrete. In total, only 36% of commonly selected assessment tools are occupation-based. Pediatric occupational …

Maternal Role Transition: A Quality Of Life Frame Of Reference For Mothering After Nicu, Wendy Gaughan, Kathryn A. Lemonda

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists are uniquely skilled to address the needs of a new mother and the infant during transition to motherhood, as acquisition of this new role may cause a role strain with other previously held roles. New mothers to infants requiring a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization experience additional stressors and considerations during this role transition. The Maternal Role Transition (MRT) Frame of Reference is a novel, community-based approach to facilitate attainment and integration of mothering occupations and address role strain during the perinatal period. MRT is rooted in the theoretical foundations of Maternal Role Attainment Theory, Self Efficacy …

Rehabilitation Habits And Roles: The Dual Impact Of Iadls And Psychosocial Interventions Poststroke, William Sit, Ryan Hulla, Veronica Smith, Joanna Ruiz, Steve Abraham

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This randomized study assessed an 8-week program for stroke survivors at an outpatient center in the United States. The program focuses on a holistic approach to recovery through habits and roles.

Method: Two researchers randomly divided 19 participants (N = 19) into two groups, with each group focusing on two distinct programs: the Occupational Therapy Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) program and the Psychosocial Modules (PS) program for stroke survivors. Participants attended weekly group sessions and individual phone sessions, which reinforced learned strategies, provided personalized guidance, and ensured adherence to program goals. The Canadian Occupational Performance …

Enhancing Self-Esteem In Adolescents During Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitalization: A Mixed Methods Study, Praveen Injeti, Julie D. Kugel, Dragana Krpalek, Liane Hewitt, Lida Gharibvand

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Low self-esteem (LSE) can negatively impact adolescent mental health, leading to suicidal ideation (SI). Social stressors, such as peer rejections, are considered a source of stress that can contribute to LSE, SI, and subsequent admission to psychiatric facilities. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an occupational therapy intervention to improve self-awareness and self-esteem during short-term hospitalization.

Method: The research used a mixed methods approach to evaluate the impact of a psychoeducational intervention by an occupational therapist on 16 adolescents. The Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES) was used before the intervention (pretest), immediately after the intervention (posttest …

A Polyvagal And Sensory Integration And Processing Approach To Supporting Development In Young Children With Autism, Catherine Cavaliere, Nadia Rust, Michelle Rogowski, Alyssa Calderone, Rebecca Marash, Amy Zdrodowski, John Damiao

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The polyvagal theory presents a framework for understanding the autonomic nervous system’s role in influencing behavior, engagement, and connection. Children with autism experience regulation and sensory integration and processing differences that impact their sense of felt safety and engagement in their environment. The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an auditory program designed to stimulate the vagal system and support nervous system regulation.

Methods: A retrospective multiple subject pretest-posttest design was used to examine the impact of the SSP on regulation, engagement, and skill acquisition in children with autism ages 2 to 3 enrolled in an early intervention center …

More Than Covering Ears: A Clinical Inventory For Characterizing Decreased Sound Tolerance (I-Dst) In Autism, Tana B. Carson, Angela Medina, Katherine L. Long, Yuxi Qiu, Monica Noriega

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Decreased sound tolerance (DST) is among the most common and distressing forms of sensory over-responsivity experienced by children with autism spectrum disorders. DST includes hyperacusis and misophonia, among others, and can limit participation in daily activities. Recently, a new screening tool, the Pediatric Hyperacusis and Misophonia Questionnaire (PMHQ-4) has been developed to allow health professionals to better identify and differentiate these conditions using a single assessment. Additional clinical tools are needed to further characterize DST symptoms to facilitate treatment planning after diagnosis.

Methods: In this mixed-methods study n = 15 parents of autistic children 6 to 17 …

State Of The Journal: Advancing And Promoting Frames Of Reference For Occupational Therapy Practice, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Beyond The Exam Room: Pediatricians Advocating Through State Aap, Heidi Sallee, Kelly Kreisler, Thuylinh Pham

Grand Rounds

1. Evaluate the current political climate and effects on child health at a National and State level.
2. Identify key child health policy issues for the states of Missouri and Kansas.
3. Use different forms of advocacy to share personal expertise.
4. Partner with state AAP Chapters to improve child health outcomes locally.

Precision Education In Health Sciences Education: A Call-To-Action For Developing An Interprofessional Strategy., Arvie Vitente, Jennifer Bosworth, Robert Sweet, Rebecca Cozzi, Christopher Galloway, Piotr Szczurek, Melanie Obispo-Young, Eron Bozec, Erica Brkovic, Tina Bobo, Jennifer Lubinski

Rehabilitation Sciences Department Faculty Articles

Introduction. Growing learner diversity, expanding biomedical knowledge, and rapid clinical digitization have exposed the limits of on-size-fits-all health sciences training. Competency-Based Education (CBE) has sharpened the focus on outcomes, yet many programs still move learners through fixed sequences, infrequent assessments, and retrospective remediation. Precision Education (PE) offers a complementary, data-enabled approach that uses learning analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and continuous feedback loops. Embedded within CBE, PE converts competencies from static milestones into dynamic trajectories that can be measured, visualized, and adjusted in real time across the curriculum. This abstract highlights the need for an interprofessional strategy to design, fund, …

Teriparatide Use In Osteopenic Patients Undergoing Single-Level Lumbar Fusion Associated With Decreased 2-Year Revision Rates, Mitchell K. Ng, Ariel N. Rodriguez, Abigail Razi, Ahmed K. Emara, Brian T. Ford, Ameer Tabbaa, Divya Gouni, Jacquelyn J. Xu, Paul G. Mastrokostas, Jad Bou Monsef, Afshin E. Razi

Rothman Institute Papers

Context:  Low bone density is common among lumbar fusion patients and increases the risks of pseudarthrosis, hardware failure, and revision. Teriparatide improves bone mass and fusion in osteoporosis, but its benefit in osteopenia or normal bone remains uncertain.

Aims:  To evaluate the association between teriparatide exposure and (1) postoperative complications, (2) 90-day readmission, and (3) 2-year reoperation, stratified by bone health status (osteoporotic, osteopenic, and normal) in patients undergoing single-level lumbar fusion.

Setting and Design:  A retrospective cohort study using the PearlDiver database from 2010 to 2021 identified patients undergoing single-level lumbar fusion.

Subjects and Methods:  Patients on teriparatide were …