Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation In Labor: A Case Report And Review Of Recommendations, Margaret Carrig, Megan Kohman, Jessica Richter, Cristina Enrique

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Cauda Equina Syndrome With Atypical Presentation, Natalie Powell, Karen Foote

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Termination Of A Fatal Malignant Arrhythmia By Treating Respiratory Alkalosis At The Ventilator: A Case Report, Thea Danielle Amadasun, Muhammed Salman Ullah, Vladimir Begilman

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Among Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism And Risk Factors For Mortality, Kawar Bir Dhaliwal, Rahul Pawa, Naresh Kodwani

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Transient Stunning Of Leadless Pacemaker Diagnostic Function Following Pulse Field Ablation For Atrial Arrythmia, Danish Bawa, Stephanie Billingsly, Thomas Pritchard, Rachad Ghazal, Adnan Ahmed, Douglas Darden, Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Gluteal Compartment Syndrome Following Prolonged Immobilization In The Setting Of Polysubstance Use: A Two-Patient Case Series, Daulton Sauce, Mark Gamadia, Robert Garner, Molly Black

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Bridging The Gap: Early Recognition And Interim Management Of Silica-Associated Rheumatoid Arthritis In Resource-Limited Primary Care Settings, Sukhneet Bhullar, Howard J. Tan, Alaa Baqer, Cathlen Delva

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Multifocal Gastrointestinal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Initially Resembling Crohn’S Disease, Mary Moussa, Durga A. Kumar, Vikas Sethi, Alvin Boyd Newman-Caro, Christopher Halleman, Michael Schulman

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Bpa: Effects Of The "Plastic Era", Bianca G. Pietrangeli

Student Work

Infographic review of sources of BPA and its impacts on human health with a focus on osteoporosis.

Evaluating The Impact Of Proactive Rounding On Early Recognition And Rapid Response, Alicia Mcintosh

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: This quality improvement project evaluated the impact of a Rapid Response Team (RRT)-led proactive rounding model on the early recognition of clinical deterioration and selected patient outcomes.

Background: Delays in recognizing clinical deterioration contribute to preventable adverse events, highlighting the need for proactive strategies to support early identification and timely intervention. To address this need, the project was implemented on a 36-bed intermediate care unit at a community medical center in Southeast United States.

Methodology: Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, the project used a six-week pre-post intervention in which an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) conducted proactive rounds on patients …

Blocking Interleukin 33 Reduces Joint, Systemic, And Lung Inflammatory Responses In The Combined Collagen-Induced Arthritis-Inhalant Endotoxin Exposure Model, Jill A. Poole, Jacob L. Larsen, Geoffrey M. Thiele, Todd A. Wyatt, Amy J. Nelson, Michael J. Duryee, Angela Gleason, Oliver W. Schanze, Aaron D. Schwab, John D. Dickinson, Deanna Mosley, Michael Lush, Han-Jun Wang, E. Suzanne Cohen, Bryant England, Ted R. Mikuls

Journal Articles: Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health

Therapies capable of resolving rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated lung disease, particularly in the setting of environmental exposures, are lacking. This study sought to determine whether blocking interleukin (IL)-33 in a murine model of RA-associated lung disease induced by combined collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and repeated inhalant lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposures could be advantageous. Arthritis prone male DBA/1J mice received CIA (vs saline) injections (days 1 and 21) plus intranasal LPS (100 ng) or saline daily for 4 weeks and were subsequently treated with 5 doses of anti-IL-33 (10 mg/kg) or isotype over 11 days. Anti-IL-33 therapy significantly (P < .05) mitigated several CIA+LPS-induced effects. Anti-IL-33 reduced arthritis inflammatory score by 76% and serum acute phase reactant pentraxin-2 by 70% and reversed weight loss induced by CIA+LPS coexposure. Anti-IL-33 reduced CIA+LPS-induced antimalondialdehyde acetaldehyde but not anticitrullinated autoantibodies in serum and reduced serum levels of inflammatory mediators. Lung cell infiltrates induced by coexposure, including neutrophils, activated lung macrophages, transitional monocytes-macrophages, monocytic-like cells, and dendritic cells, were reduced with anti-IL-33. Anti-IL-33 also reduced CIA+LPS-induced lung levels of chemokines involved in monocyte-macrophage recruitment and fibrotic/repair mediators collagen deposition, IL-33 expression, inflammatory CC motif chemokine receptor 2

Molar–Incisor And Generalized Grade C Periodontitis: Distinct Microbiome–Immune Interactions Suggest Divergent Pathogenesis, Camila S. Stolf, Hélvis E. S. Paz, Murilo C. Paraluppi, Manuela Maria Viana Miguel, Mauro P. Santamaria, Mabelle F. Monteiro, Deyvid E. Amgarten, Raquel R. A. Franco, Luciana S. Branco-De-Almeida, Luciana M. Shaddox, Renato C. V. Casarin

Oral Health Practice Faculty Publications

Aim:

Molar-Incisor (PerioC-MIP) and Generalized (PerioC-G) Grade C Periodontitis could have distinctive etiopathogenesis behind their unique clinical patterns. Thus, this study aimed to distinguish these two phenotypes by analyzing the subgingival metagenomic profile and the inflammatory markers levels.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional comparative study, Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) and Subgingival Biofilm (SB) were collected from 18 PerioC-MIP North Americans and 14 periodontally healthy controls (HC) from the same location (HC-MIP) and 20 PerioC-G Brazilians and 20 controls (HC-G). From GCF, immunoenzymatic analysis was performed. SB functional and taxonomic bacterial content was determined using shotgun metagenomics sequencing.

Results:

Taxonomic results showed …

Performance Outcomes Of Critical Access Hospitals: A Resource Dependence Theory Evaluation Of Change Of Ownership Versus Independence, Colette Christina Martin

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) play a vital role in sustaining healthcare access in rural communities, yet many face persistent financial and operational constraints. A change in hospital ownership is frequently seen as a strategy to sustain these hospitals, improve access to capital, supplement administrative infrastructure, and leverage system-level expertise. However, empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of acquisition for CAHs remains limited and mixed. Guided by Resource Dependence Theory (RDT) and the Balanced Scorecard framework, this study examines whether ownership change is associated with differences in financial performance, utilization, staffing, and quality outcomes among CAHs.

Using Medicare Cost Reports, the American …

Guitar Amplifier Directivity, Rachel C. Edelman, Brian E. Anderson, Samuel D. Bellows, Timothy W. Leishman

Directivity

No abstract provided.

Community Benefit Spending Decisions At Virginia’S Nonprofit Hospitals, Zelda Hinkle

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Nonprofit Studies Capstone Projects

Nonprofit hospitals play a unique role in the healthcare system: in exchange for tax- exempt status, they are expected to provide “community benefits,” such as charity care, health programs, and community investments. While this spending represents a major opportunity to improve population health and address disparities, stakeholders debate how expectations should be set, measured, and regulated to ensure mission adherence while maintaining nonprofit autonomy. This study explores how community benefit spending allocation is actually determined, leveraging interviews with decision-makers at large nonprofit hospital systems in Virginia. Findings consider the role of factors such as Community Health Needs Assessments and strategic …

A Unified Finite Element Framework For Cardiac Growth And Remodeling In Mitral Regurgitation Incorporating Fiber Reorientation And Baroreflex, Mohammad Mehri, Jonathan F. Wenk

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Mitral regurgitation (MR) triggers complex cardiac remodeling responses that alter the structure and function of the left ventricle (LV). While several models have been developed to predict myocardial growth in MR, they often neglect key concurrent adaptive mechanisms that influence both the pattern and severity of LV dilation. This study presents a unified finite element framework to systematically evaluate the individual and combined contributions of fiber reorientation (FR) and baroreflex regulation to LV growth and remodeling, along with the effects of myocardial material property changes associated with the acute and chronic phases of MR. A healthy baseline model and multiple …

Methods To Reduce Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: An Integrative Review, Jolene J. Davis

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This integrative review explores interventions that may improve live birth rates or pregnancy outcomes for individuals experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Approximately 5% of couples experience RPL, and limited evidence contributes to inconsistent clinical recommendations for this population. A literature search was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, and Nursing and Allied Health Collection. Inclusion criteria consisted of primary research studies published in English from 2016 to 2026 that evaluated preventative interventions aimed at improving live birth rates or pregnancy outcomes in individuals with RPL. Exclusion criteria included infertility unrelated to RPL, single miscarriage, animal subjects, in vitro fertilization-related studies, or studies …

Trustworthy Multimodal Ai For Medical Imaging: Enhancing Diagnosis, Reasoning, And Human-Agent Interaction In Extended Reality, Jai Prakash Veerla

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations

The transition from traditional microscopy to digital pathology has digitized diagnostic data, yet clinical workflows remain constrained by two-dimensional screens and passive, opaque analysis tools that fail to capture the spatial complexity of biological systems. While Foundation Models now promise to reason across histology and genomics, a critical disconnect persists between the richness of this data and the limited cognitive bandwidth of clinicians, who currently lack the immersive interfaces and trustworthy agents necessary to utilize it effectively. This dissertation presents a unified framework for "Embodied Agentic AI," establishing a pipeline that augments physician capabilities through immersive visualization, robust security, and …

Feeding Missoula: Food Insecurity In Rural Children And Youth, Chani Brammer, Braelee Cheeks, Jordin Holland, Rayne Mccollough, Laurel Palmer, Therese Solomon

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

In Montana, approximately one in seven children live in a food-insecure household, with rural Montanans in particular facing significant barriers. Existing needs-based food assistance programs, such as SNAP and WIC, have structural weaknesses: SNAP benefits are often not sufficient to last through the month, and those eligible for these programs face a confusing application process, shame and stigma, and logistical hurdles, such as limited transportation.

“Feeding Missoula” began with an evaluation of how current food assistance programs met or failed to meet the needs of rural youth. Our methodology integrated a comprehensive review of existing literature and structured interviews with …

A Practical Phenotyping Framework For Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Using Remote Multi-Day Urinary Diagnostics, Jeremy Watts, Daniel Godelfer, John Knoedler, Ashley Sturdy, Steven Kaplan, Ilya Sobol

Department of Urology Faculty Publications

Objective

To describe the distribution of predefined Index Symptoms and Diagnostic Profiles in a cohort of men undergoing Remote multi-day urinary diagnostics (RMUD) for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 1,047 RMUD performed with CarePath® in men referred for LUTS across 18 sites. RMUD combined multi-day frequency-volume and uroflowmetry data with the IPSS. Six Index Symptoms were operationalized: (1) low flow with elevated IPSS (device trial criteria), (2) overactivity, (3) primary overactivity (overactivity without obstructive RMUD findings), (4) nocturia, (5) nocturnal polyuria (NP) using the ICS NP index, and 6) no qualifying voids. Combinations of the Index …

Viral Misunderstandings: Reddit Posts And The Covid-19 Infodemic, Julia C. Knutson

Scripps Senior Theses

Information epidemics or “infodemics” became the center of misinformation conversations, due to a global increase in information spread surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. While many academic scholars and institutions, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) attribute the cause of infodemics to anti-science attitudes and the public’s lack of scientific literacy, scholars in Science, Technology, and Society argue that analyzing misinformation within these isolated bounds limits our understanding of its underlying social and historical contexts. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study for misinformation analysis reveals a gap in our current understanding of how people who resonate with or spread …

Extracellular Vesicles In Prostate Cancer: Current Understanding And Future Perspectives, Balaji Perumalsamy, Parthasarathy Seshacharyulu, Raghupathy Vengoji, Nicole Shonka, Benjamin A. Teply, Surinder K. Batra, Sakthivel Muniyan

Journal Articles: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Exosomes are nanoscale, lipid bilayer extracellular vesicles (EVs) actively secreted by cells under both physiological and pathological conditions. As key mediators of intercellular communication, exosomes carry a diverse array of molecular cargo, including nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and metabolites, which can influence the function of recipient cells. Based on evidence from 2016–2025 across PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.org, this review consolidates current understanding of exosome biology in prostate cancer (PCa). We discuss exosome biogenesis, molecular cargo composition, and their functional roles in tumor progression, angiogenesis, immune evasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance of PCa. We emphasize the biomarker potential …

Transcriptional Signatures Of Rapid Protection From Sudan Virus Infection By A Single Dose Of A Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Based Vaccine, Brianna M. Doratt, Sheridan B. Wagner, Delphine C. Malherbe, Gregory T. Smith, Andrea Marzi, Ilhem Messaoudi

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Sudan virus (SUDV) has caused multiple outbreaks of human disease with case fatality rates ranging from 41 to 100%. We have previously shown that a single vaccination with a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus-based vaccine expressing the SUDV-Gulu glycoprotein (VSV-SUDV) prevented clinical and fatal disease from lethal SUDV challenge in cynomolgus macaques. With the high probability of future outbreaks, it is critical to determine the molecular mechanisms of VSV-SUDV-mediated protection and the ability to impart rapid protection against SUDV infection. In this study, RNA from whole blood samples obtained from nine cynomolgus macaques that were challenged with SUDV-Gulu post-vaccination with either …

Characterizing Immune Perturbations In Peripheral Blood Following The East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment, Sheridan B. Wagner, Hami Hemati, Siva Gandhapudi, Timothy J. Hilbert, Candace J. Brancato, Erin N. Haynes, Ilhem Messaoudi

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Background: The East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment on February 3rd, 2023, resulted in the exposure of residents and the surrounding area to numerous hazardous chemicals, which included known acute irritants and human carcinogens. Despite evacuation and cleanup, both residents and responders reported high occurrences of symptoms associated with exposure in the months following, such as eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, headaches, and fatigue. The long-term health consequences for residents remain uncertain.

Objective: To assess the potential for immune perturbations resulting from the exposure, we performed a broad investigation of circulating immune cells and mediators from residents of East Palestine, OH, …

Combinatorial Immunotherapy Drives Exhaustion In Tumor Antigen–Specific Cd8+ T Cells Within The Mouse Renal Tumor Microenvironment, Holly R. Stephens, Elizabeth Elkins, Jing Li, Zoey N. Swalley, Henry Nnaemeka Ogbonna, Pia Muri, Zachary Roberts, Francesca R. Dempsey, Md Akkas Ali, Md Hasanul Banna Siam, Richard Kirkman, Jianqing Zhang, Sunil Sudarshan, Daniel J. Tyrrell, Hubert M. Tse, Daniel L. Smith Jr, Lyse A. Norian

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Immunotherapies have greatly improved outcomes for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), yet response rates remain suboptimal and the factors promoting therapy resistance versus sensitivity are incompletely understood. Currently, no preclinical model of orthotopic renal cancer exists that permits evaluation of tumor antigen–specific (TAS) CD8⁺ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). To address this deficiency, we developed a mouse renal cancer model that permits tracking of adoptively transferred TAS CD8⁺ T cells. Renca-LUC tumor cells were transduced to express tumor ERK (tERK), a model antigen expressing a one-amino-acid change from wild-type ERK, resulting in recognition by tERK/H-2K^d-specific DUC Thy1.1 …

Assessing The Impact Of The 2021 Vwd Guidelines On The Diagnosis/Management Of Low Vwf Patients, Michael Dong, Joanna Larson, Sepideh Saroukhani, Miguel Escobar, Lakshmi Srivaths

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: The 2021 ASH/ISTH/NHF/WFH VWD diagnosis guidelines recommend Type 1 VWD diagnoses for patients with (a) VWF < 0.30 IU/mL or (b) 'Low VWF' 0.30-0.50 IU/mL with the presence of abnormal bleeding. This recommendation recategorizes 'Low VWF' patients with abnormal bleeding into Type 1 VWD.

Aim: To assess the impact of the 2021 VWD guidelines on the diagnosis and management of 'Low VWF' patients.

Methods: A single centre retrospective study was conducted to review all patients presenting for VWD evaluation between January 2000 to September 2024, analyzing for clinical features, ISTH-BAT scores, VWF/FVIII levels, and management of bleeding. 149 patients, totalling 305 clinical encounters, were included in the study.

Results: Seventy five percent of patient encounters had a change in diagnosis from 'Low VWF' to Type 1 VWD …

Safety And Effectiveness Of Stereotactic Radiosurgery For Larger Hemangioblastomas (>2cc): A Multi-Center Retrospective Study, Pavel S Pichardo-Rojas, Salem M Tos, Georgios Mantziaris, Ahmed Shaaban, Ahmed M Nabeel, Wael A Reda, Sameh R Tawadros, Khaled Abdelkarim, Amr M N El-Shehaby, Reem M Emad, Zhishuo Wei, Lindsay M Mckendrick, Ajay Niranjan, L Dade Lunsford, Selcuk Peker, Yavuz Samanci, Roman Liscak, Jaromir May, David Mathieu, Cheng-Chia Lee, Huai-Che Yang, Antonio Dono, Angel I Blanco, Yoshua Esquenazi, Nuria Martinez Moreno, Roberto Martinez Álvarez, Piero Picozzi, Andrea Franzini, Manjul Tripathi, Takuma Sumi, Takeo Uzuka, Hideyuki Kano, David Bailey, Brad E Zacharia, Christopher P Cifarelli, Daniel T Cifarelli, Joshua D Hack, Herwin Speckter, Erwin Lazo, Ronald E Warnick, Jonathan E Schoenhals, Joshua D Palmer, Zhiyuan Xu, Jason P Sheehan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Hemangioblastomas (HGB) are the most common primary intra-axial tumors in the posterior fossa in adults, with an overall occurrence of 7-10%. They occur sporadically or as part of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. The role of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) as a minimally invasive treatment in larger HGB (>2cc) has not been thoroughly investigated.

METHODS: This multi-center study retrospectively analyzed data from 91 patients with large HGB (>2cc) treated between 1993 and 2023. Patients were stratified into VHL-associated and sporadic groups, with assessments including radiosurgical parameters, tumor response, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS: Patients with VHL-associated …

Evaluation Of Interventions For Cognitive Symptoms In Long Covid: A Randomized Clinical Trial, David S Knopman, Deborah Koltai, Daniel T Laskowitz, Jacqueline Becker, Leigh Charvet, Juan Wisnivesky, Alex Federman, Adam Silverstein, Yuliya Lokhnygina, Giuseppina Pilloni, Michelle Haddad, Henry Mahncke, Tom Van Vleet, Rong Huang, Wendy Cox, Diana Terry, Jeannie Karwowski, Netia Mccray, Jenny J Lin, Grace A Mccomsey, Upinder Singh, Linda N Geng, Helen Y Chu, Rebecca Reece, James Moy, Zoe Arvanitakis, Sairam Parthasarathy, Thomas F Patterson, Aditi Gupta, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, Jeffrey Parsonnet, Elaine T Kiriakopoulos, Tamara G Fong, Janet Mullington, Sarah Jolley, Nirav S Shah, Sarah Shizuko Morimoto, Joyce K Lee-Iannotti, William D S Killgore, Brigid Dwyer, William Stringer, Carmen Isache, Jennifer A Frontera, Jerry A Krishnan, Ashley O'Steen, Melissa James, Barrie L Harper, Kanecia O Zimmerman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Importance: Treatment for cognitive dysfunction due to postacute sequelae of long COVID (ie, symptoms of fatigue, malaise, weakness, confusion that persist beyond 12 weeks after an initial COVID infection) remains a significant unmet need.

Objective: To test evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for improving cognitive symptoms in persons with long COVID.

Design, setting, and participants: This was a 5-arm, multicenter, randomized clinical trial of 3 remotely delivered interventions conducted between August 17, 2023, and June 10, 2024. The study took place at 22 trial sites and included the screening of individuals with cognitive long COVID.

Interventions: Participants were randomized to 1 of …

Bridging Evidence To Practice: Development Of An Evidence- Based Occupational Therapy Protocol For Early Rehabilitation Of Adults With Disorders Of Consciousness, Jessie D. Brian

OTD Capstones

Patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) following critical illness often experience prolonged hospitalization, delayed functional recovery, and limited access to early rehabilitation services. In acute care settings, occupational therapy (OT) plays a critical role in sensory stimulation, positioning, caregiver education, and the promotion of arousal and participation; however, interventions are often delayed or inconsistently implemented. A retrospective review of patient data at Concord Hospital identified low rates of early OT involvement among mechanically ventilated patients with OT orders, highlighting a gap in standardized rehabilitation practices for this medically complex population. The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop …

Seeing Success Through Functional Vision: Screening, Education, And Intervention Within Mtss For Kindergarten Students, Falynne Marie Rzezuski

OTD Capstones

Visual skills are essential for participation in early academic tasks including reading, writing, classroom engagement, and learning. However, functional vision difficulties often go unrecognized in kindergarten students, potentially affecting their academic performance and ability to learn within educational settings. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop and pilot a functional vision screening tool and program using a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework for kindergarten students. A literature review informed the development of the project, including the creation of the functional visual screening tool, integration within MTSS, Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions, and educational resources for educators …