Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Eef2k Promotes Immune Evasion In Melanoma Via Cyclin D1–Mediated Stabilization Of Pd-L1, Yijie Ren, Darby J. Ballard, Anil Kumar, Andy F. Song, Mitiksha Gupta, Xiaofang Xiong, Xingcong Ren, Jugal Kishore Das, Jin-Ming Yang, Jianxun Song

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K) is a stress-responsive regulator of protein synthesis implicated in melanoma progression, but its role in tumor immune evasion remains poorly defined. We investigated how eEF2K influences programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression through modulation of Cyclin D1. We analyzed gene expression and dependency datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Cancer Dependency Map. Protein–protein interactions were assessed by co-immunoprecipitation. Cyclin D1 was inhibited pharmacologically with palbociclib. Immune responses were evaluated in murine B16-OVA and human A2058 melanoma models using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry after genetic or pharmacologic modulation of eEF2K and Cyclin D1. …

Improving Blood Pressure Control Through Lifestyle Modification In African Americans Adults With Uncontrolled Hypertension, Tasha Leonard

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

African American adults have the highest incidence of uncontrolled hypertension (HTN), leading to premature cardiovascular death in Texas and worldwide. In a South Texas cardiac clinic, over 90% of African American adults with HTN also have obesity, compared with 55% of their Caucasian counterparts. The most prevalent factor affecting this group is poor understanding of blood pressure management, which leads to nonadherence to dietary and exercise recommendations, medication regimens, and blood pressure monitoring. The objective was to determine whether lifestyle modification using a hypertensive bundle would improve blood pressure management among African American adults in the clinical setting. The initiative …

A Guideline To Address Barriers To Mental Health Treatment Experienced By Law Enforcement Officers, Jacqueline Estrella

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Law enforcement officers are exposed to repeated trauma on the job that may negatively affect their mental health. Officers may avoid seeking mental health treatment due to police culture, stigma, and other barriers which may increase risks for suicide, absenteeism, and maladaptive coping.

Objectives: Develop an evidenced-based guideline to address barriers law enforcement officers face in seeking mental health treatment.

Methods: The National Quality Measures Clearinghouse (NQMC) Domain Framework was used to guide a literature review to identify best practices suitable for a guideline. Articles were graded for strength based on the John Hopkins Nursing Evidence Based Practice (JHNEBP) …

Multisite, Multiancestry Genome-Wide Association Study Meta-Analysis Of Functional Seizure Disorder In A Hospital Sample Of 675,680 Patients, Slavina B Goleva, Costin Leu, Yen-Chen Anne Feng, David Burstein, Sanan Venkatesh, Rebecca Birnbaum, Veera M Rajagopal, Peter Straub, Jakob Christensen, Jocelyn F Bautista, Robyn M Busch, Imad M Najm, Jakob Grove, Anders D Børglum, Georgios Voloudakis, Panos Roussos, Jordan Smoller, Dennis Lal, Lea K Davis

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Functional seizures (FS) are paroxysmal episodes that phenotypically resemble epileptic seizures but are not associated with brain epileptiform discharges; they are also known as psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. The exact etiology and pathophysiology of FS is unknown; however, trauma and stress-related disorders are known risk factors.

Methods: We used a validated algorithm applied to electronic health records to identify individuals with FS in 6 international biobanks and hospital sites. We conducted a multisite FS genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis, including 10,910 FS cases (9040 predicted European ancestry [EA] and 1870 predicted African ancestry [AA]) and 664,500 (561,150 EA and 103,350 …

Spatial Evolution In Temporal Dynamics Of Hemodynamic Response Function In Human Superior Colliculi With Ultra-High-Resolution Mri At 9.4t, Nooshin J Fesharaki, Artemy Vinogradov, David Ress, Jung Hwan Kim

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The superior colliculus (SC) plays a crucial role in multisensory integration, visual information processing, saccadic target selection, visual selective attention, and decision making. In particular, the SC has a key role in oculomotor coordination, following a rostro-caudal organization. The rostral SC, which corresponds to foveal representation, is linked to fixation, microsaccades, smooth pursuit, and vergence adjustments. In contrast, the caudal SC, representing more peripheral visual field, is associated with the large gaze shifts (saccades). However, evidence regarding whether this functional gradient is preserved in the human SC remains limited. In this study, we employed a sequence-following visual-motor task to specifically …

Thrombelastography As A Predictive Tool For Thromboembolic Events After Extremity Trauma: A Secondary Analysis Of Prevent-Clot, Cory K Mayfield, Nathan N O'Hara, Prism S Schneider, Renan C Castillo, Robert V O'Toole, Katherine P Frey, William Obremskey, Deborah M Stein, Reza Firoozabadi, Stephen J Warner, Madhav A Karunakar, Joshua L Gary

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) poses significant risk of morbidity and mortality in orthopaedic trauma patients. Thromboelastography (TEG) analysis has been demonstrated to provide value in demonstrating hypercoagulability and predicting the risk of post-injury VTE. The primary aim was to investigate if TEG analysis at the time of admission following severe extremity trauma predicts thromboembolic events. We hypothesized that previously described elevations in maximal amplitude (MA) on initial TEG would correlate with an increased risk of VTE.

Methods: This was a secondary study of PREVENT CLOT, a multicenter, randomized trial that enrolled adult patients with an extremity fracture (from hip to …

Risk Factors And Outcomes Of Reintubation Following Combined Heart-Lung Transplantation, Ye In Christopher Kwon, Michael Keller, Alan Lai, Brian Bao, Joshua Pei, Matthew Ambrosio, Jay Patel, Motaz Al-Yafi, Zachary Fitch, Josue Chery, Patricia Nicolato, Vigneshwar Kasirajan, Zubair A Hashmi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Unplanned reintubation after combined heart-lung transplantation (HLT) significantly affects morbidity and mortality, yet national data are limited. We evaluated the incidence, predictors, timing, and outcomes associated with reintubation after HLT.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed adults undergoing primary HLT in the UNOS registry from January 2004 to September 2024. Patients were stratified by reintubation status (defined as re-established mechanical ventilation (MV) after initial extubation). Propensity matching (1:1) balanced recipient and donor characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression models identified independent risk factors.

Results: Among 609 adult HLT recipients, 165 (27.1%) required postoperative reintubation. After 1:1 propensity score matching, 146 patients who were …

Optimisation Of Sampling For A New Skin Microbiome Assay Pilot Study, Anita Smith

Theses

Recent interest in the diverse ecosystem of bacteria, fungi and viruses that make up the skin microbiome has led to numerous studies investigating the microbiome in healthy skin and in dermatological diseases. An imbalance of the normal skin microbial flora can cause some skin diseases, and current culture techniques are often unable to detect a microorganism to further our understanding of the clinical–microbiological correlates of disease and dysbiosis. Atopic dermatitis and rosacea are presentations that General practitioners (GPs) often manage that may have an infective or microbiological component and can be challenging to treat. Further research using culture-independent techniques is …

Breast Milk Versus Formula Feeding In The Development Of Necrotizing Enterocolitis Among Nicu Infants: An Integrative Review, Mackenzie Jameson, Faye Li, Liudmila Ryzhova, Mia Smith

Master's Projects

Introduction/Question: NEC is a serious condition characterized by the death of intestinal tissue, primarily affecting premature infants or those with low birth weight. The incidence of NEC poses a significant concern in neonatal healthcare due to its substantial mortality risk, particularly among vulnerable populations. This condition can lead to various complications, including sepsis, nutritional deficiencies, delays in growth and development, and, in severe cases, death. NEC not only impacts the health of the infant but also affects the emotional well-being and bonding experiences of parents. Despite advancements in neonatal care, the rate of NEC has increased, highlighting the need …

Asthma Integrative Review: Effects Of Aerobic Exercise On Asthma Exacerbation, Abigail Williams, Dazya Crayton, Nicole Stasiak, Sabrina Stich

Master's Projects

Asthma is a chronic respiratory illness defined by airway inflammation and episodes of exacerbation. Pharmacological intervention remains the treatment of choice; however, there is growing evidence to support moderate intensity aerobic exercise as adjunct therapy to promote asthma control. The integrative review evaluates current evidence supporting the PICO question: In adults with mild to moderate asthma, what is the effect of prescribed aerobic exercise on reducing exacerbations? A systematic search of CINAHL, Health Source: Nursing, MEDLINE, and PubMed identified eligible studies. The inclusion criteria required peer-reviewed quantitative articles written in English and published within the past five years. In addition, …

Dual Language Learner Status In Relation To Cortisol For Children In Head Start Preschool, Keala Bratsch

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

Early childhood education (ECE) has well documented school readiness benefits, especially for children facing economic hardship. Yet preschool context poses challenges that are associated with elevated stress levels and potential long-term tax on physiological systems that respond to stress. The present study examined dual language learner (DLL) status in relation to levels of the stress hormone cortisol among low-income children attending Head Start Preschool programs. Participants included 207 children ages 3- 5 years who attended preschool in 2021-22 (60.9% attending a dual-language learning school, 39.1% attending an English-instruction-only preschool; all participants meeting the criteria for low-income), and their parents or …

Extradigital Glomus Tumor Mimicking Incisional Neuroma After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report, James W. Li, Michael J. Sayegh, Heng Hong, Zhongyu Li

Stony Brook Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Journal

This case report describes a patient who was presented with severe incisional pain following an uncomplicated total knee arthroplasty. There was suspicion for an incisional neuroma; however, excisional biopsy revealed an extradigital glomus tumor. The patient had immediate symptom resolution post-operatively. Clinicians should maintain a suspicion for the possibility of extra-digital glomus tumors at sites of prior extremity surgery, causing exquisite tenderness and pain.

The Silent Epidemic: Deadly Outcomes Of Undiagnosed Hiv/Aids In Young People, Raksha Ramdas

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 clinical vignette poster

When Therapy Becomes The Trigger: An Antibiotic With A Twist, Hinal Rathi, Roshini Raghu, Parekha Yedla

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 clinical vignette poster

Uncovering Recurrent Oral And Genital Lipschütz Ulcers As An Initial Manifestation Of Immunodeficiency In A Sexually Inactive Adolescent, Raksha Ramdas

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 clinical vignette poster

Misleading Edema: When Pancreas Was To Blame; A Case Of Ectopic Cushing Syndrome, Soumit Sharma, Vasudha Reddy, Jesse Faulk, Madan Gowda

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 clinical vignette poster

A Rare Case Of Paraneoplastic Neuromyelitis Optica Secondary To Colonic Adenocarcinoma Responding To Folfiri Chemotherapy, Soumit Sharma, Ahmed Qaedi, Kelsey Ivey

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 clinical vignette poster

Hypopituitarism Secondary To Hiv-Associated Pituitary Toxicity Despite Viral Suppression: A Rare Presentation Of Adrenal Crisis, Soumit Sharma, Allison C. Estep, Pierce Elliot, Farrah Ibrahim

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 clinical vignette poster

When Edema Means More: Membranous Nephropathy Complicated By Fatal Hemorrhage, Rye Shiver, Luke Stone, Taylor Addison, Shivana Malhotra

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 clinical vignette poster

From Skin To Skull: Basal Cell Carcinoma Complicated By Calvarial Osteomyelitis, Laci Turner, Ahmed Qaedi, Anna Cash, Eesha Chitneni, Farrah Ibrahim

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 clinical vignette poster

Necrotizing Autoimmune Myopathy With Overlap Connective Tissue Features: Treatment With Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy, Soumit Sharma, Ashley Kimbel, Farrah Ibrahim

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 clinical vignette poster

More Than A Fall: A Minor Injury Unmasking Disseminated Mssa Infection, Claudia Warden, Anna Cash, Ross Hardin, Kelsey Ivey

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 clinical vignette poster

Delayed Bladder Cancer Diagnosis In An Adult With Spina Bifida: Gaps In Transition Of Care, Lillian Royston, Joseph Pettus

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 clinical vignette poster

Psychopharmacologic Long Qtc In Pediatric Patients, Alexis Rutland, R Jake Beede, Clinton Martin, Janaki Nimmagadda

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 clinical vignette poster

A Malignancy In Disguise: Metastatic Rectal Cancer Mimicking Heart Failure Exacerbation, Claudia Warden, Jenny Navoa, Ross Hardin, John Fanning

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 clinical vignette poster

Cervical Laminectomy For Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Is There A Role In The Modern Day? A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Christopher S. Lozano, Armaan K. Malhotra, Husain Shakil, Vishwathsen Karthikeyan, Neevya Balasubramaniam, Uzondu Agochukwu, Ankit I. Mehta, Aditya Vedantam, C. Rory Goodwin, Nathan Evaniew, Aminul I. Ahmed, Ricardo Rodrigues-Pinto, Michael Fehlings, James S. Harrop, Shekar N. Kurpad, Jefferson R. Wilson

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

Study DesignSystematic Review and Meta-Analysis.ObjectivesTo compare clinical outcomes in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) patients treated with laminectomy alone (LA) vs laminectomy with fusion (LF) and determine post-laminectomy kyphosis incidence.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and MEDLINE from inception-September 2024 for studies comparing LA and LF for DCM. Outcomes assessed included post-laminectomy kyphosis, neurological recovery outcomes, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and complication rates. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models.ResultsTwenty-seven studies including 3286 patients (2272 LA and 1014 LF), met the inclusion criteria. The pooled incidence of post-laminectomy kyphosis in the LA patients was 2.02 events per 100 person-years (95% CI: …

The Mitosis-Specific Antibody Anti-Phosphohistone-H3 (Phh3) And Its Relation To The Histopathological And Biological Characteristics Of Ameloblastoma And Ameloblastic Carcinoma, Husam Asadiq S. Alrumayh, Samar Soliman, Khadiga M. Ali, Hoda M Ismail, Azza Abbas El-Sissi

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Aim This study aimed to assess the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of phosphohistone H3 (PHH3) in multicystic ameloblastoma (AB), unicystic AB and ameloblastic carcinoma (AC) and to investigate the mitotic activity difference between these lesions. Material and Methods This study was carried out on 30 cases, classified into three groups Group I 13 cases of multicystic AB. Group II 7 cases of unicystic AB Group III 10 cases of AC. These cases were selected from the Oral Pathology Department, Mansoura University and Cairo University archives from 2023 to 2024. Immunohistochemistry for PHH3 was done and the immunoreactivity was evaluated by the …

Evaluation Of Soft Tissue Response Of Two Different Provisional Prothesis Used For Immediate Load Full Arch Implant Prosthesis. Randomized Control Clinical Trial, Mubeen Jaafar Imran, Mohammed Hussein Raafat Abd Elfatah, Sally Elsayed Abdelsameaa, Moustafa Abdou Moustafa Elsyad

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Purpose: The study seeks to evaluate the gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), plaque index (PI) for bar reinforced 3D printed provisional full arch and Milled PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) provisional full arch prostheses. Materials and methods: This study involves immediate implant placement in completely edentulous mandibles using computer-guided surgery. Patients are selected based on CBCT evaluation, ensuring bone density between D1 and D3. A removable complete denture was first fabricated to restore the occlusal plane. A dual scan technique was used with radiopaque markers for digital planning. Virtual prosthesis planning was performed using Exocad software. A stackable surgical guide was …

Comparative Study Between High Performance Polymers Versus Metallic Definitive Obturator: A Finite Element Analysis, Mostafa S. Swedan

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Aim: This study investigates the mechanical performance of obturators fabricated from PEKKTON, PEEK, and traditional Cobalet-chromium materials using finite element analysis. Methods : One three dimensional finite element model was created for this study. Starting by cast laser scanning to create solid parts of the model "cortical, cancellous, mucosa, obturator, and partial denture" that to simulate restoration of maxillectomy defects. The model was subjected to average masticatory load of 200N distributed on the partial denture vertically and oblique. Results: The results of the three obturator materials showed too similar deformation and stresses distributions with small variation in values. The obturator …

The Use Of Pekk Versus Peek In The Fabrication Of Maxillary Definitive Obturators, Mostafa S. Swedan, Sherin F. Donia, Salah Af. Hegazy

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Purpose. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of CAD-CAM-milled PEKK frameworks versus PEEK frameworks in the fabrication of clasp-retained maxillary obturators, assessing retention outcomes and patient satisfaction over a sixmonth follow-up period. Materials and Methods. Ten patients with maxillary defects (Armany class I) were randomly assigned to two equal groups (n=5). Group 1 received obturators with CADCAM- milled PEKK frameworks (Pekkton, Cendres+Métaux), while Group 2 received obturators with CAD-CAM-milled PEEK frameworks (Bio-HPP, bredent), both incorporating hollow bulb extensions fabricated from PMMA. A standardized digital workflow including exocad software design, and subtractive manufacturing was employed for all prostheses. Framework …