Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Assessing Clinician Preference For Redirection Of Care In Neonatal Tracheostomies, Gabriella Destefano, Alla Kushnir, Perri Donenfeld

Cooper Rowan Medical Journal

A spectrum of indications exists for the implementation of neonatal tracheostomies, ranging from short-term airway control to congenital airway anomalies. The decision to initiate long-term mechanical ventilation is multifaceted and can be influenced by factors such as physician preferences, caregivers’ attitudes, and comorbidities. It is important to have an ethical framework in place to guide the treatment of preterm neonates who may require long term mechanical ventilation. This study examines physician perspectives on the ethics of neonatal tracheostomy, focusing on the treatment of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. A mixed methods study, consisting of demographic information and 5 clinical vignettes centering …

Dimensional Welfare Beyond Pain: Extending The Precautionary Principle In Birch’S “The Edge Of Sentience”, Willa M. Lane, Nicola S. Clayton

Animal Sentience

Birch's (2024) The Edge of Sentience identifies sentience candidates primarily through the pain-focused LSE Criteria. Yet, as Birch himself notes in Proposal 17, sentience is not pain. We argue that statutory welfare protections must therefore reach beyond pain, and that the right tool for doing so is Birch et al.’s (2020) dimensionality framework, which characterises conscious experience across five domains. Used together, the LSE Criteria establish that welfare is at stake, while the dimensionality framework maps what is at stake beyond pain to provide a taxon-specific profile of where captivity impoverishes experience. We apply this approach to invertebrate welfare and …

Secukinumab Treatment Response In Moderate-To-Severe Plaque Psoriasis: A Monocentric Retrospective Study, Benny Effendi Wiryadi, Yuriawati Hendrawan, Rini Herlina, Albertus Agung Mahode

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Psoriasis affects approximately 2% of the global population and is associated with comorbidities such as depression, psoriatic arthritis, and cardiometabolic syndrome. Secukinumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-17A, is effective for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. This study assessed the real-world effectiveness of secukinumab over 52 weeks.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 53 patients aged ≥18 years who received secukinumab and were followed for 52 weeks. Patients received weekly loading doses followed by maintenance injections every four weeks. Effectiveness was evaluated using changes in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).

Results: At week 16, 86.8% of patients achieved PASI <5, 79.2% PASI <3, 69.8% PASI <2, and 64.2% PASI <1, indicating substantial improvement. PASI 75 was achieved by 77.4% of patients at week 8. PASI 90 was achieved by 71.7% of all patients and by 76.9% of patients with psoriatic arthritis at week 16. No patients discontinued treatment because of adverse events.

Conclusion: …

Syphilis And Hiv Co-Infection Risk Factors At Dr. Moewardi Hospital, 2018–2022: A Retrospective Study, Endra Yustin Ellistasari, Prasetyadi Mawardi, Pratiwi Prasetya Primisawitri, Stella Gracia Octarica

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Treponema pallidum, the agent causing syphilis, is transmitted through contact with infectious lesions, bodily fluids, blood transfusions, or perinatally. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can mask the clinical manifestations of syphilis, while syphilis may exacerbate HIV progression. This study aimed to analyze risk factors associated with HIV co-infection among patients with syphilis.

Methods: This retrospective, analytical, observational study reviewed medical records from the Dermatology and Venereology outpatient clinic at Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia, between January 2018 and December 2022. Demographic, behavioral, and clinical variables were extracted. Univariable analysis was performed using simple binary logistic regression to …

Online Rights Defense Among Chinese Americans Against Racial Aggression In The U.S. During The Covid-19, Fangzhu Lu, Wenshan Jia

Communication Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose

This study investigates how Chinese American communities responded to heightened racial discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic by utilizing social media platforms to safeguard their civil rights, articulate collective concerns, and mobilize resistance against racial aggression.

Methodology

Through qualitative case study analysis, the research examines the social media activities of six advocacy organizations, including three X accounts (WashTheHate, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Asian Americans Advancing Justice) and three Instagram accounts (Stop AAPI Hate, Stop Asian Hate, Advancing Justice: AAJC). The analysis focuses on the content strategies and communication mechanisms employed to counteract racial hostility.

Findings

The selected organizations used social …

The Effect Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Diagnostic Testing Time Completion For African American End Stage Renal Disease (Esrd) Patients Being Evaluated For Kidney Transplantation, Kesha Levesque, Martina Mueller, Julie Anderson, Jennifer Gander, Gayenell Magwood Phd, Rn, Faha, Faan, Ahmed I. Kamal, Michael Jin Casey, Susan Newman Phd, Rn, Crrn, Faan

Publications

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic was directly associated with fewer additions to the kidney transplant waiting list and likely contributed to delays in transplant rates, particularly for African Americans. It remains unclear if the pandemic specifically had an impact on diagnostic testing time completion for African Americans being evaluated for kidney transplant waitlisting. AIMS: To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on kidney transplant diagnostic test completion time and assess racial disparities between African American and White patients. DESIGN: This retrospective study analyzed data on patients approved for kidney transplantation at a southeastern academic medical center between January 2018 and …

The Effect Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Diagnostic Testing Time Completion For African American End Stage Renal Disease (Esrd) Patients Being Evaluated For Kidney Transplantation, Kesha Levesque, Martina Mueller, Julie Anderson, Jennifer Gander, Gayenell Magwood Phd, Rn, Faha, Faan, Ahmed I. Kamal, Michael Jin Casey, Susan Newman Phd, Rn, Crrn, Faan

Publications

PURPOSE:

The COVID-19 pandemic was directly associated with fewer additions to the kidney transplant waiting list and likely contributed to delays in transplant rates, particularly for African Americans. It remains unclear if the pandemic specifically had an impact on diagnostic testing time completion for African Americans being evaluated for kidney transplant waitlisting.

AIMS:

To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on kidney transplant diagnostic test completion time and assess racial disparities between African American and White patients.

DESIGN:

This retrospective study analyzed data on patients approved for kidney transplantation at a southeastern academic medical center between January 2018 and …

Human Milk Small Extracellular Vesicles Elicit Changes In Inflammatory Response In Infant Human Intestinal Enteroids, Kacie D Waiters, Anthony S Peidl, Hailey A Mcandrew, Ashfia F Khan, Grace Adeniyi-Ipadeola, Hephzibah Nwanosike, Sana Sharif, M Funmi Babajide, Micah Castillo, Preethi H Gunaratne, Samaneh Karami, Hoa Nguyen-Phuc, Xinli Liu, Sasirekha Ramani, Tasneem Bawa-Khalfe

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Human milk (HM) is the key nutritional source for infants and the most effective preventative approach against serious gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. Numerous studies in animal models indicate HM-derived small extracellular vesicles (HMEV) reduce severity of inflammation; however, data on human-specific models are limited. Isolated HMEV were characterized from early-HM (colostrum and transitional), mature-HM, and a combined, pasteurized donor bank-like HM sample (pool-); pool-HMEV retains a profile aligned with HMEV from both early- and mature-HM samples. Exposure to pool-HMEV initiates unique gene signatures associated with reduction of inflammation including NFkB-driven TNFα signaling in human …

Plasma Gdf15 Affects Long-Term Dementia Risk And Alters Neuroimmune Signaling, Cassandra O Blew, Michael R Duggan, Dimitrios Tsitsipatis, Gabriela T Gomez, Zulema Rodriguez-Hernandez, Luke C Pilling, Jingsha Chen, Eva Jacobsen, Heather E Dark, Yifei Lu, Shannon M Drouin, Cassandra M Joynes, Minhao Yao, Murat Bilgel, Abhay Moghekar, Qu Tian, Julián Candia, Mary Kaileh, Aditi Gupta, Krystyna Mazan-Mamczarz, Myriam Gorospe, Alexey Lyashkov, Yevgeniya Lukyanenko, Mika Kivimaki, Philipp Frank, Lori L Jennings, Valborg Gudmundsdottir, Vilmundur Gudnason, Lenore J Launer, Naoto Kaneko, Shintaro Kato, Makio Furuichi, Masaki Shibayama, Masahisa Katsuno, Keita Hiraga, Yukiko Nishita, Rei Otsuka, James R Pike, Mary R Rooney, Pascal Schlosser, Yuhan Cui, Guray Erus, Christos Davatzikos, Rebecca F Gottesman, Iwao Waga, Priya Palta, Christie Ballantyne, Michael Griswold, Zhonghua Liu, Luigi Ferrucci, Allison B Herman, Keenan A Walker

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Growth/differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) is a secreted cytokine strongly associated with dementia risk. However, the extent to which GDF15 represents a biomarker and driver of dementia risk remains unclear. Across multiple cohorts, we demonstrated that plasma GDF15 is associated with greater dementia risk over 15- to 25-year follow-up periods when measured in midlife, with stronger associations observed for vascular, compared to Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia. Two-sample Mendelian randomization supported plasma GDF15's mechanistic role in AD and related dementias, while cohort studies linked it to cerebral small vessel disease, neurodegeneration, phosphorylated tau, and a cerebrospinal fluid proteomic signature indicative of neuroimmune activation. …

Early-Stage Corticostriatal Hyperactivity Impairs Cognitive Flexibility Alongside Striatal Cholinergic Dysfunction In An Alzheimer's Disease Model, Yufei Huang, Xueyi Xie, Zhenbo Huang, Ruifeng Chen, Himanshu Gangal, Xuehua Wang, Karienn Souza, Julia Hunter, Xin Wu, Doodipala Samba Reddy, Jeannie Chin, Jun Wang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Cognitive flexibility declines early in Alzheimer's disease, yet the underlying circuit mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we report that young 5xFAD mice exhibit deficits in instrumental reversal learning prior to spatial memory impairment. This behavioral inflexibility is associated with abnormal neuronal reactivation in the medial prefrontal cortex and dorsomedial striatum. Electrophysiological recordings reveal that medial prefrontal cortex neurons are hyperexcitable and receive increased excitatory input. Furthermore, glutamatergic transmission from the medial prefrontal cortex to striatal direct-pathway medium spiny neurons is enhanced and coincides with strengthened inhibitory transmission onto striatal cholinergic interneurons, reduced spontaneous firing, and diminished striatal acetylcholine release. Critically, sustained …

Marshallese Female Caregivers’ Intention To Seek Pediatric Care For Their Children, Ages 2–5, With A Body Mass Index At Or Above The 95th Percentile, Living In Northwest Arkansas, Madicyn Huddleston Freeman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Racial Differences In Hiv Testing And Hiv Infection Among Adults With Seborrheic Dermatitis In Atlanta, Georgia, Olivia Elizabeth Collins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Lupus Vulgaris On The Left Arm Mimicking A Skin Tumor: A Case Report, Dwi Indria Anggraini, Nuriasani Yukendri, Indri Windarti

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Lupus vulgaris (LV) is a rare, paucibacillary form of post-primary cutaneous tuberculosis, accounting for 1.5% of all extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases globally. LV may arise via hematogenous spread, lymphatic route, or contiguous dissemination. The present case highlights the importance of considering LV in patients with chronic and atypical skin lesions, particularly in tuberculosis-endemic areas.

Case Illustration: A 17-year-old female presented with a 2-month history of a solitary, tender, erythematous nodule on the left arm. Initially suspected as a skin tumor, the lesion was surgically removed and tested for biopsy. One month postoperative, a new lesion developed precisely at the same …

Prognosis Of Early-Onset Alopecia Areata: An Evidence-Based Case Report, Sarah Qanita Edwar, Lili Legiawati, Stefani Reditya Anggraini, Ratu Siti Khadijah Sarah

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune, non-scarring hair loss disorder commonly affecting children and often characterized by a chronic or relapsing course. Early-onset AA has traditionally been associated with a poorer prognosis, although current evidence remains inconclusive. This evidence-based case report aims to evaluate the prognostic significance of early-onset AA by synthesizing available cohort data.

Methods: A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, ProQuest, and Cochrane databases using a population, intervention, comparison, and outcome framework. Keywords included “alopecia areata”, “child”, “pediatrics”, “early-onset”, “recurrence”, and “prognosis”.

Results: Five retrospective cohort studies (n = 760) were included. …

Topical Normal Saline, Alcohol, And Petrolatum For Marsi: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Michael Hartanto Angriawan, Shannaz Nadia Yusharyahya, Rahadi Rihatmadja

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Medical adhesive-related skin injury (MARSI) is a common complication associated with acrylic-based adhesive removal. Topical agents such as 0.9% NaCl (normal saline), white petrolatum, and 70% alcohol are commonly used to assist adhesive removal; however, their effectiveness in reducing MARSI remains unclear.

Methods: This single-blind randomized controlled trial with a within-subject design included 56 healthy adults. Acrylic-based adhesives were applied to four sites on the upper arms. Adhesive removal was performed on days 3 and 6 using three interventions (normal saline, petrolatum, alcohol) and one control (no topical agent). Outcomes included MARSI incidence, clinical erythema score, erythema index, transepidermal …

A Cross-Sectional Study At A Tertiary Setting Assessing Socioeconomic Burden And Psychological Impact Of Dermatophytoses, Amrita Hongal, Varsha Manchegowda, Mohan Hebbur Naraharirao, Mahalaxmi Khatagave, Rakshitha Nandeesh

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Dermatophytosis is a highly prevalent superficial fungal infection in tropical regions, often chronic due to inadequate treatment. Its recurrent nature due to misuse of topical steroids and inappropriate treatment contributes significantly to both financial burden and deterioration in quality of life. This article aimed to assess the socioeconomic burden and psychological impact of dermatophytosis, accounting for its chronicity.

Methods: This study included 285 patients aged ≥12 years with previously treated dermatophytosis. Data on demographics, disease characteristics, and treatment patterns were collected. Quality of life was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. …

Oral Tofacitinib For Recalcitrant Lichen Planus Pigmentosus: A Hospital-Based Retrospective Study, Rashmi Singh, Prachi Sharma, Rajnish Kumar, Mugdha Kulkarni, Tripti Upadhyay

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Cutaneous lichen planus (CLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease typically involving the flexor surfaces of the extremities. It is a CD8-positive T-cell-mediated disease of the skin in which an immune mechanism targets basal keratinocytes. Lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP), a variant of CLP, predominantly involves the extensor aspect and has recently been under the umbrella term of acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation. The primary objective of our study was to determine the effectiveness of oral tofacitinib in treating LPP, and the secondary objective was to assess its safety.

Methods: Medical records of patients attending the Dermatology Outpatient Department between …

Exploring Pediatric Leprosy In An Endemic Area: Case Series Of Eight Patients In Indonesia, Gitalisa Andayani Adriono, Tri Rahayu, Sri Linuwih Sw Menaldi, Nelfidayani Nelfidayani, Retno Sulistyo Wardani, Kahlil Gibran, Malika Sabrina Yunifananda, Kartika Qonita Putri, Yunia Irawati

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Leprosy remains a significant public health concern in endemic regions such as Indonesia. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their naive immunity and close familial contacts. This study aims to report cases of pediatric leprosy in Lembata, Indonesia, focusing on clinical characteristics and associated risk factors.

Case Illustration: A case series of eight pediatric patients (<15 >years) diagnosed with leprosy was conducted during a community-based screening program in Lembata, Indonesia, in 2022. Of 140 individuals examined, 8 were children. Most patients were male (6/8) with a mean age of 11.75 years. Multibacillary (MB) leprosy predominated (7/8), and a history …

Combination Therapy For Post-Acne Mandibular Keloid: Suprakeloidal Flap, Intralesional Triamcinolone, And Intense Pulsed Light, Miya Khalidah, Arief Budiyanto, Yohanes Widodo Wirohadidjojo, He Yeon Asva Nafaisa, Sonia Diovani, Dwinanda Almira Rizkiani, Dyah Ayu Mira Oktarina

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Keloid is a benign fibroproliferative skin disorder characterized by excessive collagen deposition resulting from abnormal wound healing that extends beyond the original wound margins. It is particularly challenging to treat, especially in areas with high mechanical tension and skin stiffness, such as the mandibular region, which is associated with increased risk of persistence and recurrence. Combination therapy has shown superior outcomes in reducing recurrence and improving keloids.

Case Illustration: A 41-year-old male with a post-acne keloid on his right mandible underwent surgical management using the suprakeloidal flap method followed by intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TAC, 10 mg/mL, 20 mg) and …

Components Of Skin Boosters: A Therapeutic Role In Dermatologic Conditions, Ita Anggraini, Yuwandita Tamara Putri Dermawan, Eka Komarasari, Prima Kartika Esti

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: The term “skin booster” is commonly referred to in dermatology. These products may comprise several components, including exosomes, secretomes, chitosan, polydeoxyribonucleotide, platelet-rich plasma, and hyaluronic acid. In today’s world, the use of such products is not confined to aesthetic purposes; they are also used to treat several other skin conditions. This review paper highlights the role of “skin booster" components for different skin disorders based on their in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies.

Discussion: “Skin boosters” are bioactive agents typically administered into the dermal layer. Understanding the mechanisms of each component is important because their applications extend beyond …

Instructions To Authors, Academy Editors

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Journal Acknowledgements And Editorial Board, Academy Editors

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Keynote Address And Meeting Program, Academy Editors

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Business Meeting Report (Secretary's And Treasurer's Report), Academy Editors

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Artificial Food Colors Are Not Needed To Attract Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus Colubris) To Feeders, A. Siddiqui, R. Kannan

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Sperm Morphology In The Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Frog, Gastrophryne Carolinensis (Anura: Microhylidae), S. E. Trauth

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Studies by Scheltinga et al. (2002) and Scheltinga and Jamieson (2003) provide the most comprehensive analysis and only review of sperm morphology in Narrow-Mouthed Frogs (family Microhylidae). Of the 490+ species known to occur in this anuran family (Vitt and Caldwell 2014), only 3 are distributed in the United States (Powell et al. 2016), and 2 of these occur in Arkansas (Trauth et al. 2004). Surprisingly, sperm studies on only 12 microhylid species have been conducted (Scheltinga and Jamieson 2003), and no sperm studies are available on any North American species.

Multiple Nuclear Configurations And Microtubular Arrangements In Spermatozoa Of The Western Siren, Siren Nettingi (Caudata: Sirenidae), S. E. Trauth

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

I examined the ultrastructure of spermatozoa of the Western Siren, Siren nettingi, using transmission electron microscopy. My primary objective in this study was to elucidate, for the first time, the unique morphological complexity of biflagellated sperm in this species. This study also represents my fifth addition in a series of investigations that highlight the novel nature of all aspects of spermatogenesis in this salamander I show the basic sperm transverse and sagittal design which includes a nucleus, 2 axial fibers supporting 2 undulating membranes which have 2 axonemes residing at their terminal ends, several circular mitochondria, and several electron-dense masses. …

Binucleation And Seasonal Cycle Of Sertoli Cells In The Western Lesser Siren, Siren Nettingi (Caudata: Sirenidae), S. E. Trauth

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

I examined binucleation and the seasonal cycle of Sertoli cells in the Western Siren (Siren nettingi) using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. My primary objective in this study was to report, for the first time, the presence of double nuclei in Sertoli cells in a salamander. This study also represents the sixth contribution in a series of investigations that highlight the novel nature of all aspects of spermatogenesis in this unique salamander. My findings add to a growing list of extraordinary morphological and reproductive features that distinguish this salamander from all other vertebrates.

Distal Urogenital Anatomy And Epithelial Morphology In The Male Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Frog, Gastrophryne Carolinensis (Anura: Microhylidae), S. E. Trauth

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

I investigated the microanatomy of the distal urogenital system in male Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Frogs (Gastrophryne carolinensis) from a small sample (n = 5) collected in central Arkansas in April, May, and July (2021) and May 2022. Specifically, my primary goals were to elucidate the histology of the following: (1) the paired Wolffian (urogenital) ducts caudally from the kidneys to their merging with the urodeum of the cloaca, (2) the structure of seminal vesicles, and (3) the epithelial morphologies among the distal urogenital tract, the posterior alimentary canal, and the cloaca. My histological analysis confirmed the presence of …

Academy Presidents And Institutional Members, Academy Editors

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.