Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Humanized Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Provides A Facile And Effective Tool To Identify Damaging Human Variants That Cause Exosomopathies, Khondakar Sayef Ahammed, Milo B Fasken, Anita H Corbett, Ambro Van Hoof

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The RNA exosome is an evolutionarily conserved, multiprotein complex that is the major RNase in 3' processing and degradation of a wide range of RNAs in eukaryotes. Single amino acid changes in RNA exosome subunits cause rare genetic diseases collectively called exosomopathies. However, distinguishing disease-causing variants from nonpathogenic ones remains challenging, and the mechanism by which these variants cause disease is largely unknown. Previous studies have employed a budding yeast model of RNA exosome-linked diseases that relies on mutating the orthologous yeast genes. Here, we develop a humanized yeast model of exosomopathies that allows us to unambiguously assess damaging effects …

Voting Rights Expansion To Achieve Voting Equity, Emily Tuller

Honors Theses

Socioeconomic disparities often correlate with lower voter participation, potentially leading to underrepresentation of disadvantaged communities in policy decisions. Michigan's recent voting rights expansion aims to increase accessibility and participation. This study examined the relationship between county-level poverty and voter turnout and assesses the impact of expanded voting rights on turnout in Michigan's poorest counties. We conducted a retrospective analysis comparing voter turnout data from the 2020 and 2024 elections, obtained from the Michigan Secretary of State website. Counties’ median household income data were obtained from County Health Rankings to identify high- and low-income counties. We conducted a correlation analysis to …

Deaf Community, Cochlear Implants, And Language Access, Amelia Segroves

Honors Theses

This thesis looks at how getting a cochlear implant can affect a Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing person’s identity, language development, and sense of belonging. It compares people who see deafness as part of a rich culture (big “D” Deaf) with those who see it more as a medical condition (little “d” deaf). By reviewing studies and articles, the research explores how early exposure to language, school environments, and family choices influence how people communicate and see themselves.

This thesis looks at how getting a cochlear implant can affect a Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing person’s identity, language development, and sense of belonging. It …

Intravascular Imaging-Guided Versus Angiography-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention In Patients With Non-St-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction In The United States: Results From Big Data Analysis, Chayakrit Krittanawong, Song Peng Ang, Neil Sagar Maitra, Zhen Wang, Mahboob Alam, Hani Jneid, Samin Sharma

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) can be managed by ischemia guide strategies or early invasive strategies. Here, we present the findings of an updated contemporary analysis regarding the use of intracoronary imaging (ICI)-guided PCI versus angiography-guided PCI and in-hospital mortality in patients with NSTEMI in the United States using the NIS database from 2016 to 2021. ICI use increased by nearly threefold between 2016 and 2021, without a significant difference in in-hospital mortality, though interestingly, mortality rates compared with angiography guidance were similar and relatively low. In this study, the use of ICI was associated with lower adjusted odds of …

A Nuclear Rna Degradation Code Is Recognized By Paxt For Eukaryotic Transcriptome Surveillance, Lindsey V Soles, Liang Liu, Xudong Zou, Yoseop Yoon, Shuangyu Li, Lusong Tian, Marielle Valdez, Angela M Yu, Hong Yin, Wei Li, Fangyuan Ding, Georg Seelig, Lei Li, Yongsheng Shi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The RNA exosome plays critical roles in eukaryotic RNA degradation, but how it specifically recognizes its targets remains unclear. The poly(A) tail exosome targeting (PAXT) connection is a nuclear adaptor that recruits the exosome to polyadenylated RNAs, especially transcripts polyadenylated at intronic poly(A) sites. Here, we show that PAXT-mediated RNA degradation is induced by the combination of a 5' splice site (ss) and a poly(A) junction (PAJ) but not by either sequence alone. These sequences are bound by U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) and cleavage/polyadenylation factors, which, in turn, cooperatively recruit PAXT. As the 5' ss-PAJ combination is typically …

A Deep Learning Strategy To Identify Cell Types Across Species From High-Density Extracellular Recordings, Maxime Beau, David J Herzfeld, Francisco Naveros, Marie E Hemelt, Federico D'Agostino, Marlies Oostland, Alvaro Sánchez-López, Young Yoon Chung, Michael Maibach, Stephen Kyranakis, Hannah N Stabb, M Gabriela Martínez Lopera, Agoston Lajko, Marie Zedler, Shogo Ohmae, Nathan J Hall, Beverley A Clark, Dana Cohen, Stephen G Lisberger, Dimitar Kostadinov, Court Hull, Michael Häusser, Javier F Medina

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

High-density probes allow electrophysiological recordings from many neurons simultaneously across entire brain circuits but fail to reveal cell type. Here, we develop a strategy to identify cell types from extracellular recordings in awake animals and reveal the computational roles of neurons with distinct functional, molecular, and anatomical properties. We combine optogenetics and pharmacology using the cerebellum as a testbed to generate a curated ground-truth library of electrophysiological properties for Purkinje cells, molecular layer interneurons, Golgi cells, and mossy fibers. We train a semi-supervised deep learning classifier that predicts cell types with greater than 95% accuracy based on the waveform, discharge …

Survival Of Patients With 2014 Figo Stage Iiic High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Who Treated With Platin-Based Adjuvant Chemotherapy, Mehmet Ünsal, Meltem Yücesoy, Okan Oktar, Yeşi̇m Uçar, Gülşah Ti̇ryaki̇ Güner, Okan Ayteki̇n, A.Alp Tokalioğlu, Hande Esra Koca Yildirim, Fati̇h Kiliç, Burak Ersak, Caner Çakir, Di̇lek Yüksel, Çi̇ğdem Kiliç, Sevgi̇ Koç, Günsu Ki̇myon Cömert, Özlem Moraloğlu Teki̇n, Yaprak Engi̇n Üstün, Taner Turan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Epithelial ovarian cancer is the second most prevalent type of gynecological cancer. We aimed to investigate prognostic factors related to survival in patient with 2014 FIGO stage IIIC high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC).

Materials and methods: Two hundred fifty eight patients were evaluated retrospectively. The absence of a visible tumor was determined as maximum cytoreduction, and a residual tumor size of 1 cm or less was determined as optimal cytoreduction. Patients who underwent cytoreduction followed by a combination of platinum and taxane adjuvant chemotherapy were included. Exclusion criteria for the study were patients taking neoadjuvant chemotherapy and those with …

Acute Effects Of Virtual Reality-Based Relaxation And Exergaming On Primary Dysmenorrhea Symptoms, Muhammed Şeref Yildirim, Merve Çoğ, Büşra Mehder Akbaş, Si̇nem Salar, Hi̇lal Kekli̇cek

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a menstrual disorder with significant physical and psychological impacts. Physical activity and relaxation techniques are proven methods for managing PD. Advances in virtual reality (VR) suggest that immersive relaxation and exergaming could provide new avenues for symptom relief. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of VR-based interventions on PD symptoms and compare them with a control group receiving Jacobson’s Relaxation

Materials and methods: A randomized, controlled, single-blind trial was conducted with 43 female participants aged 18–30 years with regular menstrual cycles and PD. Participants were allocated to three groups: (I) immersive VR relaxation, …

A Prospective Study For The Examination Of Peripheral Blood Smear Samples In Pediatric Population Using Artificial Intelligence, Eli̇f Habi̇be Akteki̇n, Mert Burkay Çöteli̇, Ayşe Erbay, Nalan Yazici

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Peripheral blood smear (PBS) and bone marrow aspiration are gold standards of manual microscopy diagnostics for blood cell disorders. Nowadays, data-driven artificial intelligence (AI) techniques open new perspectives in digital hematology. This study proposes an AI learning technique for the classification of blood cells over PBS samples while increasing the sensitivity and specificity rates of the experts as a decision support system of a prediagnostic tool.

Materials and methods: The methodology of this study comprises three steps for the creation of an effective learning technique for blood cell disorders. First is the digitization of PBS samples in 100x optical-digital …

Evaluation Of Treatment Compliance In Gout Patients: A Patient-Centered Study, Murat Buğra Görgülü, Riza Can Kardaş, Di̇lara Koç Şeramet, Ridvan Mercan, Mehmet Engi̇n Tezcan, Hami̇t Küçük, Abdurrahman Tufan, Berna Göker, Mehmet Aki̇f Öztürk

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Most studies on unsuccessful gout treatment suggest that knowledge gaps and inadequate physician interventions are major contributors. However, there is a lack of research on the extent to which patients, educated by knowledgeable and experienced physicians, adhere to these recommendations.

Materials and methods: This study evaluated patients seen in university rheumatology clinics who were adequately informed about diet, target serum uric acid levels, and gout by rheumatologists. We assessed their compliance with treatment, clinical and laboratory findings, and disease status a median of seven years after treatment initiation. A total of 302 gout patients who began treatment in tertiary …

Procedural And Patient-Related Factors Play Differential Roles In The Postdural Puncture Headache, Ece Yanik, Doğa Vuralli, Tuğba Tunç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The incidence of postdural puncture headache varies depending on the multifactorial nature of the risk factors. Patient-related and procedure-related risk factors are still controversial. In this prospective observational study, we aimed to evaluate the risk factors for postdural puncture headache, the effect of previous headache features on the development of postdural puncture headache, and the risk factors for the immediate or delayed postdural puncture headache.

Materials and methods: We prospectively analyzed 116 patients who underwent lumbar puncture for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. All clinical and laboratory findings, previous headache history, and the features and information related to the lumbar …

Does Dexmedetomidine Infusion Reduce The Postoperative Analgesic Need In Lumbar Disc Surgery?, Si̇bel Çatalca, Özlem Özmete, Numan Berk, Soner Çi̇vi̇, Emre Durdağ, Caner İncekaş, Nesri̇n Bozdoğan Özyilkan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Patients experience moderate-to-severe pain, especially in the first days after lumbar disc surgery. Poorly controlled pain in the postoperative period negatively affects patient outcomes. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α2 adrenoceptor agonist with demonstrated analgesic efficacy. However, conflicting results have been reported in the current literature regarding the efficacy of dexmedetomidine in this surgery. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that dexmedetomidine safely improves pain scores and reduces opioid consumption in lumbar microdiscectomy.

Materials and methods: Medical records of patients who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy with general anesthesia between January 2023 and October 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who …

Cardiac Surgery Dilemmas: Evaluating Outcomes Of Sternotomy Versus Thoracotomy, Muhammet Fethi̇ Sağlam, Emrah Uguz, Kemal Eşref Erdogan, Hüseyi̇n Ünsal Erçeli̇k, Murat Yücel, Mete Hidiroglu, Erol Şener

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This retrospective study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes, including reoperation rates, mortality, and valve size measurements, in patients undergoing sternotomy and thoracotomy for cardiac surgery, particularly focusing on tricuspid valve replacements. The study sought to highlight differences in surgical approaches and their impact on patient outcomes.

Materials and methods: A total of 107 patients were included, with 82 undergoing sternotomy and 25 undergoing thoracotomy. Preoperative right ventricular function parameters (mean pulmonary artery pressure, tissue Doppler imaging, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion), valve sizes, and other clinical data were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed to assess differences in …

Benzyl Alcohol Improves Ang Ii-Induced Vascular And Renal Injury, Qi Hua, Zhenyu Gu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The etiology of hypertension in pediatric populations is complex and multifactorial, with metabolic abnormalitiesplaying a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of the condition. This study investigates the therapeutic effects of Benzyl alcohol (BA),identified through metabolomics analysis of pediatric hypertension serum, on Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced vascular and renalinjury in murine models.

Materials and methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were used to establish a vascular remodeling model by continuous 4-week Ang II infusionusing a subcutaneous osmotic pump. Bioinformatics was used to identify target metabolites. The tail artery, common carotid arterydiastolic, and systolic pressures in mice were determined with a blood pressure …

Age-Related Meningeal Extracellular Matrix Remodeling Compromises Cns Lymphatic Function, Kate Hitpass Romero, Taylor J Stevenson, Leon C D Smyth, Ben Watkin, Samuel J C Mccullough, Luca Vinnell, Amy M Smith, Patrick Schweder, Jason A Correia, Jonathan Kipnis, Mike Dragunow, Justin Rustenhoven

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Efficient clearance of central nervous system (CNS) waste proteins and appropriate immune surveillance is essential for brain health. These processes are facilitated by lymphatic networks present in the meninges that drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Age-related impairments to meningeal lymphatic drainage contribute to CNS waste accumulation and immune dysfunction, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we identify extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in the aged dura as a key driver of CSF clearance deficits, demonstrating that peri-lymphatic collagen accumulation disrupts lymphatic function. Exploring immune-derived factors contributing to this ECM remodeling, we identify transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) as a …

Staying Safe When Taking Prescription Opioids, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Amy May, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin

All Current Publications

Prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone, are often used for short-term pain management, and it is important to know how to keep yourself safe when taking opioids prescribed by a doctor. This fact sheet reviews what opioids are, how they work in the body, and how people become dependent on or overdose on opioids. It also offers how to limit your risk of dependence and suggests alternative pain management options.

Prevalence Of Medical Writing In Hematological Malignancy Review Articles, Héctor A Vaquera-Alfaro, Elham Nasrollahi, Yashvin Onkarappa Mangala, David Russler-Germain, Aaron Goodman, Ghulam Rehman Mohyuddin

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Medical writing services, initially developed to streamline manuscript preparation, have raised ethical concerns due to their association with industry influence and spin. While prevalent in oncology and malignant hematology clinical trials, medical writing involvement in review articles remains underexplored, particularly in the hematology literature. Furthermore, conflict of interests of the writers may also affect the content of review articles. This study investigates the prevalence, characteristics, and funding sources of medical writing in malignant hematology review articles and their relationship with the financial conflicts of interest (CoI) among authors.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of review articles published in …

Asynchronous Development Of The Mouse Auditory Cortex Is Driven By Hemispheric Identity And Sex, Ashlan P Reid, Demetrios Neophytou, Robert Levy, Cody Pham, Hysell V Oviedo

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Lateralized auditory processing is essential for specialized functions such as speech processing, typically dominated by the Left Auditory Cortex (ACx) in humans. Hemispheric specializations also occur in the adult mouse ACx, but their developmental origins are unclear. Our study finds that the Left and Right ACx in mice reach developmental milestones at different ages. Thalamocortical responses and maturation of synaptic dynamics develop earlier in the Right ACx than the Left. We show that this timing offset predicts hemisphere-dependent differences in sensory-driven plasticity. Juvenile tone exposure at specific times results in imbalanced adult tone frequency representations in the Right and Left …

The Essential Calcium Channel Of Sperm Catsper Is Temperature-Gated, Dilip K Swain, Citlalli Vergara, Júlia Castro-Arnau, Polina V Lishko

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The flagellar calcium channel CatSper is essential for male fertility, as it regulates calcium influx to trigger the hyperactive motility required for sperm to fertilize the egg. Precise activation of CatSper is critical, as premature activation can impair sperm function. While optimal temperature is known to influence fertilization, its effect on CatSper remains unknown. By directly recording from mouse spermatozoa, we reveal that CatSper functions as a temperature-gated ion channel, with a thermal threshold of 33.5 °C and a temperature coefficient Q

Analyzing The Effectiveness Of Dance Movements In Enhancing Activities Of Daily Living For Geriatric Patients And Relevant Implications For Nursing Care, Rachel Ann Bruce

Student Scholar Showcase

Within the healthcare industry, the geriatric population holds a unique set of patient-care needs due to a myriad of physical and cognitive challenges. The presentation of these challenges can negatively impact the quality of a patient’s life and overall independence. One specific challenge providers must account for when providing care to geriatric patients is a decreased range of mobility as age increases. Reasons as to why mobility decreases varies, and include but are not limited to degenerative musculoskeletal conditions, poor nutrition, poor physical mobility or lack thereof, and other comorbidities.

According to peer-reviewed resources, by engaging in frequent Dance Movement …

The Effects Of Stress On Injury And Sickness Rates Of Middle-Distance And Distance D3 Athletes, Hailey D. Smith Ms.

Student Scholar Showcase

A runner intentionally stresses their body to experience an adaptation, however, issues occur when the body does not have time to recover. Male athletes (n = 14) on the University of Lynchburg’s distance and middle-distance team participated in this study. For 6 weeks, heart rate variability (HRV4training app), resting heart rate, perceived stress, and cortisol levels were assessed as indicators of recovery and stress. It was anticipated that indicators of physical stress such as higher resting heart rates and higher cortisol levels, would correspond with greater perceived stress and higher occurrence of injury and sickness. Cortisol (n = 2, p …

Research Week 2025, Michael Schueth

Research Week

Welcome to Undergraduate Research Week at Collin College!

This week celebrates the innovative research and scholarly work of our undergraduate students across all disciplines. From our informative webinars to Cultivating Scholars, our student poster presentation, the week offers opportunities to explore new ideas, share discoveries, and connect with fellow researchers and faculty mentors.

We invite all students, faculty, and staff to participate in these events designed to highlight the importance of undergraduate research in academic and professional development. Whether you're presenting your work or simply curious about your peers' projects, your engagement helps foster our college's culture of inquiry and …

Cultivating Scholars 2025, Elizabeth Hamner

Research Week

Cultivating Scholars is an interdisciplinary event promoting undergraduate students and their special interest topics. It is a research-based setting meant to imitate a professional conference. Students work with Faculty Mentors to conduct a high-quality project and present it to the community.

Date: April 24, 2025, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Place: Collin College, Frisco Campus Conference Center

Analyzing The Effectiveness Of Providing Religious And Spiritual-Based Care For Patients Currently Receiving Palliative Care Services, Rachel Ann Bruce, Cynthia Dien, Kinnice Jordan Turner, Rebecca Kay Tisdale

Student Scholar Showcase

This literature review explores the effectiveness of providing spiritual and religious-based care to patients currently receiving palliative care settings. In the context of this research, palliative care is defined as the six month period before a person’s death. By examining peer-reviewed journal articles from 2020 to 2024, this literature review will incorporate findings from multiple studies (both qualitative and quantitative) in order to effectively compare and contrast spiritual and religious beliefs and practices for patients receiving palliative care. After thorough examination, collected research has demonstrated that individuals who receive both timely and frequent religious and spiritual-base care while on palliative …

Addressing Pain Management Postoperatively From A Multimodal Approach In Response To The Opioid Epidemic, Victoria Pascoe

Best Integrated Writing

This review article explores the four-wave opioid epidemic across the United States and the postsurgical multimodal pain management approaches being implemented to help combat it. Breaking down the mechanistic approach to pain in the form of opioid-alternative analgesics, cryotherapeutic techniques, cognitive approaches, and more, this paper offers insight into how pain can be managed outside of the historical approach, while also exploring the future directions of the field as physicians and researchers alike search for ways to offer more comfort and quality of life to the patients who walk through their clinic doors.

Vaginismus: Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment Options, Heather Thomas

Best Integrated Writing

This paper provides a current review of the diagnosis, causes, and treatment outcomes for vaginismus. Of particular interest are predisposing factors, like a lack of sex education and a sexually restrictive upbringing, for the development of this disorder. Controversies surrounding US-based diagnostic criteria for female sexual dysfunction are also reviewed, and up-to-date and novel treatment options, like vaginal Botox injections, are described.

Dispatches From Bed: On The Intersection Of Disability Justice And Palestinian Liberation, I. B. Bedrotting

Toyon: Multilingual Literary Magazine

None.

Pandemic Mythmaking: Covid-19 And Mythological Symbolism In Indian Folk Art, Ishani Anwesha Joshi, Sathyaraj Venkatesan

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Through a comprehensive analysis of Durga Bai Vyam’s “Samura Manthan” and Rupsona and Bahadur Chitrakar’s “Corona Rakshasa,” this article aims to investigate how mythological stories and themes have been used in the Indian context in folk art during the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation will offer insights into how artists have leveraged mythological symbolism to infuse their works with richer layers of meaning, thereby engaging readers in a deeper exploration of the pandemic’s impact on society and the human psyche. By close-reading the aforementioned paintings, this study aims to illustrate the evolving visual representation of cultural narratives …

Comparative Analysis Of The Rosa Robot Accuracy For The Placement Of Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy Probes, Zunaira Imran, Anneliese Rademacher, Hassan Fadel

Medical Student Research Symposium

Laser thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive treatment for intracranial lesions with success dependent on precise placement of the laser probe. The Robotic Surgical Assistant (ROSA) ONE Brain robotic platform is one stereotactic method that is used to aid this process.

This study examined the accuracy of LITT probe placement utilizing the ROSA robot, comparing entry distance, target distance, and entry angle errors across two major LITT platforms: Neuroblate (Monteris Medical) and Visualase Systems.

A prospective review of patients who underwent LITT from 2013 to 2023 with the ROSA was performed. Statistical analyses were performed with the sign test, …

Differences In Self-Reported Cancer Measures Persist Despite Covid-Era Improved Insurance Access, Ismail Mustafa Aijazuddin, Ammar M. Sukari

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background:

The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged healthcare access, jeopardizing cancer-related health measures. However, pandemic-era health policies led to increased health insurance coverage across most counties in the United States. This study aims to explore relationships between uninsured rates and cancer prevalence and screening behaviors.

Methods:

Data were collected from the CDC’s PLACES datasets for the 2021 (collected 2018-2019) and 2024 (collected 2022) release years and merged at the county level. For both 2021 and 2024 releases, Pearson’s correlation and student’s t-test were performed between uninsured rates and the age-standardized rates of the following at the county level: cancer prevalence, colorectal …