Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Identifying Risk Factors For Adverse Lung Health Outcomes Among Rural Appalachian Women, Jessica R. Thompson, Courtney J. Walker, John C. Flunker, W. Jay Christian, Wayne T. Sanderson, Nancy E. Schoenberg, Steven R. Browning

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Purpose: Despite high rates of lung disease and lung cancer among women, few studies have focused on adverse lung health risk factors among rural Appalachian women. We aim to describe the prevalence of demographic, behavioral, and economic characteristics among a cohort of rural Appalachian women and ascertain the association between these risk factors and lung function.

Methods: Through a cross-sectional study in two rural Appalachian Kentucky counties (2015–2017), we collected demographics, health history/behaviors, and lung function via pulmonary function tests. Restricting to female participants with interpretable pulmonary function tests (N = 456), we estimated prevalence ratios of the association …

The Implementation Of The Queensland Health Smoking Cessation Clinical Pathway In A Western Australian Private Hospital Setting: A Feasibility, Leah Jane Epton

Theses

As smoking is prohibited on most hospital grounds, hospitalisation presents a valuable opportunity for healthcare professionals to identify smokers, administer smoking cessation treatments, and ensure appropriate inpatient support, as well as continued follow-up on discharge. It has been reported both anecdotally and in published research that encouragement from a health professional is a significant external prompt for a smoker to attempt quitting. It has also been noted in the inpatient setting, one in every 33 conversations will lead to the successful cessation of smoking.

More broadly, a 2012 Cochrane review on smoking cessation interventions for inpatients identified that they are …

Defining Barriers In Pulmonary Hypertension: Pulmonary Hypertension In Remote And Rural Settings In Australia: An Epidemiologic Study Aided By Echocardiography, Pyi Naing

Theses

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common, complex, and potentially lethal haemodynamic condition with many underlying aetiologies. It is poorly understood, and diagnosis is usually made late in the disease process resulting in poor outcomes even in the developed world. An innovative universal framework is required to achieve early and accurate diagnosis for improved outcomes, especially in remote and rural areas. The thesis documents my substantial body of work that unlocks a collective framework to assist patients with PH, particularly in areas not classically serviced by tertiary level PH care.

The first chapter of my thesis outlines the history, important milestones …

The Effect Of Woc Nurse Rounding On At-Risk Patients In The Icu In Reducing Hapis: An Integrative Review, Sydney Conrad, Ayoka Allen, Abby Fitzpatrick, Raquel Luague, Emily Lindall

Master's Projects

Hospital-acquired pressure Injuries (HAPIs) are a “never event” and a nursing quality indicator closely monitored by hospitals. Pressure injury prevention strategies have been widely researched and used to reduce HAPI rates; however, despite this research, HAPI rates, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU), remain high. Prevention is a complex, individualized process that requires nursing understanding and application. Wound, Ostomy, and Continence nurses (WOC nurses) are specially trained and certified in wound management and can provide tremendous clinical insight into risk and prevention factors. This integrative review examines whether WOC nurse rounding in the ICU reduces HAPI rates.

Fnes 722 Exercise, Energy Balance, And Body Composition, Bridget Mcfadden

Open Educational Resources

This course focuses on the interrelationships between exercise energetics, energy balance, and body composition. There are four major goals for students in this course. Each student will be expected to acquire and demonstrate knowledge in the following areas: macro- and micro- nutrient requirements and the role they play in physiological function; energy expenditure and body composition assessments; nutrition and exercise considerations for physique and sport; ability to evaluate the scientific evidence on nutritional ergogenic aids and diets.

Ocd Lesions Of The Lateral Femoral Condyle And The Impact Of The Location On Recovery, Catharine Kral, Joshua Cummings, Ellie Helton, Shannon Margherio, Brian S. Harvey, Kevin Latz

Posters

Descriptive study based on Zhou, Liang, et al. we categorized the LFC OCD lesions into weight bearing and non-weight bearing lesions to assess clinical and radiographic variables and evaluate the need for progression to operative management.

The Therapeutic Promise Of Ketamine In Depression: A Case Report, Renee Abernathy, Clinton Martin, Janaki Nimmagadda, Anupama Yedla

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2025 oral presentation

Missed Hiv Screening Chances In Adolescents At Emergency Departments, Ethan Barnes, Claudette Poole

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2025 oral presentation

Prep Pro In Huntsville - A Pilot Study On The Effects Of Prep And Sti Education On Prep Prescriptions For Adolescent Girls And Young Women, Dax Bushway, Rohan Pareek, Ahley Ford, Shivani Malhotra, Stephanie Barnett

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2025 oral presentation

From Grill Master To Grill Disaster: A Case Of Wire-Bristle Acute Perforated Appendicitis, Joshua Cummins, Jesse Faulk, Zaria Murrell

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2025 oral presentation

From Gut To Brain: A Rare Complication Of Acute Diverticulitis, Roshini Raghu, Hinal Rathi, John Fanning

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2025 oral presentation

Silent Nerve, Struggling Diaphragm: A Rare Complication Of Interscalene Nerve Block, Hinal Rathi, Alan Baggett

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2025 oral presentation

When Good Inflammation Turns Bad: Role Of Bioactive Lipids In Obesity, Chronic Inflammation And Resistant Hypertension, Soumyadeep Bag, Shreya Sunil, Tumpa Patra, Peng Li, Ganesh Halade, Vasundhara Kain, Tanja Dudenbostel

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2025 research poster

Diagnostic And Prognostic Value Of Retinal And Intracranial Hemorrhages In Abusive Head Trauma, Brenton T. Bicknell, Akanksha Malepati, Michael A. Taylor, Robert Tauscher, Krupa Patel

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2025 research poster

Independent Component Analysis Of Resting-State Fmri Identifies Regions Associated With Seizure Freedom After Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy For Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Mahdi Alizadeh, J. Miao, Caio Matias, Kevin J. Hines, Christopher T T. Skidmore, Michael R. Sperling, Joseph I Tracy, Ashwini Sharan, Chengyuan Wu

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common form of drug-resistant epilepsy often treated with surgical interventions, including laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT). However, patient-specific factors influencing LITT outcomes remain unclear. This retrospective study aimed to identify pre-operative resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) patterns associated with seizure freedom following LITT in mesial TLE.

METHODS: We analyzed rs-fMRI data from 28 patients with mesial TLE who underwent LITT, classifying them into seizure-free (SF) and not seizure-free (NSF) groups based on 12-month post-operative outcomes. Independent component analysis (ICA) was used to identify subject-specific brain networks, and generalized linear models (GLM) were employed to …

Cutaneous Cytomegalovirus In Mixed Serostatus Kidney Transplant Patient, Dominic Finan, Vaibhav Garg, Lucjan Lang, Tricia Royer, Katherine Belden, Sherry Yang

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

Cutaneous cytomegalovirus infection is a rare but serious complication in solid organ transplant recipients. We present a 47-year-old male kidney transplant recipient with a chronic, nonhealing right lower extremity ulcer. Initial biopsies revealed septic vasculopathy, leading to treatment with sodium thiosulfate and antibiotics for suspected calciphylaxis. Despite regular wound care, the ulcer continued to worsen. After completing 6 months of cytomegalovirus prophylaxis, surveillance viral levels remained undetectable, but the ulcer progressed considerably. Worsening severity prompted hospitalization, during which cytomegalovirus viremia was detected, and an ulcer biopsy confirmed cytomegalovirus inclusion bodies. Antiviral therapy was reinitiated, resulting in rapid and sustained wound …

Comparative Clinical Evaluation Of Healing Of Surgically Depigmented Gingiva By Application Of Human Placental Extract And Hyaluronic Acid, Hanaa Ibrahim Mostafa Sedeek, Islam Hussien Anwar Abdelfattah Kandil, Mohamed Mahmoud Anees, Mohammed Mostafa El Shennawi

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Objective The goal of the present research was to assess the outcomes of the adjunctive application of human placental extracts (HPE) and hyaluronic acid (HA) on the healing of gingival tissue following surgical depigmentation. Patients and methods Thirty patients complaining from gingival hyperpigmentation were divided to one positive control and two study (HA & HPE) groups. The three groups underwent surgical depigmentation by scraping and application of non-eugenol periodontal packs. In addition HA and HPE were applied after surgical depigmentation to the twice study sets respectively. Visual analog scale (VAS) was recorded at 24 & 72 hours, 10, 20 & …

Assessment Of Serum And Salivary Levels Of Synuclein-Γ As A Diagnostic Biomarker In Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients, Aya Yasser, Shadi Awny, Shaimaa R. Hendawy, Mohamed M. Anees

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Objective: The objective of the current study was to assess the serum and salivary levels of Synuclein-γ (SNCG) in Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cases. Materials and Methods This study was conducted on 60 subjects (30 patients with OSCC and 30 subjects served as healthy controls (HCs)). Serum and salivary levels of Synuclein-γ using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was determined for all participants and the study group was compared versus the healthy control. Results The serum and salivary levels of Synuclein-γ were significantly increased in cases with OSCC than in HCs p-values (

Effect Of Simulated Intra-Oral Polishing On Color Of Multi-Layered Zirconia Restoration, Mohamed K. M. Abdul Hafeez, Walid Al-Zordk, Nesma M. El-Gohary

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Objectives To evaluate the effect of simulated intra-oral finishing and polishing on the color of multi-layered zirconia. Materials and Methods Seventy-two zirconia specimens were designed by special software program with dimensions 10 mm ×10 mm and 1 mm thickness, and were randomly classified into 3 categories depending on the type of zirconia. Each group was further divided according to the polishing system into three groups (n=8). The color coordinates of all specimens were first measured by a reflectance spectrophotometer, then were measured again after finishing and polishing for each specimen and The CIEDE2000 color differences (ΔE00) were calculated. Three tests …

Plasmonic Down-Shifting Layers For Cylindrical Solar Concentrators, Kenneth Coldrick

Doctoral

The efficiency of photovoltaics (PVs) and photo-thermal (PT) systems is hindered by spectral mismatches and low thermal conductivity. A promising solution to address these issues can be the use of luminescent down-shifting (LDS) layers. This involves the incorporation of luminophores into solid or liquid layers that will act as spectral beam splitters (SBSs). In solid polymers, they form luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), while in liquids, they act as working fluids and SBS for hybrid photovoltaic-photothermal (PVT) systems. This thesis will examine the energy conversion in both solid and liquid configurations through experimental, simulation, and economic analyses. An open-source model that …

Access To And Utilization Of Dental Care Services By Older Adults In Nigeria: Barriers And Facilitators, Sunkanmi Folorunsho, Victor Ajayi, Munirat Sanmori, Medinah Suleiman, Raji Abdullateef, Abdulazeez Abdulganiyu

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Aims: Nigeria’s rapidly aging population presents urgent challenges for the healthcare system, particularly in oral health, which remains an overlooked aspect of well-being. While older adults are especially vulnerable to dental issues such as tooth loss, periodontal disease, and oral pain, access to care remains limited due to systemic, economic, and cultural barriers. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of older Nigerians in accessing and utilizing dental care, with the goal of identifying key barriers, facilitators, and policy-relevant insights.

Methods: Fifteen participants aged 50–83 years were purposively selected from urban and peri-urban areas of Ilorin, North- Central …

Study Of Maternal And Fetal Outcomes In Pregnancy Complicated By Thyroid Disorders, Sindhu Kumari, Poornima M

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background:

Thyroid disorders, particularly hypothyroidism, are common during pregnancy and can significantly impact both maternal and fetal outcomes. Despite advancements in screening and treatment, thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy often remains underdiagnosed, especially in low-resource settings. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, outcomes and effective management strategies of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and outcomes of thyroid dysfunction, including both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, during pregnancy, and their associated maternal and fetal complications.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 281 pregnant women with thyroid disorders attending antenatal care at JSS Hospital, Mysuru, from August 2022 …

Semaglutide And The Evolving Landscape Of Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, Rohan Karkra

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

The FDA approved Semaglutide (Wegovy™) on August 15, 2025, for adults with MASLD and moderate to advanced fibrosis (F2–F3), making it the second approved therapy after Resmetirom. MASLD affects up to 38% of adults and is now the leading cause of liver disease. In the phase 3 ESSENCE trial, Semaglutide achieved resolution of steatohepatitis without worsening fibrosis in 62.9% versus 34.3% with placebo, with additional benefits in weight loss and glycemic control. While long-term data remain pending and access barriers exist, this approval marks a significant advance in MASLD therapy with meaningful histologic and metabolic improvements.

Archaeoparasitology Of The Colorado Plateau, Karl J. Reinhard, Morgana Caacho

Karl Reinhard Publications

Archaeoparasitology has been conducted in the Southwest for 57 years. In the first decade of the period, two pictures of parasitism emerged. Analysis of compressed organic sediments from a latrine at Elden Pueblo presented a spectrum of geohelminths not different from medieval Europe. These findings contrast pronouncedly with an analysis of coprolites from all other studies that show consistent pinworm parasitism at other sites in the Southwest. We summarize the paleoepidemiological bases for these contrasting phenomena.

Inpatient Dermatology Vignettes: Seborrheic Dermatitis, Garrett Furth, Henry Lim, Marshall Hall, Christian Scheufele, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common inflammatory disorder characterized by greasy scale, itching, and erythema. It commonly affects areas of the skin that have high sebum production or are sebaceous gland-rich, including the scalp, face, sternum, axilla, groin, and other skin folds. Seborrheic dermatitis can present in infants, adolescents, and adults, and is more common in men. The etiology is not fully understood, but contributing factors include presence of the yeast genus Malassezia, androgen levels, immunosuppression, family history, and stress or lack of sleep. Interestingly, those with neurological and psychiatric conditions, including Parkinsons Disease, spinal cord injury, epilepsy, and tardive dyskinesia, …

Perceived Risk Of Skin Cancer: Influence Of Family History, Age, Ethnicity, And Fitzpatrick Type, Henry Lim, Reem Ayoub, Rafael Do Valle, Kristina Kafle, Dana Olsen, Ysabelle Martinez, Christina Guo, Marshall Hall, Christian Scheufele, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Background: Skin cancer in the United States accounts for approximately 50% of new early cancer diagnoses. Despite this, many individuals underestimate their personal risk, leading to lower engagement in preventative behaviors. Several factors may influence an individual’s perceived risk, including family history, age, race, ethnicity, skin type, and gender. While some individuals recognize their increased susceptibility based on personal, familial, and cultural experiences, others may have a lower perceived risk due to misconceptions or limited awareness. This study examines how these demographic factors influence individuals' perceived risk of skin cancer. Methods: This study analyzed data from 333 individuals aged 19 …

Follicular Occlusion Syndrome: Diagnosis, Management, And Emerging Insights, Henry Lim, Reem Ayoub, Rafael Do Valle, Marshall Hall, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Follicular Occlusion Syndromes (FOS) are rare chronic relapsing skin disorders characterized by abnormal follicular hyperkeratinization, plugging, and inflammation. FOS are more commonly discussed as a ‘triad’ or ‘tetrad’ based on the patient’s clinical presentation. The triad includes hidradenitis suppurativa, acne conglobata, and dissecting cellulitis of the scalp. The tetrad in addition to the triad includes a history of pilonidal cysts. These disorders have a considerably negative effect on quality of life due to chronic pain, psychological distress, and body image concerns. Delayed or misdiagnosis can exacerbate patient outcomes, heightening the importance of timely identification and multidisciplinary treatment. We present two …

Body Dysmorphic Disorder Presenting As Alopecia Anxiety: A Case Report, Henry Lim, Paige Loux, Arianne Felicitas, Marshall Hall, Christian Scheufele, Garrett Furth, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Background: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) involves a preoccupation with a nonexistent or insignificant physical defect that causes clinically significant distress and impacts a patient's daily functioning. We present a case of a patient with body dysmorphia that manifested as anxiety about hair loss. Case Information: A 48-year-old otherwise healthy female presented to the dermatology clinic with the chief complaint of 8 months of hair loss. She had been seen previously by 2 other dermatologists. She brought 28 pages of paperwork to her first appointment detailing previous work-up, including four separate skin punch biopsies consistent with androgenetic, non-cicatricial (non-scarring) alopecia. Other …

Skin Color Cannot Be Confined To Six Categories: Comparing The Fitzpatrick Scale And Colorimetric Measures, Henry Lim, Kristina Kafle, Reem Ayoub, Dana Olsen, Ysabelle Martinez, Rafael Do Valle, Christina Guo, Marshall Hall, Christian Scheufele, Michael Carletti, Stephen E. Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Purpose The Fitzpatrick Scale (FS), originally developed to dose photochemotherapy in Caucasian skin, has become widely adopted for skin color categorization. It originally included types I-IV, with types V-VI added later for darker skin. The FS was designed for UV radiation reactivity assessment. However, it is increasingly used as a proxy for objective skin color classification, despite being based on a subjective questionnaire. Individual Typology Angle (ITA), a validated colorimetric measurement, presents a potential alternative. Previous studies examining these classification systems have been limited by small sample sizes and uneven distribution across skin tones with subjects predominantly having lighter skin …

An Unusual Case Of Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis: Diagnostic Insights In The Absence Of Classic Systemic Symptoms, Henry Lim, Jonah Gutierrez, Rafael Do Valle, Reem Ayoub, Marshall Hall, Christian Scheufele, Garrett Furth, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction: Mastocytosis is a disorder characterized by an abnormal clonal accumulation and subsequent activation of mast cells within one or more organs. It is generally classified as either cutaneous, with or without systemic involvement, or systemic without cutaneous disease based on major and minor criterion. Indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM) is a subclass of systemic mastocytosis with generally good prognosis. While the etiology of ISM is not completely understood, those who are affected typically have the KIT D816V mast cell receptor mutation. Given that ISM is mast cell mediated, patients predominantly present with a wide range of symptoms related to mast …