Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Expanding The Crispr Base Editing Toolbox In Drosophila Melanogaster, Michael Clark, Christina Nguyen, Hung Nguyen, Aidan Tay, Samuel J Beach, Maciej Maselko, Víctor López Del Amo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

CRISPR base editors can introduce point mutations into DNA precisely, and cytosine base editors (CBEs) catalyze C to T transitions. While CBEs have been thoroughly explored in cell culture and organisms such as mice, little is known about DNA base editing in insects. In this study, we evaluated germline editing rates of three different CBEs expressed under actin (ubiquitous) or nanos (germline) promoters utilizing Drosophila melanogaster. The original Rattus norvegicus-derived cytosine deaminase APOBEC1 (rAPO-1) displayed high base editing rates (~99%) with undetectable indel formation. Additionally, we show that base editors can be used for generating male sterility and female lethality. …

Barriers And Opportunities In Pancreatic Cancer Immunotherapy, Yixin Ju, Dongzhi Xu, Miao-Miao Liao, Yutong Sun, Wen-Dai Bao, Fan Yao, Li Ma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents a fatal clinical challenge characterized by a dismal 5-year overall survival rate, primarily due to the lack of early diagnosis and limited therapeutic efficacy. Immunotherapy, a proven success in multiple cancers, has yet to demonstrate significant benefits in PDAC. Recent studies have revealed the immunosuppressive characteristics of the PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME), including immune cells with suppressive properties, desmoplastic stroma, microbiome influences, and PDAC-specific signaling pathways. In this article, we review recent advances in understanding the immunosuppressive TME of PDAC, TME differences among various mouse models of pancreatic cancer, and the mechanisms underlying resistance to …

Zeolite-Promoted Platinum Catalyst For Efficient Reduction Of Nitrogen Oxides With Hydrogen, Shaohua Xie, Liping Liu, Yuejin Li, Kailong Ye, Daekun Kim, Xing Zhang, Hongliang Xin, Lu Ma, Steven N Ehrlich, Fudong Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Internal combustion engine fueled by carbon-free hydrogen (H2-ICE) offers a promising alternative for sustainable transportation. Herein, we report a facile and universal strategy through the physical mixing of Pt catalyst with zeolites to significantly improve the catalytic performance in the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) with H2 (H2-SCR), a process aiming at NOx removal from H2-ICE. Via the physical mixing of Pt/TiO2 with Y zeolite (Pt/TiO2 + Y), a remarkable enhancement of NOx reduction activity and N2 selectivity was simultaneously achieved. The incorporation of Y zeolite effectively captured the in-situ generated water, fostering a water-rich environment surrounding the …

Efficacy Of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Versus Medical Therapy For Treatment Of Type B Aortic Dissection, Karam Motawea, Samah Rouzan, Rowan Elhalag, Abdelrhaman Abdelwahab, Hussam Al Hennawi, Salem Elshenawy, Mai Saad Mohamed, Pensée Chébl, Mohamed Salem Madian, Mostafa Elsayed Elsayed Hewalla, Sarya Swed, Wael Hafez, Bisher Sawaf, Samer Kaspo, Naim Battikh, Mohammed Najdat Seijari, Amr Farwati, Amine Rakab

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

BACKGROUND: Techniques in endovascular therapy have evolved to offer a promising alternative to medical therapy alone for Type B aortic dissections (TBADs).

AIM: The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare mortality and overall complications between thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and best medical therapy (BMT) in patients with TBADs.

METHODS: We included randomized control trials and prospective or retrospective cohort studies that compared TEVAR and BMT for the treatment of type B aortic dissection. Multiple electronic databases were searched.

RESULTS: Thirty-two cohort studies including 150,836 patients were included. TEVAR was associated with a significantly lower 30-day mortality rate than …

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Protect Combined Oncolytic And Helper-Dependent Adenoviruses From Humoral Immunity, Ada Irmak Özcan, Arianexys Aquino Lόpez, Alexandra N Wolff, Audrey Ma, Amanda Rosewell Shaw, Masataka Suzuki, Malcolm K Brenner, Mary K Mckenna

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Systemic delivery of oncolytic and immunomodulatory adenoviruses may be required for optimal effects on human malignancies. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can serve as delivery systems for cancer therapeutics due to their ability to transport and shield these agents while homing to tumors. We now use MSCs to deliver a clinically validated binary oncolytic and helper-dependent adenovirus combination (CAdVEC) to tumor cells. We show successful oncolysis and helper-dependent virus function in tumor cells even in the presence of plasma from adenovirus-seropositive donors. In both two- and three-dimensional cultures, CAdVEC function is eliminated even at high dilutions of seropositive plasma but is …

Refining, Implementing, And Evaluating An Anesthesia Choice Conversation Aid For Older Adults With Hip Fracture: Protocol For A Stepped Wedge Cluster Randomized Trial, Eliana C Goldstein, Mary C Politi, James H Baraldi, Glyn Elwyn, Hugo Campos, Rui Feng, Samir Mehta, Karah Whatley, Viktoria Schmitz, Mark D Neuman

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture surgery under general or spinal anesthesia is a common procedure for older adults in the United States (US). Although spinal or general anesthesia can be appropriate for many patients, and the choice between anesthesia types is preference-sensitive, shared decision-making is not consistently used by anesthesiologists counseling patients on anesthesia for this procedure. We designed an Option Grid™-style conversation aid, My Anesthesia Choice─Hip Fracture, to promote shared decision making in this interaction. This study will refine the aid and evaluate its implementation and effectiveness in clinical practice.

METHODS: The study will be conducted over 2 phases: qualitative interviews …

Recent Advancements In Cell-Based Therapies In Melanoma, George Nassief, Angela Anaeme, Karen Moussa, Abdallah N Mansour, George Ansstas

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Malignant melanoma outcomes have drastically changed in recent years due to the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, many patients still experience intolerable side effects, therapy resistance, and disease progression on ICI therapy. Therefore, there remains a need for novel therapeutics that address this gap in treatment options. Cell-based therapies have gained wide attention as a therapeutic option that could address this gap in treatment options for advanced melanoma. These therapies work by extracting certain cell types produced in the human body such as T-cells, modifying them based on a specific target, and transfusing them back into the patient. …

Use Of Guideline-Recommended Heart Failure Drugs In High-, Middle-, And Low-Income Countries: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Gautam Satheesh, Rupasvi Dhurjati, Laura Alston, Fisaha Tesfay, Rashmi Pant, Ehete Bahiru, Claudia Bambs, Anubha Agarwal, Sanne A E Peters, Abdul Salam, Isabelle Johansson

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Optimal use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) can prevent hospitalization and mortality among patients with heart failure (HF). We aimed to assess the prevalence of GDMT use for HF across geographic regions and country-income levels. We systematically reviewed observational studies (published between January 2010 and October 2020) involving patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses to obtain summary estimates. We included 334 studies comprising 1,507,849 patients (31% female). The majority (82%) of studies were from high-income countries, with Europe (45%) and the Americas (33%) being the most represented regions, and Africa (1%) being the least. Overall …

Counseling In Virtual Spaces And Into The Metaverse: A Framework For Reflection, Conversation, And Future Scholarship, Staci Hayes, Yahyahan Aras, Kathy Caputo, James Hoag, Lindsay Ibos, Sania Khan, Kelly Smith

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

Given the success of Virtual Reality (VR) in the gaming community and strides in mental health, both VR and the Metaverse provide limitless opportunities and possibilities in the field of counseling. This article aims to provide important definitions, an overview of the use of VR in clinical counseling, clinical supervision, counselor education and its potential emergence into the Metaverse. Implications are presented in hopes of prompting conversation on how we may accept technological and cultural shifts and remain true to our counseling roots. Specifically, how to maximize the potential benefits with counseling specific rationale and address the limitations and potential …

A Qualitative Evaluation Of Exercise Habits And Stress Management Strategies Among Exercise Physiology Freshmen, Lori A. Sherlock, E J. Ryan, Miriam E. Leary

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

Transitional phases of life (i.e., the passage from high school to college) can promote heightened stress levels resulting in physical and mental challenges. College students are at an elevated risk for common mental health disorders with 20-45% of all college students being impacted within a given year. This may be, in part, due to their exposure to a multitude of new stressors related to academics, social challenges, personal concerns, and economic issues. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to examine exercise habits and stress management strategies among incoming freshmen in an exercise physiology program. The overall goal of …

Editorial: Centering Humanism In Stem Education, Desirée Forsythe, Sheila S. Jaswal, Bryan Dewsbury, Susannah Mcgowan

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Books and Book Chapters

"To understand why this Research Topic exists, it is important to recall the original goal from our call for proposals: to reorient STEM researchers and practitioners to reconsider the actual purpose of the practice of teaching and learning. Bryan Dewsbury often invokes us in his writing and talks to understand our why. As educators, we wish to provide insights, practices, and proposed theories to reflect on our WHY in STEM education—from one instructor’s empathetic approach to understanding the undergraduate student experience in gateway courses to the cultural initiation ceremonies at the disciplinary level. These components of humanism and the lens …

Infections Following Gender-Affirming Vaginoplasty: A Single-Center Experience, Radhika Sheth, Apoorva Bhaskara, Haley Brown, Cara D. Varley, Amber Streifel, Marissa Maier, Monica K. Sikka, Christopher Evans

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

We describe the epidemiology and incidence of infections following gender-affirming vaginoplasty. Urinary tract and surgical site infections were the most common infections with incidences of 17.5% and 5.5%, respectively. We also identified a significant gap in human immunodeficiency virus screening and prescription of preexposure prophylaxis.

Changes In Health-Related Quality Of Life Over The First Three Months Of Medical Marijuana Use, Michelle R. Lent, Thomas R. Mccalmont, Megan M. Short, Karen L. Dugosh

PCOM Scholarly Works

Background

The psychosocial impact of medical marijuana use is not yet known. This study evaluated short-term changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) over the first three months of medical marijuana use.

Methods

This prospective, observational, longitudinal study followed adults newly recommended for medical marijuana by a physician for any of the more than 20 qualifying medical conditions in Pennsylvania. Participants (N = 438) provided their clinical status and demographic information, and completed semi-structured interviews prior to medical marijuana initiation (baseline) and at three months. HRQoL was assessed by the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Paired-samples t-tests evaluated changes in …

Remain Calm - Decreasing Perceived Stress Levels Through Implementation Of A Quiet Room, Chelsea Reynolds

EBP Fellowship

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Adequacy Of A Prediction Model, Abhaya Indrayan, Sakshi Mishra Ms

COBRA Preprint Series

No abstract provided.

The Discover In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (Discover Ihca) Study: An Investigation Of Hospital Practices After In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest, Luke Andrea, Nathaniel S. Herman, Jacob Vine, Katherine M. Berg, Saiara Choudhury, Mariana Vaena, Jordan E. Nogle, Saleem M. Halablab, Aarthi Kaviyarasu, Jonathan Elmer, Gabriel Wardi, Alex K. Pearce, Conor Crowley, Micah T. Long, J. Taylor Herbert, Kipp Shipley, Brittany D. Bissell Turpin, Michael J. Lanspa, Adam Green, Shekhar A. Ghamande, Akram Khan, Siddharth Dugar, Aaron M. Joffe, Michael Baram, Cooper March, Nicholas J. Johnson, Alexander Reyes, Krassimir Denchev, Michael Loewe, Et Al

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

IMPORTANCE: In-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) is a significant public health burden. Rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) have been improving, but the best way to care for patients after the initial resuscitation remains poorly understood, and improvements in survival to discharge are stagnant. Existing North American cardiac arrest databases lack comprehensive data on the post-resuscitation period, and we do not know current post-IHCA practice patterns. To address this gap, we developed the Discover In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (Discover IHCA) study, which will thoroughly evaluate current post-IHCA care practices across a diverse cohort. OBJECTIVES: Our study collects granular data on post-IHCA …

Use Of Web-Based Surveys To Collect Long-Term Pediatric Outcomes In Patients With Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome Treated With Fetoscopic Laser Photocoagulation: Observational Study, Eric Bergh, Kimberly Rennie, Jimmy Espinoza, Anthony Johnson, Ramesha Papanna

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: In the United States, patients with monochorionic diamniotic twins who undergo in utero fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) may travel great distances for care. After delivery, many parents cannot return to study sites for formal pediatric evaluation due to geographic location and cost.

Objective: The aim of this study was to collect long-term pediatric outcomes in patients who underwent FLP for TTTS.

Methods: We assessed the feasibility of using a web-based survey designed in REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture; Vanderbilt University) to collect parent-reported outcomes in children treated for TTTS at a single center during …

Bacteroides Ovatus Alleviates Dysbiotic Microbiota-Induced Graft-Versus-Host Disease, Eiko Hayase, Tomo Hayase, Akash Mukherjee, Stuart C Stinson, Mohamed A Jamal, Miriam R Ortega, Christopher A Sanchez, Saira S Ahmed, Jennifer L Karmouch, Chia-Chi Chang, Ivonne I Flores, Lauren K Mcdaniel, Alexandria N Brown, Rawan K El-Himri, Valerie A Chapa, Lin Tan, Bao Q Tran, Yao Xiao, Christopher Fan, Dung Pham, Taylor M Halsey, Yimei Jin, Wen-Bin Tsai, Rishika Prasad, Israel K Glover, Altai Enkhbayar, Aqsa Mohammed, Maren Schmiester, Katherine Y King, Robert A Britton, Pavan Reddy, Matthew C Wong, Nadim J Ajami, Jennifer A Wargo, Samuel Shelburne, Pablo C Okhuysen, Chen Liu, Stephanie W Fowler, Margaret E Conner, Zoe Katsamakis, Natalie Smith, Marina Burgos Da Silva, Doris M Ponce, Jonathan U Peled, Marcel R M Van Den Brink, Christine B Peterson, Gabriela Rondon, Jeffrey J Molldrem, Richard E Champlin, Elizabeth J Shpall, Philip L Lorenzi, Rohtesh S Mehta, Eric C Martens, Amin M Alousi, Robert R Jenq

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Acute lower gastrointestinal GVHD (aLGI-GVHD) is a serious complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Although the intestinal microbiota is associated with the incidence of aLGI-GVHD, how the intestinal microbiota impacts treatment responses in aLGI-GVHD has not been thoroughly studied. In a cohort of patients with aLGI-GVHD (n = 37), we found that non-response to standard therapy with corticosteroids was associated with prior treatment with carbapenem antibiotics and a disrupted fecal microbiome characterized by reduced abundances of Bacteroides ovatus. In a murine GVHD model aggravated by carbapenem antibiotics, introducing B. ovatus reduced GVHD severity and improved survival. These beneficial effects …

Batf Is A Major Driver Of Nk Cell Epigenetic Reprogramming And Dysfunction In Aml, Bijender Kumar, Anand Singh, Rafet Basar, Nadima Uprety, Ye Li, Huihui Fan, Ana Karen Nunez Cortes, Mecit Kaplan, Sunil Acharya, Hila Shaim, Anna C Xu, Manrong Wu, Emily Ensley, Dexing Fang, Pinaki P Banerjee, Luciana Melo Garcia, Silvia Tiberti, Paul Lin, Hind Rafei, Maliha Nuzhat Munir, Madison Moore, Mayra Shanley, Mayela Mendt, Lucila N Kerbauy, Bin Liu, Alexander Biederstädt, Elif Gokdemir, Susmita Ghosh, Kiran Kundu, Francia Reyes-Silva, Xin Ru Jiang, Xinhai Wan, April L Gilbert, Merve Dede, Vakul Mohanty, Jinzhuang Dou, Patrick Zhang, Enli Liu, Luis Muniz-Feliciano, Gary M Deyter, Abhinav K Jain, Juan Jose Rodriguez-Sevilla, Simona Colla, Guillermo Garcia-Manero, Elizabeth J Shpall, Ken Chen, Hussein A Abbas, Kunal Rai, Katayoun Rezvani, May Daher

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) belong to a continuous disease spectrum of myeloid malignancies with poor prognosis in the relapsed/refractory setting necessitating novel therapies. Natural killer (NK) cells from patients with myeloid malignancies display global dysfunction with impaired killing capacity, altered metabolism and exhausted phenotype at the single cell transcriptomic and proteomic levels. In this study we identified that this dysfunction was mediated through a crosstalk between NK cells and myeloid blasts necessitating cell-cell contact. NK cell dysfunction could be prevented by targeting the αvβ integrin/TGF-β/SMAD pathway but, once established, was persistent due to profound epigenetic reprogramming. …

Diagnostic Utility Of Brain Mri Volumetry In Comparing Traumatic Brain Injury, Alzheimer Disease And Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia, Cyrus A Raji, Somayeh Meysami, Verna R Porter, David A Merrill, Mario F Mendez

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Brain MRI with volumetric quantification, MRI volumetry, can improve diagnostic delineation of patients with neurocognitive disorders by identifying brain atrophy that may not be evident on visual assessments.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate diagnostic utility of MRI volumetry in traumatic brain injury (TBI), early-onset Alzheimer disease (EOAD), late-onset Alzheimer disease, and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD).

METHOD: We utilized 137 participants of TBI (n = 40), EOAD (n = 45), LOAD (n = 32), and bvFTD (n = 20). Participants had 3D T1 brain MRI imaging amendable to MRI volumetry. Scan volumes were analyzed with Neuroreader. One-way ANOVA compared brain volumes …

Constitutive Upregulation Of Transcription Factors Underlies Permissive Bradyzoite Differentiation In A Natural Isolate Of Toxoplasma Gondii, Jing Xia, Yong Fu, Wanyi Huang, Taher Uddin, L David Sibley

2020-Current year OA Pubs

UNLABELLED:

IMPORTANCE:

Adverse Cardiovascular And Kidney Outcomes In People With Sars-Cov-2 Treated With Sglt2 Inhibitors, Taeyoung Choi, Yan Xie, Ziyad Al-Aly

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Whether use of SGLT2 inhibitors reduces the risk of cardiovascular and kidney events in people who contracted SARS-CoV-2 infection is not clear.

METHODS: We used the healthcare databases of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to build a cohort of 107,776 participants on antihyperglycemic therapy and had SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 01, 2020 and June 10, 2023. Within them, 11,588 used SGLT2 inhibitors and 96,188 used other antihyperglycemics. We examined the risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)-a composite of death, myocardial infarction and stroke, and major adverse kidney events (MAKE)-a composite of death, eGFR decline > 50%, and …

Prenatal Environment Is Associated With The Pace Of Cortical Network Development Over The First Three Years Of Life, Ursula A Tooley, Aidan Latham, Jeanette K Kenley, Dimitrios Alexopoulos, Tara A Smyser, Ashley N Nielsen, Lisa Gorham, Barbara B Warner, Joshua S Shimony, Jeffrey J Neil, Joan L Luby, Deanna M Barch, Cynthia E Rogers, Christopher D Smyser

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Environmental influences on brain structure and function during early development have been well-characterized, but whether early environments are associated with the pace of brain development is not clear. In pre-registered analyses, we use flexible non-linear models to test the theory that prenatal disadvantage is associated with differences in trajectories of intrinsic brain network development from birth to three years (n = 261). Prenatal disadvantage was assessed using a latent factor of socioeconomic disadvantage that included measures of mother's income-to-needs ratio, educational attainment, area deprivation index, insurance status, and nutrition. We find that prenatal disadvantage is associated with developmental increases in …

Birth Defect Trends Within Texas Public Health Region 11, 2000-2019: An Analysis Of Texas Department Of State Health Services Public Data, Jonathan M. Hebert, Miguel A. Lopez, Padmanabhan Rengasamy

Research Colloquium

Background: South Texas is a medically underserved area with pockets of low socioeconomic status and poor access to healthcare, including prenatal care. This paper aims to monitor the changes in prevalence for cardiac, circulatory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and neural tube birth defects in this region in the last two decades to monitor the effectiveness of current public health efforts.

Methods: Public data on 20 birth defects from the Texas Department of State Health Services were obtained for decades 2000-2010 and 2010-2019 in Texas Public Health Region 11 and the remaining regions of Texas. Prevalences and odds ratios for all birth defects …

Atypical Clinical Presentation Of Murine Typhus Infection In Relative Immunosuppressed Patient In South Texas, Johanna Mora, Kirhyn Stein, Hernan Guanajuato, Sobia Memon, Laura Garcia, Jose Campo Maldonado

Research Colloquium

Background: Murine typhus, caused by Rickettsia typhi, is a zoonotic infection transmitted to humans via fleas. It typically begins with nonspecific symptoms such as fever, headache, and nausea. Most cases resolve without complications after a 7–14-day incubation period. The primary reservoirs are rats, opossums, cats, and dogs. This case highlights an atypical presentation of murine typhus in an immunosuppressed patient in South Texas.

Case Presentation: 34-year-old female with ankylosing spondylitis treated recently with secukinumab presented to her Primary Care Physician (PCP) due to fevers. PCP ordered laboratory workup which was unrevealing. Four days later, the patient went to the …

Assessing The Impact Of An Educational Healthcare Competition In Enhancing Student Knowledge Of Public Health, Alyssa L. Sepulveda, Ronald A. Shaju, Nura Salhadar, Brianna Guillen, Alexa Zarate

Research Colloquium

Background: Educational disparities have a huge impact on unequal healthcare outcomes. Students from underserved areas often lack awareness of healthcare disparities impacting their communities. This study aimed to develop and assess the effectiveness of a program conducted by medical students to enhance high school students’ understanding of these disparities in their home, the Rio Grande Valley.

Methods: The Education Collaboration for Aspiring Health Professionals (ECAHP) competition is a one-day annual program. It is designed and implemented by UTRGV medical students in collaboration with the School of Medicine’s Area Health Education Center Program (AHEC). The program targets high school students …

Assessing The Impact Of A Comprehensive Care Model On Reducing A1c Levels Compared To Primary Care Alone: A Comprehensive Study, Hector Trejo, Lizette Ingle, Karla Soberanis

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Diabetes significantly challenges the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), especially in low-income rural areas where prevalence and mortality rates are higher than in urban regions. Limited access to routine healthcare and specialists exacerbates these issues, delaying medical attention and reducing diagnostic testing and management adherence. Early diagnosis and lifestyle modification interventions show promise, but objective evaluation of these models by local organizations in the RGV. Further analysis is needed to assess their effectiveness in reducing diabetes prevalence and improving health outcomes in the RGV.

Methods: This retrospective study aims to evaluate the Comprehensive Care Model (CCM) on Improved Health Outcomes …

Assessing Preparedness, Attitudes, And Knowledge Of Knapp-Utrgv Family Medicine Residents On Geriatric Nursing Home Care: Phase 1 - Creation Of Interactive Modules, Maria M. Ferreira Caceres, Miguel A. Alvarez Silva, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga

Research Colloquium

Background: Training in geriatrics and nursing home care are a critical element of medical education. This gap in knowledge becomes increasingly significant given the changing demographics and the need to provide adequate care for an aging population. Improving geriatrics curriculum and implementing nursing home rotations are essential to ensure optimal care for the elderly, thereby fulfilling both educational and healthcare imperatives.

Objective: We aim to analyze and assess the influence of geriatrics training through a survey to collect attitudes, skills, and knowledge of UTRGV Knapp Family Medicine residents. Additionally, the goal is to create interactive modules to boost their skills …

Assessing Awareness, Knowledge, And Beliefs Regarding Opiates And Benzodiazepines And Deprescribing Protocols By Residents At Utrgv Knapp Family Medicine Residency Program., Ivana Y. Mangione Leon, Adrian Sandoval, Juan Lopez-Alvarenga, Gerardo Munoz-Monaco

Research Colloquium

Background: Controlled substances encompass drugs and specific chemicals subject to strict regulation due to their potential for abuse or risk. Opioid overdose remains a significant public health issue in the United States. Prescription opioids contribute to 18% of these deaths, while benzodiazepines are implicated in 31% to 61%. Clinicians encounter challenges in avoiding co-prescription, especially in patients with chronic pain and anxiety or sleep disorders. Despite growing interest in teaching mindful opioid prescribing, there is a lack of interventions to educate primary care clinicians and medical trainees on providing opioid overdose education and prevention. This quality improvement project aims to …

A Symphony Of Struggle: The Tender Connection Between Bad Health And Poverty, Jashkumar Choudhari

be Still

In the journey of crafting this essay, I sought to explore the profound connection between bad health and poverty, recognizing how these two facets of human existence intricately interlace, influencing and shaping one another in ways both profound and far-reaching. The process of delving into this theme was like unraveling a multi-layered tapestry, each thread revealing a new perspective on the unbreakable bond that exists between these seemingly distinct aspects of life.

Through the creative process, I aimed to capture the emotional resonance of this theme, evoking a sense of empathy and understanding in the reader. The imagery of haunting …