Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Developmental Milestones And Daily Living Skills In Individuals With Angelman Syndrome, Anjali Sadhwani, Sonya Powers, Anne Wheeler, Hillary Miller, Sarah Nelson Potter, Sarika U Peters, Carlos A Bacino, Steven A Skinner, Logan K Wink, Craig A Erickson, Lynne M Bird, Wen-Hann Tan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with severe global developmental delay. However, the ages at which different developmental skills are achieved in these individuals remain unclear. We seek to determine the probability and the age of acquisition of specific developmental milestones and daily living skills in individuals with AS across the different molecular subtypes, viz. class I deletion, class II deletion, uniparental disomy, imprinting defect, and UBE3A variants.

METHODS: Caregivers participating in a longitudinal multicenter Angelman Syndrome Natural History Study completed a questionnaire regarding the age at which their children achieved specific developmental milestones and daily living …

A Longitudinal Mri And Tspo Pet-Based Investigation Of Brain Region-Specific Neuroprotection By Diazepam Versus Midazolam Following Organophosphate-Induced Seizures, Brad A Hobson, Douglas J Rowland, Yimeng Dou, Naomi Saito, Zachary T Harmany, Donald A Bruun, Danielle J Harvey, Abhijit J Chaudhari, Joel R Garbow, Pamela J Lein

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Acute poisoning with organophosphorus cholinesterase inhibitors (OPs), such as OP nerve agents and pesticides, can cause life threatening cholinergic crisis and status epilepticus (SE). Survivors often experience significant morbidity, including brain injury, acquired epilepsy, and cognitive deficits. Current medical countermeasures for acute OP poisoning include a benzodiazepine to mitigate seizures. Diazepam was long the benzodiazepine included in autoinjectors used to treat OP-induced seizures, but it is now being replaced in many guidelines by midazolam, which terminates seizures more quickly, particularly when administered intramuscularly. While a direct correlation between seizure duration and the extent of brain injury has been widely reported, …

Modificaciones Realizadas En Cirugías Y En Cuidados De Pacientes En Ecuador, Addison Wolfe

NEXUS: The Liberty Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Genetics Of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 And Its Ethical Implications, Caleb Smith

NEXUS: The Liberty Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

No abstract provided.

Unlikely Cohabitants: A Collision Tumor Of Metastatic Small Cell Lung Carcinoma And Adrenal Adenoma, Michael Demeritt, Savanna Atwal, Stefan Johnson, Kevin Lightner, Joel Thompson

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

This case report is the second known publication of a very specific collision tumor, where small cell lung cancer metastasized to an adrenal adenoma. The focus is primarily on multimodal radiologic findings of the developing neoplasm, including CT, MRI, and FDG PET/CT. These findings are compared with established diagnostic criteria for adrenal adenomas and metastases, as identified by the literature and content expert review. Epidemiological data regarding collision tumors is discussed, as well as proposed treatment strategies. Similar topics are elucidated for small cell lung carcinoma. Reporting of this collision tumor adds to the relatively thin body of knowledge of …

Musings On Ai Hallucinations And Reading Your References, Richard Alweis

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

The Editor-in-Chief discusses impressions on the journal's first known AI hallucination reference.

Letter To The Editor: Cheaters Never Prosper...Or Do They?, Samantha M. Lavertue, Richard Terry

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

The following article is a perspectives piece regarding the newly discovered USMLE cheating rings taking place in Nepal, India, Pakistan, Jordan, and Japan. As this situation escalates, we call for action to find a solution to a widespread problem: eliminate the need for cheating by making licensure exams pass/fail. Score frenzy is out of control, and it has created a problem for graduate medical education as it applies to both applicants and programs. Here we address this problem and provide a solution that encourages readers to consider how we can create a system of resident selection that focuses not on …

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening And Surveillance – Can We Do Better? A Qi Project, Hassan Saeed, Hania Liaqat, Vidisha Master, Binita Neupane

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Abstract

Background:

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has a global prevalence of about 5% and its first presentation can be acute and fatal. USPSTF recommends one time screening for men aged 65 to 75 years who have ever smoked. We designed a study to evaluate the effect of resident education on AAA screening ordered in our outpatient primary care clinic.

Methods:

All men aged 65 to 75 years of age attending appointments in the resident run clinic were included in the study. Pre-intervention data was collected retrospectively for 5 weeks which included patient demographics and the rates of appropriate AAA screening …

A Rare Case Of Shock In A Patient With Non-Severe Range Babesiosis, Ayushi Lalwani, Robert Libera, Christopher Reggio

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Babesiosis is a tickborne illness caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells. Infections present on a spectrum from asymptomatic to severe, life-threatening presentations. However, life-threatening disease is more typically seen in patients who are asplenic, immunocompromised, or with hepatic/renal disease. We present an unusual case of babesiosis where an immunocompetent patient with age as the only risk factor, became extremely ill with relatively low parasite burden and no co-infection with other tickborne illnesses. A 73-year-old man with essential hypertension and remote prior Lyme disease infection presented to the hospital in late Spring due to acute mental status change …

Bifidobacterium Bacteremia Following Gastrointestinal (Gi) Procedures: A Case Report Of An Unusual Infection And Review Of The Literature, Sheza Malik, Hajra Khan, Ali S. Mohamed, Gaby Razzouk

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Abstract

Bifidobacterium is a rare cause of bacteremia that mostly affects extremes of ages with the majority of cases seen in premature infants. This report details a case of bacteremia caused by Bifidobacterium in a 75-year-old male patient. Our patient was admitted after a mechanical fall resulting in subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhage. His hospital course was complicated by swallowing problems and ultimately needed the placement of a gastrojejunal (GJ) tube for nutrition. He subsequently developed Bifidobacterium bacteremia. It was presumed that the GJ tube was the cause of bacterial translocation into the bloodstream due to invasion of the mucosal barrier. …

Efficacy And Safety Of Bempedoic Acid As A Treatment Option For Hyperlipidemia: A Systematic Review, Muhammad Hammad Sharif, Abdullah A. Orakzai, Madeeha Khaleeque, Syeda Sarah Raza, Osama Sherjeel Khan, Muhammad Hassan Jan, Atif Ahmed, Muhammad Arsalan

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Introduction:

Bempedoic acid (BA) is an inhibitor of ATP-citrate lyase (ACL) and is used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have shown the efficacy of BA in lowering LDL-C levels and it is currently approved as a treatment option for patients with hyperlipidemia to achieve target LDL-C levels. We conducted a systematic review to further elucidate the efficacy and safety profile of BA in patients with hyperlipidemia.

Methods:

We searched the electronic database Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library for RCTs between 2013 and 2023. We used keywords (“Bempedoic Acid”) AND (“Hypercholesterolemia”) AND (“Lipid …

Amiodarone-Induced Lung Toxicity: An Underrecognized And Fatal Presentation, Andrew Takla, Fahad Eid, Hina Ukrani, Moghniuddin Mohamed, Elizabeth Lee

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Amiodarone, a widely utilized antiarrhythmic drug, poses a significant risk of amiodarone-induced lung toxicity (ALT) in up to 10% of patients and can be fatal. This report presents the diagnostic challenges associated with ALT, given its non-specific clinical and radiological presentation. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for potential ALT, especially in patients with progressive respiratory failure despite optimization of other potential causes such as CHF. The mainstay of treatment is discontinuing amiodarone and initiating steroids. However, outcomes can remain unpredictable, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and regular monitoring of patients on amiodarone therapy.

Why Do Osteopathic Medical Students Take The Usmle Step 1?, Constantino G. Lambroussis, John Weston, Richard R. Terry, Jennifer Spencer

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

In 2022, 4722 osteopathic medical students chose to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 (USMLE Step 1) in addition to the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination Level 1 (COMLEX Level 1). Both of these examinations are currently pass/fail assessments to demonstrate clinical knowledge competency. Osteopathic medical students are only required to take the COMLEX series of examinations for graduation from an osteopathic medical school while allopathic medical students are only required to take the USMLE Step series of examinations instead. Correlation between these examinations exists, and information from multiple entities has been for the COMLEX and the …

Anomalous Presentation And Endoscopic Findings Of Acute Esophageal Necrosis: A Case Report, Ahmed Shehadah, Abdullah A. Orakzai, Sheza Malik, Alshaima Yousef, Ali Jaan, Patrick Okolo

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Introduction:

Acute esophageal necrosis (AEN), is a rare disorder with an estimated incidence of 0.01-0.28%. It typically affects the distal third of the esophagus. Approximately 90% of patients with acute esophageal necrosis present with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, primarily due to ischemic insult or severe hemodynamic compromise. In this report, we describe a case in which the patient presented with odynophagia and dysphagia, but without upper GI bleeding. The patient exhibited pan mucosal involvement of the esophagus, which extended to the gastric antrum.

Case: A 55-year-old man with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and substance abuse presented with …

Agenda (Pdf), School Of Dentistry

LSU School of Dentistry Research Day

Agenda for the LSUSD Research Day held June 14, 2024.

The Perceptions Of Different Disciplines On Early Childhood Interprofessional Teams Involving Occupational Therapy Services, Jessica Martinez-Peraza, Natalie Milliken, Bonnie Riley

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

This phenomenological study was conducted to explore how professionals identify the roles of occupational therapy practitioners and other pediatric professionals on early childhood interprofessional teams. The use of surveys and interviews revealed three themes: 1) the role of occupational therapy encompasses more than what is perceived to be their role, 2) collaboration must be initiated, as it can be influenced by the setting, and 3) different professionals have the shared goal of promoting child health outcomes, but conflict can arise during collaboration. It was recognized that early childhood professionals would like to collaborate more with each member on the interprofessional …

Effect Of Selective Head-Neck Cooling Therapy On Specific Brain Biomarkers After Concussive Injury, Mateusz Conrado

Yale School of Medicine Physician Associate Program Theses

Selective head-neck cooling therapy as novel treatment for concussion has been researched in pilot studies for several years using symptom severity as the primary outcome. As of 2018, brain biomarkers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1) have been FDA approved as indicators of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). This study aims to investigate the effects of selective head-neck cooling therapy on the serum levels of the biomarkers, alongside patient symptom severity, in adults aged 18 years and older with mild Traumatic Brain Injury diagnosed in the last 72 hours. A randomized controlled trial will compare two intervention …

Strength Training Versus Aerobic Exercise On Glycemic Control In Adults With Type 1 Diabetes, Elizabeth Encarnacion

Yale School of Medicine Physician Associate Program Theses

Poorly controlled Type 1 Diabetes can lead to micro- and macrovascular complications (retinopathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular disease), but managing glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels can decrease incidence rates. However, current guidelines recommending exercise for management have low evidence ratings, and less than one third of adults achieve target hemoglobin A1c levels. For those looking to begin an exercise regimen, it is unclear which type of exercise is best for maintaining glycemic control. This study will compare the effectiveness of thrice-weekly (45-minute) sessions for 12 months of aerobic exercise versus strength training against a non-exercise control group in non-active Type 1 Diabetic adults. …

Nutrition Education To Prevent Bone Stress Injuries In Collegiate Male Athletes: A Randomized Trial, Brianna Brite

Yale School of Medicine Physician Associate Program Theses

Male Athlete Triad is a syndrome of three interrelated conditions, low energy availability, functional hypogonadism and low bone mineral density, leading to adverse outcomes including bone stress injuries. Evidence-based techniques for preventing bone stress injury in those at risk for Male Athlete Triad have not been identified in existing research. Nutrition education programs can increase athletes’ energy intake and subsequently, energy availability. Therefore, we seek to determine whether a nutrition education program will reduce the incidence of bone stress injuries among collegiate athletes at risk for Male Athlete Triad. Our randomized controlled trial will assess the relative risk of bone …

Determining The Effectiveness Of Deep Breathing Exercises In Alleviating Stress In Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd), Lovette Okoh

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric disorder that affects veterans following deployment from combat. Medication side effects and re-exposure to trauma while undergoing psychotherapy hinder the effectiveness of recommended treatments. There is evidence supporting the effectiveness of deep breathing exercises in stress management, which is a common feature among PTSD patients. The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to evaluate the effectiveness of deep breathing exercises in alleviating stress among veterans with PTSD. Nursing staff at the project site were educated about the benefits of deep breathing exercises and how to perform them and educated veterans …

Short- And Medium-Term Impacts Of Small-Scale Vegetable Support On Food Security: Evidence From Syria, Ghassan Baliki, Melodie Al Daccache, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Tilman Brück

Faculty Publications

Small-scale agricultural and horticultural interventions play a critical role in improving nutrition and food security of vulnerable households in peaceful settings. However, scant rigorous evidence exists on the impacts and sustainability of such interventions in conflict settings. In this paper, we address this knowledge gap by analyzing the short- and medium-term impacts of a small-scale vegetable input support program involving asset transfers on food security and diets in war-time Syria. We use longitudinal panel household survey data from a quasi-experimental study collected at three rounds: before, one year, and two years after the horticultural intervention ended. We use propensity score …

From Knowledge Gap To Empowerment: Patient-Operated Insulin Pump Management For Bedside Nurses, Bernadette J. Amao

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Acute care nurses often struggle with the complexities of managing patient-operated insulin pumps (PIPs) due to limitations in training. With the rising prevalence of insulin pumps, equipping nurses with the necessary skills to navigate these devices effectively is essential. This quality improvement project addressed this critical gap by enhancing bedside nurses' self-efficacy in PIP management. Drawing upon Bandura's self-efficacy theory, this project hypothesized that targeted educational interventions could significantly improve nurses' confidence in managing PIPs. A four-week educational program was implemented to cover basic knowledge, troubleshooting, and patient interaction aspects of insulin pump management. The intervention tool was designed to …

Impact Of Gamification In An Online Rn To Bsn Program, Deosha Anderson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This quality improvement project aimed to enhance student engagement in an online RN to BSN program by incorporating gamification strategies into the curriculum. Traditional teaching methods often fail to maintain student interest, leading to low engagement and reduced program completion rates. This project sought to determine the impact of gamification on student engagement compared to no gamification. The intervention involved integrating gamified elements into the online RN to BSN program to create a more interactive learning environment. The project employed a quantitative, quasi-experimental design with a pre-intervention and post-intervention assessment. Data on student engagement metrics, including login frequency, time spent …

Improving Student Perceptions Of Collaboration By Using Interprofessional Education, Valerie L. Beshears

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Educators must include interprofessional education (IPE) in the healthcare provider curriculum. Including IPE is the first step in changing the healthcare culture toward interprofessional practice. The project aims to increase nursing students' perceived ability to collaborate with patients, nurses, and other healthcare professionals by introducing IPE to first-semester nursing students. The students will participate in an IPE activity and score a pre-test/post-test survey to assess their perceived ability to collaborate before and after the IPE activity. The data collected from this activity answered the quality improvement question: Among first-semester nursing students in a BSN program, how does incorporating an IPE …

Enhancing Student Simulation Debriefing Using Video Recording, Lisa Hall

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This quality improvement project aimed to show how video recording can increase vivid feedback by expanding the students' memory by reviewing the recording to recall and reflect on their roles during the simulations. This project sought to help the learner understand how well the simulation ran and what was done to improve its performance. The interventions involved video recording each simulation scenario. The recording was used during the debriefing session to help the students recall and reflect on their actions during the scenario. The project employed a quantitative, quasi-experimental design with a pre-intervention and post-intervention assessment. Data was collected using …

Project Management Hurdles In Public Health Interventions In Developing Countries, Irene Ogbuefi

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

Wealth disparity between developing countries and developing countries has created a gap yearning to be filled in certain sectors of the economy. The health sector in resource-poor settings struggle to provide human, capital and financial resources needed to combat some of the diseases plaguing them. To improve global healthcare goals, Development Assistance for Health (DAH) has been the saving grace. DAH provides technical and financial resources required to combat diseases like HIV/AIDs, Malaria and TB. However, the wind of change is blowing in the direction of in-country ownership for public health projects. DAH funding is dwindling but sustainability efforts from …

Through The Cat-Map Gateway: A Brief History Of Cataract Genetics, Alan Shiels

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Clouding of the transparent eye lens, or cataract(s), is a leading cause of visual impairment that requires surgical replacement with a synthetic intraocular lens to effectively restore clear vision. Most frequently, cataract is acquired with aging as a multifactorial or complex trait. Cataract may also be inherited as a classic Mendelian trait-often with an early or pediatric onset-with or without other ocular and/or systemic features. Since the early 1990s, over 85 genes and loci have been genetically associated with inherited and/or age-related forms of cataract. While many of these underlying genes-including those for lens crystallins, connexins, and transcription factors-recapitulate signature …

Feasibility And Safety Of Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy With Fundoplication In Patients With Achalasia: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Faisal Kamal, Muhammad Ali Khan, Wade Lee-Smith, Sachit Sharma, Ashu Acharya, Umer Farooq, Zahid Ejaz, Muhammad Aziz, Manesh Kumar Gangwani, Umar Hayat, Anand Kumar, Alexander Schlachterman, David E. Loren, Thomas E. Kowalski

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Achalasia can cause disabling symptoms that may substantially impair the quality of life. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has shown promising results in the management of achalasia. In this meta-analysis we have evaluated the feasibility and safety of single-session POEM with fundoplication (POEM+F) in patients with achalasia.

METHODS: We reviewed several databases from inception to July 08, 2022, to identify studies evaluating the feasibility and/or safety of single-session POEM+F for patients with achalasia. Our outcomes of interest included the technical success of POEM+F, adverse events, esophagitis and wrap integrity on follow-up upper endoscopy, total procedure time, and fundoplication time. Pooled …

The Covid-19 Pandemic & Language Development Of Preschool Children Living In The Arkansas Delta, Molly Grace Williams

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on preschool children’s language development. Children from the Arkansas Delta Region were examined to determine the significance. Existing data consisting of BRIGANCE III screeners from the 2019 cohort and 2022 cohort were analyzed. Researchers examined the scores from the screener's language and cognitive/academic sections. BRIGANCE III screeners from 73 three-year-olds were collected from the School of the 21st Century Preschool in Paragould, AR. Data from the screeners analyzed the 2019 and 2022 cohorts. A two-tailed t-test was used to measure the relationship between the eight dependent variables. The results yielded …

Effect Of Plumbagin On Chemo-Resistant Metastatic Retinoblastoma, John J. Soto

Theses and Dissertations

Retinoblastoma, which is an ocular malignancy, usually results in poor prognoses in pediatric patients worldwide. Retinoblastoma in some events, can develop metastatic phenotypes which can lead to secondary tumor formation, furthering deleterious patient outcomes. It is of paramount importance to identify and research potent novel compounds that can be used to increase the likelihood of remission. Plumbagin (PLB) is a plant-derived, neuroprotective agent, which exhibits significant anticancer activities during in vitro study. PLB has been shown to have a high therapeutic efficacy against chemoresistant sublines as well as their normal counterparts. We attempted to show that the chemoresistant ABCC1 could …