Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Case Of Fatal Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus And Encephalitis In An Immunocompetent Host With A Review Of Literature, Kellyn E. Wilkes, Rutwik Pradeep Sharma, Laurie Proia

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Herpes zoster is a common disease that can have several complications. Here, we present a case of herpes zoster ophthalmicus with coexisting encephalitis that unfortunately resulted in patient mortality. A 70-year-old male with a past medical history of Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia presented to the emergency department after being found altered at home. Physical exam was notable for left-sided crusted facial rash, left conjunctival injection, and purulent drainage coming from the right eye. Given the location and appearance of his rash, he was diagnosed with herpes zoster ophthalmicus. There was suspicion for encephalitis given his altered mental status but unfortunately, …

Ensuring Successful H. Pylori Test Of Cure: A Quality Improvement Initiative Focused On Post-Treatment Testing, Prajjwol D. Bhatta, Smriti Bhetuwal, Asim Pandey, Ahmed Shehadah, John Shrestha, Venkat Arutla, Chengu Niu, Himal Kharel, Abdullah Ahmed

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background

Eradication of Helicobacter. Pylori (HP) infection is crucial for preventing serious sequelae, such as peptic ulcer disease and gastric malignancies. The ACG guideline recommends mandatory re-testing to ensure HP eradication. However, studies have shown that only less than 25% of patients undergo eradication testing.

Objectives:

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a simple educational intervention on test of cure compliance rate. Our target population includes patients with confirmed HP infection who were treated with HP eradication therapy.

Design: Quality improvement pre-post intervention

Participants: Internal Medicine residents

Intervention: Educational training on the importance …

Mycobacterium Shimoidei: A Case Report Of A Rare Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection In An American Patient With A Favorable Outcome, Madison Baker, Farah Majdoub, Asad Nasir

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are common environmental pathogens, but they are an uncommon cause of illness. One such mycobacteria, Mycobacterium shimoidei, was discovered in 1968 and found to cause a respiratory illness in 1975. Since then, fewer than 100 cases have been reported worldwide. Symptoms can include cough, fever, weight loss, and hemoptysis This report describes an American patient with no travel history who was found to have significant pulmonary disease caused by this rare non-tuberculous mycobacteria.

Proceeding Book Of The 17th Indonesian Occupational Medicine Updates (Iomu), Perdoki .

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Bali, Indonesia, 16th - 18th May 2025

Older Adults And Suicide: Protective Pathways To Apply Shores In Counseling, Anna A. Ellenson, Jenny L. Cureton

Adultspan Journal

Older adult suicide (OAS) is a growing concern as the U.S. population continues to age and access to counseling expands. Despite legal and ethical requirements, counselors are often underprepared to address suicide in later life, especially through the lens of suicide protective factors (SPFs). This conceptual article introduces SHORES, a research-informed mnemonic (Skills and strategies for coping, Hope, Objections to suicide, Reasons for living/Restriction of means, Engaged care, and Support), to help counselors assess, intervene, and plan treatment with older adults. We review literature on OAS, highlight gaps in counselor training, and provide an application guide for using SHORES with …

Effective Education Prevents Readmission Rates, Taylor Johnson, Gabby Belanger, Ben Mittleman, Bella Ferguson

Nurse Residency

PICOT Question: In older adult patients, does nurse-driven education, compared with standard care, reduce hospital readmission rates?

Meeting Nurses Where We're At, Michal Brown, Kayley Mclaughlin, Lauren Damm

Nurse Residency

PICOT Question: For night shift nurses, how does implementing flexible shift-friendly educational strategies, such as reordered or alternatively scheduled sessions, compare with traditional morning in person education classes affect their ability to positively participate and engage in required education throughout the nurse residency program?

Coaching In Undergraduate And Graduate Medical Education: A Scoping Review Of Success Factors, Barriers, And Outcomes Data File, Binata Mukherjee, Jenna Pfleeger, Haidee Custodio, Maria Renee Roca, Gurupreet Khalsa, Clista Clanton

University Research Data and Datasets

The data in this file support the findings of the following study.

Purpose: Wanting to implement a sustainable learner coaching program in academic medicine and prior exposure to coaching initiatives raised questions including planning, implementation and assessment, and resource allocation. This scoping review examines coaching across medical learners, reported program elements, success factors, and barriers.

Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, informed by Levac et al. on Arskey and O’Malley’s framework and Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, PubMed, Scopus, and ERIC was searched through May 2024. Articles were screened, data extracted, and coded. A mixed methods analysis included descriptive statistics and thematic …

Patient And Population Impacts Of Multigene Panel And Pembrolizumab Coverage In Metastatic Melanoma, Deirdre Weymann, Emanuel Krebs, Samantha Pollard, Melanie Mcphail, Ian Bosdet, Stephen Yip, Alison M. Weppler, Aly Karsan, Helen Anderson, Tania M. Bubela

Office of the Provost

Background: Targeted treatment or immunotherapy may yield increased, durable responses for melanoma patients. Whether patient-level benefits translate to population health is unknown. This study sought to estimate patient and population impacts of a cancer control policy that reimbursed multigene panel testing and pembrolizumab for metastatic melanoma in British Columbia, Canada.
Methods: This retrospective study examined a population-based cohort of 721 adults diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in British Columbia who received single or multigene testing between 2013 and 2018. We determined patient-level policy impacts using 1:1 genetic algorithm matching of policy-affected patients with historical control patients and Kaplan-Meier analysis and inverse …

Dynamics Of The Airborne Phase In Discus Throwing, Andreas Maheras

Track and Field Faculty Publications

From a mechanics point of view, the execution of the airborne phase in discus throwing can affect the execution of the delivery phase, and eventually the distance thrown. It is not very important to minimize the time it takes to complete the airborne phase or how fast the thrower turns in the middle. The important element in this phase is to create the conditions for a quick planting of the left foot in the front of the ring, while at the same time keeping the shoulder axis towards the thrower's right in the final double support phase. That, can be …

Social, Environmental And Policy Contexts Affecting The Feasibility And Acceptability Of Improving Household Flooring For Better Health In Rural Kenya, Ulrike Fillinger, Victoria Ochwal, Hugo Legge, Sharon Muli, Karisa Kazungu, Carlos Mcharo, Jacinta Mwongeli, Charles Mwandawiro, Katherine Halliday, Doris Njomo

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background Homes with unimproved floors (earth, sand, or clay) are associated with increased risks of soil-transmitted parasites and enteric infections, leading to higher morbidity and reduced quality of life. This study explored the enablers and barriers to adopting improved flooring (sealed, washable, and durable) in three culturally diverse regions of Kenya - Narok, Bungoma, and Kwale - to mitigate disease burdens.

Methods Between August 2021 and July 2022, we conducted 24 focus group discussions with homeowners, stratified by age, gender, and floor type. Additionally, 28 key informant interviews with local government officials, microfinance representatives, and masonry trainers in Kwale and …

Engineering Enac Constructs To Examine Pip2 And Ubiquitin Competition On Enac Regulation And Stability, Lacie Johnson

Chemistry & Biochemistry Undergraduate Honors Theses

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) plays a critical role in sodium homeostasis, fluid balance, and blood pressure regulation. ENaC activity is tightly controlled by post-translational mechanisms, including ubiquitination-mediated degradation and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) dependent channel activation. PIP2 is a phospholipid necessary to facilitate the maximal channel opening. Previous studies suggest that intracellular PIP2 binding sites are located in proximity to ubiquitination sites on ENaC subunits, raising the possibility of PIP2 binding to influence channel stability and function. This thesis aimed to engineer and validate molecular tools capable of examining the interplay between PIP2 binding and ubiquitination in ENaC regulation. A …

Supporting Latine Older Adults’ Nutrition And Physical Health Goals In Counseling, Zachary Mcniece, Jacqueline Bergman

Adultspan Journal

Latine older adults face disproportionate risk of chronic nutrition-related conditions and food insecurity, which can exacerbate or contribute to mental health-related concerns. Cultural stigma toward mental illness can result in Latine clients, especially older adults, somatizing symptoms and focusing on physical health goals in counseling. Despite these intersecting needs, counselors often overlook their clients' physical health goals due to limited training and the assumption that medical providers alone should address these needs. This article advocates for the integration of basic, culturally responsive nutrition information into counseling practice to support client well-being while remaining within the scope of practice. We offer …

Therapeutic Potential Of C1-Inhibitor In Vascular Diseases And Beyond, Linda Sundler Björkman, Harish Eswaran, Steven P Grover

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

C1INH (C1-inhibitor) is a multifunctional SERPIN (serine protease inhibitor) that functions as a major negative regulator of the complement, coagulation, and kallikrein-kinin systems. C1INH products were originally developed for the treatment of hereditary angioedema associated with C1INH deficiency. A growing body of literature indicates that C1INH products may find utility in the management of several other disease states. In this review, we detail the key biological activities of C1INH and consider the pathophysiological role of C1INH targets in many conditions. The therapeutic potential of exogenous C1INH is highlighted in the settings of thromboembolism, ischemia-reperfusion injury, sepsis, transplantation, and coronavirus disease …

Multi-Trait And Multi-Ancestry Genetic Analysis Of Comorbid Lung Diseases And Traits Improves Genetic Discovery And Polygenic Risk Prediction, Yixuan He, Wenhan Lu, Yon Ho Jee, Mu-Yi Shih, Ying Wang, Kristin Tsuo, David C Qian, James A Diao, Hailiang Huang, Chirag J Patel, Jinyoung Byun, Bogdan Pasaniuc, Elizabeth G Atkinson, Christopher I Amos, Yen-Chen Anne Feng, Matthew Moll, Michael H Cho, Alicia R Martin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

While respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma share many risk factors, most studies investigate them in isolation and in predominantly European-ancestry populations. Here, we conducted the most powerful multi-trait and multi-ancestry genetic analysis of respiratory diseases and auxiliary traits to date, identifying 25 new loci associated with lung function in individuals of East Asian ancestry. Using these results, we developed PRSxtra (cross-trait and cross-ancestry), a multi-trait and multi-ancestry polygenic risk score (PRS) approach that leverages shared components of heritable risk via pleiotropic effects. PRSxtra significantly improved the prediction of asthma, COPD and lung cancer compared …

Cleavage And Polyadenylation Specificity Factor Subunit 5 Regulates Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Expansion And Hypoxic Response, Scott D Collum, Lisha Zhu, Tingting W Mills, Rene Girard, Jamie Tran, Tinne C J Mertens, Cory Wilson, Nancy Wareing, Erik E Suarez, Howard J Huang, Rahat Hussain, Bindu Akkanti, Wenjin J Zheng, Hari K Yalamanchili, Bela Patel, Eric J Wagner, Sandeep Agarwal, Harry Karmouty-Quintana

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a fatal condition that affects individuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a multiorgan fibrotic disease with limited treatment options. A central feature of PH is vascular remodeling, defined by the narrowing of the arteriole lumen due to cell proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition. Herein, we identify a central mechanism that can regulate multiple transcripts important for vascular remodeling. The highlight of our study is the demonstration that reduced pulmonary artery smooth muscle (PASMC) Nudt21, which codes for the RNA binding protein Cleavage and Polyadenylation Specificity Factor Subunit 5 (CPSF5) The, known to regulate alternative polyadenylation, results …

The Role Of C-Terminal Crosslinking Telopeptide Of Type Ii Collagen (Ctx-Ii) After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review., Ali Naderi, S Ali Ghasemi, Andrea Fabregas, Gene Shaffer, James Raphael

Orthopedic Surgery Resident Research

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are known to accelerate cartilage degradation and predispose patients to early-onset osteoarthritis. C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II), a biomarker of cartilage breakdown, can be detected in various body fluids, including urine, offering a non-invasive method for evaluating cartilage degeneration. This systematic review aimed to assess existing evidence on urinary CTX-II (uCTX-II) levels following ACL reconstruction (ACLR). A systematic search of two medical databases was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Studies were screened for inclusion based on their assessment of CTX-II in human subjects undergoing ACLR, and methodological quality was evaluated using …

Rectal Adenocarcinoma Presenting As Full-Thickness Prolapse With External Haemorrhoids: Case Report., Samantha Temucin, Sean Singh, Valerie Bauer, Roy Sandau

General Surgery Resident Research

We present a case of a 51-year-old male with a colonic adenocarcinoma that presented as a full-thickness rectal prolapse with external haemorrhoids. This patient had no significant medical or surgical history and presented to the emergency department with a rectal prolapse which had become incarcerated and increasingly painful over the previous 2 weeks. A computed tomography (CT) abdomen and pelvis appeared benign, demonstrating a full-thickness rectal prolapse with no definite rectal mass. A colonoscopy was performed, revealing anterior rectal mucosal edema, fibrosis, and a possible mass. This prompted the patient to be taken to the operating room for a low …

Insomnia In Stimulant Use Disorders: Prevalence And Associations With Negative Affect, Isabella G Bourtin, Constanza De Dios, Jessica Vincent, Joy M Schmitz, Scott D Lane, Heather E Webber

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Research suggests that sleep disturbances are common among people who use psychostimulants, including cocaine use and methamphetamine use. These sleep disturbances hinder recovery, heighten relapse risk, and worsen physical and mental health outcomes. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and severity of insomnia among individuals who use cocaine and methamphetamine and to explore potential psychological factors that are associated with more severe insomnia. The sample included participants who completed in-person screening assessments for ongoing studies at an outpatient research clinic. As a part of this screening, participants completed the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and validated assessments of psychological domains …

Cardiometabolic Parameter Change By Weight Regain On Tirzepatide Withdrawal In Adults With Obesity: A Post Hoc Analysis Of The Surmount-4 Trial, Deborah B Horn, Bruno Linetzky, Melanie J Davies, Luke J Laffin, Hui Wang, Madhumita A Murphy, Sarah Zimner-Rapuch, Eva Lau, Avigdor D Arad, Clare J Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Importance: In the SURMOUNT-4 trial, most adults with obesity who had tirzepatide withdrawn following a 36-week treatment regained weight. The association between the degree of weight regain and cardiometabolic parameters after tirzepatide withdrawal is unknown.

Objective: To assess changes in cardiometabolic parameters by degree of weight regain after withdrawal of tirzepatide.

Design, setting, and participants: This post hoc analysis of the SURMOUNT-4 trial included tirzepatide-treated participants with 10% or greater weight reduction at week 36 initially randomized to placebo. Data were collected from March 2021 to May 2023, and data were analyzed from February 2024 to March 2025.

Interventions: After …

Mindfulness Approach Used To Reduce The Impact Of Internalized Psychopathology: Anxiety And Depression, Taniyah Drayton

The Kean Review: Journal in Student Research

The emergence of mindfulness practices has increased in medical spaces throughout recent years. Mindfulness was once seen strictly for its spiritual origins, yet beginning in the late 20th century it began being assessed for its reliability in treating individuals who experienced extreme levels of pain and stress. Its origin “is often spoken of as ‘the heart of Buddhist meditation,’” as Kabat-Zinn discusses (Kabat-Zinn, 2011). Kabat-Zinn, founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, introduced a new translation for mindfulness in 1979 through highlighting the skills individuals can learn and apply throughout their daily life. Kabat-Zinn …

Dean's Research Newsletter, February 2026, Neil W. Schluger

SOM Dean's Research Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Variation In Antiviral Immunity And Inflammation Pathways Precedes Hiv-1 Infection In A High-Risk African Cohort, Mwikali Kioko, Shaban Mwangi, Lynn Fwambah, Amin Hassan, Jason Blackard, Philip Bejon, Eduard Sanders, Thumbi Ndung’U, Eunice Nduati, Abdirahman Abdi

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

BACKGROUND. Susceptibility to HIV-1 infection varies between individuals, but the biological determinants of acquisition risk remain poorly defined.

METHODS. We conducted a case-control study nested within a high-risk cohort in Kenya. We compared the plasma extracellular RNA collected before HIV-1 acquisition with that from matched uninfected individuals acting as controls to identify immunological processes linked to infection risk.

RESULTS. Individuals who later acquired HIV-1 exhibited upregulation of immune processes that facilitate viral infection, including T cell suppression and type II IFN and Th2 immune responses. In contrast, processes associated with antiviral defence and tissue repair, such as …

Baystate Health Nursing: Together In Excellence Newsletter - February 2026, Brenda Simpson Rn

Baystate Health Nursing: Together in Excellence Newsletters

Baystate Health Nursing: Together in Excellence Newsletter - February 2026

Himmelfarb Headlines - February/March 2026, The George Washington University, Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library

Himmelfarb Headlines (2009 - present)

News, information, and resources relating to Himmelfarb Library that is of interest to patrons.

Improvements In Eeg Tracing Following Initiation Of Cannabidiol: A Case Report, Katherine Horman, Ara Hall, Kailash Pawar

Posters

No abstract provided.

Elevated Serum Lipopolysaccharides And Intrinsic Factor Autoantibodies Correlate With Macrocytic Anemia Among People With Hiv, Daniel Amakye, Samuel Hammond, Osbourne Quaye, Upal Roy, Peter Puplampu, Vincent Ganu, Emmanuel Ayitey Tagoe

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with various comorbidities, including macrocytic anemia, though the role of the infection is unclear. HIV has been implicated in microbial translocation and altered immune responses. This study aimed to establish the relationship between gut microbial translocation and immune response, and macrocytic anemia among people with HIV (PWH).

Materials and methods: Fifty-five PWH on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) were age-matched with 55 HIV-negative individuals. Demographic data and blood samples were collected from February to July 2023. Hematological indices, including red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin concentration, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), were measured. …

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Of Transitioning Tandem And Ovoid Insertions From Or To Clinic, Akihiro Uno, Hasan Danish Md

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Family Medicine Among First-Year Medical Students At Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya, Catherine Gathu, Lucy Mwangi, Peter Kioko, Tatiana Elwes

Family Medicine, East Africa

Background: Family Medicine (FM) is vital in delivering comprehensive and continuous care essential for robust primary healthcare systems. However, it remains underappreciated in many settings, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the perceptions of FM among first-year medical students at Aga Khan University (AKU), Kenya.

Setting: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between August 2024 and September 2024 among the first-year medical students at AKU. All were invited to participate via email.

Methods: An 18-item questionnaire focused on three areas: perception and choice of medicine as a career, perception of FM and choice of FM as a …

Worldwide Procedural Variations Of Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention For St-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Insights From The "Stent - Save A Life!" Initiative, Hélder Pereira, Ana Pereira, Rita Calé, Dejan Orlić, Rhena Delport, Sayfollah Abdi, Bagrat Alekyan, Khalid Alhabib, Carolina Artucio, Mzee Ngunga

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background

Methods

Results