Anatomy Commons^™

Investigating Mercury Contamination In Urban Fish: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy And Histological Analysis For Environmental And Human Health, Indy L. Cockrill, Ross Andrew

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Mercury contamination in aquatic ecosystems is a pressing environmental and public health concern, particularly in urban areas where industrial runoff and wastewater contribute to heavy metal accumulation. This study investigates mercury presence in fish from Richland Creek in Nashville, TN, by analyzing histological changes in liver and muscle tissues. Mercury bioaccumulates in aquatic food chains, potentially leading to physiological damage in fish and posing health risks to humans who consume contaminated seafood. While prior research has established mercury’s toxic effects, there is a need for localized studies assessing its presence in urban waterways. The hope is to find histological abnormalities …

Brain Endothelial Cells As Phagocytes: Mechanisms And Implications, Rudy T. Chang, Mark J. Fisher, Rachita K. Sumbria

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BECs) lining the brain capillaries form the anatomical site of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), providing a highly selective barrier to support brain homeostasis and function. While the BBB acts as a barrier to immune cells and pathogens under normal conditions, BECs can facilitate their entry into the CNS via a phagocytosis-like mechanism. A similar process is now increasingly reported for a diverse set of cargos, resulting in the categorization of BECs as “non-professional” phagocytes and redefining the conventional view that these cells are functionally non-phagocytic. This review aims to summarize research demonstrating the capacity of BECs …

Investigating The Drug Response Of Pdac Cells To Pan-Kras Inhibitor, Jalyn De La Fuente, Yi Xu, Jun Liu, Angel Dominquez, Ava Sanchez, Pei Wang

Posters - 2025

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an exocrine pancreatic cancer. It is one of the most lethal types of cancer and is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths by 20401 . One major challenge in treating PDAC is drug resistance and the lack of effective treatments. Oncogenic KRAS mutation and loss of function mutation in tumor suppressor genes including P16, TP53, and SMAD4 are found in most PDAC patients. It is unclear whether the different driver mutations can affect the tumor responses to chemo- and targeted therapy. Gemcitabine, a chemotherapy drug, is a cytotoxic agent that has …

Acute Physiological Responses To An Infrared Sauna Blanket Towards Home Based Passive Heat Therapy, Arlene Chaidez, Mia Gonzales, Amaryllis Rubalcaba, Meghan Walls, Rene Barbier

Posters - 2025

Repeated passive heat exposure can improve cardiovascular health outcomes. A novel infrared sauna blanket may enable home-based heat therapy, but these devices are yet understudied. By closely monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, core body temperature, and perceptual responses, it could be determined how a participant's body reacts to the infrared treatment. We found elevated cardiovascular activity in response to the sauna blanket, similar to that observed during moderate-intensity exercise. Therefore, the infrared sauna blanket may have potential for inducing long-term cardiovascular adaptations and become an accessible and costeffective way of treating/preventing chronic illness.

Soluble Cd13 Is A Potential Mediator Of Neutrophil-Induced Thrombogenic Inflammation In Sars-Cov-2 Infection, Pei-Suen Tsou, Ramadan A. Ali, Chenyang Lu, Gautam Sule, Carmelo Carmona-Rivera, Serena Lucotti, Yuzo Ikari, Qi Wu, Phillip L. Campbell, Mikel Gurrea-Rubio, Kohei Maeda, Sharon E. Fox, William D. Brodie, Megan N. Mattichak, Caroline Foster, Ajay Tambralli, Srilakshmi Yalavarthi, M Asif Amin, Katarina Kmetova, Bruna Mazetto Fonseca, Emily Chong, Yu Zuo, Michael D. Maile, Luisa Imberti, Arnaldo Caruso, Francesca Caccuri, Virginia Quaresima, Alessandra Sottini, Douglas B. Kuhns, Et Al

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The soluble variant of the ectopeptidase CD13 (sCD13), released from the cell surface by matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14), is a potent pro-inflammatory mediator, displaying chemotactic, angiogenic, and arthritogenic properties through bradykinin receptor B1 (B1R). We revealed a link between sCD13 and amplified neutrophil-mediated inflammatory responses in SARS-CoV-2 infection. sCD13 was markedly elevated in patients with COVID-19 and correlated with disease severity and variants, ethnicity, inflammation markers, and neutrophil extracellular trap formation (NETosis). Neutrophils treated with sCD13 showed heightened NETosis and chemotaxis, which were inhibited by sCD13 receptor blockade. Meanwhile sCD13 did not induce platelet aggregation. Single-cell analysis of COVID-19 lungs …

A Protocol To Investigate The Acute Effects Of Contrast Therapy Vs. Heat Therapy On Cardiovascular Health Outcomes, René Barbier, Jace Nicolet, Annahy Pesina

Posters - 2025

There is a growing number of people being affected by hypertension, often referred to as high blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure (>130/80 mmHg) affects 45% of U.S. adults (Huguet et at., 2021). Chronic hypertension can have catastrophic outcomes, as it significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and heart failure. On top of this, this cardiovascular disease is often referred to as a "silent killer," because it tends to not present symptoms until serious damage already occurred. In addition to the negative effects on the individual, hypertension constitutes a large public heath burden, costing over …

Exploring The Boundaries Of Ai: Chatgpt’S Accuracy In Anatomical Image Generation & Bone Identification Of The Foot, Simran Shamith, Neshal K. Kothari, Serena K. Kothari, Carolyn Giordano

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Ocular Surface Glycocalyx In Health And Disease, Rafael Martínez-Carrasco, Ajay Sharma

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The glycocalyx is a dynamic carbohydrate-enriched structure that forms a dense coating on the surface of animal cells, including those at the ocular surface. It plays a critical role in maintaining cellular functions and it has a significant influence in disease processes. At the ocular surface, glycoproteins such as mucins are essential for hydration, lubrication, and barrier protection. Proteoglycans and glycolipids contribute to cell signaling, and mediate interactions with pathogens. Alterations in the glycocalyx are implicated in a spectrum of ocular conditions, including dry eye disease, ocular allergies, infections, and systemic diseases such as Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and diabetes mellitus. …

Development Of A Synthetic Biomarker System For Early Detection Of Myocardial Infarction, Kennedy Alexis Bietz

Honors Thesis

Every year, thousands of Americans suffer from the event of a heart attack, i.e., myocardial infarction (MI). Currently, the early detection of MI remains a challenge. We intend to solve the problem by constructing a synthetic biomarker system that would be able to recognize early warning signs of MI, such as cellular inflammation and oxidative stress. We have proposed two different pathology specific genetic sensors that act as artificial promoters to transcribe a peptide that can be secreted into the blood stream and eventually work its way into the urine and act as a reporter that can be detected through …

Sonographic Evaluation Of An Urachal Remnant: A Case Report, Courtney Gushi

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Urachal anomalies are rare and often identified incidentally during diagnostic imaging studies, such as sonography. These anomalies are being detected with increasing frequency due to advancements in cross-sectional medical imaging. Sonography is a key diagnostic modality due to its lack of radiation, cost-effectiveness, and widespread ability. Urachal anomalies have the potential to undergo pathological changes, leading to inflammation, infection, and even malignancy. Therefore, it is imperative for sonographers to be proficient in identifying and understanding sonographic characteristics of urachal abnormalities.

Gene Expression Profiling Of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells In Hypercapnia Identifies Siah3 As A Novel Prognostic Biomarker, Nitzan Zohar, Ryan Maguire, Saed Khalilieh, Aditi Jain, Dmitriy Bosykh, Wilbur B. Bowne, Harish Lavu, Charles J. Yeo, Avinoam Nevler

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Hypercapnia is a key feature of the respiratory microenvironment in many pathologic conditions. It occurs both as a regional and as a systemic process, and it is associated with multiple metabolic changes such as mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased ATP production, and metabolic shift from glycolytic energy production to fatty acid metabolism. In the cancer tumor microenvironment, hypercapnia has been linked at times to enhanced cell migration, invasion, and chemoresistance. Our previous work has shown that hypercapnia-associated gene signatures can be used as prognostic biomarkers. However, unlike the hypoxia-inducible factor pathway, there are no validated targets to quantify hypercapnia. In this study, …

The Role Of The Pthrp/Ihh Feedback Loop In The Unusual Growth Plate Location In Mammalian Metatarsals And Pisiforms., Philip Reno, Sherrie Wallace, Sarah N Doelp, Maria Biancaniello, Kelsey M. Kjosness

PCOM Scholarly Works

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal skeletal growth takes place in the cartilaginous growth plates. While growth plates are found at either end of conventional long bones, they occur at a variety of locations in the mammalian skeleton. For example, the metacarpals and metatarsals (MT) in the hands and feet form only a single growth plate at one end, and the pisiform in the wrist is the only carpal bone to contain a growth plate. We take advantage of this natural anatomical variation to test which components of the PTHrP/Ihh feedback loop, a fundamental regulator of chondrocyte differentiation, are specific to growth plate function. …

Female Patients Report Comparable Results To Males After The Implantation Of An Aragonite-Based Scaffold For The Treatment Of Knee Chondral And Osteochondral Defects: A Gender-Based Analysis Of A Rct At 4 Years' Follow-Up., Elizaveta Kon, Francesca De Caro, Vinod Dasa, Jason M Scopp, Berardo Di Matteo, David Flanigan, Nogah Shabshin, Sabrina Strickland, Nir Altschuler

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Spontaneous Distal Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm In A Young Male With Full Mutation Of The Fragile X Syndrome With A High-Functioning Phenotype: Illustrative Case, Eleni Papadopoulos, Anna Abrimian, Hekmat Zarzour, Randi J Hagerman, Richard F Schmidt

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a genetic disorder that typically presents with neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Patients with FXS can present with signs and symptoms of connective tissue disorder (CTD) and occasionally with vascular disease. However, cerebrovascular disease is not well documented in these patients, and it is unknown whether there is a direct link between abnormal levels of fragile X protein (FMRP) and its mRNA.

OBSERVATIONS: Here, the authors present a rare case of an adult male with full mutation FXS of a high-functioning phenotype who presented with syncope, and on further evaluation, a fusiform dissecting aneurysm of the distal …

Gatad2b O-Glcnacylation Regulates Breast Cancer Stem-Like Potential And Drug Resistance, Giang Le Minh, Jessica Merzy, Emily Esquea, Nusaiba Ahmed, Riley Young, Ryan Sharp, Tejsi Dhameliya, Bernice Agana, Mi-Hye Lee, Jennifer Bethard, Susana Comte-Walters, Lauren Ball, Mauricio Reginato

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

The growth of breast tumors is driven and controlled by a subpopulation of cancer cells resembling adult stem cells, which are called cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). In breast cancer, the function and maintenance of CSCs are influenced by protein O-GlcNAcylation and the enzyme responsible for this post-translational modification, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT). However, the mechanism of CSCs regulation by OGT and O-GlcNAc cycling in breast cancer is still unclear. Analysis of the proteome and O-GlcNAcome, revealed GATAD2B, a component of the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex, as a substrate regulated by OGT. Reducing GATAD2B genetically impairs mammosphere formation, decreases expression …

Effectiveness Of A Multidisciplinary Atlas: Integrating Dermatological And Urological Anatomy For Enhanced Medical Education, Neharika Penmetcha, Jared Hensley, Blake C. Martin, Justin Heckman, Aun Bangash, Ricardo Belmares

Research Symposium

Background: Understanding the connections between the skin and urogenital systems is important for medical students, as many diseases affect both areas. Dermatology and urology are often taught separately, but combining them into a single learning resource could help students see how these systems are linked. By including real clinical cases in a multidisciplinary atlas, students might better understand anatomy, retain knowledge longer, and develop stronger problem-solving skills. This review explores how combining dermatological and urological anatomy in one atlas could improve medical education.

Methods: This literature review synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed studies on multidisciplinary teaching strategies, case-based learning, and visual …

Maternal Health And Congenital Heart Defects: Investigating Ventricular Septal Defects In South Texas Region 11, Miguel A. Lopez, Sophia Moon, Jonathan M. Hebert, Padmanabhan Rengasamy

Research Symposium

Congenital heart defects are a known risk factor for early childhood mortality and can be traced to poor maternal health, a crisis plaguing the South Texas region. This perspective research project utilizes previously computed data on the prevalence of ventricular septal defects (VSD) in South Texas region 11 combined with a comprehensive literature review to investigate the correlation between both maternal obesity and diabetes with VSD. Current literature supports a significant association between maternal diabetes and VSD, with one Russian study reporting an eight to nine fold increased risk in VSD in children born to diabetic mothers. By contrast, the …

Changes In Brain Functional Connectivity Associated With Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation In Healthy Controls, Daniel A. Monti, Nancy Wintering, Faezeh Vedaei, Alicia Steinmetz, Feroze Mohamed, Andrew B. Newberg

Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: A growing number of research studies have explored the potential effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on brain physiology as well as clinical effects particularly related to stress and anxiety. However, there currently are limited studies showing functional changes during different frequencies of stimulation and laterality effects transcutaneous auricular VNS (TaVNS). In this study, we evaluated whether TaVNS alters functional connectivity in the brain of healthy controls. We hypothesized that TaVNS would significantly alter connectivity in areas involved with emotional processing and regulation including the limbic areas, insula, frontal lobe regions, and cerebellum.

METHODS: We enrolled 50 healthy controls. …

The Role Of The Female Reproductive Cycle In Social Communication And Relevance To Mental Health, Julissa Amaro Castillo, Fernando Dominguez, Ariana Hinojosa, Giselle Padilla, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

The female reproductive cycle is characterized by fluctuating hormones, including estrogens and progesterone, that are involved in reproductive health; however, they have also been linked to disorders like Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), mood swings, depression and others. The goal of this study is to use the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) as an animal model to examine the influence of the reproductive cycle and hormones on behavior. Scent-marking activity known as flank marking is exhibited by territorial or sociable animals. In essence, animals mark their territory or convey information such as reproductive status by rubbing their flanks or …

When Creatine Kinase Soars: A Case Of Viral Myositis In The Absence Of Rhabdomyolysis, Jose J. Loayza Pintado, Jorge Aboytes Trevino, Andres Suarez Parraga

Research Symposium

Background: Myositis is muscle inflammation commonly causing symmetrical pain, especially in the proximal muscles, often triggered by viral infections. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), a human-exclusive virus, is linked to acute viral myositis (AVM). Typically, AVM presents with sudden bilateral muscle pain and systemic symptoms like fever, nausea, and vomiting, occurring after a recent respiratory or gastrointestinal infection. Diagnosis involves measuring creatine kinase (CK) levels, liver function tests, and viral studies. While viral myositis is self-limiting and generally resolves within two weeks with supportive care, complications like rhabdomyolysis can occur. We present a case of EBV-induced viral myositis with significantly elevated CK …

Effects Of Arginine-Vasopressin In The Brain On Cardiovascular Function In A Psychosocial Stress Animal Model, Esmeralda Lopez-Garcia, Ariana V. Hinojosa, Esperanza I. Alaniz, Fernando Dominguez, Giselle Padilla, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Psychosocial stress impacts cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of events like myocardial infarction (MI), stress cardiomyopathy, and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Anxiety. However, our understanding of the biological mechanisms that connect psychosocial stress with negative cardiovascular and psychological outcomes remains incomplete. Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is linked to both mental and physical health by regulating social behavior, blood pressure, and anxiety-related behaviors. This study investigates the potential cardioprotective effects of the neuropeptide AVP, in an effort to generate evidence that it may strengthen heart function and lessen the severity of adverse cardiovascular events caused by stress, brain …

Staged Reconstruction And Salvage Of 5th Finger With Corticocancellous Distal Radius Autograft: A Case Report, Emmanuel Franco, Zayd Ayas, Frank Gerold

Research Symposium

Background: Finger reconstruction in the aftermath of severe trauma poses significant challenges in restorative surgery, particularly when addressing extensive soft tissue damage, comminuted fractures, and simultaneous neurovascular complications. This study presents a case of a patient with a complicated distal phalangeal fracture that pursued digit salvage.

Case Presentation: Patient is a 31-year-old woman who sustained a severe injury to her right 5th digit during an ATV rollover. The trauma resulted in an exposed and comminuted fracture of the proximal phalanx with associated loss of soft tissues, flexor tendon, radial nerve injury, and vascular compromise. She elected to pursue digit salvage …

Exploring The Effects Of Serotonin And Ssris On The Neurological, Behavioral, And Cardiovascular Systems Under Induced Stress –Using The Animal Model Of The Syrian Hamster, Ariana V. Hinojosa, Esperanza I. Alaniz, Esmeralda Lopez-Garcia, Giselle Padilla, Fernando Dominquez, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has been found to have a wide range of effects on not just the neuropsychological processes but has also been found to exert effects outside the central nervous system (CNS); regulating numerous biological processes, such as metabolism, gastrointestinal system, reproductive function, and even the cardiovascular system. However, there is still a limited understanding of how serotonin affects all these systems due to its complexity and ability to regulate homeostasis. This project aims to create a stronger foundation of knowledge about serotonin and its influence on the interaction between the CNS, behavior, and cardiac function …

Anatomy In Ink, Gabriel Scally

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

In the intersection of medicine and art lies a profound synergy that nurtures both professional and personal well-being. This piece embodies this connection through a detailed and abstract representation of the human body and its complexities. At the center of the piece, the gross anatomical depiction of the head and neck serves as a nod to the foundational knowledge in medicine. Surrounding this central figure is an intricate conglomeration of medical elements, including the inner ear canal, a fetus, a hand, an eye, the brain, nerves, chemical elements, microbiology, and excerpts from the Hippocratic Oath, tying together aspects from basic …

The Lungs Of The Finch: Three-Dimensional Pulmonary Anatomy Of The Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia Castanotis), Aracely Martinez, Raul E. Diaz, Clinton A. Grand Pre, Brandon P. Hedrick, Emma R. Schachner

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

The avian respiratory system has been an area of biological interest for centuries, with zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanotis) emerging in recent decades as a primary avian model organism popularized across numerous disciplines. The pulmonary system of birds is unique in that air moves unidirectionally through the gas-exchanging lung, and previous works have suggested anatomical constraints within the bronchial network that may be coupled to the inspiratory valving mechanism in Aves. We used µCT-based segmented models to visualize and describe the morphology of the zebra finch lower respiratory system and to examine intra- and interspecific differences of the bronchial tree with …

Novel Device Therapies In Heart Failure: Focus On Patient Selection, Amrita Balgobind, Daniel Asemota, Emily Rodriguez, Phuuwadith Wattanachayakul, Marat Fudim, Miguel Alvarez Villela

Einstein Health Papers

The increasing prevalence of heart failure (HF) has led to advancements in therapeutic strategies, including the development of new pharmacological treatments and the expansion of guideline recommendations across the spectrum of left ventricular ejection fractions. Despite these advancements, the full benefits of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) are often limited by various barriers that result in incomplete implementation or suboptimal responses. For patients who cannot tolerate or only partially respond to GDMT, therapeutic options remain limited. This gap is particularly significant for those with contraindications to heart replacement therapies (HRT), such as left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or heart transplant. In …

Using Ai-Generated Scenarios To Enhance Learning Of The Emergency Assessment Process, D Cobble, L Schroeder, J Vaughn, S Ford

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Rigorous accreditation standards require students to demonstrate competency in various clinical proficiencies through clinical practice or simulation-based educational activities. Therefore, simulation has become an integral component of athletic training education, as scenarios can provide realistic and reproducible experiences for all students. To that end, our study had two primary objectives: investigate the ability of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate accurate and realistic athletic training simulation scenarios and evaluate AI's effectiveness in teaching and reinforcing the emergency assessment process through student-created scenarios. Methods: Phase one, AI developed three different scenarios for patients experiencing (1) an ovarian cyst, (2) a hypoglycemic …

Prevalence, Perceptions, And Attitudes Of Accommodation For Students With Disabilities In Athletic Training Education Programs, T J. Babcock, L E. Eberman

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Disability accommodation has been widely researched in healthcare education programs, including medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathy (DO), and physical therapy (PT). However, little research has been conducted on classroom and clinical education accommodation in athletic training education. The purpose of this study was to explore these settings and gain an understanding of student experiences with accommodation in athletic training education programs. This project was deemed exempt by Indiana State University’s Institutional Review Board. Methods: A cross-sectional 24-question survey was developed and adapted from prior qualitative research on accommodation in physical therapy education. Emails containing a link to the …

Clinat: In Service To Athletic Training Scholarship, Lindsey Eberman, Matthew J. Rivera

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

To be of service to others means to help others without expecting anything in return. The ClinAT, or Clinical Practice in Athletic Training journal, is an online, open-access outlet for the dissemination of practice-based research in health care, and a donation of time, effort, and energy to the profession of athletic training. In 2018, when Indiana State University created its first issue of ClinAT, we were a faculty of 3 with 5 PhD students supporting the journal, one of whom was wholly dedicated to the effort. As the higher education landscape has changed, and the roles and responsibilities of our …

Barriers To The Implementation Of The Amsterdam 2022 Statement In The Secondary School Setting, L Torres, J L. Baldari, F A. Gardin, A M. Price

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: The Amsterdam 2022 International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport provides a summary of contemporary best practice recommendations for healthcare providers who are involved in the care of athletes at risk of sport-related concussion (SRC). Given that athletic trainers (ATs) have a professional responsibility to continually educate themselves on topics of great importance to the population that they care for, such as SRC management, it is reasonable to expect them to evolve their concussion management protocols to better align themselves with the recommendations found this statement. The purpose of this study was to identify the barriers associated with the …