Diseases Commons^™

Coronavirus Update For July 23, 2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

One thing we have learned during this 18-month battle with COVID-19 is that things are constantly changing and, if we want to stay safe, we need to keep up with the latest news. We are aware of the recent rise in COVID Delta variant cases around the country, and in the state, as well as the number of our athletic and clinical partners who are now requiring the vaccine. As a result, and in consultation with state and local health officials, we have made the decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, faculty and staff who plan to be …

Provider And Caregiver Perceptions Of Sids/Siuds Prevention In The Black Hills Of South Dakota, Levi Franz, Kenneth Snell

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Introduction: In spite of advances in medical technology, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS) remain common causes of death throughout the US, and especially in South Dakota. This study aims to elucidating the assumptions that physicians and patients have regarding SIDS.

Methods: 300 surveys were distributed to care givers of 0-9 months old children at a local pediatric office. An additional 5 surveys were distributed to physicians at this clinic who were asked to predict the overall outcomes of the caregiver surveys. Data were entered into excel and analyzed with ANOVA.

Results: Caregivers who …

Coronavirus Update 7/9/21: Please Update Your Vaccination Information, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

The University’s senior leaders and the coronavirus planning team are in the process of determining policies for the fall semester that will be based on how many in our community have been vaccinated.

Demographics, Activities, And Environmental Factors Impact Burnout In A National Survey Of Emergency Medicine Residents, Nicole Battaglioli, Tim P. Moran, Simiao Li-Sauerwine

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Burnout in emergency medicine and in residency training has been well-described. The impact of demographic, individual, and programmatic factors on burnout have not previously been determined in a national survey of emergency medicine residents. This study aimed to identify personal and environmental factors impacting resident burnout in a national sample of emergency medicine residents.

Methods: A prospective Emergency Medicine Resident Wellness Survey was administered in 2017. We surveyed respondents on demographic, personal, and environmental factors; each respondent also completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey. Linear regressions were used to identify variables associated with the Maslach Burnout …

Coronavirus Update 6-18-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

Given the current state of the virus, and the widespread availability of the vaccine, state and federal public health officials continue to strongly recommend the vaccine but are not requiring it. As a result, the University will follow suit by strongly encouraging, but not mandating, the vaccine for all on campus in the fall.

Coronavirus Update 6-04-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

We are continuing our planning for a fully on-ground fall semester. Unfortunately, our student vaccination numbers for COVID-19 are much lower than we hoped. If this continues to be the case, we will need to have stricter policies than we envisioned.

Exploring Tactile Art-Making With Deafblind Students And Their Families: An Opportunity For Creative Play, Alice Rodgers

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The impact of a deafblind diagnosis on an individual’s mental health and the well-being of the family involved can be profound. However, current research and available literature for the mental health treatment and therapy practices of deafblind persons and their families is limited (Kyzar et al., 2016; “WFDB Global Report 2018,” n.d.). This thesis used the Leeds Family Psychology and Therapy Service principles (Leeds FPTS) and the Expressive Therapies Continuum with established deafblind teaching strategies to facilitate an original arts-based community project entitled: “Things We Like.” This project provided an opportunity for deafblind students (ages three to 22) and their …

Return To 100% Capacity/Mask Protocol, Robert Hardy

University Briefings & Virtual Events

In an effort to get back to some sense of normalcy and to begin the important task of preparing for the upcoming fall semester, we have decided to require all faculty and staff to return to campus 100% on-ground by July 6.

Meeting Minutes, Wku Council Of Academic Deans

Council of Academic Deans

Meeting regarding post-COVID instructional modality and international travel.

Coronavirus Update 5-18-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

As promised, we have re-evaluated our COVID protocols based on the recently released CDC and Connecticut state guidance effective tomorrow. Beginning tomorrow, masks will no longer need to be worn on campus when outside. However, we are asking that everyone remain masked at our commencement exercises happening through this weekend, except when they are at their seats.

Coronavirus Update 5/14/2021: Congratulations On A Great Year, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

We want to take a moment to congratulate the entire SHU community for an outstanding year keeping us on-ground.

Faculty Spotlight — Dr. Corinne Lengsfeld, Bailey Mcginley, Owen Mckessy

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

Interview with Dr. Corinne Lengsfeld.

Use Of Artificial Intelligence To Identify Predictors Of Functional Outcomes In Patients With Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy, Natalie K. Katz

Research Days

Background: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy characterized by slowly progressive muscle weakness. Symptoms initially involve the facial and shoulder girdle muscles, with later involvement of the distal lower extremities, pelvic girdle and proximal lower extremities. FSHD type 1 (FHSD1) is the most common form (~95% of individuals) and is caused by deletion of microsatellite repeats in the D4Z4 region on chromosome 4 (4q35). Normal individuals have >10 repeats whereas individuals with FSHD1 have 1-10 repeats. There is significant variability in regards to disease severity, rates of progression and functional outcomes, but …

A Study Examining The Safety And Efficacy Of Ferric Carboxymaltose In A Large Pediatric Cohort, Chandni Dargan Md, David Simon Do

Research Days

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common in the pediatric population with varying high-risk factors. Intravenous (IV) iron supplementation has become more desirable in patients with moderate to severe anemia and in patients who are either unresponsive to or have adverse side-effects secondary to oral iron. Iron sucrose and Iron dextran have been traditionally used in pediatrics while ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) has only been FDA approved in adults. One of the major advantages of FCM is the ease of dosing and efficacy. Though FCM was approved for adults in 2013 and there have been no safety concerns, it is not …

Antibiotic Durations For Skin And Soft Tissue Infections In Pediatric Urgent Care Clinics, Megan Hamner

Research Days

Background: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are the second most common diagnosis leading to pediatric antibiotic prescriptions in the outpatient setting after respiratory diagnoses. However, most antibiotic stewardship programs have mainly focused on the latter. Children seen in the ambulatory setting for SSTIs often receive >7 days of antibiotics, although current society guidelines recommend 5-7 days for most diagnoses.

Objectives/Goal: To determine the baseline percentage of patients receiving antibiotic prescriptions for >7 days for SSTIs in Children’s Mercy urgent care clinics (UCC)s and to evaluate factors that influence providers towards longer durations.

Methods/Design: We built a report that extracted …

Low Dose Doxorubicin Inhibits Immune Checkpoint Upregulation In Acute Leukemias, Bradley C. Stockard

Research Days

Background: Evasion of drug and immune response in therapy-resistant leukemic stem cells (LSCs) is a major cause of relapse. A previous study has identified an alternative mechanism of action for low-dose doxorubicin (DXR) that inhibits upregulation of immune checkpoints (IC) in LSCs.

Objectives/Goal: The objective of this study is to establish the DXR dose range that will achieve the inhibition of immune checkpoint expression in leukemic cell lines.

Methods/Design: Cells were analyzed for expression of CTLA-4, LAG-3, PD-1, TIGIT, and TIM-3 via flow cytometry. Analysis was performed on days 3, 5, and 8 of treatment at concentrations identified as low, …

A Pediatric Case Of Treatment-Related Myelodysplastic Syndrome While On Therapy For Pre-B All, Sara Mcelroy

Research Days

Background: Treatment-related myelodysplastic syndrome (t-MDS) is a known, but rare, late effect of cancer therapy, specifically radiation, alkylating agents or topoisomerase II inhibitors. When secondary to treatment with alkylating agents, t-MDS typically occurs 4 to 7 years after therapy, and common cytogenetics include chromosomes 5 and 7 abnormalities. Treatment in children with t-MDS is typically allogeneic stem cell transplant, but the prognosis remains poor.

Objectives/Goal: To describe a rare case of a pediatric patient who developed t-MDS while receiving treatment for Pre-B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (pre-B ALL) and to outline the treatment regimen that he received.

Methods/Design: Case Report …

Outcomes Of Infants With Severe Rop At Risk Of Treatment With Avastin Compared To Laser Surgery, Stephen Doxey

Research Days

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a well-known complication occurring in the most premature infants leading to visual impairment and in the most severe cases associated with retinal detachment and childhood blindness. Factors contributing the development of ROP include chronic hypoxia and disordered vascular genesis primarily through the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway. Infants at risk of developing ROP are screened with serial eye exam and treated with either laser surgery or intraocular injects of bevacizumab (Avastin) to prevent progression of ROP and preserve vision. Bevacizumab, an inhibitor of VEGF signaling, may have positive effects on preventing ROP …

Pediatric Pulmonary Artery Aneurysms Causing Pulmonary Hemorrhage: A Case Of Transcatheter Intervention While On Va Ecmo Support, Igor Areinamo

Research Days

Background: The incidence of pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) in children remains unknown. There are few reports of a transcutaneous interventional approach to address this type of pathology. Management of PAAs while on VA ECMO has not been described in pediatrics.

Objectives/Goal:

Methods/Design:

Case: 9-year-old previously healthy male presented with MRSA associated ARDS and sepsis requiring urgent VA ECMO cannulation. Chest CT done on ECMO day 22 showed development of right sided PAAs. Patient had an episode of significant pulmonary hemorrhage. Angiogram demonstrated two fusiform right PAAs, one of which had ruptured and was bleeding into the lung parenchyma. Patient had …

Diagnosis And Management Of Otitis Media With Effusion In Pediatric Urgent Care Clinics, Ashley Deschepper

Research Days

Background: Otitis media with effusion (OME)’s clinical presentation is often confused with acute otitis media (AOM) by providers. Despite OME guidelines recommending watchful waiting with no antibiotics, rates of antibiotic use remain elevated. In our pediatric urgent care clinics (UCCs), an estimated 50% of patients diagnosed with OME receive antibiotic prescriptions.

Objectives/Goal: To determine the provider diagnosis validity and the rates of antibiotics prescribed among pediatric OME patients evaluated in 3 UCCs within a pediatric healthcare system.

Methods/Design: We randomly selected 75% of encounters for children age 0-18 years who had a billing diagnosis of OME in 2019. Charts were …

Phenotypic Characterization Of Jarid2-Related Intellectual Disability: A Case Series, Maxime Cadieux-Dion

Research Days

Background: In recent years, wide implementation of research and clinical next generation sequencing has led to an astonishing number of novel disease-gene assertions. Recently, loss of function variants in JARID2 were reported in 16 patients with a clinically distinct neurodevelopmental phenotype that consisted of neurodevelopmental delay, intellectual disability (ID), learning disability, autism and behavioral abnormalities. Dysmorphic features were seen in most patients and included high anterior hairline, deep-set eyes, full lips, broad forehead, bulbous nasal tip, or depressed nasal bridge. Cleft lip/palate was observed in only 1/16 patients. Most cases were de novo, with only one inherited case from an …

Coronavirus Update 5/11/2021: Raffle Winners Announced, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

Yesterday, Dr. Petillo drew the names for the winners of our first vaccination raffle.

Coronavirus Update 5/7/2021: Additional Raffle Added, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

Undergraduates who have had two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will need to load their vaccination cards to their student health portal over this weekend to be eligible.

Coronavirus Update 5-4-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

We want to remind you to upload your vaccination card once you have been fully vaccinated.

Thinking Of And Praying For The Population In India, John J. Petillo

University Briefings & Virtual Events

Today I want to reach out to the Indian members of our community.

Coronavirus Update 4-30-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

New CDC guidelines say that fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks outdoors unless they are in a large crowd of people.

Coronavirus Update 4-27-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

Today, we just have a couple of reminders. We want to remind students and employees to please upload vaccination information to the student health portal or the through the HR questionnaire (for employees). This allows us to determine how close we are to herd immunity and will impact our decision-making regarding COVID protocols for the remainder of this semester and the fall.

Coronavirus Update 4-23-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

Today’s topic is vaccination. Our second SHU-dedicated vaccination clinic is Sunday and there are plenty of appointments available. The clinic is open to everyone in the SHU community.

Coronavirus Update 4-20-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

We are pleased to share that we are now opening our dedicated vaccine clinics on Thursday and Sunday to all students, including graduate students, and to faculty and staff. These Pfizer clinics give you the opportunity to conveniently be vaccinated where you attend classes or work.

Animated Videos: The Covid-19 Pandemic, Bailey Alspach

Honors Projects

This project is a resource created to provide information about the Covid-19 pandemic. This pandemic was caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (AJMC Staff, 2021). The first reported cases began to appear in December 2019, and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11th, 2020. This pandemic is still active with new cases reported everyday as of April 2021 (AJMC Staff, 2021). This resource consists of four videos ranging from around two and a half to eight minutes long. All videos were created in an animated fashion and were uploaded to YouTube. The first video focuses on …