Diseases Commons^™

Skinrisk Ai, Spencer Simms

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

SkinRisk AI is an exploration of the opportunities for implementing machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical technology field, specifically in the early detection of skin cancer. This project presents the design, development, and evaluation of a mobile application that allows users to capture images of skin lesions and receive a machine learning assisted risk assessment. The system combines a convolutional neural network (CNN) for image analysis with an intuitive mobile app built using Flutter, FastAPI, and Supabase to deliver real time screening.

Motivated by the rising skin cancer rates and importance of early detection, SkinRisk AI …

Critical Analysis Of Gestational Diabetes Risk Factors: A Systematic Review, Madison Keich, Madeleine Ray, Mia Ross

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy that causes an increased blood sugar that can affect both the mother's and baby’s health. A variety of factors can increase the risk of developing the disease, including race, socioeconomic status, and prenatal education. Each of these factors contributes to the experience of one’s maternal care. Expecting mothers may not understand how significant GDM is, and its potential to result in negative outcomes. It is important to review these factors, acknowledge them, and help reduce health disparities caused by them. Nurses are vital to assessing and delivering patient education on …

Case Report: Disseminated Herpes Simplex Virus Complicated By Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis In A Neonate, Nicholas Tadros, Nihal Godiwala

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection carries a high mortality rate due to its potential to cause disseminated disease involving multiple organ systems, which can rapidly progress to shock and death if not promptly treated. In rare cases, neonates may mount an uncontrolled inflammatory response leading to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome. We present a case of neonatal HSV infection complicated by HLH, highlighting the challenges of managing both conditions concurrently. Our therapeutic approach demonstrated a reduction in systemic inflammation and viral load; however, despite these efforts, the patient developed multiorgan failure and ultimately died from the initial …

Multi-Level Factors Associated With Low Dose Computed Tomography Lung Cancer Screening In The United States, Tung Sung Tseng, Chien Ching Li, Hui Yi Lin, Kelsey N. Witmeier, Chaoyi Zeng, Yu Wen Chiu, Michael D. Celestin, Edward J. Trapido

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening is recommended for high-risk smokers to decrease lung cancer-related mortality and increase prognosis. In the U.S., the uptake of LDCT screening among eligible smokers is suboptimal. The impacts of social-environmental and individual factors on LDCT screening uptake using nationally representative dataset recommendations are understudied. The current study investigated multi-level factors associated with LDCT screening using national data. Methods: The 2017-2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, social determinants of health (SDOH) and other state-level variables (Medicaid expansion status and the number of screening facilities using American Lung Association (ALA) 's State of Lung Cancer) …

The Quality-Of-Life Benefits And Risk Of Isotretinoin (Accutane) In Acne Treatment: A Systematic Review, Noelia Valencia Zuniga

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Acne vulgaris is a prevalent dermatological condition, particularly affecting adolescents and young adults. While often treated as a cosmetic issue, acne can significantly impair a patient's mental health and overall quality of life (QoL). Isotretinoin, commonly known as Accutane, is widely regarded as the most effective treatment for severe and persistent acne. However, its use is controversial due to a range of potential side effects, including psychiatric symptoms, teratogenicity, and other systemic complications. To better understand the risk-benefit profile of isotretinoin in acne treatment, we conducted a systematic review, focusing on the QoL benefits and risks associated with its use. …

The Diseased Extracellular Matrix In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Modeling, Leigh-Ann M. Antczak

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the world, with an increasing prevalence as the world’s population ages. In the distal regions of the lungs, COPD is characterized by progressive emphysema due to an imbalance of proteases that continuously degrade essential extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins within the alveolar walls, causing fatal tissue impairment. This dissertation examines the unique properties of this diseased lung ECM in two parts: (1) As a key constituent in inflammatory signaling that leads to increased inflammation and progression of COPD, and (2) as a tool in three-dimensional (3D) in …

Risk Analysis Of Radiosurgery For Vestibular Schwannoma: Systematic Review And Comparative Study Of 10-Year Outcomes, Kevin M. Guy, April A. Pace, Derek S. Tsang, Peter G. Volsky

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Background: Determine the benefit of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) compared to no treatment for sporadic vestibular schwannoma (VS) by calculating epidemiologic risk using 10-year data; apply the analysis to VS that have demonstrated linear growth.

Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library are systematically reviewed for VS tumor control 10 years after SRS and compared to an historical cohort of untreated VS (primary risk analysis). Subgroups of VS limited by size and observed growth are compared to the untreated cohort (secondary analysis).

Results: Twenty-four studies of 4,079 SRS-treated VS exhibited tumor control in 90.93% (87.0%-100%; SD 4.1%), while …

Acute Exacerbations Of Chronic Rhinosinusitis, Robert M. Frederick, Kent Lam, Joseph K. Han

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Purpose of Review

We aim to highlight recent advancements on the evolving chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) phenotype: acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis (AECRS). We focused on studies that expanded the current understanding of its pathophysiology, patient characteristics, and disease burden.

Recent findings

Defining AECRS has been a topic of discussion for many years. A recent regulatory definition of AECRS in the literature incorporates a > 3 day requirement of worsened symptoms and an escalation of treatment. It is important not to rely on patient-reported rescue medication frequency as it was recently demonstrated these are only obtained for 1/3 of reported AECRS episodes. …

A Systematic Review Of Dietary Trends, Influencing Factors, And Their Impacts On Cardiovascular Health In Turkish Populations, Pelin L. Özoğlu

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, including in Türkiye. One key factor influencing CVD prevention is dietary patterns, which directly impacts cardiovascular health. Türkiye traditionally follows the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), which is acclaimed for its cardiovascular benefits. Despite this, Türkiye continues to experience high rates of CVD, with projections indicating that CVD mortality will double for both men and women by 2030. It is crucial to address diet-related factors, including potential nutritional deficiencies, to reduce cardiovascular health risks.

This research aims to analyze the Turkish community's adherence to the Mediterranean diet to understand why CVD prevalence …

High-Throughput Drug Screening For Disease-Modifying Arthritis Therapy, Janapriya Vijayakumar

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Current therapy for arthritis predominantly focuses on the symptoms rather than the underlying causes of disease progression. Thus, it is necessary to identify novel drugs which target the underlying molecular basis of such diseases. Using high-throughput cell-based drug screening, we screened 458 different compounds, narrowed down from 811 starting compounds from the NIH Mechanistic Set. We selected drugs from the Mechanistic Set following Lipinski's Rule of 5 to ensure optimal pharmacokinetic properties. The study used modified primary human chondrocytes (IIAM-PRG4Luc), which secrete a lubricin promoter-driven luciferase reporter. We use this luciferase expression as a proxy to measure lubricin, a compound …

Investigation Of Lubricin-Stimulating Fda-Approved Compounds For A Disease-Modifying Osteoarthritic Drug, Swathi S. Menon

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease that affects many people worldwide. Current methods of treatment are palliative, and no treatment exists to fully reverse or cure OA once it begins to progress. The discovery of a disease-modifying osteoarthritic drug (DMOAD) would increase the quality of life for millions and reduce the need for invasive procedures. Screening FDA-approved drugs ensures more promise due to their known safety profile and potential for faster translation to the clinic. The goal of this project was to conduct dose-response assays with FDA-approved drugs that have been shown to stimulate lubricin production in cells that mimic …

Development Of A Proposed Selective Medium For The Isolation And Differentiation Of P. Sordellii, Dimyana Bottros

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Clostridium, a genus of anaerobic, spore-forming bacteria, includes clinically and ecologically significant species like Clostridium difficile and Paeniclostridium sordellii. C. difficile causes antibiotic-associated colitis, while P. sordellii is linked to fatal infections and spontaneous abortions. Recent studies found both species in marine sediments, suggesting their role in environmental and wildlife health disturbances, including the 2013 mass mortality of over 300 manatees in the Indian River Lagoon. However, isolating and differentiating P. sordellii is challenging due to the lack of selective media optimized for its growth. This thesis proposes a novel selective medium tailored to P. sordellii’s physiological …

Biomechanics Of The Atherosclerotic Lipidome: (Un)Expected Statin Interactions And Membrane Remodelling, Ethan M. Fong

Pomona Senior Theses

Statins interact with lipid membranes in ways that shape their pharmacokinetics, off-target effects, and pleiotropic actions, yet these interactions' mechanical and biophysical consequences remain poorly understood. This thesis employs a combination of surface plasmon resonance (SPR), quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), and rheological modelling to characterize how representative statins intercalate within biomimetic supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) of healthy and diseased composition. SPR reveals that lipophilic statins exhibit higher apparent affinities and slower dissociation kinetics, especially in cholesterol- and anionic lipid-rich membranes. QCM-D analyses demonstrate that statins alter membrane mass, dissipation, and interfacial stiffness in a statin- and membrane-dependent …

Study Of Maternal And Fetal Outcomes In Pregnancy Complicated By Thyroid Disorders, Sindhu Kumari, Poornima M

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background:

Thyroid disorders, particularly hypothyroidism, are common during pregnancy and can significantly impact both maternal and fetal outcomes. Despite advancements in screening and treatment, thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy often remains underdiagnosed, especially in low-resource settings. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, outcomes and effective management strategies of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and outcomes of thyroid dysfunction, including both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, during pregnancy, and their associated maternal and fetal complications.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 281 pregnant women with thyroid disorders attending antenatal care at JSS Hospital, Mysuru, from August 2022 …

Semaglutide And The Evolving Landscape Of Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, Rohan Karkra

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

The FDA approved Semaglutide (Wegovy™) on August 15, 2025, for adults with MASLD and moderate to advanced fibrosis (F2–F3), making it the second approved therapy after Resmetirom. MASLD affects up to 38% of adults and is now the leading cause of liver disease. In the phase 3 ESSENCE trial, Semaglutide achieved resolution of steatohepatitis without worsening fibrosis in 62.9% versus 34.3% with placebo, with additional benefits in weight loss and glycemic control. While long-term data remain pending and access barriers exist, this approval marks a significant advance in MASLD therapy with meaningful histologic and metabolic improvements.

Inpatient Dermatology Vignettes: Seborrheic Dermatitis, Garrett Furth, Henry Lim, Marshall Hall, Christian Scheufele, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common inflammatory disorder characterized by greasy scale, itching, and erythema. It commonly affects areas of the skin that have high sebum production or are sebaceous gland-rich, including the scalp, face, sternum, axilla, groin, and other skin folds. Seborrheic dermatitis can present in infants, adolescents, and adults, and is more common in men. The etiology is not fully understood, but contributing factors include presence of the yeast genus Malassezia, androgen levels, immunosuppression, family history, and stress or lack of sleep. Interestingly, those with neurological and psychiatric conditions, including Parkinsons Disease, spinal cord injury, epilepsy, and tardive dyskinesia, …

Perceived Risk Of Skin Cancer: Influence Of Family History, Age, Ethnicity, And Fitzpatrick Type, Henry Lim, Reem Ayoub, Rafael Do Valle, Kristina Kafle, Dana Olsen, Ysabelle Martinez, Christina Guo, Marshall Hall, Christian Scheufele, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Background: Skin cancer in the United States accounts for approximately 50% of new early cancer diagnoses. Despite this, many individuals underestimate their personal risk, leading to lower engagement in preventative behaviors. Several factors may influence an individual’s perceived risk, including family history, age, race, ethnicity, skin type, and gender. While some individuals recognize their increased susceptibility based on personal, familial, and cultural experiences, others may have a lower perceived risk due to misconceptions or limited awareness. This study examines how these demographic factors influence individuals' perceived risk of skin cancer. Methods: This study analyzed data from 333 individuals aged 19 …

Follicular Occlusion Syndrome: Diagnosis, Management, And Emerging Insights, Henry Lim, Reem Ayoub, Rafael Do Valle, Marshall Hall, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Follicular Occlusion Syndromes (FOS) are rare chronic relapsing skin disorders characterized by abnormal follicular hyperkeratinization, plugging, and inflammation. FOS are more commonly discussed as a ‘triad’ or ‘tetrad’ based on the patient’s clinical presentation. The triad includes hidradenitis suppurativa, acne conglobata, and dissecting cellulitis of the scalp. The tetrad in addition to the triad includes a history of pilonidal cysts. These disorders have a considerably negative effect on quality of life due to chronic pain, psychological distress, and body image concerns. Delayed or misdiagnosis can exacerbate patient outcomes, heightening the importance of timely identification and multidisciplinary treatment. We present two …

Body Dysmorphic Disorder Presenting As Alopecia Anxiety: A Case Report, Henry Lim, Paige Loux, Arianne Felicitas, Marshall Hall, Christian Scheufele, Garrett Furth, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Background: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) involves a preoccupation with a nonexistent or insignificant physical defect that causes clinically significant distress and impacts a patient's daily functioning. We present a case of a patient with body dysmorphia that manifested as anxiety about hair loss. Case Information: A 48-year-old otherwise healthy female presented to the dermatology clinic with the chief complaint of 8 months of hair loss. She had been seen previously by 2 other dermatologists. She brought 28 pages of paperwork to her first appointment detailing previous work-up, including four separate skin punch biopsies consistent with androgenetic, non-cicatricial (non-scarring) alopecia. Other …

Skin Color Cannot Be Confined To Six Categories: Comparing The Fitzpatrick Scale And Colorimetric Measures, Henry Lim, Kristina Kafle, Reem Ayoub, Dana Olsen, Ysabelle Martinez, Rafael Do Valle, Christina Guo, Marshall Hall, Christian Scheufele, Michael Carletti, Stephen E. Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Purpose The Fitzpatrick Scale (FS), originally developed to dose photochemotherapy in Caucasian skin, has become widely adopted for skin color categorization. It originally included types I-IV, with types V-VI added later for darker skin. The FS was designed for UV radiation reactivity assessment. However, it is increasingly used as a proxy for objective skin color classification, despite being based on a subjective questionnaire. Individual Typology Angle (ITA), a validated colorimetric measurement, presents a potential alternative. Previous studies examining these classification systems have been limited by small sample sizes and uneven distribution across skin tones with subjects predominantly having lighter skin …

An Unusual Case Of Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis: Diagnostic Insights In The Absence Of Classic Systemic Symptoms, Henry Lim, Jonah Gutierrez, Rafael Do Valle, Reem Ayoub, Marshall Hall, Christian Scheufele, Garrett Furth, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction: Mastocytosis is a disorder characterized by an abnormal clonal accumulation and subsequent activation of mast cells within one or more organs. It is generally classified as either cutaneous, with or without systemic involvement, or systemic without cutaneous disease based on major and minor criterion. Indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM) is a subclass of systemic mastocytosis with generally good prognosis. While the etiology of ISM is not completely understood, those who are affected typically have the KIT D816V mast cell receptor mutation. Given that ISM is mast cell mediated, patients predominantly present with a wide range of symptoms related to mast …

A Case Of Neutrophilic Dermatosis Of The Dorsal Hands With Post-Traumatic Onset, Marshall Hall, Kristina Kafle, Henry Lim, Christian Scheufele, Garrett Furth, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Background Sweet Syndrome is an acute, febrile neutrophilic dermatosis that is characterized by painful red lesions, fever, and neutrophilia with histological findings of dermal neutrophilic infiltrate. Neutrophilic Dermatosis of the Dorsal Hands is a localized variant of Sweet Syndrome. Neutrophilic Dermatosis of the Dorsal Hands presents with focused lesions on the dorsal hands, most commonly between the index finger and thumb, typically with fewer systemic manifestations. This condition presents significant diagnostic challenges as it can mimic infectious processes, potentially leading to delayed appropriate treatment. Case Information A 64-year-old male presented to the emergency department with wounds on the bilateral hands. …

Investigating The Relationship Between Skin Color, Ethnicity, And The Fitzpatrick Skin Scale, Henry Lim, Dana Olsen, Reem Ayoub, Maria Francesca Ysabelle Martinez, Rafael Do Valle, Kristina Kafle, Christina Guo, Marshall Hall, Christian Scheufele, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction: The Fitzpatrick skin scale has long been used as a proxy for skin tone categorization. However, its initial creation was to classify reactivity of white skin to ultraviolet A radiation. A reported one-third of dermatologists conflate the Fitzpatrick skin scale for race and ethnicity. Approximately half of the dermatologists also reported utilizing the Fitzpatrick scale to describe skin color. The goal of this study was to compare the Fitzpatrick scale to skin color and ethnicity in a larger, cohort including the full spectrum of skin tones. Methods: Subjects completed a standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire encompassed subjective classification methods: self-reported …

A Case Of Biopsy-Proven Atopic Dermatitis Perpetuated By Psychosomatic Factors, Henry Lim, Jamie Y. Choe, Marshall Hall, Arianne Felicitas, Christian Scheufele, Garrett Furth, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction: Psychodermatology is an interdisciplinary branch of psychosomatic medicine that addresses interactions between the psyche and skin. Stress is often a key exacerbating factor and highlights the bidirectional relationship between psychological factors and skin disorders. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin condition affecting pediatric and adult populations with an estimated global prevalence of approximately 2.6%, or approximately 204 million people. AD classically presents with a red, scaly, pruritic rash. Here, we present a case of biopsy-proven AD induced by stress-associated behaviors related to patient-identified obsessive-compulsive habits. Case Presentation: A 61-year-old female presented for persistent itching and white discoloration in …

Molluscum Dermatitis In A Pediatric Patient, Garrett Furth, Olivia Mayer, Marshall Hall, Henry Lim, Christian Scheufele, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing condition characterized by irritation, redness, inflammation, and itching of the skin. The cause of AD is theorized to be multifactorial, including genetic components, such as mutations in filaggrin, environmental exposures, and immune predisposition. AD often presents in childhood and adolescence, but can appear at any age. AD eruptions arise through various triggers, which commonly include soaps, detergents, fabrics, and cold or hot weather. Importantly, viral infections can also serve as a trigger, causing systemic inflammation via host defense mechanisms. Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a double-stranded DNA virus that classically manifests as small, dome-shaped, …

Clinical Evaluation And Management Of Terra Firma-Forme Dermatosis: Insights From Two Diverse Cases, Henry Lim, Rafael Do Valle, Reem Ayoub, Marshall Hall, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Terra Firma-Forme Dermatosis (TFFD), also known as Duncan’s dirty dermatosis is a benign, asymptomatic dermatologic condition characterized by well-demarcated brown patches to hyperkeratotic papules or plaques. It most commonly affects the neck, trunk, and face but can appear on other body regions. A key diagnostic feature is that these lesions persist despite routine washing with soap and water but can be removed by forcibly wiping the affected area with 70% isopropyl alcohol, revealing normal underlying skin. The exact etiology of TFFD remains unknown, though it is thought to involve abnormal keratinization or delayed desquamation. This condition is often underdiagnosed or …

Development And Validation Of An Accurate And Precise Skin Color Scale, Henry Lim, Christina Guo, Reem Ayoub, Rafael Do Valle, Kristina Kafle, Ysabelle Martinez, Dana Olsen, Marshall Hall, Christian Scheufele, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction: Utilization of the Fitzpatrick scale to describe skin color does not adequately account for variations in pigmentation that are reflective of skin color characteristics of persons from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. This study aims to create a better way to describe skin color. Methods: We developed an 11-point color scale. This Skin Color Scale (SCS) was reproduced onto a physical card that could be placed onto a research participant’s inner arms for independent scale interpretation. Participants and two investigators selected the best matching scale interpretation value for each arm. Self-acquired and investigator assessed Fitzpatrick scores were taken. These …

The Infected Diabetic Foot: Incidence And Risk Factors For Dehiscence After Surgery For Diabetic Foot Infections, Lawrence A Lavery, Mario C Reyes, Bijan Najafi, Tyler L Coye, Jayer Chung, Michael C Siah, Arthur N Tarricone

Center on Aging Staff Publications

Our objective was to assess the incidence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of dehiscence after foot surgery in diabetic patients. We used pooled patient‐level data from two randomised clinical trials with 240 diabetic patients who required foot surgery for infections. Most patients (n = 180, 75.0%) had surgical wound closure. We defined dehisced surgical wounds (DSW) when the surgical site was not completely epithelialized with no drainage after sutures/staples were removed with a 2‐week validation of healing. We evaluated the time to heal, re‐infection, re‐ulceration, hospital admissions and amputations. Moderate and severe infection was based on criteria of the …

Long-Term Health-Related Quality Of Life In Kawasaki Disease-Related Coronary Artery Aneurysm: A Large Single-Center Assessment In Nanjing, China, Yun Zhou, Mei Chen, Wenting Gao, Yu Chen, Ying Meng

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

BACKGROUND: The impact of coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) caused by Kawasaki disease (KD) on long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children has not been well documented.

METHODS: This study investigated long-term HRQOL in a large sample of children diagnosed with KD-related CAAs. A case-control, retrospective study included 66 patients with KD-related CAAs. A total of 98 hospitalized patients were matched as controls based on age and sex: 49 patients were allocated to a group with pneumonia and 49 patients were allocated to a group with arterio-arterial fistula. Both child-reported and parent-proxy-reported Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory surveys were collected. …

Platypnea-Orthodeoxia And Patent Foramen Ovale In A Patient In The Setting Of Covid-19, Laura Sarmiento, Riyad Kherallah, Guilherme Vianna Silva

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome is a rare condition characterized by positional dyspnea and hypoxemia, with symptoms presenting in the upright position and improving when recumbent. Hypoxemia in platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome is defined as a drop in Pao