Medical Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Limb Dominance On Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration In A 6-Ohda Rat Model Of Parkinson’S Disease Assessed By Immunoblotting, Jasin Aziz Porshia, Deanna Chaialee, Dipesh Pokharel, Kala Venkiteswaran, Thyagarajan Subramanian, Dilshan Beligala

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Effects of Limb Dominance on Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in a 6-OHDA Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease Assessed by Immunoblotting

Jasin Porshia^a , Deanna Chaialee^a , Dipesh Pokharel^b,c , Kala Venkiteswaran^{b, c, d} , Thyagarajan Subramanian^{b, c, d}, Dilshan Beligala^a

^aDepartment of Biological Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, USA

^bDepartment of Neurosciences and Psychiatry, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA

^cDepartment of Neurology, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA

^dDepartment of Neurology, Howard University, Washington, DC, …

Pharmacologic Interventions To Reduce Cardiopulmonary Bypass Induced Inflammation In Cardiac Surgery: A Scoping Review, Wyatt Anderson

Student Works

ABSTRACT

1. Structured summary

Background

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is essential in cardiac surgery but can trigger a systemic inflammatory response that contributes to postoperative complications. The scoping review conducted has a purpose to map the existing literature on pharmacologic interventions to mitigate CPB related inflammation. While several interventions demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory effects, findings were inconsistent, and no standardized pharmacologic approach is currently agreed upon.

Methods

This scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines.Both PubMed, and CINAHL were screened for studies published between 2000 and 2024 that evaluated pharmacologic interventions aimed at reducing CPB related inflammation. After screening and duplicate removal, 10 studies met …

Pharmacological Treatment Options For Vasoplegia Syndrome During And After Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Scoping Review, Bradley Darby

Student Works

ABSTRACT

2: Structured summary

Background

Vasoplegia Syndrome (VS) is a form of distributive shock that is characterized by profound hypotension, low systemic vascular resistance, and high to normal cardiac output during/after cardiopulmonary bypass. VS is associated with increased mortality, morbidity, and length of stay in the intensive care unit.

Objective

The main objectives of this scoping review are to note the available treatment options, characterize potential risk factors, and identify gaps in knowledge for vasoplegia syndrome during and after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Method

This scoping review utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and MetaAnalyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) …

Comparative Antiscabies Efficacy Of Sonneratia Alba Extracts: Evaluation Of Plant Parts And Concentrations In Mice, Delima Engga Maretha, Lara Mukti Taresha, Karina Yuliana, Iis Ariska, Silvia Diah Lestari

Makara Journal of Science

This study evaluated the antiscabies efficacy of 70% ethanol extracts from various parts of the mangrove Sonneratia alba (leaves, flowers, bark, and roots) as a potential alternative therapy. The primary objective was to compare the healing effects of the extracts at different concentrations on scabies lesions in mice (Mus musculus). Using a completely randomized design, 24 male Swiss Webster mice were assigned to four groups: a control (K0) group and three treatment groups to receive 10% (K1), 20% (K2), and 30% (K3) extract concentrations topically twice daily. The results demonstrated that the S. alba extracts had significant effects …

Incidence Of High Volume Residual Gastric Content In Perioperative Patients Taking Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists, And Its Dependence On The Duration Of Preoperative Fasting And Drug Holding: A Prospective Observational Study, Marissa Huggins, Ion Hobai

Cumberland Medica

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), including semaglutide and dulaglutide, are increasingly prescribed for type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. These agents delay gastric emptying and have been associated with a higher incidence of unexpected full stomachs in procedural patients. To prevent pulmonary aspiration, current recommendations include extending preoperative fasting (e.g., 24 hours instead of the standard 8 hours) and/or withholding the GLP-1RA medication before surgery (≥1 drug half-lives). However, the efficacy of these strategies have remained unclear and are evaluated in this study.

Hypothesis: GLP-1RA use in surgical patients is associated with increased incidence and volume of residual gastric …

Role Of Plants And Phytochemicals In Promoting Proliferation And Osteogenic Differentiation Of Dental Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Comprehensive Review, Hala El-Zahar, Essam Abdel-Sattar, Marwa Yousry Moustafa Issa, Shereen N. Raafat, Noha Swilam

Dentistry

Abstract Objectives Dental mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising source for regenerative medicine due to their accessibility and capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts and other lineages. Osteogenic differentiation of dental MSCs is essential for bone formation and is regulated by multiple signaling pathways, cytokines, growth fac‑ tors, and transcription factors. This review aims to summarize the effects of plant-derived extracts and phytochemicals on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of dental MSCs. Methods In this review, an extensive literature search was conducted covering studies from the past 10 years, using different online databases (SCOPUS, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, …

A Study Of Awareness Of Antiseptics And Disinfectant Use Among Allied Health Sciences Students And Interns Of A Tertiary Care Hospital, Pooja M, Puneeth A, Sharmi Nm

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background:

Antiseptics and disinfectants are among the most vital tools in infection prevention and control (IPC), especially in healthcare settings where the risk of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remains a significant concern. This study aims to assess the awareness and knowledge of antiseptics and disinfectants among Allied Health Sciences (AHS) students and interns, identify knowledge gaps at different stages of training, and recommend educational interventions.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted among 1st to 3rd-year AHS students and interns at a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire via a Google form after obtaining approval from …

Propofol In Chronic Cannabis Users: A Mechanistic Link To Cannabinoid Hyperemesis?, Jonmark I. Dolendo, Sonia Frick, Jia Q. Yang, Brad A. Haubrich

Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterized by cyclic nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in chronic cannabis users, often relieved by exposure to hot water. Propofol, a widely used GABAergic anesthetic with antiemetic properties, has paradoxically been implicated in exacerbating hyperemetic episodes in some cannabis users. With the growing legalization of marijuana and social acceptance to its recreational use it is believed that this phenomenon will be more ubiquitous to clinicians. This review aims to investigate the mechanistic and clinical evidence linking propofol administration to CHS and to summarize strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and management.

Methods: PubMed and EBSCO were …

Optimization Of A Kcc2 Small Molecule Agonist And The Development Of An In-Silico Model Of Intermolecular Dynamics For The Rational Design Of Therapeutics Against Opioid Use Disorder, William H.D. Ho, Alfred Amendolara, Kenyon Mitchell, Jaden Miner, Braxton Bingham, Andrew Payne

Annual Research Symposium

Roseman University Research Symposium

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 3:00 – 6:00 pm (local time)

When Nutrition Fails: Modeling Protein Malnutrition-Driven Vulnerability In Hepatic Drug Metabolism And Inflammatory Stress, Vijitha D. Kantety, Victor Jiminez Jr.

Annual Research Symposium

Background

Protein malnutrition remains a major global health problem and frequently co-occurs with alcohol use, opioid exposure, and infectious disease, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. The liver is central to both metabolism and inflammatory regulation, yet the effects of a malnutrition-like nutrient environment on hepatic responses to combined metabolic and inflammatory insults are not well defined. Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), a key enzyme involved in opioid metabolism, is highly sensitive to inflammatory signaling and may be especially vulnerable under conditions of nutritional deficiency. This project aims to 1) develop an in vitro model of nutritionally competent versus amino acid–restricted …

Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy In Association With Statin Exposure, Charlie E. Babcock, Phebie Rossi, Jennifer Hasvold

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Statins are first-line therapy for hyperlipidemia and are widely prescribed in primary care. Although generally safe, they carry rare but serious risks that must be considered on an individual basis. One such complication is immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), an autoimmune condition characterized by persistent muscle weakness and elevated creatine kinase (CK) despite discontinuation of the statin. We describe an 87-year-old man with a history of atorvastatin intolerance who was reinitiated on the medication five years later. Shortly thereafter, he developed progressive weakness, recurrent hospitalizations, and ultimately was diagnosed with IMNM confirmed by biopsy and HMG-CoA reductase antibodies. Despite treatment with …

Rare Presentation Of Omental Tuberculosis With Drug-Induced Jaundice In A Teenage Female: A Case Report, Archana Venkatesan, Krishna Ravi

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Omental tuberculosis (TB) is a rare form of abdominal TB, often presenting with nonspecific symptoms that mimic malignancies. We report a case of a 16-year-old female from India who presented with abdominal distension, vomiting, weight loss, and amenorrhea. Imaging revealed an abdominal mass, and a diagnosis of omental TB was confirmed via histopathology. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge posed by such atypical presentations, especially in TB-endemic regions. The patient also developed rifampicin-induced jaundice, which resolved upon drug cessation and supportive care. Anti-TB therapy was cautiously reintroduced at a modified dose. This report underscores the need for high clinical suspicion, …

Unlocking Hope: Mirtazapine's Promise In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment, Rebecca K. Hicks, Iram Kingson, Jordan Gaal, Suzanne Holroyd

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are first-line treatments for OCD, a significant proportion of patients remain refractory to these interventions. Mirtazapine, an atypical antidepressant with unique pharmacological properties, has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant OCD. This review synthesizes existing evidence regarding the efficacy and safety profile of mirtazapine in OCD management. We analyze clinical trials, observational studies, and case reports, distinguishing high- vs. low-quality evidence, and discuss mechanisms underlying mirtazapine's therapeutic effects. Additionally, …

Synergistic Anti-Tumor Activity Of Ciclopirox Olamine And Metformin In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Yakun Wu, Hui Lyu, Congcong Tan, Margaret E. Larsen, Shou Ching Tang, Shile Huang, Bolin Liu

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Apitegromab On Motor Function In Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Jordyn Linfield, Ashley Jacob, Haylee Whyde, Owen Fox, Kaitlyn Bowden, Connor Dains, Brenna Hissong, Manoranjan D'Souza

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder characterized by the progressive loss of alpha motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, and impaired motor function.¹ SMA remains an extensive and difficult-to-treat condition, with only three disease-modifying therapies currently available to patients. A new investigational agent with a unique mechanism of action, apitegromab (SRK-015), has shown promising results in recent clinical trials. The safety and efficacy of apitegromab in patients with SMA have been explored in several clinical trials, with the TOPAZ and SAPPHIRE studies being the most notable. This …

Zoliflodacin Versus Ceftriaxone Plus Azithromycin For Treatment Of Uncomplicated Urogenital Gonorrhoea: An International, Randomised, Controlled, Open-Label, Phase 3, Non-Inferiority Clinical Trial, Alison Luckey, Manica Balasegaram, Lindley A. Barbee, Teresa A. Batteiger, Helen Broadhurst, Stephanie E. Cohen, Sinead Delany-Moretlwe, Henry J.C. De Vries, Jodie A. Dionne, Katherine Gill, Chris Kenyon, Rossaphorn Kittiyaowamarn, Drew Lewis, John P. Mueller, Vimla Naicker, Seamus O'Brien, John P. O'Donnell, Nittaya Phanuphak, Elizabeth Spooner, Subasree Srinivasan, Stephanie N. Taylor, Magnus Unemo, Zinhle Zwane, Edward W. Hook, Zoliflodacin Phase 3 Study Group

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background Development of new treatments for gonorrhoea is a global public health priority. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zoliflodacin versus ceftriaxone plus azithromycin in patients with uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea. Methods In this phase 3, multinational, randomised, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority clinical trial, participants aged 12 years and older with clinical suspicion of uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea were eligible for inclusion. The trial was done in 17 outpatient clinics in Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, Thailand, and the USA. Participating countries with high disease prevalence were identified for participation in the study. Sites selected for participation were led by …

Limitations Of Plasma Exchange In Yellow Phosphorus-Induced Acute Liver Failure: A Case Report, Vihitha Vunnam, Swathi B.S

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Yellow phosphorus is a highly toxic compound commonly used in rodenticides and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality following ingestion. Toxicity typically evolves through an initial gastrointestinal phase, a deceptive latent period, and a final phase characterized by fulminant hepatic failure and multiorgan dysfunction. We report the case of an 18-year-old male who intentionally ingested two tubes of Ratol containing 3% yellow phosphorus. After initial vomiting and transient clinical stability, he developed rapidly progressive acute liver failure with severe coagulopathy, conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, hepatic encephalopathy, acute pancreatitis, pancytopenia, acute kidney injury, metabolic derangements, and recurrent hypoglycemia. Serial laboratory trends demonstrated …

The Effects Of Antidepressant Medications On Sleep Quality In Dominican University Of California Students, Natalie L. Davis, Kenna Wohlford, Stephanie Lee

Physician Assistant Studies | Graduate Research Papers

We spend approximately one third of our life time sleeping or attempting to sleep. The quality of our sleep is equally, if not more important than the amount of sleep we get. This study assesses the effects that medications, specifically antidepressants, can have on sleep quality in Dominican University of California students. 118 participants completed a Qualtrics survey including questions regarding stress, sleep quality, medication lists, and demographics. This study utilized the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to quantify participants’ sleep quality as the outcome. Participant stress levels were assessed with a Likert scale question asking for stress levels on …

Vestibular Migraine And Ssri Withdrawal, Grace Fairchild, Sarah Redding, Ashley Flagge

V&B Posters

No abstract provided.

Vestibular Migraine And Ssri Withdrawal: A Case Presentation, Grace Fairchild, Sarah Redding, Ashley Flagge

V&B Presentations

No abstract provided.

Kinase Signaling In Liver Disease Via Clinical-Trial-On-A-Pamchip: A Distinctive Methodology For Drug Mechanisms And Personalized Medicine, Zachary A. Kipp, Evelyn A. Bates, Genesee J. Martinez, Wang-Hsin Lee, Sally N. Pauss, Terry D. Hinds, Jr.

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

The utilization of extensive datasets, such as those generated by DNA or RNA sequencing, has become a central focus in drug discovery and personalized medicine (PerMed). Nonetheless, these datasets are constrained by the absence of protein-functionality testing, which affects physiological responses. In this study, we employed PamGene PamStation technology to quantify protein function by kinase activity across more than 500 signaling pathways from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Using proteins derived from nine patients and five human HCC cell lines for drug discovery and the clinical trial-on-a-chip approach, we developed comprehensive PerMed scores from the PamStation data to differentiate individual …

Maesa Ramentacea Leaf Extract Protects Against Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity In Wistar Rats By Modulating Renal Oxidative Stress, Inflammation And Apoptosis, Fahmida Akter, Md Shafiqul Islam Sovon, Baizid Hossain, Md Ariful Islam, Subrato Das, Anik Biswas, Md Sohorab Uddin, Md Mahmudul Hasan

Faculty Publications

Background: Gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity continues to be a significant clinical concern, while effective and safe protective options remain limited. The nephroprotective potential of Maesa ramentacea has not yet been explored. To address this gap, the present study investigated the ethanolic leaf extract of M. ramentacea (MR-LEE) for its effects on gentamicin-induced kidney injury in Wistar rats. Methods: GC-MS profiling was employed to identify bioactive metabolites. Rats were categorised into five groups: control, gentamicin (100 mg/kg), gentamicin combined with silymarin (100 mg/kg), gentamicin combined with MR-LEE (200 mg/kg) and gentamicin combined with MR-LEE (400 mg/kg). Renal biomarkers, oxidative stress indicators, inflammatory and …

A Ubiquitous Organophosphate Flame Retardant Disrupts Energy And Glucose Homeostasis In Mice, Krystal M. Sewell, Kelly Oriakhi, Sara Y. Ngo Tenlep, Megan L. Weaver, Mansura Shahad Bawa, Se-Hyung Park, Shubh Saraswat, Xiaohua D. Zhang, Robert N. Helsley, Samir Softic, Cetewayo S. Rashid

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are used in many consumer products, and their presence in our environment raises concerns about potential health dangers. In humans, exposure to OPFRs, such as tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) is associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance. Our current study seeks to determine how TDCPP exposure affects body composition, glucose homeostasis, and energy balance in a rodent model. C57Bl/6 J mice were divided into two weight-matched groups and fed purified low phytoestrogen diets containing either 0.1 % DMSO (control) or TDCPP 415 mg/kg resulting in an approximate exposure of 50 mg/kg/day. Both male …

Contribution Of Metabolism-Independent Glucose Sensing To Metabolic Homeostasis, Nadia Rashid, Kavaljit H. Chhabra

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Glucose sensing and signaling are central to cellular metabolic machinery for the regulation of metabolic homeostasis. Glucose sensing has been almost always assumed to be coupled with glucose metabolism; however, recent findings have unraveled metabolism-independent sensing mechanisms. Here, we discuss whether glucose transporters (GLUTs) and sodium-glucose co-transporters (SGLTs) may also function as glucose sensors independent of their roles in transporting glucose. Moreover, we review the emerging roles of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in sensing glucose and, consequently, initiating its signaling pathways in a cell-specific manner. Altogether, this review offers insights into the newly identified glucose sensing mechanisms and highlights the …

Anatomical Atlas Of Kinase Responsiveness To Weight Gain: Adipose Depot Reprogramming In Diet-Induced Adiposity, Wang-Hsin Lee, Zachary A. Kipp, Sally N. Pauss, Genesee J. Martinez, Mei Xu, Terry D. Hinds, Jr.

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Adipose tissue depots located at different anatomical sites exert differential functions in response to adiposity and glucose intolerance. These fat depots exhibit distinct metabolic signaling patterns that may influence pathological fat accumulation, thereby affecting the efficacy of anti-obesity interventions. Nonetheless, the mechanisms underpinning depot-specific signaling and pathway responsiveness remain insufficiently understood.

Methods: Kinase activity was characterized during the progression of adiposity across five adipose tissue depots in obese versus lean mice using the advanced PamGene kinome technology. Furthermore, kinase pathways in human preadipocytes and mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were analyzed and compared with those in their differentiated, mature adipocytes. The …

Stim1-Dependent Treg Dysfunction Promotes Cardiometabolic Hfpef: Insights From Patients And Animal Studies, Balaji Srinivas, Alluri Kiran, Hongmei Peng, Jiang Xu, Paula Fortuno, Jennifer May, Ismail El Moudden, Nour-Eddine Rhaleb, John M. Herre, Raymond L. Benza, Khalid Matrougui

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) arises from chronic cardiometabolic and vascular stress and is increasingly recognized as an inflammatory syndrome with immune dysregulation. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical modulators of cardiovascular inflammation, yet the mechanisms driving Treg dysfunction in HFpEF remain poorly defined. stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1)-dependent calcium signaling is a key stress-responsive pathway in immune cells; however, its role in Treg maladaptation during HFpEF remains unknown.

Methods

Circulating Tregs from patients with and without HFpEF were analyzed for abundance, STIM1 expression, and stress-associated signaling pathways. To establish causality, mice with Treg-specific deletion of STIM1 …

Cb1 Allosteric Modulation: Preclinical Insights Into Therapeutic Potential And Misuse Liability, Mohammed A. Mustafa

Theses and Dissertations

Cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) allosteric modulators represent a promising approach to modulate CB1 receptor signaling by binding to distinct receptor sites, without producing adverse cannabimimetic and dependence-related effects associated with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other CB1 agonists. This dissertation investigates the pharmacological, behavioral, and dependence-related profiles of CB1 allosteric modulators for their therapeutic potential and misuse liability. Presented here, the chiral CB1 positive allosteric modulator (PAM) ZCZ011 was resolved into its R- and S-enantiomers and characterized across in vitro and in vivo assays. Both enantiomers enhance CB1 agonist activity and produce intrinsic effects in vitro. Behaviorally, they produce antinociceptive effects in the …

Experience Of Using Anti-Cd 20 Therapies In Multiple Sclerosis Patients In Kenya, Eunice Nyambane, Tejal Patel, Jacqueline Mavuti, Juzar Hooker, Dilraj Sokhi

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ocrelizumab (OCR) and rituximab (RTX) in multiple sclerosis.

Methods: This was a retrospective single-centre study. Ocrelizumab- and rituximab-treated patients were identified through the multiple sclerosis (MS) registry maintained at Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi (AKUHN), Kenya. Adult patients aged 18–65 years old who fulfilled the McDonald 2017 diagnosis criteria and received treatment with either rituximab or ocrelizumab between January 2016 and June 2025 were retrospectively evaluated. Data collected at baseline included age, gender, first symptoms, disease duration since onset, MS phenotype, treatment duration, previous …

Phentermine And The Failing Heart: A Case Of Phentermine Associated Cardiomyopathy Complicated By Pulmonary Hypertension, Nisha Puri, Cecil Jnawali, Ethan Wincler, Ryan Scagliarini, Dmitri Zbarsky, Julie Worthington

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Role Of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine For Cancer Symptom Management In Older Adults: A Rapid Review, Isabelle C. Karshner

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Patients with cancer often experience symptoms related to disease, complications, and treatment. One potential method of alleviating these symptoms is traditional Chinese herbal medications (TCHM). This rapid review explores the role of traditional Chinese herbal medications in treating cancer-related symptoms in older adults.

Purpose: The purpose of this rapid review is to gain and provide a better understanding of the effects of TCHM on cancer-symptom management in the older adult population. This review explores the association between TCHM and effects on cancer symptoms in older adults, including interactions, toxicity, and signs/symptoms of TCHM use that may be useful information …