Medical Specialties Commons^™

The Utility Of Cologuard In A Real-World Community Setting, Abhinav K. Rao, Shivam Kalra, Danny Tran, Angeli Patel, Ibrahim Al-Saadi, Levi C. Diggins, Ian Whitaker, Shannon Kang, Kunaal Patel, Eyad Gharaibeh, Ali Khalifa, Don C. Rockey, Brett Van Leer-Greensberg

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

A Challenging Diagnosis Of Intestinal Tuberculosis Mimicking Crohn's Disease, Justin Sanchez, Gabriel Gonzales, Monte Troutman

North Texas GME Research Forum 2024

Intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) is an underrecognized disease that shares many clinical, radiologic, endoscopic, and pathologic features with Crohn's disease, making differentiation difficult. This poses a significant problem as initiation of immunosuppressives for an assumed diagnosis of CD in a patient with ITB can lead to exacerbation of infection and life-threatening consequences. A 30-year-old Nepali man with a medical history only significant for Raynaud disease presented with a febrile illness, right lower quadrant abdominal pain, and productive cough over the course of a month. He immigrated from Nepal 3 years prior to presentation, denying other risk factors or specific symptoms of …

Phase 1 Trial Of Tpi 287, A Microtubule Stabilizing Agent, In Combination With Bevacizumab In Adults With Recurrent Glioblastoma, Samuel A Goldlust, Louis B Nabors, Sigmund Hsu, Nimish Mohile, Paul J Duic, Tara Benkers, Samuel Singer, Mayank Rao, Lori Cappello, Sandra L Silberman, George Farmer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM) has limited treatment options. This phase 1 protocol was designed to study the safety and preliminary efficacy of TPI 287, a central nervous system penetrant microtubule stabilizer, in combination with bevacizumab (BEV) for the treatment of rGBM.

METHODS: GBM patients with up to 2 prior relapses without prior exposure to anti-angiogenic therapy were eligible. A standard 3 + 3 design was utilized to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of TPI 287. Cohorts received TPI 287 at 140-220 mg/m

RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were enrolled at 6 centers. Treatment was generally well tolerated. Fatigue, myelosuppression, and peripheral …

Advancing School Nursing Practice: A Novel Approach To Screening For Gastrointestinal Disorders In Children, Ashley Bunting, Isabella Cavlan

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Currently, mandated health screenings in California schools are limited to vision, hearing, and scoliosis; this leaves several other body systems unmonitored during the crucial years of childhood development. One such system is the gastrointestinal (GI) system, which plays a vital role in the normal growth, nutrition status, development, and overall health of children. Objective: By developing and implementing a GI-specific screening tool in the outpatient school setting, this research aims to increase the detection of GI disorders in children. Not only that, but school nurses can use this novel screening tool to promote early diagnosis, intervention, and …

Successful Management Of Spontaneous Unilateral Twin Ectopic Pregnancy With Two-Step Dose Of Methotrexate, Lauren A. Forbes, Navya Nuthivana, Renee Morales

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

The incidence of unilateral tubal twin pregnancy is 1/20,000–1/250,000 with about 100 reported cases. Four of the six cases that were medically managed were successful. A 24-year-old female presented to the emergency department (ED) with vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. She was hemodynamically stable without signs of an acute abdomen. Laboratory evaluation revealed she was pregnant with a serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (b-hCG) of 798 mIU/mL. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) revealed a single left tubal pregnancy with a yolk sac. The patient elected medical management with body surface area (BSA)–based intramuscular (IM) methotrexate (MTX). On Day 4, the patient returned to …

Gene Expression Of Tight Junctions In Foreskin Is Not Affected By Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, Emily L. Webb, Stefan Petkov, Heejin Yun, Laura Else, Limakatso Lebina, Jennifer Serwanga, Azure-Dee A.P. Pillay, Thabiso B. Seiphetlo, Susan Mugaba, Patricia Namubiru, Geoffrey Odoch, Daniel Opoka, Andrew S. Ssemata, Pontiano Kaleebu, Saye Khoo, Neil Martinson, Julie Fox, Clive M. Gray, Carolina Herrera, Francesca Chiodi

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Introduction: Tight junctions (TJs) serve as permeability filters between the internal and external cellular environment. A large number of proteins have been identified to be localized at the TJs. Due to limitations in tissue collection, TJs in the male genital tract have been understudied.

Methods: We analysed the transcriptomics of 132 TJ genes in foreskin tissue of men requesting voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) and enrolled in the Combined HIV Adolescent Prevention Study (CHAPS) trial conducted in South Africa and Uganda (NCT03986970). The trial evaluated the dose requirements for event-driven HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with emtricitabine-tenofovir (FTC-TDF) or emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide …

Human Papilloma Virus Type 16 Seroprevalence Among Men Living With Hiv, Ashley Duff

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Objectives: Individuals living with HIV are at a higher risk for developing human papillomavirus-driven oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC). There are no methods for early detection; however, HPV16 E6 antibodies have been identified as a promising early marker. The objective of this study was to evaluate seroprevalence and predictors of HPV16 E6 seropositivity among men living with HIV.

Methods:2,334 men aged 40+ living with HIV with blood specimens banked within the Tennessee Center for AIDS Research (TN-CFAR) biorepository were evaluated using HPV multiplex serology. Seroprevalence of HPV16 antibodies was calculated for all HPV16 proteins analyzed (L1, E1, E2, E4, E6, E7). …

Cardiovascular Disease Among Commercially Insured Adults With Type 1 Diabetes In The Us , 2016-2019, Orighomisan F. Agboghoroma

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the overall as well as age- and sex-specific burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in the US using nationwide commercial claims data from 2016-2019.

Research Design and Methods We used nationwide commercial claims data (1/1/2016-12/31/2019) from Merative™MarketScan to identify adults ≥20 years with T1D (ascertained using ICD-10 codes). CVD was ascertained using ICD-10 diagnostic codes for myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, and stroke. The annual prevalence and age-specific prevalence of CVD were calculated. Age-adjusted prevalence of CVD …

A Transformer-Based Deep Learning Approach For Fairly Predicting Post-Liver Transplant Risk Factors, Can Li, Xiaoqian Jiang, Kai Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Liver transplantation is a life-saving procedure for patients with end-stage liver disease. There are two main challenges in liver transplant: finding the best matching patient for a donor and ensuring transplant equity among different subpopulations. The current MELD scoring system evaluates a patient's mortality risk if not receiving an organ within 90 days. However, the donor-patient matching should also consider post-transplant risk factors, such as cardiovascular disease, chronic rejection, etc., which are all common complications after transplant. Accurate prediction of these risk scores remains a significant challenge. In this study, we used predictive models to solve the above challenges. Specifically, …

The Unequal Distribution Of Social Risk For Black Men Across The Life-Span. A Novel Framework., Waleed Y. Sami

Adultspan Journal

This conceptual overview offers a comprehensive overview of systemic pathways that negatively impact the mental health of Black Men throughout their lives. Our argument highlights the importance for counselors and mental health professionals to utilize a thorough social risk assessment that considers these pathways in order to effectively address the mental health needs of Black Men while fostering positive working relationships. This overview strongly advocates for the use of context and structural determinants when evaluating mental health symptoms. Without an appropriate understanding of social risk and determinants, counselors may inadvertently perpetuate disparities by decontextualizing symptomology, and reproducing racist discourse.

Machine-Learning-Enabled Diagnostics With Improved Visualization Of Disease Lesions In Chest X-Ray Images, Md. Fashiar Rahman, Tzu-Liang (Bill) Tseng, Michael Pokojovy, Peter Mccaffrey, Eric Walser, Scott Moen, Alex Vo, Johnny C. Ho

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The class activation map (CAM) represents the neural-network-derived region of interest, which can help clarify the mechanism of the convolutional neural network’s determination of any class of interest. In medical imaging, it can help medical practitioners diagnose diseases like COVID-19 or pneumonia by highlighting the suspicious regions in Computational Tomography (CT) or chest X-ray (CXR) film. Many contemporary deep learning techniques only focus on COVID-19 classification tasks using CXRs, while few attempt to make it explainable with a saliency map. To fill this research gap, we first propose a VGG-16-architecture-based deep learning approach in combination with image enhancement, segmentation-based region …

Evaluating The Influence Of Trypanosomiasis On Murine Model Using Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract As A Trypanocidal Agent, Fatima M. Madaki, Adamu Y. Kabiru, Ogunrombi D. Clinton, Sakariyau A. Waheed, Yunusa O. Ibrahim

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Trypanosomiasis, a parasitic disease caused by trypanosomes, which are flagellate protozoa transmitted through the bite of the tsetse fly, manifests with symptoms including substantial weight loss, anemia, fever, edema, adenitis, dermatitis, and nervous disorders. This research investigated the impact of trypanosomiasis on a murine model while utilizing Corchorus olitorius leaf extract as a potential trypanocidal agent. An acute toxicity analysis was conducted following Lorke's method, and the antitrypanosomal efficacy was assessed in rats at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg over three weeks, monitoring changes in parasitemia count, body weight, and hematological parameters. Additionally, lipid profile, electrolyte concentration, and …

Advancing School Nursing Practice: A Novel Approach To Screening For Gastrointestinal Disorders In Children, Ashley Bunting, Isabella Cavlan

Nursing | Student Research Posters

California schools currently only screen for vision and hearing, leaving many other health concerns unaddressed. Among these, gastrointestinal (GI) health is particularly significant, as digestive disorders can lead to severe consequences, like malnutrition and stunted growth. By incorporating routine GI screenings, school nurses can promote the early detection of disease, allowing for timely intervention and improved health outcomes in children.

Based on existing literature, we have developed a novel pediatric GI screening tool for school nurses to use in routine screenings, presented below.

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Bundle For Hypertension Outcomes In Adult Patients Receiving Care In Public Health Clinics, Christine Jennifer Victorian

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: Hypertension (HTN) that is not adequately controlled leads to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart disease. It affects 116 million adults (47%) in the United States (U.S.). The HTN compliance rate in a South Texas public health clinic was 64%, below the national benchmark of 76%. Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) was recommended in a joint statement by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA). Literature evidence revealed that the HBPM bundle increased BP control (< 140/90 mmHg) compliance.

Methods: A quality improvement (QI) bundle was initiated to address the low HTN compliance rate from a quality management perspective. …

Guideline For Screening Of Trichomonas Vaginalis Infections In The Correctional Setting, Nahirobi J. Madrid Antunez

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Objective: This guideline project focused on creating a screening guideline for T. vaginalis that would benefit healthcare providers in a correctional healthcare setting for incarcerated females entering the facility.

Methods: A literature review was conducted. The PubMed and MEDLINE search engines, were used to obtain medical, biomedical and life sciences literature, and CINAHL for nursing and allied health resources, Governmental agency sites, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), were also explored. Guideline recommendations were extrapolated from the literature review, and then rated by, stakeholders.

Results: Several overarching themes were identified. Screening of asymptomatic women for T. …

Developing Toolkit For Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder In An Oncology Outpatient Clinic, Brittany J. Johnson Dnp, Fnp-C

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Autistic adults are at higher risk of being diagnosed with co-occurring health conditions, and yet they are a vulnerable group for disparities in access and outcomes. One of the key barriers to better outcomes is poor patient-provider communication. This study the use of AASPIRE’s AHAT communication toolkit as a channel between healthcare workers and autistic adults to facilitate their appointments within the outpatient oncology department, as well as assessing healthcare providers’ knowledge and self-efficacy in caring for the patients. Sixteen healthcare providers (12 registered nurses and four patient care assistants) completed pre and post intervention surveys and utilized the AHAT …

Developing Radiosensitizers To Enhance Radiotherapy In Treating Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor, Zeta Chow

Theses and Dissertations--Clinical and Translational Science

Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (GEP-NET) is a heterogeneous group of malignancies arising from multipotent neuroendocrine stem cells in the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence of GEP-NET continues to rise, possibly due to the advancement of imaging and biomarkers available for diagnosis. However, even though the majority of patients are diagnosed with low-grade and localized disease, a significant percentage of patients present with advanced-stage metastatic disease with poor prognosis in months to a few years. These advanced-stage GEP-NET patients can also present with a variety of debilitating symptoms that significantly impact their quality of life. The role of palliative-intent surgery is limited, and …

Predicting Endothelium-Dependent Diastolic Function (Fmd)And Its Correlation With The Degree Of Coronary Artery Disease (Cad) And Plaque Vulnerability For Cardiovascular Events, Guangming Zhang, Jing Yang, Hanghang Xing, Hongning Yin, Guoqing Gu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the correlation between vascular endothelium-dependent diastolic function (FMD) and the degree of coronary artery disease (CAD), plaque vulnerability, and its predictive value for cardiovascular events.

METHODS: Initially, patients (n=100) who were admitted from January 2020 to January 2021 and intended to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were selected. Further, FMD in all patients was determined before the procedure and divided into a high-FMD group (≥4.2%) and a low-FMD group (

RESULTS: No significant differences were observed concerning general information, number of coronary arteries-associated branches, lesion type, involvement of the left main stem (LM), the …

Autonomic Modulation Of Cardiac Function In Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Jenna Rose Disser

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic heart disorder. HCM is characterized by cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and an increased risk of fatal arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Previous studies in humans with HCM have demonstrated increased cardiac norepinephrine spillover and reduced beta-1 receptor (β1R) expression in the left ventricle (LV). We have previously demonstrated that cardiac sympathetic tone is elevated in an alpha-tropomyosin mutant mouse model of HCM. We hypothesized that HCM mice would demonstrate reduced β1R expression in the LV and attenuated heart rate (HR) and dP/dt max responses to ramped infusion of the β1R agonist, dobutamine. …

Sunitinib Induced Gomerular Thrombotic Microangiopathy, Aisha Khan

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium 2024

No abstract provided.

A Case Of Sore Throat And Dizziness, Victoria Gordon, Anita Datta

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium 2024

No abstract provided.

Thoracic Spine Lesion With Paralysis: A Rare Presentation Of Plasmacytoma, Daniel Khashchuk, Natarajan Venkatayan

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium 2024

No abstract provided.

Utility Of Diagnostic Radiology Imaging Techniques In The Diagnosis And Characterization Of Saccular Aneurysm Involving The Right Internal Jugular Vein: A Case Report And Brief Review Of Literature, Javier Hernandez, Poyan Rafiei

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium 2024

No abstract provided.

An Interesting Case Of Hypothyroidism In The Critical Care Setting, Lance Mwangi, Ladi Larry

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium 2024

No abstract provided.

Critical Airway Obstruction Secondary To Acute Necrotizing Tracheitis, Vishesh Persaud, Austin Makadia, S Choudhury, A Chohan, Abhay Vakil

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium 2024

No abstract provided.

Ipsilateral Hemi-Diaphragmatic Paralysis After Intra Scalene Nerve Block: A Rare But Reported Entity, Vishesh Persaud, Austin Makadia, Saad Choudhry, A Chohan, Abhay Vakil

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium 2024

No abstract provided.

Treatment Of Hyperkinetic Gallbladder With Cholecystectomy: A Case Report And Literary Review, Rachel Wright, Duyen Quach, Kayla Nguyen, Gabriella Tavera, Mike Liang

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium 2024

No abstract provided.

Spontaneous Superior And Inferior Pancreaticouduodenal Artery Pseudoaneurysms In The Setting Of A Retoroperitoneal Hematoma Surrounding The Pancreatic Head, Asad Rehman, Jordan Torres, Salman Islam, Bushra Bangash, Lakshmi Tatineni, Aneesha Shaju

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium 2024

No abstract provided.

Screen It Out! Improving Colon Cancer Screening Among Kingwood Clinic Patients, Daniel J. Avila Castillo, Bhavin Patel, Dhruv Patel, Rajeev Raghavan, Zuhair Ali

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium 2024

No abstract provided.

Artificial Intelligence Response To Common Medication Concerns With Heart Failure Gdmt In Outpatient Setting, Dominique Pean, Laaraeb Nadeem, Suhas Kandimalla, Brotee Rahman

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Symposium 2024

No abstract provided.