Medical Specialties Commons^™

Clinical Outcomes Of Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion In Patients With Hyperlipidemia: A Nationwide Analysis, Tony Elias, Fady Beshara, Daniel Basta, Mena Elmalh, Matthew Ebrahim, Taha Syed, Olga Sarah, Abdallah Hussein

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We sought to examine the national inpatient sample database to explore in-hospital outcomes for patients with HDL with AF who underwent LAAO.

Outcomes Of Octogenarians, Nonagenarians, And Centenarians That Underwent Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion: A Population-Based Study, Tony Elias, Fady Beshara, Daniel Basta, Mena Elmalh, Matthew Ebrahim, Taha Syed, Olga Sarah, Abdallah Hussein

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

An evaluation of that national inpatient sample database to explore the outcomes for patients above the age of seventy who underwent left atrial appendage occlusion.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors In The Autism Spectrum Disorder Population, Christian C. Iannuzzelli, Andrea L. Iannuzzelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The population of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have multiple risks and barriers that may make access to proper health care more difficult. After extensive research, some of these barriers may have been identified that pose greater risks to generating proper care for those with ASD. Some of these barriers include medical complexity, more sedentary lifestyles, poor food choices, as well as health comorbities. Some of these health comorbidities include hypertension, metabolic dysfunction, sleep apnea, and inflammation. This study aims to understand what barriers and risks for CVD are present in those with ASD.

Clinical Outcomes For Patients With Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia In Octogenarians, Nonagenarians, And Centenarians: A Population-Based Study, Tony Elias, Fady Beshara, Daniel Basta, Mena Elmalh, Matthew Ebrahim, Taha Syed, Olga Sarah, Abdallah Hussein

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We sought to examine the national inpatient sample data-base to describe in-hospital outcomes among patients over seventy who acquire ventilator-associated pneumonia after being on the ventilator for over 48 hours.

Comparison Of Patient Retention Of Pcl-5 Vs. Caps-5 In A Study On Tracking Ptsd Symptoms After A Mobile App Intervention, Kaylea Shoulders, Deep Patel, Muntaha Rana, Anne C. Jones

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Due to mental health provider shortages, primary care providers are seeing more patients with mental health concerns.1 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health concerns increased requiring primary care to adapt new multidisciplinary interventions to assist patients.2 When assessing patients for PTSD, either the CAPS-5 or PCL-5 can be used, but they have different qualities that may affect retention.

Hypothesis: The PCL-5 will have a higher retention due to the ease of administration.

Methods: Providers identified eligible patients at the Rowan-Virtua family medicine office in Sewell. Upon consent, the CAPS-5 or PCL-5 was administered, and then the PTSD Coach …

Child Sex Trafficking In Pediatrics: From Screening To Comprehensive Care, Victoria Shwe, Tracy Lin, Nicole M. Leopardi

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Child sex trafficking is a significant issue in New Jersey, with minors making up 22% of trafficking victims in 2023. While screening tools exist to identify at-risk youth, there is a major gap in understanding the steps healthcare providers should take after identification to ensure appropriate care, support, and referrals. Current research highlights the lack of data on the use of trafficking screening tools and the absence of standardized post-screening protocols. Most pediatricians rely on referrals to social services or law enforcement, yet limited coordination between healthcare providers and these agencies complicates effective care. The shortage of child abuse pediatric …

Assessing The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Health Literacy In Patients Presenting To A Student-Run Free Clinic, Sabah Iqbal, Kirsten Carlberg, Krisha S. Patel, Ashlyn Mcclelland, Sarah Marotta, Rebecca Moore

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Health literacy as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), refers to an individual’s ability to find, understand, and use health information and services1. This definition has evolved with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing emphasis on preventative healthcare. We aimed to observe the impact of the pandemic on the health literacy of patients in a free community clinic run by medical students.

Hypothesis

This study aims to assess the effect of various demographic and socioeconomic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic on health literacy levels estimated by the NVS assessment in the patient population …

Beyond The Label: Understanding And Addressing Occupational Stigma In Psychiatry, Mahesh Vasudevan, Madeeha Sheriff

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction:Stigma is a social classification that devalues individuals or groups, and occupational stigma targets entire professions. Psychiatry is particularly affected, often viewed by the public and medical community as lacking scientific rigor and prestige. This negative perception has far-reaching consequences.

Methods:A narrative literature review was conducted to explore the scope, sources, and impact of occupational stigma toward psychiatrists. Peer-reviewed articles and professional resources published between 2002 and 2023 were selected based on relevance to psychiatric stigma, education, and public perception. Databases searched included PubMed, Google Scholar, and professional association websites using keywords such as “psychiatry stigma” and “psychiatrist …

A Systematic Review On Cinacalcet’S Effect In Reducing Pth Serum Levels In Peritoneal Dialysis Patients, Akhil Gumidyala, Youssef Daoud, Mark Hanna, Han Jie Liu, Rikita Doshi

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) have low calcium levels. Low blood calcium triggers the parathyroid gland to constantly secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) in an attempt to raise blood calcium levels back to normal. One way PTH tries to do this is by removing calcium from bone. Chronically high PTH levels leads to increased bone resorption and increases the risk for bone fractures and mortality risk. This phenomenon is called secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). Calcimimetics, like cinacalcet (sensipar), act similarly to calcium by binding allosterically to Calcium-Sensing Receptors (CaSR) on the parathyroid gland, thereby reducing PTH levels. The effect of …

Exploring The Effects Of Target Race, Gender, And Weight On Pain Perception, Catherine Awad, Theresa Miller, Azer Tuerxuntuoheti, Peter Mende-Siedlecki

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Healthcare equity is an essential right, and while the quality of care is assumed to be uniform, notable disparities in care are associated with factors of race, gender, and weight-particularly in the domain of pain evaluation and care. In experimental work, target race and gender have varying, and interacting effects on visual thresholds for perceiving painful expressions. Racial bias in pain perception is well established as participants see pain on black faces less readily than pain on white faces; gender also impacts pain treatment, where women are susceptible to having their pain discredited. Across two experiments, the influence of weight …

Exploring Mindfulness Meditation In Managing Elevated Blood Pressure And Heart Rate In Debilitating Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Han Jie Liu, Krish Patel, Zachary Coren, Youssef Daoud, Zeshan Fahim, Shikhar Rastogi, Justin Le, Avinash Gupta

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the US, with elevated blood pressure (BP) significantly contributing to its progression. Mindfulness meditation has emerged as a high-value preventative care strategy for managing BP and heart rate (HR); however, its specific effects on managing BP and HR in individuals with debilitating CVD remain poorly understood. This project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation on HR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in this population. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we employed a tailored Boolean string to search PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane …

Photodynamic Therapy Vs. 5-Fluorouracil For Field-Directed Treatment Of Actinic Keratosis: A Comparative Literature Review, Bhumik Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common precancerous skin condition arising from chronic UV exposure and often involves field cancerization, where visible lesions coexist with subclinical damage. Effective field-directed treatments are critical for preventing progression to squamous cell carcinoma.

HYPOTHESIS: Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) may offer superior efficacy, cosmetic outcomes, and patient adherence compared to topical 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), despite its higher cost and clinical setting requirement.

METHODS: This literature review analyzed peer-reviewed studies from 2015–2025 comparing PDT and 5-FU for field-directed AK treatment. Outcomes assessed included lesion clearance, recurrence, tolerability, adherence, cost, and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS: PDT demonstrated high clearance rates …

Disparities In Demographics Of Patients Presenting To A Student-Run Free Clinic In South Jersey, Kirsten Carlberg, Sabah Iqbal, Christian Moya Gamboa, Daliza Diaz, Cerena Moreno, Rebecca Moore

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Medical schools around the country have established free clinics to better serve the underserved patient populations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate demographic characteristics in the patient population at our free clinic, Rowan-Virtua Community Health Clinic (RVCHC), compared to the general population of Camden County. We found a disproportionately higher percentage of black patients at our clinic when compared to the county overall. Addressing these disparities would require targeted outreach to specific patient populations and improved transit access. Future studies should aim to identify RVCHC health outcomes through the management of chronic disease and understanding emergency room utilization.

The Impact Of Food Deserts And Food Insecurity On Cardiovascular Outcomes In New Jersey, Amina Baig, Cheyenne Myklebust, Jack Hennen, Leah Perez, Rhoda Ukenna-Izuwa, Tayyiaba Farooq

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Food deserts - areas with limited access to affordable, healthful food - are increasingly being recognized as risk factors for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This review discusses the link between food desert density and cardiovascular disease risk with a special emphasis on New Jersey. A systematic PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase literature review of studies from 2014 through 2024 was conducted, with some relevant older research dating back to 2001. Some of the keywords used in the search included "food desert," "food insecurity," "cardiovascular disease," and "New Jersey." The search was restricted to English-language research conducted within the United States. The literature …

From Gut To Heart: Tmao As A Predictive Marker For Cardiovascular Risk, Jasjeet Kaur Dhaliwal, Demi Poulathas

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite produced by gut microbiota from dietary nutrients such as choline and carnitine, has emerged as a potential biomarker linking the gut microbiome to cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review synthesizes findings from 31 studies examining the association between circulating TMAO levels and cardiovascular outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of plasma or serum TMAO concentrations in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality.

Methods: Studies were identified through a systematic search and screened based on inclusion criteria that required human populations, quantification of blood-based TMAO, and analysis of …

Screening And Prevention Of The Female Athlete Triad, Lia Summer Goldberg, Kate Whelihan

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background The Female Athlete Triad—a syndrome of low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and decreased bone mineral density—poses a significant risk to female athletes, particularly those in sports emphasizing leanness or endurance. Despite its potential to impair both performance and long-term health, the Triad remains frequently underdiagnosed due to stigma, nonspecific symptoms, and limited screening practices. This review investigates current strategies for screening and preventing the Triad, aiming to identify best practices and areas needing improvement.

Methods A literature review was conducted using PubMed, focusing on studies published after 2005. Keyword searches included “female athlete triad screening,” “prevention,” “education,” and “awareness.” …

Chemical Exposures In Utero: Phthalates And Congenital Heart Defects, Demi Poulathas

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common type of birth defect. Approximately 80% of CHDs have unknown causes, and phthalates may play a contributing role. Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental chemicals used as plasticizers in a wide range of products, including cosmetics and electronic devices. After entering the body, phthalates bind to the progesterone receptor, which is necessary for fetal development. While multiple studies have explored environmental factors in CHD development, few have examined the effects of phthalates on CHDs in humans. Methods: A literature review was conducted to investigate the relationship between parental occupational phthalate exposure and the …

Mechanisms Mediating The Protective Effects Of Caffeine On Alzheimer’S Disease Progression, Jessica Ivanov, Malky Bernat, Joshua Drawbaugh, Jeremy Mehta, Namira Rahmani, Saikumar Thellapally

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: This review aims to examine the molecular mechanisms through which caffeine may exert neuroprotective effects against Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

Methods: A literature review was done across PubMed and Embase to identify studies between 2000 and 2024, exploring the mechanism behind caffeine’s effects on AD. The criteria focused on peer-reviewed articles involving human or animal models. Information was gathered on study design, participant characteristics, caffeine consumption, proposed mechanisms, and effects on cognition.

Results: The studies support caffeine's potential as a therapeutic, neuromodulator against AD through six mechanisms: inhibition of adenosine A2A receptors, decreased amyloid-beta production and aggregation, promotion of amyloid …

Impact Of Language Barriers On Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Recognition And Response, Kinjal Mody, Sophie Cherfane, Curt Cackovic

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) causes nearly 350,000 deaths annually in the U.S., with survival largely depending on the timely recognition of cardiac arrest and the initiation of bystander CPR by emergency dispatchers. However, English-centric dispatch systems create barriers for individuals with limited English proficiency, potentially delaying critical responses. This study aims to synthesize research on how language differences impact OHCA recognition and CPR initiation in emergency dispatch settings. We hypothesize that language barriers cause significant delays.

PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were used to identify relevant studies, using search terms like "language barriers," "cardiac arrest," and "CPR." Inclusion …

Effectiveness Of Mind-Body Therapy Techniques In The Management Of Chronic Pain, Esha Sharma, Kalyna Leshchuk, Maria Cox, Kaitlyn Koo, Emily Sarett, Sarah Chen

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

In this review, we aim to determine whether mind-body therapies—defined here as mindfulness meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)—can effectively improve pain management in adults with chronic lower back pain, particularly when compared to standard opioid treatments alone or used in conjunction with them. Our hypothesis posits that mind-body therapies serve as valuable supplements to current opioid-based treatment plans, potentially improving not only pain outcomes but also overall quality of life and psychological well-being.

By synthesizing findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses, this review builds on existing literature by narrowing the treatment scope and …

Assessing The Efficacy Of Prolonged Doxycycline Pep Use In High-Risk Populations For Sti Prevention, Lam Doan, Pearl Joslyn, Lizann Sung, Timothy Breiner, Sarah Marotta, Shikhar Rastogi

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

First recommended in October 2022, doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) has been increasingly used as a treatment for multiple sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To evaluate the efficacy of prolonged DoxyPEP use in high risk populations - men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women - for STIs, different sources addressing various aspects of DoxyPEP, its efficacy in STI prevention, and the potential consequences of its widespread use in terms of antimicrobial resistance were examined. Across 9 studies, DoxyPEP was found to decrease the incidence of bacterial STIs, specifically, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea with varying efficacy, especially for gonorrhea. Furthermore, …

A Review Of Sutures And The Prospective Applications Of Nanofiber Technology In Suture Engineering, Hanna Brancaccio, Dominique Hassinger, Vincent Beachley

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction: Suturing is a method to close surgical or traumatic wounds to promote healing. The ideal suture should have high tensile strength that loses strength at the same rate as the healing tissue gains strength, be easy to handle and form secure knots, induce minimal inflammation, and stretch/recoil according to wound contraction. While there are suture materials available for use in various procedures that fulfill most requirements, no one suture possesses every desirable characteristic, and limitations are still prevalent. Nanofiber geometry has a well-known ability to modulate cell morphology, attachment, gene expression, extracellular matrix production, and macrophage polarization in …

Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Examining If Hyperplasia Occurs In Humans In Response To Resistance Exercise, Hitesh Gowda, Scott Dankel, Harshal Parmar, Nicholas Barton

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: It is commonly believed that resistance exercise in humans induces muscle growth primarily via muscle hypertrophy, but there is some debate as to whether muscle hyperplasia occurs. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to quantitively assess whether the presence of muscle hyperplasia occurs in humans performing resistance training.

Methods: Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched on May 17, 2024. Studies that assessed muscle fiber number pre and post resistance training were included in a three-level random effects model to assess changes in muscle fiber number.

Results: A total of 11 studies met the search criteria, with all …

Drug-Induced Hyperpigmentation Due To Levofloxacin, Miriam Motlak, Steven Manders

Cooper Rowan Medical Journal

Drug-induced hyperpigmentation is responsible for up to 20% of acquired hyperpigmentation cases, especially among the elderly population. The pathogenesis varies depending on the medication involved and may include melanin accumulation, drug deposition, production of special pigments, and iron deposition. We report the case of an elderly, immunocompromised patient with a history significant for leukemia presenting with black-blue hyperpigmentation of the upper and lower extremities, associated with iron deposition following levofloxacin exposure.

Heart To Heart: Exploring Why Cardiovascular Risk Is Higher In South Asians, Jasjeet Kaur Dhaliwal

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of mortality, but South Asians experience a disproportionately high burden of disease, often developing CVD at younger ages and with lower body mass indices compared to other populations. This project explores the underlying genetic and lifestyle factors contributing to elevated cardiovascular risk in South Asians, aiming to highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies and policy reforms.

A literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed studies, meta-analyses, and reviews published between 2007 and 2024. After screening 47 initial articles, 18 were selected for analysis based on their relevance to genetic and lifestyle risk …

Case Report: An Unexpected Case Of Spinal Cord Infarction, Julian Coz, Brittany Fera

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We report a case of an 89-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with acute bilateral lower extremity weakness after physical exertion. His clinical examination revealed paraplegia, and imaging studies suggested spinal cord infarction (SCI) secondary to presumed atherosclerotic embolism, despite the absence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The differential diagnosis for acute paraplegia in the elderly is broad, including conditions like stroke, spinal cord compression, transverse myelitis, and tick paralysis. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of SCI, particularly when the patient lacks overt risk factors for vascular disease. Despite aggressive management, including permissive hypertension and anticoagulation, the …

Case Report: Transverse Myelitis In The Setting Of Generalized Weakness, Aloysius Ibe, Brittany Fera

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We report a case of a 79-year-old female who presented to the Emergency Department for generalized weakness and was diagnosed with transverse myelitis. The differential for generalized weakness is vast but for a patient who is able to perform activities of daily living with no assistance to now being unable to ambulate puts cauda equina, stroke, and brain lesion at the forefront until MRI gave the definitive diagnosis of transverse myelitis. Transverse myelitis (TM) is a neurologic disorder caused by inflammation of the spinal cord, specifically the material called myelin sheath that covers the nerve cell fibers.

Case Report: Cold Urticaria Diagnosed In The Emergency Department, Philip Carhart, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Cold urticaria can be primary (idiopathic) or can be due to underlying hematologic or infectious diseases. Here we present the case of a young female patient with no past medical history who was diagnosed with cold urticaria in the emergency department setting, using a cold stimulation test. Most cases are idiopathic. The reaction can be triggered in individual cases by exposure to cold objects or to generalized cold ambient temperatures, as was the case in the patient presented here. The physical response is most commonly pruritic wheals (urticaria). However, more severe symptoms may occur up to angioedema with hoarseness and …

Impact Of The Acgme Merger On Ophthalmology Match Success: A Pre- And Post-Merger Comparative Analysis, Anna Flts

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

In 2020, the ACGME merger unified the residency match process for MD and DO applicants into a single, standardized system. The merger aimed to promote equity in graduate medical education by streamlining training pathways and matching processes across applicant backgrounds.

Hypothesis

Despite the merger’s goal of standardization and equity, disparities in ophthalmology match outcomes between MD and DO applicants may persist.

Methods

Data from the SF Match and AUPO were collected for ophthalmology applicants from 2016 to 2024. Applicants were divided into pre-merger (2016–2019) and post-merger (2020–2024) cohorts. Match rates for MD and DO applicants were calculated and compared …

The Presence Of Cardiac Arrhythmias Impacts Hospitalized Patients With Celiac Disease, Rahul Patel, Tirth Patel, Darshan Patel, Trinava Roy, Sachin Prasad, Paul Gill, Rafail Beshai, Joshua Soliman, Brian Blair, C. Jonathan Foster

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Celiac disease has links to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and sarcoidosis. The latter 3 also have cardiovascular manifestations associated with them. However, there are limited studies on the in-hospital outcomes of Celiac disease with cardiac manifestations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the hospital outcomes of Celiac disease with concomitant arrhythmias.

Methods

Patients aged 18 years with Celiac disease and arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, and supraventricular tachycardia) versus Celiac Disease alone were identified from the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), from the years 2019-2020. ICD 10 codes were utilized. Multivariate …