Medical Specialties Commons^™

Changes In 25(Oh)D Concentration, Bone Resorption Markers And Physical Performance Due To Sun Exposure, Diet And Training Load Among Professional Women Handball Players During The Half-Year Training Season, Sorin Dacian Buhas, Zbigniew Jastrzębski, Paul Florian Dragos, Marius Alin Marinau, Maria Skalska, Mirela Stef, Joanna Jastrzębska, Mihai Sandra, Dana Ioana Cristea

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of the study was to demonstrate changes in 25(OH)D concentration, bone resorption indicators and physical fitness in female handball players as a result of their exposure to the sun, diet and exercise load during the six-month training period from mid-March to mid-September, i.e. the time when the sun exposure is the highest during the calendar year. Twenty-two women handball players participated in the study. Due to the random occurrences and exclusion criteria, 20 players completed the project. Biochemical analysis of blood, aerobic capacity, running speed and power tests (Wingate test, squat jump, counter movement jump, etc.) was …

Drd2 Rs6276 Polymorphism And Trait Impulsivity In Individuals With Mixed Behavioral And Substance Addictions, Gabriela Zdunek, Remigiusz Recław, Aleksandra Suchanecka, Krzysztof Chmielowiec, Dariusz Larysz, Patryk Ilków, Kinga Łosińska, Jolanta Chmielowiec, Łukasz Jaworski, Anna Grzywacz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background/Objectives: Impulsivity is a key transdiagnostic trait linked to dysregulated reward processing in both behavioral and substance-related addictions, as recognized in DSM-5. Dopaminergic genes, including DRD2, may modulate individual differences in impulsivity, particularly under conditions of increased addiction vulnerability. This study examined whether the DRD2 Exon 8 rs6276 polymorphism predicts impulsivity levels in men with mixed addictive behaviors compared with healthy controls. Methods: A total of 328 males (128 with mixed behavioral and substance addictions and 200 controls) were assessed. Diagnoses were confirmed using the MINI interview, and impulsivity was measured with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). Genotyping of …

Inside The Therapy Room: What Really Happens In A Session With Your Kid, Maggie Mckay, Haley J. Killian

Parent-ish Podcast

Ever wonder what your kid actually does in therapy? In this episode, pediatric psychologist Haley Killian, PhD, gives us a simple, behind‑the‑scenes look at what happens in a session—play, feelings, progress and all. It’s real talk, zero judgment, and plenty of reassurance for any parent curious about whether therapy could help their kid.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Breaking Barriers: Advancement Toward Practical Nursing Licensure For Certified Medication Assistants In Long-Term Care--A Descriptive Study, Aleshia L. Maxwell

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

The persistent nursing shortage across the United States, particularly in Long-Term Care (LTC) settings, has complicated the healthcare system’s ability to meet the needs of an aging population. While existing research often examines progression from Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN), limited research explores factors influencing progression from entry-level LTC healthcare workers to Practical Nursing (PN) licensure. This quantitative descriptive study examined the barriers and supporting factors influencing advancement toward PN licensure for Medication Assistants-Certified (MA-Cs) in Arkansas LTC facilities. A convenience sample of N=100 participated in the study. Results indicated that financial and structural barriers often …

Organ Procurement Organization Utilization Of Portable Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion In Liver Transplantation: The First Us Experience, Christine E. Haugen, Muhammad Bilal Moeen-Ud-Din, Abdalla M. Hadhoud, Achintya Kaw, James R. Butler, James V. Guarrera, Sherry Quire, Ralph C. Quillin

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Advanced machine perfusion techniques have increased the use of hard-to-place organs, effectively changing the liver transplantation landscape. Liver transplantation machine perfusion has been driven largely by industry or individual transplant centers. We describe the implementation of a portable, organ procurement organization-initiated hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion strategy for liver transplantation as a proof of concept.

METHODS: Surgeons and staff at a regional organ procurement organization (Indiana Donor Network) were trained to use and cannulate liver allografts using a portable hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion platform. We evaluated all liver transplantations recovered and placed on hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (N = 18) …

Icdpicr2 Calculates Abbreviated Injury Scale Scores From Diagnostic Codes: Limitations For Traumatic Brain Injury Epidemiology, Joseph Piatt

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Many large data sets are limited in their usefulness for trauma epidemiology by a paucity of clinical data reflecting injury severity. Software packages have been developed for extrapolation of diagnostic codes to Injury Severity Scores commonly used in trauma research. The aim of this project was to evaluate one recently upgraded package, ICDPICR2.

METHODS: Data were taken from the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) for 2022. The inclusion criterion was an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) head score of 1 or greater. The ICDPICR2 package in R was used to calculate AIS body region scores and Injury Severity Scores (ISS) …

The History Of Women In Neuroradiology In North America From 1990 To The Present, Vijay M. Rao

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

From 1990 to 2024, women neuroradiologists in North America have made tremendous progress in the areas of leadership, clinical innovation, research, education, diversity, equity and inclusion, and global outreach. This chapter begins with summaries of their key accomplishments in four broad domains, followed by short biographical sketches of numerous luminaries organized by leadership roles and areas of expertise, and ending with conclusions and future directions.

What Is New In Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support In 2024-2025?, Maya Guglin

The VAD Journal

This review covers the most interesting publications on temporary mechanical circulatory support in 2024-2025. We include the latest research on intra-aortic balloon pumps, Impella devices, and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Health Disparities For Pneumonia And Sinusitis Antibiotic Treatment In The Emergency Department, Joshua Saucedo, Leslie Hueschen, Amanda Nedved, Rana El Feghaly Md

Posters

Optimal antibiotic selection and duration are pillars of antimicrobial stewardship efforts. In our emergency department (ED), >80% of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) are treated with first-line (FL) guideline-concordant antibiotics. Differences in care based on socioeconomic factors (race, ethnicity, language, and insurance status) have not been characterized. We sought to compare differences in antibiotic choice and duration for different socioeconomic factors, and analyze changes after quality improvement (QI) efforts. Multidisciplinary QI team used multiple Plan- Do-Study-Act cycles and was successful in improving antibiotic duration for CAP and ABRS from a baseline of 13% to 61% (January …

Scoliosis, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Empathy, Compassion Fatigue, And Resilience In Central Florida Firefighters And Ems Personnel, Lisa M. Correll

PhD in Education

The purpose of this nonexperimental quantitative study was to determine the relationship between empathy, compassion fatigue (CF), and resilience in firefighters and EMS personnel. Career firefighters and EMS personnel (N = 76) in Central Florida participated in an online survey that included demographic information, the Empathy Assessment Index, Professional Quality of Life Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10. Participants reported high perceptions of empathy (M = 4.11), resilience (M = 3.98), and quality of life (M = 3.28), but CF was perceived at low levels (M = 2.97). Empathy was not predictive of CF, indicating that overall empathy alone does …

Unpacking Developmental Programming: A Conceptual And Historical Analysis In The Context Of Dohad, Andrea Gretchev, Heide S. Temples, Gillian England-Mason, Deborah Dewey, Sara M. Sarasua, Christopher Farrell, Vivian Haley-Zitlin

Publications

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) paradigm posits that early environmental factors may influence a child’s development and long-term health outcomes. Developmental programming (DP) is central to this paradigm, whereby specific early life exposures during critical periods of development are associated with changes to physiological and metabolic pathways, potentially predisposing individuals to disease. However, no standard definition of DP exists, and various terms have been used to describe similar processes. This analysis aimed to develop a conceptual definition for DP to inform interdisciplinary research, education, and practice. Walker and Avant’s eight-step method was employed to analyze the literature, …

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Transcultural Headache Medicine: A Framework For Integrating Cultural Contexts Into Headache Science And Care - A Call To Action From The International Headache Society., Mario F. P. Peres, Giancarlo Lucchetti, Homero Vallada, Ivy L. Riso, Georgia K. Westenhofen, Marcelo Moraes Valença, Juliana Ramos De Andrade, K. C. Brennan, Morris Levin, Tsubasa Takizawa, Zhao Dong, Yonggang Wang, Wanakorn Rattanawong, Henry Riyanto Sofyan, Massimo Leone, Freda Dodd-Glover, Hsiangkuo Yuan, Abdulrazaq Albilali, Taoufik Alsaadi, Leonardo Caixeta, Anna P. Andreou, Peter J. Goadsby, Antoinette Maassenvandenbrink, Sait Ashina, Rami Burstein, Patricia Pozo-Rosich, Fayyaz Ahmed, Shuu-Jiun Wang

Department of Jefferson Headache Center Papers and Presentations

Headache disorders are among the most disabling neurological conditions, affecting over 1.5 billion people globally. Despite advances in pharmacological therapies, major inequities persist due to underdiagnosis, undertreatment and limited access to effective care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Social determinants of health, including cultural meanings, language and health beliefs, are increasingly recognized as key drivers of disparities in burden, diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Traditional medicine, used by more than 80% of the global population, remains first-line care in many regions and continues to influence therapeutic choices in high-income settings. Major systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Unani and …

Effects Of Photobiomodulation On Oral Mucositis, Oral Pain, Xerostomia, Salivary Flow Rate, And Quality Of Life In Patients With Head And Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Mônica N.M. Pedroso, Anderson Rech, Natalia Casagrande, Júlia F. Pissaia, Julia S. Zardo, Vitória L. Borges, Stephanie R. Bombana, Cindranne Torres Muller, Priscila Casara, Janaína Brollo, Claudio P. Júnior, Carin W. Gallon, Pedro Lopez

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: To systematically review and analyze the effects of photobiomodulation on oral mucositis, xerostomia, salivary flow rates, oral pain, and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods: A systematic search of six databases was conducted up to April 2025. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examined the effects of photobiomodulation on the specified outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer. Pooled estimates (risk ratio [RR] and standardized mean difference [SMD]) were calculated using a three-level mixed-effects meta-analysis. Results: Thirty-three articles describing 30 RCTs (n = 1748) were included. Photobiomodulation significantly reduced the risk of severe oral …

A Flexible Wearable Glucose Sensor For Noninvasive Diabetes Screening: Functional Equivalence And Model Interpretability, Wenhan Xie, Wang, Hao Liu, Shuo Chen, Peng Wang, Yumei Han, Xianxiang Chen, Zhen Fang, Zhan Zhao, Guohong Zhang, Xiuhua Guo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Real-world evidence for wearable noninvasive glucose monitoring (NIGM) remains limited. To evaluate the functional equivalence of a wearable NIGM device and explore its utility for T2DM and prediabetes screening. In this multicenter study, 12-h daytime glucose profiles obtained by a flexible reverse iontophoresis-based electrochemical sensor were compared with capillary glucose using functional equivalence. Subgroup analyses were conducted. Screening models of T2DM and prediabetes were developed using elastic net and Logistic regression. A total of 135 participants (mean age 35.3 years; 60.0% female) were included, and no serious device-related adverse events were reported. Compared to the capillary measurements, functional equivalence was …

Association Of Higher Body Mass Index With Imaging Escalation And Operative Complexity In Pediatric Appendicitis, Ryan T. Davis, Sahithi Pemmasani, Margaret Menoch

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: Obesity may complicate clinical assessment and ultrasound (US) evaluation in children with appendicitis, potentially increasing reliance on computed tomography (CT). At the same time, national pediatric quality-improvement initiatives and ALARA-driven imaging pathways emphasize reducing CT use and promoting US-first approaches. Data examining how body mass index (BMI) influences diagnostic pathways within these modern low-radiation protocols are limited.

Objective: To determine whether higher BMI is associated with greater CT utilization, escalation from US to CT, nondiagnostic US examinations, emergency department (ED) length of stay (ED-LOS), and operative duration in children with appendicitis.

Design/Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients < 18 years with surgically confirmed appendicitis presenting to a tertiary pediatric ED from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2023. Consistent with prior dataset methodology, encounters were identified through structured EHR query using ICD-10 and CPT codes and restricted to unique first visits. A total of 2,275 children were included; BMI was available for 2,012 (88%). BMI was analyzed in quartiles. Imaging modality (US-only, CT-only, or CT after US) and operative duration (proxy for case complexity) were evaluated. χ² and Wilcoxon tests and odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI were used. IRB approval was obtained (Corewell Health IRB No. 2024-128).

Results: …

Comparison Of Levels Of Bmi, Stress, And Depression Of Women During The Prenatal Period Relative To Their Activity Levels, Kalayna King

Honors Theses

This study aimed to analyze the relationships between activity levels, Body Mass Index (BMI), stress levels, and depression symptoms in obese pregnant women in Arkansas. Two separate exercise intervention studies were combined in this analysis to ultimately give a sample size of 293 pregnant women who were randomized into standard of care group (control) and an exercise group (treatment/experimental) (n = 115 and n = 178, respectively). Women in the control groups were instructed to independently continue to follow the physical activity guidelines recommended by their gynecologist, whereas the experimental groups participated in a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise …

Assessing The Association Between Musculoskeletal Injury And Mental Health In Rugby Players-A Cross-Sectional Study, Mordicai Atinga, Jasmit Shah, Sarah Karanja, Mark Lumbasi, Miriam Ndungu, Sarah Kiburi, James Ondiege, Njalalle Baraza

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: Musculoskeletal injuries are common among athletes and can negatively affect both physical and psychological wellbeing. Beyond physical disability, injuries have been linked to poor mental health, loss of athletic identity, and increased substance use. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where awareness and management of mental health remain limited, the psychological burden of sports injuries may be underrecognized. Rugby, a physically demanding contact sport, has one of the highest rates of injury, but little is known about how such injuries influence mental health and related outcomes in African contexts. This study explored the relationship between musculoskeletal injuries and health …

X-Linked Cancer-Associated Polypeptide (Xcp) From Lncrna1456 Modulates Phf8 Histone Demethylase Activity To Regulate The Epigenome, Gene Expression, And Cellular Pathways In Breast Cancer, Shrikanth S. Gadad, Cristel V. Camacho, Xuan Gong, Micah Thornton, Venkat S. Malladi, Anusha Nagari, Aishwarya Sundaresan, Tulip Nandu, Sneh Koul, Yan Peng, W. Lee Kraus

School of Medicine Publications

Recent studies have demonstrated that a subset of long “noncoding” RNAs (lncRNAs) produce functional polypeptides and proteins. In this study, we discovered a 132 amino acid protein in human breast cancer cells named XCP (X-linked Cancer-associated Polypeptide), which is encoded by lncRNA1456 (a.k.a. RHOXF1P3), a transcript previously thought to be noncoding. lncRNA1456 is a pancreas- and testis-specific RNA whose gene is located on chromosome X. We found that the expression of lncRNA1456 and XCP is highly upregulated in the luminal A, luminal B, and HER2 molecular subtypes of breast cancer. XCP modulates both estrogen-dependent and estrogen-independent growth of breast …

Platelet Rich Plasma Injection Treatment Outcomes In Patellar Tendinopathy, Hunter M. Butler, Aamir Ahmad

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Platelet rich plasma (PRP) refers to the processed product of autologous peripheral blood with a concentration of platelets higher than baseline. This product has garnered interest for 30 years as a potential method of regenerative medicine. PRP injections have shown to be an effective treatment for patellar tendinopathy. However, some concerns remain with regards to empiric treatment of tendinopathy with PRP injections.

Objective: This article aims to investigate the outcomes of platelet rich plasma injections in patients with patellar tendonitis.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) online database. The …

Same Day Discharge Can Be Performed Safely After Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation Using A Wide-Footprint Lattice-Tip Dual-Energy System., Tyler L Taigen, Devi G Nair, Dinesh Sharma, Erich L Kiehl, Jose Osorio, Petr Neuzil, Josef Kautzner, Stavros E Mountantonakis, Andrea Natale, John D Hummel, Shephal K Doshi, Anish K Amin, Usman R Siddiqui, Kelly A Van Bragt, Jeffrey Cerkvenik, Khaldoun G Tarakji, Vivek Y Reddy, Moussa Mansour, Elad Anter

Heart and Vascular Articles

BACKGROUND: Same-day discharge (SDD) after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is generally considered safe, since most complications are identified during (or immediately) after the procedure.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate SDD in the SPHERE Persistent-Atrial Fibrillation trial.

METHODS: Patients with persistent AF were randomized to the dual-energy lattice-tip mapping and ablation catheter (investigational) vs a conventional contact-force radiofrequency ablation system (control). SDD and timing of 30-day procedure- or device-related serious adverse events (SAEs) were assessed in the full cohort. In a subset of centers that performed SDD in the trial, predictors of SDD, 30-day readmissions, and mortality rates were assessed. …

Mechanisms Of Synergy Between Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field (Nspef) And Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Discharge (Cap) In Pancreatic Cancer: The Role Of Ros-Mediated Oxidative Stress And Apoptosis, Zobia Minhas

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a highly lethal malignancy characterized by poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies. Novel treatment strategies are needed to overcome this resistance. Non-thermal physical modalities, including nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) and cold atmospheric pressure plasma discharge (CAP), have emerged as potential anticancer approaches; however, the mechanisms underlying their combined effects remain unclear.

This study evaluated whether nsPEF enhances CAP-induced cytotoxicity and investigated the associated molecular mechanisms using the murine Pan02 pancreatic cancer cell line. Cell viability was assessed by WST-1 metabolic activity assays and electric cell–substrate impedance sensing (ECIS). Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were …

Implementation And Impact Of The Transition Series For Senior Residents In Internal Medicine Residency, Abby Lindseth, Md

Abstracts, Posters, Presentations

No abstract provided.

A Single-Dose Intravenous-Contrast Enhanced 4-Dimensional Computed Tomogram Facilitated Accurate Delineation And Tracking Metastatic Tumor Motion Within A Cardiac Chamber In All Breathing Phases For Cardiac Metastasis-Directed Radiation Therapy., Whoon Jong Kil, Wyatt Smith, David Cousins, Eugene Muchnik, Renee Muchnik, Craig Herndon, Haejin Kang

Oncology Articles

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Dendritic Cell Model To Unravel The Secrets Of Cards Toxin, Lizbeth Gomez

Posters - 2026

Dendritic cells (DCs) are derived from hematopoietic stem cells of the bone marrow. They are the most efficient antigen presenting cell, presenting antigens to T cells to initiate clonal expansion and differentiation of the T cells into memory and effector cells. Thus, activating the effector functions of T cells in cell-mediated and humoral immune responses (2). Community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) toxin is produced by Mycoplasma pneumoniae that causes acute and chronic lung infections (4). Dendritic cells play a key role in the immune response to respiratory mycoplasmas (3). However, the mechanism underlying in DC and CARDS toxin interactions are …

Evaluating The Effects Of Akt Knockdown And Everolimus Treatment On Ewing Sarcoma, Arisha Arif, Alfie Barcenez, Nicole Vanegas-Riddick

Posters - 2026

The purpose of this study is to use the gene AKT1, due to the interest in AKT1’s role in cancer cell proliferation, and the drug Everolimus, to determine if combined targeted therapy works as a more efficient therapeutic approach. We hypothesize that the knockdown of AKT1 will increase the sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma cells to Everolimus, resulting in reduced proliferation and/or survival compared to drug treatment alone. This would suggest that AKT1 normally protects cells from drug-induced stress. Ewing Sarcoma has been connected to chromosomal translocations and most common in pediatric patients. It is most often treated with chemotherapy and …

Sirna Knockdown Of Rptor Alters Gene Expression In Ewing Sarcoma Cells, Sergio Cipriano, David Leavitt, Michael Oliva, Liam Valdez

Posters - 2026

Ewing sarcoma is a highly aggressive cancer that primarily affects children and young adults. Although treatment options exist, many patients do not respond effectively, showing the need for improved targeted therapies¹. RPTOR is a key in mTORC1 complex which regulates cell growth, proliferation, and survival². LY2874455 is a selective pan-FGFR inhibitor that targets growth factor signaling pathways involved in tumor progression³, and FGFR signaling interacts with pathways such as mTOR, making it a potential target for combination therapies. We hypothesized that silencing RPTOR in Ewing sarcoma cells would disrupt mTOR signaling and alter expression of genes linked to cell survival …

Gene Expression And Apoptotic Responses To Panobinostat Treatment And Yap Knockdown In Ewing Sarcoma Cells, Luna Collazo-Garcia, Alejandra Favela Santos, Madeline Torres-Salazar, Isabella Toscano

Posters - 2026

Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive pediatric cancer driven by abnormal gene expression caused by the EWS-FLI1 fusion protein

Usually treated with intensive treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation

Outcomes remain poor for metastatic disease, highlighting the need for new therapeutic strategies

The Hippo signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation and survival through the transcriptional co-activator YAP1

Prevalence Of Plasmodium Ovale And Plasmodium Malariae Mixed Infections And Associated Mortality In Children With Severe Falciparum Malaria, Giselle Lima-Cooper, Dibyadyuti Datta, Caitlin Bond, Kagan Mellencamp, Ruth Namazzi, Mahesh Gupta, Andrea Conroy, Robert Opoka, Chandy John

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

The prevalence and clinical significance of mixed Plasmodium infections in children with severe Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) malaria are not well characterized. In a cohort of 440 Ugandan children hospitalized with severe malaria who were diagnosed with Plasmodium species via microscopy, nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) testing was used to detect P. falciparum, Plasmodium ovale (P. ovale), Plasmodium malariae (P. malariae), and Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) infections and assess their association with adverse clinical outcomes during hospitalization. Using nPCR testing, the Plasmodium 18S small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene was detected in 440 children. Plasmodium falciparum mono-infection was identified in 329 (74.8%) …