Primary Care Commons^™

Strategies For Combating Vaccine Hesitancy In Primary Care, Elizabeth Perkins Hayes

Student Scholar Showcase

This article will summarize methods for providers to effectively combat vaccine hesitancy in their patient populations. Vaccine hesitancy is a growing concern in the medical field, as new cases of vaccine preventable diseases arise. However, vaccine hesitancy is more common than vaccine resistance and can be converted into vaccine acceptance with effective communication strategies.

There is no easy solution to the complex problem of vaccine hesitancy. Most studies demonstrate that effective conversion to vaccine acceptance requires tailoring vaccine information to the patient and listening to their concerns. Other methods include exposing patients to survivors of vaccine preventable diseases, or using …

A Systematic Review: Mirror Neurons & Schizophrenia, Yashesvi Sharma, Surajit Dey

Annual Research Symposium

This research project establishes a link between Mirror Neuron System (MNS) activity and this information's implications in treating and understanding schizophrenia, specifically, schizophrenic patients with negative symptoms.

Establishing The First Student-Run Clinic To Provide Free Health Care To A South Texas Colonia, John Nicholas Cauba, Andrew B. Callan, Beatriz Tapia

Research Symposium

Purpose: The purpose of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine Student Run Clinic is to bridge the healthcare gap in the local colonias by providing excellent, compassionate primary care to all who enter our doors, free of charge. We also work to connect our patients to low-cost, high-quality services in the area like women’s health visits, appointments with social workers, and dental services. Additionally, we offer medical students’ opportunities from their first year to serve an underserved population and get hands-on experience with patients.

Many patients in colonias face challenges like limited transportation options and a …

Development Of Solitary Keratoacanthoma From A Cutaneous Wart, Joshua M. Ninan, Veronica Salazar

Research Symposium

Background: Common cutaneous warts, referred to in medicine as verrucae vulgaris, are proliferative lesions caused by human papillomavirus. These lesions are mostly benign and usually resolve without incident, except in the case of the patient mentioned in this report. Our patient developed a solitary keratoacanthoma, currently accepted as a clinical variant of squamous cell carcinoma, as a result of several risk factors and traumatic exposure. The current literature does not have an established association of HPV with solitary keratoacanthomas. This case report explores the presentation and pathogenesis of solitary keratoacanthomas within the setting of HPV.

Case Presentation: 48-year-old Caucasian female …

Baclofen Induced Excessive Perspiration; A Case Report, Othman Farahneh, Lois C. Akpati, Miguel Alvarez Silva

Research Symposium

This case report highlights an unexpected side effect of Baclofen, a well-known medication, excessive sweating, a rare occurrence not typically associated with the drug. The patient, a 63-year-old woman, experienced persistent sweating despite initial attributions to postmenopausal symptoms and subsequent medication adjustments. Extensive testing revealed an association between Baclofen use and the symptoms, which resolved upon discontinuation of the drug.

The significance of this case lies in drawing attention to the underreported side effects of excessive sweating linked to Baclofen, emphasizing the importance of considering medication-related effects even with established drugs. The report urges increased awareness among healthcare professionals, addressing …

A True Bloody Emergency: An Unusual Case Of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Joshua M. Ninan

Research Symposium

Background: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a primary thrombotic microangiopathy that is classically characterized by thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA). Although rare with an annual incidence of 3.7 cases per one million adults, it is considered a true hematological emergency due to its fatality rate of almost 100% if appropriate treatment is not initiated immediately. This makes it vitally important to identify and treat patients with TTP, a task that becomes unusually challenging in the absence of the disorder’s other characteristically diagnostic clinical features such as mucosal bleeding, fever, or presence of schistocytes.

Case Presentation: A 30-year-old gentleman with …

Revolutionizing Denture Excellence: An Invigorating In-Vitro Exploration Of Organic Products In Prosthetic Rehabilitation, Nighila Ravindran, Sneha Joseph, Aswani Surya K

Annual Research Symposium

The denture base comes into contact with diverse substances in the oral cavity, acting as a reservoir for microorganisms like corynebacterium, streptococcus, lactobacillus, and candida. This colonization elevates the risk of complications such as denture stomatitis and candidiasis. Commercial denture cleaners have explored the use of natural ingredients, less commonly employed but offering various advantages. These ingredients aim to mitigate the potential issues associated with microbial colonization on denture surfaces, contributing to improved oral hygiene for denture wearers. The exploration of natural elements reflects a nuanced approach to denture care, considering both efficacy and less conventional alternatives.

Investigating Racial And Ethnic Healthcare Disparities In Screenable Ob/Gyn-Related Cancers, Lara Laughrey

Annual Research Symposium

This is a scoping review of peer-reviewed literature addressing healthcare inequity based on race and ethnicity with a specific focus on Ob/Gyn-related management and treatment of screenable cancers.

Assessment Of Emotional Intelligence Among Students In Dental College, Gowri Nandana S Final Year Student, Sudeep C. B Professor And Head Of The Department Of Public Health Dentistry

Annual Research Symposium

Over an extended period, the examination of intelligence predominantly centered on the adaptive deployment of cognitive abilities. In more recent times, scholars such as Gardner (1983) and Sternberg (1988) have proposed comprehensive frameworks for comprehending intelligence. Pioneering the concept of "emotional intelligence," Salovey and Mayer (1990) posited that emotional intelligence encompasses three distinct categories of adaptive capabilities: the evaluation and expression of emotions, the regulation of emotions, and the utilization of emotions in problem-solving. The objective is to evaluate emotional intelligence among dental students across various educational institutions.

Quality Of Life In Orthodontics, Claudia Eisenhuth, Gabriel Eisenhuth, Connor Schwartz, Amir Mohajeri, Man Hung, Tiffany Nelson, Ryann Glenn

Annual Research Symposium

Orthodontic treatment goes beyond mere cosmetic enhancement; it significantly impacts various aspects of an individual's quality of life. Beyond the physical benefits of improved oral function and prevention of dental issues, orthodontics also yields profound psychological benefits. Aligned teeth enhance self-confidence, reduce social anxiety, and contribute to better relationships and professional opportunities. Moreover, addressing dental concerns through orthodontic treatment reduces psychological distress and promotes overall happiness and satisfaction. Real-life case studies vividly illustrate the transformative effects of orthodontic interventions, emphasizing the importance of considering quality of life outcomes in dental care.

De Novo Microdeletion Spanning Ywhae And Crk In An Individual With Intellectual Disability And Stunted Growth, Eden E. Pope, John A. Kriak, Kyle B. Bills, David W. Sant

Annual Research Symposium

In this report, we present a case of a 20-year-old female with congenital intellectual disability, stunted growth, and hypothyroidism. Competitive genetic hybridization (CHG) revealed a loss of a portion of 17p13.3 at least 195 Kb in size, not present in either parent. This area of chromosome 17 is associated with Miller-Dieker Syndrome (MDS) and Isolated Lissencephaly Sequence (ILS), but these conditions are related predominantly to PAFAH1B1, which is not included in the patient’s deletion.

Investigating The Interplay Between Glucose Regulation, Neural Activity, And Motivation: A Novel Approach Utilizing Vibration Stimulation, Blake D. Harris, Patrick Tanner Brain, Alessandra Maisie Rivera, Tiffany Nguyen, James Barber, Amar Paul, John Dougherty Jr., Matthew Jennings, Bridger Gunter, David W. Sant, Christina A. Small, Scott Steffenson, Kyle B. Bills

Annual Research Symposium

This research explores the intricate relationship between glucose regulation, neural activity, and motivation in key brain regions, including the hypothalamus, basal ganglia, ventral tegmental area (VTA), and nucleus accumbens (NA). We aim to unravel the potential relationship of these factors on dopamine (DA) release and the broader implications for mental health, glucose regulation, well-being, and overall health. Our innovative approach involves using a chair that causes heterodyned whole-body vibration designed to stimulate DA release from the VTA and NA, areas associated with motivation and rewards.

Exploring The Interconnected Role Of The Oral Microbiome And Periodontal Disease In The Development And Progression Of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Malak Al-Regib, Claudia M. Tellez Freitas

Annual Research Symposium

This comprehensive review explores the complex linkage among the oral microbiome, periodontal disease, and the onset and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Dna Extraction Method Development For Ocular Tissues, Conrad K. Ashby, Michael C. Trapnell, Walker C. Kay, Jonathon C. Reynolds, Noah R. Schultz, Brandon J. Burger, Christina A. Small, John A. Kriak, Kyle B. Bills, David W. Sant

Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: DNA extraction kits are traditionally developed to work with liquid tissues such as blood, saliva, and swabs, but some have been proposed to work with solid tissues. Somatic variation in cancers can be important for tumor subtyping and treatment guidance, including ocular tumors. Additionally, epigenetic marks such as 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) are tissue-specific and change in disease states, particularly evident in diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Commercial DNA extraction kits are available from several vendors, but the various kits have different strengths and weaknesses, and the removal of PCR inhibitors will vary with each kit. This …

Non-Traditional Presenting Grade Ii Brain Meningioma: A Case Study, Alessandra M. Rivera, Garret Phillips, Serin Baker, Michael Trapnell, Conrad Ashby, Jacob Hill, Prina Patel, Alexander Ruiz, Elden Jenkins, Johan A. Kriak, Kyle B. Bills, Voicu S. Ciobanu, Tipsuda Bahri, David W. Sant

Annual Research Symposium

Meningioma is a relatively common form of cancer, occurring in approximately 97 out of 100,000 individuals. Although it arises from the meninges surrounding the central nervous system (CNS) rather than from neurons, it is classified with CNS tumors due to overlapping symptoms caused by compression of nerves and vessels in the head. Extracranial metastasis is rare, at less than 1%, and correlates with reduced survival rates.

Neurocognitive Considerations And Impacts In Chronic Migraines, Kennedy Madrid, Jacob Warner, Jordyn Huecker, Cassidy Byers, Kyle Reaveley, Kailee Edwards, Luke Sanders, Christina A. Small, David W. Sant, John A. Kriak, Kyle B. Bills

Annual Research Symposium

Migraine, characterized by moderate-to-severe headache, may arise from neurological, psychological, orthopedic, metabolic, or endocrine origins. Pain associated with migraine, while commonly cited as the primary patient concern, only represents a small portion of short- and long-term effects caused by the condition. Many presenting cases include neuromuscular dysfunction, increased neuronal firing, inflammation, and cortical spreading depression. These effects can induce multiple symptoms such as pain, aura, brain fog, confusion, hangover, multiple hypersensitivities, and decreased memory capacity. These effects and symptoms can lead to neurocognitive and neuropsychological deficiencies in many patients. This study aims to investigate the relationship between migraines and neurocognitive …

Neuropsychological Findings In Idiopathic Adult-Onset Epilepsy Case Study: Noorda Com Student Investigation, Jacob Warner, Michael Milius, Jordyn Huecker, Tiffany Nguyen, Luke Sanders, Joseph Harbold, Kennedy Madrid, Nicholas Curtis, Chase Taylor, James Barber, Jayne Stuter, Ethan Zaugg, Aaron Andrews, John A. Kriak, David W. Sant, Kyle B. Bills

Annual Research Symposium

We report the case of a 25-year-old male patient with idiopathic adult-onset epilepsy. The patient presented with a chief complaint of recurrent seizures and no identifiable cause. These seizures were associated with a lack of extremity control, muscle spasms, and loss of cognitive function. His condition began while living in Thailand, where he experienced multiple environmental stressors including hostile living conditions and tense situations, approximately five years before being seen in the clinic. Over the past several years, the seizures have not ceased, and the patient now notes a loss or decrease of several special senses.

Piriformis Syndrome With A Variant Presentation, Roberto Chuapoco, Ryan E. Linford

Annual Research Symposium

Piriformis syndrome has long been a diagnostic quandary due to its tendency to present as other nerve-related conditions. Piriformis syndrome is commonly caused by entrapment of the sciatic nerve as it travels through the greater sciatic foramen due to hypertrophy of the piriformis muscle. However, its constellation of symptoms, including radiating pain down the thigh, can easily be mistaken for lumbosacral radiculopathy. This case report aims to address the misdiagnosis of piriformis syndrome which has prolonged pain for many patients and increased the cost of medical care. It demonstrates a 76-year-old female with a confounding presentation of piriformis syndrome: buttock …

Development Of A Protocol For Obtaining Biological Samples For Genetic Testing From Remote Individuals, Noah R. Schultz, Brandon J. Burger, Jacob Warner, Alfred Amendolara, Jameson Williams, Molly Henley, Layla Risdon, Alessandra Maisie Rivera, Amanda Page, Millicent Jiang, Denisse Castaneda, Garret Phillips, John A. Kriak, Kyle B. Bills, David W. Sant

Annual Research Symposium

Pharmacogenomic sequencing allows individuals to learn more about how they will respond to certain medications but requires shipping of a biological sample. One complication of sending biological samples to remote laboratories is stability. Blood generally yields sufficient quantities of high-quality DNA but requires a clinic visit. Saliva and buccal swabs are routinely used for DNA extractions, but the DNA quality is notoriously low due to the presence of bacteria in the mouth. Additionally, elderly individuals have difficulty producing enough saliva for testing, and the tubes contain several milliliters of liquid and shipping requires special considerations. Dried blood spot cards, which …

Dna Extraction Method Development For Solid Tissues, Ryan Powers, Noah R. Schultz, Brandon J. Burger, John Dougherty Jr., Ezenna Obilor, Alexander Ruiz, Corwin Frey, Nathaniel Hill, Lara Laughrey, Patrick Tanner Brain, Sara Mcmahon, Parker Feltner, Steven Tung, Daoud Sajady, Elden Jenkins, Julian Jarquin, Serin Baker, Aaron Andrews, John A. Kriak, Kyle B. Bills, David W. Sant

Annual Research Symposium

Although germline variation testing is traditionally performed using DNA obtained from blood or other liquid samples, determining somatic variation in cancer samples requires DNA extraction directly from tissues. Additionally, epigenetic markers, such as 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) are tissue-specific and change in selected disease states. However, several substances present in tissues are known to inhibit downstream reactions, including polymerase chain reaction PCR). For this project, we are assessing the quantity and quality of DNA obtained from extractions of various vital organs using 30 different commercially available DNA extraction kits to determine optimal kits for each tissue.

Investigating The Genetics Of Chronic Intractable Migraine With Reactive Hypoglycemia, C Yvonne Russell, Jacob Warner, Brandon J. Burger, Jordan Cutshall, Naeel Uddin, Patrick Tanner Brain, Alessandra Maisie Rivera, Braden Cunningham, Kailee Edwards, Katie Beechay, Luke Sanders, Zachary Ta, John A. Kriak, David W. Sant, Kyle B. Bills

Annual Research Symposium

Migraines affect roughly 1-in-6 males and 1-in-5 females in the United States. Of these, approximately 5-30% experience intractable migraines, or migraines resistant to abortive treatments. Despite this large population, relatively little is known about intractable migraines compared to other types of migraines. Our recent work indicates that reactive hypoglycemia is common among these individuals. Additionally, empirical evidence suggests that individuals in families with chronic intractable migraines are more likely to have the same condition than people of the general population, suggesting a possible genetic link between both migraines and metabolic abnormalities. Previous Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have found several …

Investigating The Role Of Chaos In Minimizing Tumor Growth, Maxwell Geiger

Annual Research Symposium

Chaos is a type of motion found in mathematical systems that is highly sensitive to initial conditions. While many biological systems described in literature have been analyzed for the presence of chaotic dynamics, there are still many that are yet to be discovered. The goal of this project is to reassess Itik and Banks’ discovery of chaotic behavior in their population dynamics model of cancer growth. Once chaotic behavior is confirmed, we want to investigate how chaos could possibly be controlled to minimize tumor growth and discover novel treatments for cancer patients.

The National Status Of Pharmacists’ Ability To Prescribe Hormonal Contraceptives, Aleese Smith, Urvi Patel, Alexandra Arledge, Josie Young, Erin Johanson

Annual Research Symposium

The scope of practice for pharmacists first expanded in California and Oregon with the ability to prescribe hormonal contraceptives to patients in their communities. Since 2016, over 33 states now allow for pharmacist prescribing of birth control in their pharmacy practice laws.

90% of Americans live within 5 miles of a retail pharmacy, making community pharmacies an accessible resource who may otherwise be unable to access contraceptives. The gap in care experienced by certain patient populations is now being filled by pharmacists with their ability to prescribe birth control.

Development Of A Curriculum For Osteoporosis Education In Rural Populations, Serin Baker, Hannah Berhow, Rebekah Hans, Emily Schwartz, Hunter Stutz, Mehruba Alam, Alizon Pachas, Darell Schmick, David Sant Phd, Erika Noonan Md

Annual Research Symposium

Osteoporosis contributes to annual costs exceeding $10 billion in the U.S. due to hip fractures and is the primary cause of hospitalization among older women. Historically, geriatric populations have received inadequate education in navigating the U.S. medical system, emphasizing the importance of targeted education among the elderly. The study’s objective is to improve health literacy among the geriatric population in rural Utah by expanding their understanding of osteoporosis.

Ligaplant: Recreating Natural From Artificial, Disha Kamavisdar

Annual Research Symposium

Missing teeth can be substituted by the use of the dental implants. The most widely used implants in the current scenario are the osseointegrated implants with various shortcomings and the most prominent one is the lack of the periodontal ligament. To overcome this, implants with periodontal ligaments can be procured and this can be possible by the application of the tissue engineering concept along with suitable implant material.

Targeting Cyp51 In The Treatment Of Acanthamoeba Keratitis, Ashkan Hassani, Vineet Sadarangani, Brad Haubrich

Annual Research Symposium

Acanthamoeba castellanii causes a rare but serious ocular infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis. Risk factors for infection include contact with contaminated water and poor hygiene of contact lenses. The first-line treatment is comprised of a months-long schedule of antibiotics. However, in cases where pharmacological interventions fail to address the infection, surgery may be necessary, with the continued risk of potential vision loss. Consequently, new treatments are needed, whether new pharmacological agents or new combination therapies with current agents. As an aerobic parasite, Acanthamoeba synthesizes ergosterol as a cell membrane insert, and ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors (EBIs), common in antifungal pharmaceuticals, could potentially …

Application Of In-Silico Computational Biology Strategies To Demonstrate Mechanism Of Oral Cancer Cell Death By Natural Peptide, Dr Dominic Augustine

Annual Research Symposium

This research work is designed to identify biomolecules from Earthworm Coelomic Fluid (ECF) of Eudrilus Eugeniae (EE) that can inhibit oral cancer cells from proliferating. The study aims to construct a homology model of the 18 kDa protein from ECF of EE (18-ECFP) with molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) to enable its molecular docking with pro-apoptotic caspase receptors with determination of binding energy scores. The study also evaluates the anti-cancer potential of 18-ECFP on SCC-9 cells in vitro by wet lab techniques.

Pathogenic Implications Of Candidal Species In Both Oral Cancer And Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders - A Review, Dr Dominic Augustine, Sowmya Sv, Kuntala Mondal

Annual Research Symposium

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the 6th most common cancer in worldwide. Cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and betel quid chewing are its major risk factors other factors that can lead to OSCC include excessive sun exposure, viral or fungal infection, poor nutrition, and poor oral hygiene. The carcinogenesis of OSCC occurs gradually and oral epithelial dysplasia is considered a potential histologic precursor of OSCC. Most OSCC cases are preceded by clinically evident oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). The aim of this review is to correlate the association between Candida species and oral potentially malignant disorders and its possible mechanisms …

Immunohistochemical Expression Of Cyclin D1 In Dentigerous Cyst, Odontogenic Keratocyst And Unicystic Ameloblastoma- An In-Vitro Study, Kuntala Mondal, Sv Sowmya, Dominic Augustine

Annual Research Symposium

Cyclin D1, a G1 cyclin member, regulates the transition of the cell cycle from the G1 phase to the S phase. The uncontrolled and elevated expression of cyclin D1 has been associated with rapid growth, heightened proliferative activity and increased histologic aggressiveness. Unicystic ameloblastoma pertains to cystic lesions that present clinical, radiographic, or gross features akin to jaw cysts. Nevertheless, upon histological scrutiny, these lesions display a distinctive ameloblastomatous epithelium lining the cystic cavity, with or without luminal or mural proliferation. This cystic variant of tumor bears substantial resemblances to dentigerous cysts, and occasionally, both entities can become indistinguishable upon …

An Immunohistochemical Panel For The Accurate Differentiation Between Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma And Pleomorphic Adenoma, Kuntala Mondal, Sv Sowmya, Dominic Augustine

Annual Research Symposium

Salivary Gland Tumors (SGTs) are a diverse group of neoplasms, with a wide range of histological subtypes, some of which can exhibit overlapping features. Amongst this group of tumors, Pleomorphic Adenoma (PA) and Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma (MEC) stand out as prevalent entities originating from the salivary glands. The accurate differentiation between these two entities is crucial for treatment planning, as it influences decisions regarding the extent of surgical resection. Because of the overlapping histopathological features, it is difficult to differentiate these two lesions with the help of conventional Hematoxylin & Eosin (H& E). The evaluation of Immunohistochemical (IHC) markers holds pivotal …