A Long Non-Coding Erna Forms R-Loops To Shape Emotional Experience-Induced Behavioral Adaptations, Rose Marie Akiki

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Emotional experiences often evoke neural plasticity that supports adaptive changes in behavior, including maladaptive plasticity associated with mood and substance use disorders. These adaptations are supported in part by experience-dependent activation of immediate-early response genes, such as Npas4. We discovered that a conserved, long non-coding enhancer RNA (lnc-eRNA) transcribed from an activity-sensitive enhancer produces DNA-RNA hybrid R-loop structures that support 3D chromatin-looping of the enhancer and proximal promoter and stimulus-induced, rapid Npas4 gene induction. We also show that this Npas4 lnceRNA and its R-loops are required for the development of behavioral adaptations produced by chronic psychosocial stress or cocaine exposure, …

Externalizing Behavior Problems And Attentional Domains In A Community-Based Adolescent Sample, Kamakashi Sharma

Medical Student Research Symposium

Externalizing behavior problems are characterized by maladaptive behavioral patterns directed toward the external environment, such as poor impulse control, aggression, and inattention. While existing literature suggests that attention may play a critical role in the cognitive profile of externalizing behaviors, the relationship between externalizing problem behaviors and specific attention domains in school-age youth remains understudied. This gap is particularly important as externalizing problems are prevalent during this developmental period and are predictive of adverse outcomes. In this study, we examined the association between externalizing problem behaviors and attentional performance in a community sample of 69 adolescents (M + SD = …

Assessing Middle Eastern American Attitudes Towards Substance Use Disorders, Hazem Alata, Hussein Bazzi, Saleh Al-Juburi, Angie Achkar, Liam Browning, Nicole Oska, Adam Chaban, Arash Javanbakht

Medical Student Research Symposium

Assessing Middle Eastern American Attitudes Towards Substance Use Disorders

Introduction:

Substance use disorders (SUD) among Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) populations remain largely understudied, despite evidence of high prevalence rates and lower rates of treatment engagement. Unique cultural conceptualizations and beliefs surrounding substance use disorders may perpetuate stigma, further contributing to disparities in access to and utilization of treatment services. This study aims to explore the attitudes and perspectives of individuals from MENA communities regarding substance use disorders, with the goal of identifying and addressing barriers to treatment.

Methods:

An anonymous bilingual Qualtrics survey was administered, gathering responses from …

Chronic Alcohol Withdrawal-Associated Increases In Vta Hcrtr1 Expression Are Associated With Heightened Nociception And Anxiety-Like Behavior In Female Rats, Shealan Cruise, Maria E. Secci, Leslie K. Kelley, Nathan M. Sharfman, Keishla Rodriguez-Graciani, Tiffany A. Wills, Nicholas W. Gilpin, Elizabeth M. Avegno

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Alcohol withdrawal is characterized by various symptoms that include pain and negative affect in the absence of the drug. The neural underpinnings of these behaviors are not entirely understood, but orexin has emerged as a candidate target for the treatment of substance use disorders. Here, we explored changes in orexin system-related gene expression in brain regions important for mediating reward and stress, including the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and extended amygdala (including the central amygdala, nucleus accumbens shell, and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis), in adolescent and adult female Wistar rats following chronic alcohol exposure. We observed higher numbers …

The Effect Of Different Surface Treatments On The Roughness, Translucency, And Staining Of 3d-Printed Occlusal Device Materials, Silvia Rojas Rueda, Hanna Sepsick, Mohammed Hammamy, Amir H. Nejat, Edwin Kee, Nathaniel C. Lawson

School of Dentistry Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: To compare surface treatments (as-printed, optical polish, resin-coated, polished) of two 3D-printed occlusal device materials (KeySplint Soft and NightGuard Flex 2) cured with or without glycerin for surface roughness, translucency, and coffee staining. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Discs (2 mm thick) from two 3D-printed occlusal resins (KeySplint Soft and NightGuard Flex 2) were printed using a DLP 3D printer (SprintRay Pro 95), cleaned (ProWash S), and cured (ProCure 2) with or without glycerin. Some specimens were printed in an optical polish tank. Specimens were either as-printed, resin-coated, or polished. Reference milled (ProArt CAD Splint) and heat-cured (Excel Formula Heat Cure …

Reevaluating Informed Consent: Integrating Shared Decision-Making Into Spinal Surgery For Better Patient Outcomes., Jeffrey N Wang, Mohamed A Elhakeem, Matthew J Mesimer, Paul G Mastrokostas, Salman Ahmad, Tim Reed, Brandon Klein, Lucas E Bartlett, Adam D Bitterman, Andrew Megas

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Study Design: Narrative review.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to answer the following questions: (1) What is the quality of informed consent in spine surgery, including both neurosurgery and orthopaedic spine surgery? (2) What limitations impede the ability of surgeons to engage in effective shared decision-making (SDM) and obtain adequate informed consent? (3) What strategies and solutions may improve the quality of informed consent and SDM? (4) What factors decrease the incidence of litigation in spine surgery?

Methods: N/A.

Results: SDM is a collaborative process where patients are involved in their treatment choices through open communication about risks, …

From Theory To Practice: A True-Crime Podcast, Lauren V. Peckham

Senior Honors Projects

The Criminal Element is an innovative, victim-centered podcast that bridges the gap between criminological theory and real-world criminal cases. The podcast is designed as an educational resource for undergraduate Criminology and Criminal Justice students, alongside general audience members interested in learning more about criminological theory. Through the lens of true crime, this podcast is an engaging exploration of foundational and advanced theories while avoiding sensationalism and exploitation, a prevalent problem among true crime media. Each episode connects criminological theoretical concepts – such as strain, social learning, and social disorganization – to contemporary and historical cases, providing listeners with accessible and …

An Evaluation Of Exercise-Related Self-Efficacy Metrics Following A Resistance Training Program In Individuals Treated For Cancer, Kayla S. Adler

Senior Theses

As the number of cancer survivors grows, managing treatment side effects and promoting healthy behaviors like physical activity is crucial. Low exercise self-efficacy, an individual's belief in their capability to perform exercise, is a significant barrier to physical activity adherence. This study assessed if an 8-week supervised resistance training program could improve self-efficacy for exercise (SEE) and outcome expectations of exercise (OEE) in individuals treated for cancer. Participants (n=25) attended twice-weekly, one-hour sessions. SEE and OEE scales were administered pre- and post-intervention. Results indicated a significant increase in SEE scores (mean difference = 8.96 ± 19.87, p = 0.041), demonstrating …

Hbv Transmission Knowledge Among Korean-American Chronic Hepatitis B Patients In The United States, Giyoung Lee, Hee-Soon Juon, Eunji Kim, Katherine C Smith, Hie-Won Hann, Mimi Chang, Ann C. Klassen

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a condition that disproportionately affects Asian Americans in the United States. Knowledge of transmission is crucial for CHB patients to practice prevention methods to limit the spread of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), but also live their lives free from unwarranted fears or restrictions. Among Asian CHB patients, several misperceptions about HBV transmission have been identified. This analysis aims to assess the current state of HBV knowledge among a cohort of Korean-American CHB patients. This mixed-methods study includes 363 respondents who completed a survey in either Korean (N = 298) or English (N = 65) …

Quantifying Patient Preferences For Treatments For Refractory Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria, Olufemi Babalola, Richard W. Hass, John F Mcana, Manav Segal, Juan Marcos Gonzalez, Olajumoke Fadugba

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: In recent years, it has become increasingly common to incorporate the patient perspective into drug development and regulatory decision making.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to measure and quantify patient preferences (priorities and trade-offs) for attributes that characterize current and emerging refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria (rCSU) treatments.

METHODS: Adult patients with self-reported rCSU symptoms completed an online discrete choice experiment survey. The survey included 10 questions that asked respondents to choose between 2 hypothetical rCSU treatment profiles having similar attributes with varying levels. The attributes included the following: chance of control of symptoms, time to symptom control, return of symptoms …

The Weekly Assessment Of Child Behavior: Psychometric Properties Of A Behavior Problem Screening Tool, Matthew Young, Michael Moradi, Hans Kersten, David Bennett

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Optimizing Interventions For Major Depressive Disorder And Provider Burnout: Self-Speak Exercise Dosing (Sed), Laureen Maloney-Gepfert

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

ABSTRACT

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is ranked highest among mental illnesses in the United States (US) and significantly contributes to the mental health care crisis. Patients experience resistance to pharmacologic interventions, side effects, co-morbidities, and mental health provider shortages. Subsequently, 33 % of Serious Mental Illnesses (SMIs) are being redirected to Primary Care Providers (PCPs). Concurrently, prescriber mental health is in crisis. Growing workloads for physicians and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) have increased provider burnout syndrome (BOS). Major Depressive Disorder and BOS are positively affected by exercise, Cognitive Restructuring (CR), and Behavioral Activation (BA). Sports medicine and psychology research shows …

Evaluation Of The Distress Thermometer In Older Patients With Cancer, Charlotte Zuber, Kristine Swartz, Andrew Chapman, Lora Rhodes, Tingting Zhan, Kuang-Yi Wen

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: The Geriatric Depression Scale is a useful tool in screening for depression in older adults, a particularly vulnerable population in oncology. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer (DT) has been validated as a fast and effective screening tool for psychological distress in general oncology populations, and it could possibly be used as a surrogate for the longer Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) test in older adults with cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study in older adults prior to starting cancer treatment, we evaluated the relationship between the DT and GDS by comparing 242 older adults …

Crossing The Chasm: Engaging Black Men Survivors Of Gun Violence In Mental Health Services, Erin Major, Celina Thomas, Charlotte Healy, Amy Vanderstoep, Joseph B Richardson, Thomas M Scalea, Melike N Harfouche

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: Despite being high risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, Black men survivors of gun violence, and particularly young men aged 18-24, seldom participate in mental health services after injury. The aim of this study was to identify barriers to participation in mental health services for this population.

METHODS: Over a 2-year period, 1 hour-long focus group was conducted with three counselors of the local hospital-based violence intervention program and 21 individual, semistructured in-depth interviews were held with Black men who were hospitalized for a firearm-related injury. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were coded using open coding and grounded …

Effects Of Social Isolation On Locus Coeruleus Opioid Receptor Expression And Affective Behavior, John Tkaczynski, Jordan Riser, Maya Patel, Nicole Shellenbarger, Jin Park, Daniel Manvich, Daniel J Chandler

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Social isolation is a stressor that impairs homeostatic neuroendocrine functions and is associated with the development of several mood disorders characterized by persistent negative affect. Persistent feelings of loneliness have been growing public health concerns for several years and were greatly exacerbated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The problem has grown so severe the U.S. Surgeon General recently declared loneliness to be an epidemic health concern that is associated with poor mental and somatic health outcomes. Therefore, identifying mechanisms of neuroadaptation that contribute to the development of persistent negative affect is a critical step in the identifying better …

Protocol And Design Of The Repose Study: A Double-Blinded, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial To Evaluate The Efficacy Of Suvorexant To Improve Postoperative Sleep And Reduce Delirium Severity In Older Patients Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery, John Michael Fallon, Mona Hashemaghaie, Christy E. Peterson, Dieplinh Tran, Sophie R. Wu, Jonathan M. Valdes, Nicole M. Pedicini, Melissa E. Adams, Marjorie Soltis, Wissam Mansour, Mary Cooter Wright, Karthik Raghunathan, Miriam M. Treggiari, Cina Sasannejad, Michael J. Devinney

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative delirium occurs in up to 40% of older surgical patients and has been associated with prolonged hospital stays, long-term cognitive impairment and increased 1-year postoperative mortality. Postoperative sleep disturbances may increase the risk of delirium, but studies investigating pharmacotherapies to improve postoperative sleep to prevent delirium remain limited. Suvorexant is a selective antagonist of orexin 1 and 2 receptors and is approved for insomnia pharmacotherapy by the Food and Drug Administration. It has the potential to improve postoperative sleep and reduce postoperative delirium rates, but randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to determine the efficacy of postoperative suvorexant …

Impact Of Acute Stress On Circadian Rhythm Regulation Of Locomotor Activity In Syrian Hamsters, Raquel A. Villarreal, Laura E. Garcia, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Disruptions of circadian rhythms, caused by factors such as environmental changes or stress, are linked to health conditions, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and mood disorders. Circadian rhythm disturbances are particularly relevant for understanding the etiology of conditions like insomnia, depression, and anxiety. The circadian rhythm, primarily regulated by the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in the hypothalamus, coordinates biological processes to align with daily environmental cycles. Acute stress, especially when experienced immediately upon waking, has been shown to disrupt these rhythms, impair sleep regulation, and exacerbate mood dysregulation. Given the significant clinical implications, understanding how stress impacts circadian rhythms is …

Narcissistic Personality Indicators As Predictors Of Narcissistic Personality Disorder: A Cross-Cultural Study, Wael M. F. Abuhassan, Brigid Unim, Zulfiqar Ullah Siddiqui, Shaheen Falki, Karavadi Vidusha, Fayez Mahamid, Fakher Nabeel Mohammad Khalili, Kamel H. Katalo

An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities)

Background: Individuals affected by narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are characterized by lack of empathy, grandiosity, low self-esteem, and a need for attention and special treatment that leads to unstable interpersonal relationships, occupational problems, and significant psychosocial distress. Objectives: The study aims to evaluate which Narcissistic Personality (NP) dimensions are the strongest and most significant predictors of NPD. Methods: The present study followed a cross-cultural research design aimed at determining the strongest and most significant predictors of NPD, therefore the shortened version of the Narcissistic Personality Indicators (NPI) questionnaire (NPI-40) developed by Raskin and Terry (1988) was administered online to those …

Just As Expected? Older Adults’ Aging Expectations Are Associated With Subjective Cognition, Nikki Hill, Sakshi Bhargava, Justin Do, Emily Bratlee-Whitaker, Monique Brown, Renata Komalasari, Rachel Wu, Jacqueline Mogle

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the relationship between older adults' expectations regarding aging and subjective cognition. Specifically, we examined whether the three domains of aging expectations (physical health, mental health, and cognitive function) were associated with two aspects of subjective cognition: current subjective cognition and subjective cognitive decline (SCD).

METHOD: An online survey was conducted among U.S. adults aged 65-90 (N = 581; M_age=71.4, SD ± 4.81; 51% female). Measures included the 12-item Expectations Regarding Aging scale, the 8-item PROMIS Cognitive Abilities scale (current subjective cognition), and the 12-item Everyday Cognition scale (SCD). We used generalized linear models …

Alcohol And Cannabis Use For Pain Management: Translational Findings Of Relative Risks, Benefits, And Interactions, Sumin Lee, Scott Edwards

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Chronic pain affects over 20% of the global population and contributes to the vast burden of psychiatric illness. While effective treatments for chronic pain remain limited, both alcohol and cannabis have been used for centuries to manage pain and closely associated negative affective symptoms. However, persistent misuse of alcohol and/or cannabis in such a negative reinforcement fashion is hypothesized to increase the risk of severity of substance use disorders (SUDs). The current review describes neurobiological evidence for the analgesic efficacy of alcohol and primary cannabis constituents and how use or co-use of these substances may influence SUD risk.

Accuracy Of Task-Based Electrocorticography Brain Mapping And Relationships With Postoperative Cognitive-Linguistic Changes Following Eloquent Glioma Resection, Kyle R. Noll, Israt Tasnim, Priscella Asman, Katherine Connelly, Chandra Swamy, Matthew Muir, Mathew Hall, Jeffrey Wefel, Sahil Bajaj, Giuseppe Pellizzer, Nuri F. Ince, Suji S. Prabhu

Cancer Survivorship Research Retreat

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 2025 Cancer Survivorship Research Retreat

Long-Acting Injectables: A Strategy To Mitigate Nonadherence In Bipolar Disorder, Justin Faden, Elina Maymind

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

No abstract provided.

Breaking Down The Choice: Exploring The Journey Of Decisions, Alex Kim

CAFE Symposium 2025

This project explores the decision-making process by examining how various regions of the brain contribute to choices and their outcomes. By analyzing the interplay between cognitive and emotional factors, it aims to provide insights into how individuals can make decisions that align with their goals and values, reducing regret and enhancing overall happiness. The findings offer practical strategies for improving personal and professional decision-making.

Otolaryngology Practitioner Attitudes Toward Human Papillomavirus Vaccination In Academic Otolaryngology Clinics, Dante J. Merlino, Katelyn S. Rourk, George B. Sankar, Adam J. Luginbuhl, Brian J. Boyce, Michelle M. Chen, Eric M. Dowling, Michael C. Topf, Raymond L. Chai, Karthik Rajasekaran, Eric J. Moore, Daniel L. Price, George Saieed, Kathryn M. Van Abel

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

Despite the existence of a highly effective and safe vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, vaccination rates remain low. The most prevalent HPV-associated malignancy in the United States is oropharyngeal cancer, but otolaryngology practitioners do not offer the HPV vaccine, and their feelings around offering HPV vaccination have not been evaluated. A 43-question survey, including a twelve-question knowledge quiz, was sent to otolaryngology practitioners at seven academic institutions. Twelve questions comprised a knowledge quiz testing practitioner understanding of HPV, while the remainder of the questions evaluated comfort with and likelihood of recommending vaccination. Of the 442 practitioners who were sent …

Probing For Intentions: The Early Readiness Potential Does Not Reflect Awareness Of Motor Preparation, Jake Gavenas, Aaron Schurger, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Voluntary actions are typically preceded by the readiness potential (RP), a negative midfrontal electroencephalography (EEG) deflection that begins ~2 s before movement. What cognitive and neural process the RP reflects and how it relates to conscious intention remain unclear due to conflicting findings. We investigated the neural basis and cognitive significance of the RP in a novel probe-based paradigm. Contrary to prior reports, we found that pre-probe RP buildups were not related to reported awareness of motor preparation. Computational modeling suggested that the best explanation for these results is via metacognitive access to stochastic accumulation. Reported preparation was also related …

Ethnic Disparities In Hba1c And Hypoglycemia Among Youth With Type 1 Diabetes: Beyond Access To Technology, Social Deprivation And Mean Blood Glucose, J. Pemberton, Zhide Fang, Stuart Chalew, S. Uday

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Introduction The UK national pediatric diabetes audit reports higher HbA1c for children and young people (CYP) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) of Black ethnicity compared with White counterparts. This is presumably related to higher mean blood glucose (MBG) due to lower socioeconomic status (SES) and less access to technology. We aimed to determine if HbA1c ethnic disparity persists after accounting for the above variables. Research design and methods A retrospective analysis of participants who received structured education in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) use was conducted at a tertiary center. HbA1c was paired with glucose metrics from 90-day CGM data. The …

Fos Expression In The Periaqueductal Gray, But Not The Ventromedial Hypothalamus, Is Correlated With Psychosocial Stress-Induced Cocaine-Seeking Behavior In Rats, Nicole M Hinds, Ireneusz D Wojtas, Desta M Pulley, Stephany J Mcdonald, Colton D Spencer, Milena Sudarikov, Nicole E Hubbard, Colin M Kulick-Soper, Samantha De Guzman, Sara Hayden, Jessica J Debski, Bianca Patel, Douglas P Fox, Daniel F Manvich

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Psychosocial stressors are known to promote cocaine craving and relapse in humans but are infrequently employed in preclinical relapse models. Consequently, the underlying neural circuitry by which these stressors drive cocaine seeking has not been thoroughly explored. Using Fos expression analyses, we sought to examine whether the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) or periaqueductal gray (PAG), two critical components of the brain's hypothalamic defense system, are activated during psychosocial stress-induced cocaine seeking. Adult male and female rats self-administered cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/inf IV, fixed-ratio 1 schedule, 2 h/session) over 20 sessions. On sessions 11, 14, 17, and 20, a tactile cue was present …

Training Of Administrative Chief Residents: Report Of The Association Of Program Directors In Surgery Chief Resident Workshop, Katharine Caldwell, Dakota Thompson, Jasmine Walker, Threshia Malcom, David Faber, Jahnavi Srinivasan, Julia Shelton, Jasmeet Paul

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Surgical administrative chief residents (ACRs) play essential roles in residency training programs, including resident advocates, conflict negotiators, and scheduling managers. Despite their varied and important jobs, surgical ACRs receive very little training or introduction to the role.

DESIGN: We describe here the creation and implementation of an Administrative Chief Resident Workshop developed for the Association of Program Directors in Surgery (APDS) to familiarize chief residents with their roles in scheduling and conflict negotiation.

SETTING: The workshop was implemented at the National APDS Meeting in 2024.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 65 rising ACRs from residency programs across the United Status.

RESULTS: …

Assessment, Decision, Adaptation, Production, Topical Experts-Integration, Training, And Testing (Adapt-Itt) Framework To Tailor Evidence-Based Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment For People With Hiv To Enhance Engagement And Adherence: Qualitative Results From A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial, Cristina M. Lopez, Angela D. Moreland, Stephanie Amaya, Erin Bisca, Christin Mujica, Tayler Wilson, Nathaniel Baker, Lauren Richey, Allison Ross Eckard, Patricia A. Resick, Steven A. Safren, Carla Kmett Danielson

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Individuals with co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and HIV are at high-risk for negative HIV-related outcomes, including low adherence to antiretroviral therapy, faster disease progression, more hospitalizations, and almost twice the rate of death. Despite high rates of PTSD in persons with HIV (PWH) and poor HIV-related health outcomes associated with PTSD, an effective evidence-based treatment for PTSD symptoms in PWH does not exist. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the adaptation and theater testing of an evidence-based intervention designed for people with co-occurring PTSD and HIV. METHODS: The Assessment, Decision, Adaptation, Production, Topical experts-integration, Training, and Testing (ADAPT-ITT) …

Empirically Validating A Computational Model Of Automatic Behavior Shaping, Vincent Berardi, Tian Lan, Ariane Guirguis, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Mobile sensing technology allows automated behavior shaping routines to be incorporated into health behavior interventions and other settings. In previous work, a computational model was built to investigate how to best arrange automatic behavior shaping procedures, but the degree to which this model reflects actual human behavior is not known.

Purpose

To translate a previously developed computational model of automatic behavior shaping into an experimental setting.

Methods

Participants (n = 54) operated a computer mouse and attempted to locate a hidden, randomly-placed target circle on a blank computer screen and clicks within some threshold distance of the target …