Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Commons^™

Cervical Cancer Screening Overuse Among Women With And Without Disability In The U.S. From 2007 To 2016, Preeti Zanwar, Chan Shen, Matthew Smith

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Persons with disability, a recognized health disparity population with complex care needs, may be at risk for cervical cancer screening overuse. However, limited studies have examined cervical cancer screening overuse among women with and without disability using large nationally representative survey data. Among women with and without disability, the authors aimed to provide national estimates of cervical cancer screening overuse and the proportion of cervical cancer screening overuse among younger, middle-age, and older women.

METHODS: The authors first utilized the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines to conceptualize and define cervical cancer screening overuse for women with and without …

Ovarian Cancer G Protein-Coupled Receptor-1 Signaling Bias Dictates Anti-Contractile Effect Of Benzodiazepines On Airway Smooth Muscle, Dominic R. Villalba, Arun K. Jannu, Elham Javed, Isha Dandekar, Ruping Wang, Deepak A. Deshpande, Steven S. An, Reynold A. Panettieri, Dale D. Tang, Raymond B. Penn, Ajay P. Nayak

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: We recently reported that the ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor-1 (OGR1) can be pharmacologically biased with specific benzodiazepines to couple with distinct heterotrimeric G proteins in human airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. Lorazepam stimulated both G

METHODS: Models of histamine (His) -stimulated contraction included imaging of ex vivo human precision cut lung slices (hPCLS) and Magnetic Twisting Cytometry (MTC) analysis of human ASM cell stiffness. To explore mechanisms of regulation, we examined effects on myosin light chain (pMLC) phosphorylation and PKA activity in primary human ASM cultures, as well as actin cytoskeleton integrity as defined by changes in the …

A Modified Sir Model Used To Investigate The Relationship Between Congenital And Adult Syphilis, Kaleesta R. Waysman

Honors Thesis

A complex SIR model integrating the relationship between adult and congenital syphilis was developed. The goal of the project was to determine the specific population(s) or control strategies that should be enforced, altered, or removed to decrease the number of children experiencing clinical sequelae due to congenital syphilis. Early clinical sequelae include hydrops fetalis, preterm birth, central nervous system infection, hepatosplenomegaly, hyperbilirubinemia, cholestasis, hemolytic anemia, snuffles, osteochondritis, and lesions or rashes in the palms and soles. Late clinical sequelae include interstitial keratitis, hearing loss, Hutchinson teeth, saber shins, Clutton joints, mulberry molars, and saddle nose. After implementing real-world data into …

Real-World Clinical Burden Of Patients Presenting With Vaginitis Symptoms In The United States, Justin Chen, Jenny Tse, Liucheng Shi, Mindy M. Cheng, Rebecca Lillis, Aimee M. Near

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: While vaginitis is a leading cause of primary care visits among women with a gynecologic-related diagnosis, there are limited contemporary data on the healthcare burden. This study describes the real-world healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) of patients presenting with vaginitis symptoms in the United States (US) at symptom presentation and over long-term follow-up. Methods: This retrospective study utilized IQVIA's Longitudinal Prescription (LRx) and Medical Claims (Dx) databases to capture patients presenting with vaginitis symptoms from January 1, 2018 to September 30, 2022. The date of the first diagnosis code for vaginitis or related symptoms was considered the first clinical presentation …

Drive Time Analysis Of New Gynecologic Oncology Patients At West Virginia University, Kassandra Whitfield, Ariel Cohen, Krista Pfaendler, Kristy Ward

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: West Virginia is a rural mountain state; access to medical care, especially specialty care, can be difficult for patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the geographic status and transportation times of new gynecologic oncology patients.

Methods: Home zip codes for new patient gynecologic oncology patients were analyzed for drive times to the cancer center. Zip codes of oncology providers in the state were compared to the location of patients.

Results: A total of 1,097 new gynecologic oncology patients lived within a 240-minute drive of MBRCC; nearly half (48.9%) of them drove greater than 60 minutes. …

A Case Of Choledocholithiasis In A Patient With A Recent History Of Hellp Syndrome And Pre-Eclampsia, Akhil Tumpudi

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Jaundice in a patient presenting to the emergency department (ED) can be indicative of a range of conditions, and it's important to determine the underlying cause for proper management. Here we describe a case of an unusual presentation of choledocholithiasis in a 25-year-old female with a recent history of HELLP and preeclampsia.

Maternal Health And Nutrition: Combating Maternal Mortality Through Proper Nutrition, Archna Mahendru, Yeisanai Cardona Torres, Maya Blayne Partee, Katarina Rusinak

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Maternal mortality is an increasing concern in the United States. According to the WHO, from 2018-2022 the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) was 23.3 deaths per every 100,000 live births. New Jersey's MMR exceeded this average at 26 per 100,000 during the same period, with 91% of cases deemed preventable. While medical care plays a crucial role, research shows that non-medical determinants such as food insecurity, lack of nutritional education, limited access to transportation, and systemic barriers to health care contribute significantly to maternal health outcomes. Among these factors, proper nutrition plays a critical role before and during pregnancy, particularly in …

The Impact Of Environmental Deficiencies On Maternal Health Outcomes, Zahra Wallizadeh, Emiyah Bullock, Antoinette Jones, Katarina Rusinak

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This study examines the environmental factors contributing to adverse maternal health outcomes in New Jersey, with particular focus on their disproportionate impact on minority women. Analysis of data from PubMed, Policy Map, NIH, CDC, EPA, and the New Jersey Department of Health reveals that women living in low-income areas face significant environmental challenges, including food deserts, air pollution, unsafe living conditions, inadequate infrastructure, and limited transportation options. These environmental determinants exacerbate maternal stress and contribute to complications such as preterm birth and hypertension. Black women are nearly three times more vulnerable to these adverse outcomes compared to white women, highlighting …

Exercise As An Intervention For Postpartum Depression (Ppd), Kylie P. Mistretta

Honors Scholar Theses

Objective: To illustrate the applications of exercise for preventing the development of postpartum depression (PPD) and addressing associated risk factors identified in the literature. Data Sources: PubMed and EBSCO: Academic Search Premier were accessed using the search terms exercise OR physical activity OR yoga AND postpartum depression OR postnatal depression. A secondary search of PubMed was conducted using the search terms exercise AND pregnancy AND depression OR gestational diabetes OR weight gain OR sleep quality.

Study Selection: Studies selected for inclusion were peer-reviewed, published after January 2012, written in English, and relevant to the PPD risk factors examined. Only clinical …

The Impact Of An Iron-Rich Diet On Fatigue In Menstruating Women With Non-Anemic Iron Deficiency, Meagan Seraydar, Lauren Latimer, Sam Miragliatto

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Fatigue without diagnosed anemia is prevalent in menstruating women, with iron deficiency being a potential contributor. While iron supplementation is a standard intervention, dietary sources of iron may offer a sustainable alternative. This study aims to assess the impact of an iron-rich diet on fatigue levels in menstruating women. A 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted, assigning participants to either an iron-rich diet group or a control group following their usual diet without specific iron recommendations. Fatigue will be measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) at baseline, six weeks, and twelve weeks, alongside iron status biomarkers, including …

Maternal Carbohydrate-Controlled Diets And The Impact On Neonatal Hypoglycemia Rates, Jenna L. Klopping

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Neonatal hypoglycemia has a profound impact on the diabetic maternal infant dyad and their families. The practice problem negatively affects the quality of care offered by healthcare providers, while also imposing a financial burden on the healthcare system that extends well beyond the perinatal period.

PICOT: In term infants born to diabetic mothers (P), does a regular carbohydrate-controlled diet given at least 8 hours prior to birth (I) in comparison to a clear liquid carbohydrate-controlled diet (C) reduce the incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia at two hours of life(O) across an 8-week period(T)?

Evidence: A medical nutrition diet, such …

Building Bridges: A Community Health Worker Training Course, Taylor A. Ramsey, Lesley Khan-Farooqi, Phd, Otd, Otr, Dr. Sharita Ambrose, Dhed., Mph, Ches, Chwi

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Building Bridges: A Community Health Worker Training Course is a comprehensive 20-hour continuing education course designed for community health workers (CHWS) who work with Black pregnant women. This training course was developed for and in collaboration with Allure Alliance Incorporated, a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of Black women through community programming, education, and advocacy. This training course reflects an interprofessional collaborative approach to addressing the racial disparities in the Black maternal health population in the U.S. The course includes evidence-based strategies and health management interventions derived from the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 4th Edition (OTPF-4), …

Improving The Rates Of Sexually Transmitted Infection Diagnosis By Increasing Provider Knowledge About Testing, Lauren Cunningham

Student Scholarship & Creative Works

There has been a significant increase in sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates since 2021. Though this issue is nationwide, rural providers require education regarding testing, screening, and transmission of disease processes. The infections with the most significant increase are gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. The purpose of this project was to provide education to providers regarding local STI statistics, in addition to when to and not to test for sexually transmitted STI infections. Education was provided to three Advance Practice Nurse Practitioners about disease signs and symptoms, transmission, and local STI statistic rates. STI testing rates were observed three months prior …

Molecular Subtyping Of Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy, Michal Elovitz, Elaine Gee, Nathaniel Delaney-Busch, Alison Moe, Mitsu Reddy, Arkady Khodursky, Johnny La, Ilma Abbas, Kay Mekaru, Hunter Collins, Farooq Siddiqui, Rory Nolan, Rupsa Boelig, Daniel Kiefer, Pamela Simmons, George Saade, Antonio Saad, Ebony Carter, Thomas Mcelrath, Stephen Quake, Mark Depristo, Carrie Haverty, Manfred Lee, Eugeni Namsaraev, Vincenzo Berghella, Ai-Ris Collier, Antonia Frolova, Esther Park-Hwang, Luis Pacheco, Elizabeth Sutton, Maneesh Jain, Kara Rood, William A Grobman, Joseph Biggio, Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, Arun Jeyabalan, Morten Rasmussen

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including preeclampsia, affect 1 in 6 pregnancies, are major contributors to maternal morbidity and mortality, yet lack precision medicine strategies. Analyzing transcriptomic data from a prospectively-collected diverse cohort (n = 9102), this study reveals distinct RNA subtypes in maternal blood, reclassifying clinical HDP phenotypes like early/late-onset preeclampsia. The placental gene PAPPA2 strongly predicts the most severe forms of preeclampsia in individuals without pre-existing high risk factors, months before symptoms, and its overexpression correlates with earlier delivery in a dose-dependent manner. Further, molecular subtypes characterized by immune genes are upregulated in less severe forms of HDP. …

Supporting Maternal Mental Health In The Postpartum Period With The Use Of Home Resource Kit, Nicole Craig

Theses and Graduate Projects

Postpartum mental health disorders, including postpartum depression and anxiety, can affect a significant proportion of new mothers for centuries. This paper explores the development, implementation, and evaluation of an at-home mental health resource kit designed to support maternal mental health while navigating the stresses of new motherhood. Utilizing Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring as a theoretical framework, the study assesses the effectiveness of integrative therapies such as aromatherapy, mindful meditation, and educational resources in managing postpartum stress. Data collected through pre- and post-surveys and roundtable discussions provide insights into the benefits and limitations of these interventions. The findings indicate …

Sexual And Reproductive Healthcare Perceptions Among Arab-American Women: Implications For Gynecological Health Outcomes, Munna Hazime, Kaitlyn Zablock, Whitney Bowyer, Natalie Ahmad Mateju, Andrew Markowitz

Medical Student Research Symposium

This literature review analyzes the sexual and reproductive healthcare perceptions of Arab-American (AA) women living in the United States and how this impacts the prevalence of gynecological diseases. Sexual health is viewed promiscuously within the AA population and is generally reduced to the physical act of intercourse. It is considered either an agent of sexual desire or a means to reproduce. This dichotomy overlooks aspects of gynecological health within a broader framework. This attitude is evident in the minimal utilization of preventative screenings and increased rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and gynecological cancers. Consequently, this narrow view of sexual …

Improving The Rates Of Sexually Transmitted Infection Diagnosis By Increasing Provider Knowledge About Testing, Lauren Cunningham

Student Scholarship & Creative Works

There has been a significant increase in sexually transmitted infection rates since 2021. Though this issue is nationwide, rural providers require education regarding testing, screening, and transmission of disease processes. The infections with the most significant increase being gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. The purpose of this project was to provide education to providers regarding local statistics, in addition to when to and not to test for sexually transmitted infections. Education was given to three Advance Practice Nurse Practitioners on disease signs and symptoms, transmission, and local STI statistic rates. STI testing rates were observed three months prior to an educational …

The Obstetric Experience Among Vascular Surgery Trainees, Ruojia Debbie Li, Eric B. Pillado, Margaret Reilly, Lauren M. Janczewski, Christina Cui, Kathryn Dilosa, Joshua S. Eng, Matthew C. Chia, Malachi G. Sheahan, Karl Y. Bilimoria, Erika L. Rangel, Yue-Yung Hu, Dawn M. Coleman

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Vascular surgery training poses unique risks to pregnancy, including long hours, physically demanding work, and radiation exposure. Our objectives were to (1) understand pregnancy and parenthood experiences among vascular surgery trainees, (2) assess the rate of obstetric complications among vascular trainees, and (3) evaluate factors associated with trainee-parent wellness. METHODS: A survey was administered after the 2021 Vascular Surgery In-Training Examination. Residents and fellows who (or whose partners) experienced pregnancies during their clinical years of training were asked about their perceptions of the learning environment (work hours and mistreatment, including discrimination, bullying, and harassment), obstetric complications (miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, placental …

Chemoid-Guided Therapy Improves Objective Response Rate In Recurrent Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer Randomized Clinical Trial, Thomas J. Herzog, Thomas C. Krivak, Stephen Bush Ii, John P. Diaz, Scott Lentz, Navya Nair, Nadim Bou Zgheib, Camille Gunderson-Jackson, Abhijit Barve, Krista L. Denning, Seth T. Lirette, Candace M. Howard, Jagan Valluri, Pier Paolo Claudio

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) have poor clinical outcomes, owing mainly to the presence of therapy-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs). The NCT03949283 randomized clinical trial enrolled patients with recurrent PROC to receive ChemoID-guided chemotherapy or the best physician-choice regimen selected from the same list of thirteen mono or combination chemotherapies. The primary outcome was objective response rate (ORR) assessed on CT scans using the RECIST 1.1 criteria at 6 months follow-up. Subjects treated with the ChemoID assay had an ORR of 55% (CI(95) 39% - 73%), compared to 5% (CI(95) 0% - 11%) for those treated with physician’s …

Blood Tnf-Α And Gabra-1 Levels In Individuals With Poor Ovarian Response Underwent In Vitro Fertilization Program, Gadsara Ruangprachum, Paweena Thuwanut, Wisan Sereepapong, Vorasuk Shotelersuk, Siraprapa Tongkobpetch, Porntip Sirayapiwat

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Poor ovarian response (POR) to ovarian stimulation during in vitro fertilization (IVF) program remains a critical issue contributing to decreased ovarian reserve and cancellation of IVF cycles. Nevertheless, the complete etiology of PRO condition remains inadequately understood.

Objectives: This research primarily aimed to compare levels of blood pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) and apoptotic marker (GABRA-1) between those exhibiting normal ovarian response (NOR) and those with poor ovarian response during IVF program.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving whole blood collection from 25 participants was conducted (15 individuals in NOR group and 10 in POR group). Relative gene expression levels of blood …