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ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS TEACHERS’ EXPERIENCES FOLLOWING A THREE-YEAR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS: AN EVALUATIVE CASE STUDY
No full textElementary mathematics education must go beyond traditional approaches to foster inclusivity and empower students from diverse cultural backgrounds. This study explores the experiences of elementary mathematics teachers in grades three, four, and five in a highly diverse suburban school district as they engage with a three-year professional development on culturally responsive teaching and transfer the knowledge gained in their classrooms. By integrating students\u27 cultures into mathematics instruction, these educators enhance student engagement, nurture their sense of belonging, foster positive mathematical identities, and promote critical thinking skills. While much research on culturally responsive teaching is theoretical, few studies examine educators\u27 firsthand experiences with this pedagogy and how to implement it. Using an evaluative case study design (Merriam, 1998), this research addresses this gap, revealing how culturally responsive approaches in mathematics – when transferred from professional development into the classroom- create inclusive and dynamic learning environments that support meaningful connections, active participation, and success
Indirect Cost Cap: Perspectives on Efficiency, Waste, and Equity
Full text linkBackground: On February 10, 2025, the NIH enacted a 15% cap on indirect costs, reallocating 35 billion funding framework. The policy follows longstanding concerns about unchecked growth and inefficiencies in indirect cost reimbursements, which rose from 15% in the 1950s to over 70% at some institutions by the 1990s. Notable examples include a 9B to 140M and $100M respectively, they are buffered by large endowments. Smaller institutions, lacking such reserves, face disproportionate strain. Researchers welcome the increase in direct funding, though administrators warn of threats to compliance, safety, and laboratory continuity.
Conclusion: The NIH’s cap represents both a fiscal correction and a stress test for institutional resilience. While it targets wasteful spending, it also exposes gaps in the funding system that may disadvantage smaller research centers. Future reforms may benefit from tiered or performance-based caps that preserve efficiency gains while protecting research diversity
Teaching Students to Provide Effective Feedback with the Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) Framework
Full text linkFormal training in delivering effective feedback is often absent in educational curricula, despite its critical role in professional development, particularly within medical education. This study implemented a one-hour virtual workshop designed to enhance medical students\u27 feedback proficiency. Participants engaged in activities to identify attributes of effective feedback and applied the Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) framework. Post-workshop data demonstrated significant improvement in participants\u27: 1) knowledge of effective feedback qualities, 2) ability to provide actionable feedback, and 3) comprehension of the SBI framework. These findings suggest that targeted interventions can effectively equip students with essential feedback skills
Analysis of Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, and Cholesterol Screening Results Collected During Street Outreach Events in Atlantic County, New Jersey, as Part of a Mobile Community Health Worker Program to Identify Residents at High Risk for Severe COVID-19
Full text linkBackground: This study seeks to evaluate the status of random blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose screening results in Atlantic County, NJ. This study also aims to identify the rates of hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension within the target population, and potential differences between surveyed age demographics.
Methods: Medical students participating in the COVID-19 CHW Service Corps collected blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose screenings at multiple screening events in Atlantic County, NJ during a two-year period. This data was analyzed retrospectively using ANOVA, non-parametric Kruskal Walis Test, and Tukey\u27s pairwise comparisons.
Results: Senior adults had significantly higher SBP than both Adults and Middle-Aged adults. Mean SBP values were 131 mmHg (Adults), 136.8 mmHg (Middle-Aged), and 141.5 mmHg (Seniors). Similarly, BGR differed significantly by age (p \u3c .0001). Seniors had significantly higher BGR than other groups, with back-transformed means of 110.2 mg/dL (Adults), 136.9 mg/dL (Middle-Aged), and 141.6 mg/dL (Seniors). Among 821 BGR samples, 0.2% were hypoglycemic, 85.0% normal, and 14.8% hyperglycemic. Among 931 blood pressure screenings, 74.3% of surveyed individuals were hypertensive. Lipid profiles showed varying risk levels, with high cholesterol in 25.3%, high triglycerides in 39.5%, high LDL in 47.3%, and low HDL in 49.5% of cases.
Conclusion: Significant age-related differences were observed in systolic blood pressure and blood glucose levels, with Senior adults consistently exhibiting higher values than younger groups. The distribution of hypertension stages and glucose abnormalities highlights the prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in the population
Case Report: Cold Urticaria Diagnosed in the Emergency Department
Full text linkCold urticaria can be primary (idiopathic) or can be due to underlying hematologic or infectious diseases. Here we present the case of a young female patient with no past medical history who was diagnosed with cold urticaria in the emergency department setting, using a cold stimulation test. Most cases are idiopathic. The reaction can be triggered in individual cases by exposure to cold objects or to generalized cold ambient temperatures, as was the case in the patient presented here. The physical response is most commonly pruritic wheals (urticaria). However, more severe symptoms may occur up to angioedema with hoarseness and wheezing. This patient had mild symptoms, affecting skin only. The treatment is essentially symptomatic for mild cases, involving non-sedating histamines. Patient education concerning avoiding cold aquatic activities is important. Anaphylaxis is treated as indicated. ED management of mild cases may include steroid administration. Several sources refer to consideration of the use of omalizumab in chronic cases
Effectiveness of Exercise After Meals in Reducing Blood Sugar in People Who Are Overweight, Obese, or Have Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Full text linkStudies investigating the acute effect of postprandial exercise (PPE) on glucose responses exhibit significant heterogeneity in terms of participant demographic, exercise protocol, and exercise timing post-meal. As such, this study aimed to further analyze the existing literature on the impact of PPE on glycemic control in overweight individuals and individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). A literature search was conducted through databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Thirty-one original research studies that met the inclusion criteria were selected. A random-effect meta-analysis was performed to compare postprandial glucose area under the curve (AUC) and 24 h mean glucose levels between PPE and the time-matched no-exercise control (CON). Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore whether the glucose-lowering effect of PPE could be influenced by exercise duration, exercise timing post-meal, and the disease status of participants. This study revealed a significantly reduced glucose AUC (Hedges’ g = −0.317; SE = 0.057; p \u3c 0.05) and 24 h mean glucose levels (Hedges’ g = −0.328; SE = 0.062; p \u3c 0.05) following PPE compared to CON. The reduction in glucose AUC was greater (p \u3c 0.05) following PPE lasting \u3e30 min compared to ≤30 min. The reduction in 24 h mean glucose levels was also greater (p \u3c 0.05) following PPE for ≥60 min compared to \u3c 60 min post-meal and in those with T2DM compared to those without T2DM. PPE offers a viable approach for glucose management and can be performed in various forms so long as exercise duration is sufficient. The glucose-lowering effect of PPE may be further enhanced by initiating it after the first hour post-meal. PPE is a promising strategy, particularly for patients with T2DM
Scoping Literature Review: The Role of Leptin in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Associated Obesity
Full text linkOverweight and obesity (OW/OB) are significant concerns among individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), yet the underlying causes remain unclear. Emerging evidence points to metabolic and hormonal factors—particularly leptin, a hormone involved in appetite regulation—as potential contributors. This scoping review examined five key studies from 2003 to 2024 that investigated the relationship between leptin and ASD in overweight populations. Across studies, individuals with ASD consistently exhibited elevated leptin levels compared to controls. While some findings also noted changes in other adipokines, such as lower resistin or progranulin, leptin was the most consistently dysregulated. These patterns suggest systemic alterations in energy metabolism or inflammation in ASD, though results are limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous study designs, and unaccounted confounding variables like medication use and physical activity.
The literature reveals a strong association between elevated leptin levels and ASD, but the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications remain unclear. Leptin dysregulation may contribute to obesity in ASD either through impaired satiety signaling or leptin resistance. Future research should focus on larger, more diverse populations and consider hormonal, behavioral, and lifestyle factors. To further explore this relationship, I plan to collect leptin data from neurodiverse patients at the RISN Center at Rowan-Virtua. Whether leptin is found to be low or high, both scenarios could help explain the high prevalence of obesity in this population and potentially guide targeted interventions
A Rare Case of Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in the Setting of IgA Nephropathy, Vasculitis and Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in a Previously Healthy Young Adult
Full text linkIgA Nephropathy, also known as Berger disease, can precipitate acute renal failure in patients. IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is deposition of protein from IgA into the renal tissue with subsequent renal dysfunction. IgA vasculitis (IgAV) is another condition where similarly the protein of IgA is deposited into the vessels. There are some cases of co-existing atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) with IgAN. However, rare combinations seen with all three IgAN, IgAV, and aHUS without any pre-existing conditions nor medical history. Patients that develop any one of these conditions are looking at life long changes with hemodialysis (HD) and organ transplants being the definitive treatment. Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is a multitude of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and renal failure. In this case, we focus on 27 year old male with the complement overactivation type, known as aHUS, where omplement regulatory proteins that are attacked by autoantibodies. Precipitating events or triggers are needed for dysregulation of these proteins leading to fulminant renal failure
A Twist of Fate: A Case of Spiral Humerus Fracture After Arm Wrestling
Full text linkFractures of the humerus are relatively uncommon, with spiral fractures typically resulting from rotational forces. This case report describes a 25-year-old male who sustained a right-sided spiral humerus fracture during an arm-wrestling match. The diagnosis was confirmed through radiographic imaging, and the fracture was successfully managed with closed reduction and posterior long arm splinting. This case highlights the importance of recognizing less common mechanisms of injury, like arm wrestling, in the context of humeral fractures. It also emphasizes the effective non-operative treatment of such fractures in young, healthy individuals
KS151 Synergizes with Venetoclax and ABT-737 in AML: Efficacy in Both FLT3-Wildtype and FLT3-Mutant Models
Full text linkAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common leukemia in adult patients, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 30 percent. Therefore, more effective therapeutic strategies are required to prolong the survival of AML patients. Importantly, anti-apoptotic proteins, especially B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), overexpression in AML is associated with uncontrolled growth as well as chemoresistance. Unsurprisingly, Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) overexpresses in AML and associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance. The FDA-approved BTK inhibitor, ibrutinib, has been successful in treating other hematologic malignancies, but a proportion of patients relapse mainly because of acquired mutations at Cys481Ser (C481S) in the kinase domain of BTK. If we are to develop effective BTK-based therapeutic regimens, it is critical that we account for these likely mutations and avoid agents that target the kinase domain. To develop a more selective and effective BTK inhibitor, we modified our first-generation BTK inhibitor to avoid the C481S mutation in the BTK kinase domain. This advance allowed us to develop a second-generation BTK inhibitor, KS151, that shows in vitro potency against C481S mutants. Because BTK and Bcl-2 are critical in chemoresistance and poor prognosis, combination therapy targeting BTK and Bcl-2 is a more viable option for AML patients to achieve better therapeutic outcomes. We propose the combination of KS151 with venetoclax (ABT-199) or ABT-737 in resistant AML cells. We employed a panel of three AML cell lines: Kusami-1, U937, and THP-1. Remarkably, KS151 was able to induce AML cell death with an average IC50 of 4 μM. Furthermore, KS151 showed a significant increase in both venetoclax and ABT-737 efficacy against AML cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated that Kusami-1 cells have the highest expression of both BTK and Bcl-2 proteins. Taken further, flow cytometry (Annexin V staining) demonstrated that KS151 combined with inhibition of Bcl-2 by venetoclax synergistically induced apoptosis (approximately 95%) of Kusami-1 cells. Collectively, the combination therapy showed promising and synergistic in vitro anti-leukemic activity against AML cell lines and represents a new viable treatment for AML patients. Future studies will apply the combination strategies in AML-resistant cell lines and include assessment in patient samples and in vivo studies