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Medical Student Research: A Literature Review on Impact and Perceptions
Full text linkBackground: The 2022 transition from numerical to pass/fail scoring for USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX Level 1 has changed the way medical students perceive their competitiveness. In a 2020 report, it was found that Osteopathic students were more likely to see the transition as negatively impacting their residency match and specialty choice. With the belief that residencies will now place greater focus on extracurricular achievements, attention to medical student research has increased since the transition. Understanding the outcomes and perceptions of research programs is necessary to identify these barriers and devise ways of integrating research more effectively into medical training.
Hypothesis: Research involvement, particularly via structured programs, enhances engagement, builds critical skills and improves preparedness for residency, making it an important aspect of clinical education.
Methods: Literature Review: PubMed, JAMA, Google Scholar Inclusion Criteria: United States, Medical Schools and Residencies, Any type of Research Program Outcomes: Student perceptions, program benefits, impact on residency
Results: Longitudinal research projects enhanced student engagement, leadership, problem-solving, and transferable skills. Up to 40% of residency interviewers discussed research, scholarly projects. Students typically positively perceive research experiences and benefit from participation.
Conclusions: Structured research programs improve residency preparedness and competitiveness. Larger-scale research is needed to draw more definitive conclusions and assess long-term outcome
Does Sports-Specialization Increase the Risk of Injury in Youth Athletes?
Full text linkSports specialization, defined as intensive, year-round training in a single sport for more than eight months per year, has become increasingly prevalent among youth athletes. While it is often pursued with the goal of elite performance, early specialization may increase the risk of both physical injuries and psychological strain. This risk is especially pronounced in individual sports such as swimming and tennis, where early and focused training is frequently encouraged. This study explores the association between early sports specialization and injury risk in young athletes, with the goal of identifying contributing factors and informing prevention strategies. Evidence suggests that while specialization can offer competitive benefits, it also elevates the likelihood of overuse injuries and burnout. To better guide safe training practices, future research should more precisely compare injury rates between specialized and non-specialized athletes and incorporate variables such as sport type, gender, and training duration
Transient Small Bowel Intussusception in an Adult Patient: A Rare Complication of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy
Full text linkGlucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are widely used to treat type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity due to their benefits in glycemic control, weight loss, and cardioprotection. However, their effects on gastrointestinal (GI) motility raise concerns about potential complications, including bowel obstruction and, in rare cases, intussusception. We present a case of a 34-year-old male on semaglutide for weight loss who developed transient small bowel intussusception. The patient has no prior gastrointestinal surgeries or structural abnormalities, but he had a history of baseline slow bowel motility and was also diagnosed with influenza A during his hospitalization. His condition improved with conservative treatment, and semaglutide was discontinued due to its possible role in altering gut motility. This case highlights the need for further investigation into the effects of GLP-1 RA on intestinal peristalsis, particularly in patients with baseline motility dysfunction or systemic inflammation
Case Report: Hypercapnia\u27s Hidden Dance: Myoclonus in a Patient with CO2 Retention
Full text linkMyoclonic jerking is a neurologic phenomenon characterized by sudden, involuntary muscle contractions. While often associated with neurological conditions, myoclonic jerking can also be observed in patients with significant carbon dioxide retention. This case report highlights the presentation of myoclonic jerking in a 77-year-old male with a history of sleep apnea and obesity, who presented to the emergency department with hypoxia and elevated carbon dioxide levels. Despite the lack of neurological deficits, the patient experienced intermittent myoclonic jerks of his hands, which were attributed to CO2 retention. The report underscores the importance of recognizing myoclonic jerking as a potential sign of hypercapnia in patients with chronic respiratory conditions
Impact of Fluid Composition on Mortality and Kidney Injury in Sepsis: A Literature Review
Full text linkBackground
Fluid resuscitation is a cornerstone of early sepsis management. While normal saline (NS) has been widely used, emerging evidence suggests that balanced crystalloids such as lactated Ringer’s and Plasma-Lyte may offer improved renal outcomes and reduced mortality by avoiding hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis.
Hypothesis
In adult patients with sepsis, initial resuscitation with balanced crystalloids reduces mortality and the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) compared to normal saline.
Methods
A literature review was conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE databases focusing on randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses published from 2010–2024. Key studies included the SMART, SALT-ED, BaSICS, and PLUS trials. The primary outcomes evaluated were 30- and 90-day mortality, development of AKI, and need for renal replacement therapy (RRT).
Results
The SMART and SALT-ED trials demonstrated a reduction in major adverse kidney events with balanced fluids. The SMART trial also showed lower in-hospital mortality among septic patients receiving balanced crystalloids. However, more recent large-scale trials such as BaSICS and PLUS did not show a mortality benefit. Variability in trial design, patient populations, and definitions of sepsis may account for differences in outcomes. Subgroup analyses suggest potential benefits of balanced fluids in specific patient populations.
Conclusion
While balanced crystalloids may reduce the incidence of AKI in septic patients, mortality benefits remain inconsistent across trials. Current evidence supports the consideration of balanced fluids as the initial resuscitation fluid in sepsis, but further targeted research is needed to define the populations most likely to benefit
TRANSITIONING FROM MICROFLUIDIC-BASED TO BIOPRINTED DECELLULARIZED EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX IN VITRO BLOOD–BRAIN BARRIER MODELS
No full textThe blood–brain barrier (BBB) regulates transport between the vasculature and central nervous system but limits therapeutic delivery. In vitro BBB models are essential for studying barrier function, disease mechanisms, and drug transport, yet traditional systems often lack biological relevance. This thesis aimed to improve model fidelity and scalability by refining a PDMS-based microfluidic fabrication protocol and developing a spinal cord-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) bioink for bioprinting applications. A multi-step protocol was optimized to decellularize bovine spinal cord tissue, followed by enzymatic digestion to generate a printable dECM solution. UV–Vis spectroscopy confirmed protein retention, and DNA quantification revealed residual nucleic acids above the 50 ng/mg threshold, indicating room for improvement. Despite this, the approach offers a biologically relevant, scalable alternative to PDMS models and lays the groundwork for future integration with light-based bioprinting
EFFECTS OF STRESSOR EXPOSURE AND LOCUS COERULEUS OPIOID SIGNALING ON COPING AND ANXIETY-LIKE BEHAVIOR IN RATS
No full textStress is a physiological state of altered neuroendocrine signaling and heightened indices of behavioral vigilance and arousal in response to threatening stimuli. This project aimed to investigate the adaptations to stress that occur in the noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) and how these changes affect stress coping behavior. We began by investigating how adolescent restraint and predator odor stress affects coping when presented with a secondary noxious stimulus in the defensive shock probe burying task one week following stressor exposure, finding that stressed male rats demonstrate a more active coping response and stressed female rats demonstrate a more passive coping response, with active coping correlating with LC activation exclusively in male rats. After this, we began to investigate how viral changes in expression of the inhibitory δ-opioid receptor (DOR), which is normally downregulated in the LC following stress, could affect stress coping. From this, we found that knocking down LC DOR led to higher active escape behavior along with noticeable changes in electrophysiological measures of LC neurons, while overexpressing the DOR led to lower active escape behavior. Collectively, these findings reveal a role for LC DORs in exploratory or escape behaviors and provide a greater understanding of the involvement of the LC in stress coping
MONITORING AND MITIGATION OF PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) IN URBAN STORMWATER RUNOFF
No full textPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging contaminants known for their persistence with widespread environmental and health concerns. Urban stormwater runoff could be a non-point pollution source that transports PFAS to receiving water bodies. This study analyzed types and concentrations of PFAS in stormwater runoff from Trenton and Glassboro, New Jersey, with samples collected from high- and low-traffic areas during precipitation events in February, June, July, and August 2024. Significantly higher concentrations of PFAS were identified in high-traffic areas than low-traffic areas (p\u3c 0.05) in both cities for most sampling events, confirming the role of traffic in PFAS dispersal. To address PFAS contamination in stormwater runoff, this study evaluated the removal of six U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)-regulated PFAS compounds from synthetic stormwater runoff using aluminum-based water treatment residuals (Al-WTRs, by-products of the drinking water treatment process). The findings demonstrated that Al-WTRs exhibited high sorption capacities and low desorption rates for PFAS, particularly for long-chain PFAS compounds such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), supporting their potential as an economical and effective sorbent for stormwater PFAS management. Furthermore, the durability and sustained performance of Al-WTRs indicated their feasibility for future field-scale applications
Informing Cold Spray Via High Strain Rate Particle Impacts Captured Using Ultra-High-Speed Videography
No full textThe primary objective of this research is to provide insight into high strain rate deformation behavior of particles in cold spray-like impacts for the purposes of material vetting and optimization of spray parameters for deposition quality and efficiency. A light gas gun and ultra-high-speed videography techniques were engineered, built, and used for millimeter particle impact experiments and adapted to launch micron scale particles at controlled velocities and particle/substrate temperatures representative of cold spray conditions. Analytical techniques employed for understanding impact mechanics focused on characterization of impact behavior and presence of features related to cold spray particle bonding. This research demonstrates the capabilities of a new in situ experimental approach in capturing real-time deformation characteristics and viscoelastic behaviors of particles during high strain-rate impacts that are not apparent through traditional stroboscopic imaging or ex-situ characterization methods. Observing these high strain-rate deformations with the developed techniques furthers understanding of cold spray adhesion and deposition mechanisms with control over spray conditions beyond alternative impact experimentation techniques. This results in actionable insights for improving material selection, process parameters, and deposition strategies across a wide range of cold spray applications while expanding on capabilities of cold spray characterization methods
Early Recurrent Midgut Volvulus Post Ladd\u27s Procedure in a Newborn: A Case Report
No full textLadd\u27s procedure is the standard surgical intervention for intestinal malrotation. Although generally curative, rare cases of early postoperative complications, including adhesions or recurrent volvulus, can necessitate reoperation. We present the case of a full-term newborn girl who underwent emergent Ladd\u27s procedure on Day 3 of life for malrotation with volvulus. She was discharged on postoperative Day 17 but returned the following day with recurrent bilious emesis. Imaging suggested partial obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy revealed recurrent volvulus with two twists at the duodenojejunal junction, which was successfully reduced. The patient recovered well and was discharged on postoperative Day 8. This case underscores the importance of clinical vigilance in detecting rare postoperative complications following Ladd\u27s procedure