6501 research outputs found
Sort by
The Repercussions of Race-Based eGFR on the Morbidity & Mortality of Black Children with Renal Disease
Get PDFThis study investigates the implications of race-based adjustments in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculations on the health outcomes of Black children with renal disease. Historically, a race coefficient has been added to eGFR calculations for patients identified as Black, resulting in an artificial inflation of kidney function by approximately 16%. This inflation can delay the classification of chronic kidney disease (CKD), postpone eligibility for essential interventions like preemptive kidney transplantation, and prolong reliance on maintenance dialysis. Through a comprehensive literature review of peer-reviewed U.S. medical journal articles published between 2000 and 2023, this work explores how these clinical delays may contribute to disproportionate morbidity and mortality among Black pediatric renal patients. While socioeconomic factors confound the full impact of race-based eGFR, evidence suggests that the metric itself—being a physician-controlled variable—represents a modifiable barrier to equitable treatment. The findings underscore the urgent need to reassess and eliminate race-based medical practices in pediatric nephrology and beyond to improve health equity and outcomes
Relationship Between Maternal Mortality and ZIP Code in New Jersey
Get PDFMaternal mortality remains a pressing public health concern in the United States, with significant disparities influenced by geography and social determinants of health. This study investigates the relationship between zip code-level factors and maternal mortality rates (MMR) in New Jersey (NJ), a state with demographic and socioeconomic diversity. Using data from the NJ Department of Health, CDC, and recent literature, I identified patterns correlating higher MMR with areas experiencing poverty, limited access to healthcare, and predominantly minority populations. Counties such as Essex, Union, and Cumberland—classified as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs)—exhibited particularly high vulnerability. These findings clearly show the need for zip code-targeted public health interventions that address systemic healthcare inequities and improve maternal care access in NJ’s most affected communities
Case Report : Perilunate Fracture After a Fall on an Outstretched Hand
Get PDFWe report the case of a 44-year-old male that presented to the emergency department (ED) with a fall on his outstretched hand and was subsequently diagnosed to have a trans-scaphoid perilunate dislocation. He underwent closed reduction of the dislocation in the ED and operative management ten days later. While wrist injuries are common in the ED, it is important to diagnose perilunate and lunate dislocations early as they can often be associated with avascular necrosis, neurological injury and poor functional outcomes if not managed in a timely manner
Effects of Novel Dopamine D4 Receptor-Targeted Compounds on locomotor activity and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Male and Female Sprague Dawley Rats
Get PDFThe consequences of modulating subtypes of G protein coupled dopamine receptors are broadly studied for their role in decision making behavior, specifically in situations involving uncertain risk and reward. The actions of dopamine D4 receptors (D4Rs) on these complex processes are the least understood, particularly due to a lack of available compounds with suitable selectivity for D4Rs. Further, current research often fails to evaluate how modulating specific dopamine receptor subtypes may affect locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior as confounding factors prior to assessing their function in behavioral assays of higher order decision making. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the extent that D4R modulation contributes to locomotor and anxiety-like behavioral measures and serve as potential confounding variables when evaluated in future experiments that will assay more complex risk/reward decision making behaviors. As such, the current report utilized the open-field test to assess the effects of novel and selective D4 receptor targeted compounds; a full antagonist (FMJ-054), a high-efficacy partial agonist (FMJ-038), and a low-efficacy partial agonist (FMJ-045) on locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior in male and female Sprague Dawley rats
Comparison of Graft Patency Between STA, RA, and SV Grafts of Intracranial Aneurysms of the Internal Carotid Artery
Get PDFAbstract
Background: Patients with intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms that are not amenable to treatments like coiling, stenting, or clipping have limited treatment options. One option is vascular bypass of the aneurysm to introduce a stable route for cerebral perfusion, which can be performed using the superficial temporal artery (STA) or alternatively radial artery (RA) or saphenous vein (SV) grafts, among other vessels.
Methods: The major databases were searched to identify studies that explored graft patency and functional outcome for patients who underwent bypass for intracranial ICA aneurysms with STA, RA, or SV grafts and proportion meta-analysis was performed.
Results: Screening yielded a total of eight publications that met our inclusion criteria. Grafts of the STA were patent in 76 out of 80 patients (95.0%) in the perioperative period, while 47 out of 47 (100%) RA grafts and 37 out of 38 (97.3%) SV grafts were patent. Good functional outcome (mRS 0-2 or GOS 4-5) was seen in 88.3% (68 of 77) of STA grafts, 96.6% (28 of 29) of RA grafts, and 89.5% (34 of 38) SV donors.
Conclusions: This review highlights the good patency rates of STA, RA, and SVG graft types in patients that are suitable candidates for their respective interventions. Statistical analysis did not indicate a preferred donor vessel if for cases where all options are viable
Case Report: Non-Ketotic Hyperglycemia Hemichorea-Hemiballismus in the Emergency Department
Get PDFNon-ketotic hyperglycemia hemichorea-hemiballismus (NH-HC), also known as diabetic striatopathy, is a rare condition characterized by glucose levels greater than 200 mg/dL and continuous, involuntary, and irregular large amplitude jerky movements localized predominantly to one side of the body called hemichorea-hemiballismus. While the differential diagnosis of irregular movements is vast, including seizures disorder, stroke, tumors, Tourette’s syndrome and rheumatic fever, clinicians should also consider diabetic striatopathy as a differential as it has very good prognosis and is easily treatable if diagnosed early. Here we discuss the case of a 72 year-old male with history of non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetes (T2DM), who presented to the emergency department awake, alert, and oriented complaining of intermittent left arm jerking and mild weakness x 3 days, who was subsequently found to have glucose of \u3e1000 and HBA1C \u3e14, was hospitalized, treated with insulin for 2 days with complete resolution of symptoms
Disparities in Demographics of Patients Presenting to a Student-Run Free Clinic in South Jersey
Get PDFMedical schools around the country have established free clinics to better serve the underserved patient populations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate demographic characteristics in the patient population at our free clinic, Rowan-Virtua Community Health Clinic (RVCHC), compared to the general population of Camden County. We found a disproportionately higher percentage of black patients at our clinic when compared to the county overall. Addressing these disparities would require targeted outreach to specific patient populations and improved transit access. Future studies should aim to identify RVCHC health outcomes through the management of chronic disease and understanding emergency room utilization
Assessing the Efficacy of Prolonged Doxycycline PEP Use in High-Risk Populations for STI Prevention
Get PDFFirst recommended in October 2022, doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) has been increasingly used as a treatment for multiple sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To evaluate the efficacy of prolonged DoxyPEP use in high risk populations - men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women - for STIs, different sources addressing various aspects of DoxyPEP, its efficacy in STI prevention, and the potential consequences of its widespread use in terms of antimicrobial resistance were examined. Across 9 studies, DoxyPEP was found to decrease the incidence of bacterial STIs, specifically, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea with varying efficacy, especially for gonorrhea. Furthermore, because there was no consensus on impact on resistance, the differential impact of DoxyPEP across STIs may be influenced by factors such as bacterial susceptibility to doxycycline, optimal drug concentrations to achieve desired effects, and emerging resistance patterns essential in optimizing DoxyPEP usage
Cellular Interactions with Gold Nanoparticles: A Comparative Study Using SP-ICP-MS in T Cells, MDA-MB-231 Cells, and H4 Cells
No full textGold nanoparticles (AuNPs), known for their unique optical and physicochemical properties, have become increasingly significant in biomedical applications, especially cancer diagnostics and therapy. Single-particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) was utilized to classify, quantify, and evaluate the size distribution and concentration of the synthesized nanoparticles. The experimental workflow involved the characterization of AuNPs in three cellular models: H4 neuroglioma cells, T cells, and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Cells were exposed to nanoparticles, and SP-ICP-MS was employed to quantify parameters such as the number of particles, particle concentration, particle size distribution, average particle size, and median particle size. Results indicated distinct variations in nanoparticle uptake across cell types. MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited high levels of nanoparticle internalization due to their active endocytosis pathways, while T cells demonstrated selective uptake influenced by immune activation states. H4 cells showed limited nanoparticle uptake, highlighting the challenges posed by the blood-brain barrier and tumor microenvironment. The size distribution of AuNPs remained stable post-internalization, validating their structural integrity under experimental conditions. This study underscores the versatility of SP-ICP-MS in nanoparticle research and highlights its potential for advancing targeted nanomedicine applications. The insights gained into cellular interactions with gold nanoparticles can promote the optimization of nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategies tailored to complex biological systems
GRIEF AND BEREAVEMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION: A ROWAN UNIVERSITY CASE STUDY ON THE STUDENT CONCEPTUALIZATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AFTER LOSS
No full textThis case study explores grief and bereavement on the Rowan University Glassboro campus and how those impact the lives of students. Using a quantitative survey and semi structured interviews participants were able to evaluate their experiences at Rowan while processing life altering deeply emotional challenges. Special focus is paid to their relationship with professors and if their views on higher education have changed. Findings show that a student’s area of study and relationship to their professors impacts how satisfied students are with their accommodations at the university. Recommendations for institutional changes are discussed for Rowan specifically and higher education as a whole