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Pride Flags and Five-Headed Monsters: A Portrait of a Transgender College Student\u27s Experiences in Campus Housing
Get PDFThis study seeks to develop an understanding of how transgender students experience living in on-campus housing and how these experiences affect their senses of wellbeing, inclusion, safety, and connection with their college. Additionally, this study solicits suggestions from its participant that can help campus housing departments identify ways to best serve their transgender student populations. Imperative due to the precarity suffered by the transgender community, especially during the notoriously anti-trans second Trump administration (Francois, 2025), this research focuses on transgender student experiences in housing due to the heightened vulnerability they experience in the confines of their on-campus housing assignments (Brauer, 2017). To tell an in-depth story about transgender student experiences in housing, this study’s participant sat for a semi-structured interview that was transcribed and was coded to extract key themes in the form of feelings, or senses (Saldaña, 2015). These themes were then crafted into a portrait—a narrative genre of research presentation that focuses on blending art and science in an effort to elicit emotional engagement with readers (Lawrence-Lightfoot, 2016)— that reveals that transgender student experiences in campus housing can result in profound senses of being othered, marginalization, fear/anxiety, and, thankfully, resilience
Exploring Virtual Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Format on Participation of Parents of Children with Autism
Get PDFParents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and co-occurring challenging behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injury, property destruction) experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and poor overall well-being. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which encourages psychological flexibility, is an effective intervention for addressing well-being in this population when presented in various formats. Despite its potential to increase accessibility and improve social connectedness for parents, time commitment may impact parents’ willingness to participate in virtual ACT group interventions. The current study examined parents’ participation in and perceived acceptability of 6 hrs of virtual ACT groups in three different formats: a 6-hr workshop, three 2-hr sessions, and six 1-hr sessions. Participants attended a virtual intake interview, received 6 hrs of virtual ACT group intervention, and participated in two virtual individualized parent training sessions. Participants included 32 parents over nine groups; however, only 12 completed all post-study measures. Results demonstrate that, although those who attended perceived the groups to be highly acceptable, the intervention did not demonstrate a significant improvement in parental well-being and there was a high attrition rate. Results did not indicate any significant differences between group formats, suggesting that participation in a virtual ACT group intervention may be more impacted by individual differences (e.g., schedules, attention span) than format
The Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Supplementation in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Anxiety
Get PDFBACKGROUND: The neuroendocrine system activates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during stress,1 and individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have atypical stress responses linked to HPA axis dysregulation.2 Prolonged activation of this system increases cortisol secretion, the body’s primary stress hormone.3 Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is a traditional herbal remedy believed to reduce stress by modulating the HPA axis and lowering cortisol levels.5
HYPOTHESIS: Following four weeks of Ashwagandha supplementation, the treatment group is expected to exhibit reduced cortisol levels, improved Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) scores, and decreased stress-related behaviors, reflecting its anxiolytic effects.
METHODS: Forty-two adult participants with ASD and anxiety will be randomized to a Ashwagandha supplementation or placebo control group for a four-week blinded trial. Cortisol and anxiety levels will be measured by random serum cortisol levels and the ABC, respectively. The next phase involves data analysis using paired t-tests, linear regression, and repeated measures analysis to assess group differences.
RESULTS: It is expected that participants will show elevated baseline cortisol levels, with no initial group differences in cortisol or ABC scores. Following four-weeks of blinded supplementation, the treatment group is anticipated to show reduced cortisol levels and ABC scores, reflecting decreased anxiety and improvements in stress-induced behaviors, supporting Ashwagandha’s potential anxiolytic effects.
CONCLUSIONS:
If confirmed, the findings will support Ashwagandha as a natural intervention for reducing stress in adults with ASD and anxiety. If not, results will inform future research on stress, anxiety, and cortisol in this population
Volatile Anesthetic Exposure During Organogenesis (Weeks 6-9): Implications for Fetal Brain Development
Get PDFOrganogenesis, particularly during gestational weeks 6 through 9, represent a critical window for fetal brain development. During this period, neurogenesis, neural tube closure and synaptic organization are actively occurring. Disruption of these processes, especially from exogenous agents, can result in lasting developmental consequences.
The U.S Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings regarding the use of anesthetic agents such as isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane. Noting the potential risk of neurotoxic effects on the developing brain. This warning is particularly highlighted when administered drugs are present for long periods of time or during repeated procedures. The goal of this literature review is to provide clinicians and researchers with valuable insights into the safety profile of volatile anesthetics when administered during the gestational period, thereby informing clinical practice and guiding future research directions
Photodynamic Therapy vs. 5-Fluorouracil for Field-Directed Treatment of Actinic Keratosis: A Comparative Literature Review
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common precancerous skin condition arising from chronic UV exposure and often involves field cancerization, where visible lesions coexist with subclinical damage. Effective field-directed treatments are critical for preventing progression to squamous cell carcinoma.
HYPOTHESIS: Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) may offer superior efficacy, cosmetic outcomes, and patient adherence compared to topical 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), despite its higher cost and clinical setting requirement.
METHODS: This literature review analyzed peer-reviewed studies from 2015–2025 comparing PDT and 5-FU for field-directed AK treatment. Outcomes assessed included lesion clearance, recurrence, tolerability, adherence, cost, and patient satisfaction.
RESULTS: PDT demonstrated high clearance rates (70–90%) and excellent cosmetic results, especially in sensitive or extensive areas. Its major advantages include single-session administration and clinical supervision, which support adherence but are offset by higher costs and pain during treatment. In contrast, 5-FU is an affordable, self-applied topical therapy with good efficacy (60–80%) but requires strict adherence over 2–4 weeks. Side effects such as inflammation, erythema, and crusting often reduce compliance. Emerging studies indicate that pre-treatment with 5-FU may enhance PDT efficacy by increasing protoporphyrin IX accumulation, supporting combination or sequential therapy approaches.
CONCLUSIONS: Both PDT and 5-FU are viable treatments for AK in field cancerization. PDT offers improved long-term outcomes and cosmetic benefits, while 5-FU remains a cost-effective choice. Treatment should be personalized based on lesion extent, patient lifestyle, tolerance, and resource availability
Assessing the Efficacy of Using the PTSD Coach Mobile Application for Managing PTSD Symptoms: Results Using the PCL-5 Screening Tool
Get PDFBackground: Patients with psychiatric concerns primarily present in primary care settings before seeking a mental health provider. During Covid-19 mental health concerns increased requiring primary care to adapt new multidisciplinary interventions to assist patients.
Hypothesis: Participants that use the PTSD Coach App for 30 days will have reduced PCL-5 follow-up scores compared to their intake.
Methods: Patients were recruited from a family medicine office, where providers identified eligible patients. The PCL-5 was administered initially, then an app intervention was provided for
Results: The study observed a decrease in average PCL scores from baseline, suggesting the app\u27s potential as a PTSD management tool.
Conclusions: Limitations included a small sample size and patient attrition. Future research should address barriers to participation and retention and include a comprehensive analysis of demographic data
Association of Perioperative Factors with Lymph Node Positivity in Bladder Cancer Following Radical Cystectomy
Get PDFIntroduction and objectives: The treatment of bladder carcinoma relies on a multimodal approach, including chemotherapy, radical cystectomy, and lymph node dissection, but clear guidelines for the optimal strategy remain ambiguous. Radical cystectomy is complex, with high morbidity and mortality, yet limited research has focused on its short-term implications for lymph node-positive bladder cancer. This study aims to address these gaps by identifying perioperative factors linked to lymph node positivity and comparing outcomes between lymph node-positive and negative patients.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 4382 bladder cancer patients who underwent radical cystectomy, collecting comprehensive clinical and surgical data. Clinical features included demographic information and past medical history, while surgical features encompassed operation time, major complications, and post-operative recovery. The cohort was divided into lymph node-negative and lymph node-positive groups based on pathological analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors associated with lymph node status, and statistical significance of these associations was calculated using odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and p-values.
Results: A total of 990 patients (22.9%) were reported to have lymph-node positive bladder cancer after radical cystectomy. Logistic regression analyses revealed that a longer total hospital stay was significantly associated with increased odds of lymph node positivity (OR 1.07, CI: 1.03-1.13, p = 0.002), indicating a correlation between extended hospitalization and more advanced disease. Conversely, a greater number of days from operation to discharge was associated with decreased odds of lymph node positivity (OR 0.93, CI: 0.89-0.97, p = 0.002), suggesting that prolonged postoperative recovery was not indicative of lymphatic spread. Additionally, patients who received chemotherapy within 90 days before surgery had higher odds of lymph node positivity (OR 1.17, CI: 1.01-1.35, p = 0.037), highlighting a link between preoperative treatment and aggressive disease characteristics. Major complications during surgery and prolonged operative time were not found to be significantly associated with lymph node-positive disease.
Conclusions: Our findings highlight key perioperative predictors of lymph node positivity in bladder cancer, emphasizing the importance of thorough preoperative assessment and personalized treatment planning. Despite the benefits of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, some patients still present with lymph node-positive disease, underscoring the need for optimized management strategies such as follow-up imaging and the use of adjuvant chemotherapy
Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy in Dyspnea: The Role of AI-Enhanced ECG Interpretation
Get PDFDyspnea is a frequent and diagnostically challenging presentation in emergency departments, requiring rapid distinction between cardiac and non-cardiac causes. Traditional approaches, including NT-proBNP testing and clinical assessment, often lack optimal sensitivity and specificity. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have introduced AI-enhanced electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis as a promising diagnostic tool capable of identifying cardiac dysfunction with high accuracy.
A structured literature review was performed using PubMed to identify randomized controlled trials, prospective validations, and systematic reviews published between 2018 and 2024. Studies evaluating AI-ECG performance, NT-proBNP testing, and clinical assessment in adult patients presenting with dyspnea were included. Data extracted included sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for each diagnostic method. Studies focusing on external validation of AI models and clinical applicability were prioritized to ensure relevance to real-world emergency department settings
Case Report: Heating Pad Usage Leading to Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Injury
Get PDFWe report the case of a 26-year-old male with a significant psychiatric and substance use history who came to the emergency department (ED) with deep partial second degree burns to his back subsequent to using a heating pad for unknown periods of time prior to presentation. Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury that occurred in this patient due to his burns. It is important to understand that although beneficial, if heating pads are misused or overused, they can cause injury
Screening and Prevention of the Female Athlete Triad
Get PDFBackground The Female Athlete Triad—a syndrome of low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and decreased bone mineral density—poses a significant risk to female athletes, particularly those in sports emphasizing leanness or endurance. Despite its potential to impair both performance and long-term health, the Triad remains frequently underdiagnosed due to stigma, nonspecific symptoms, and limited screening practices. This review investigates current strategies for screening and preventing the Triad, aiming to identify best practices and areas needing improvement.
Methods A literature review was conducted using PubMed, focusing on studies published after 2005. Keyword searches included “female athlete triad screening,” “prevention,” “education,” and “awareness.” A total of 646 records were identified, with 15 studies meeting inclusion criteria after screening. Criteria included English-language studies directly addressing the Triad in athletic populations, with a focus on screening methods, prevention, or educational interventions.
Results Multidisciplinary interventions involving physicians, dietitians, and mental health professionals were most effective in identifying and managing the Triad. The LEAF Questionnaire demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting low energy availability and menstrual irregularities. Educational programs significantly improved awareness among athletes, coaches, and parents, leading to earlier detection and intervention. Barriers included stigma, inconsistent screening protocols, and limited access to comprehensive care.
Discussion Universal screening protocols and expanded educational initiatives are essential for effective Triad prevention. Incorporating technology for real-time monitoring and conducting long-term outcome studies may further enhance care. Increased awareness and proactive screening can mitigate long-term health consequences and improve athlete well-being and performance