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Effect of Food Selectivity on Dyslipidemia in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Get PDFThis survey-based study sought to determine whether there is a correlation between food selectivity and blood lipid levels in autistic patients
Effects of Dexmedetomidine as an Adjunct to General Anesthesia on Postoperative Pain and Opioid Consumption in Major Abdominal Surgery
Get PDFThis review examines the impact of dexmedetomidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, on postoperative pain and opioid consumption in major abdominal surgery. Dexmedetomidine, known for its sedative, analgesic, and opioid-sparing properties, is increasingly used as an adjunct to anesthesia. Analyzing existing literature, the review found that dexmedetomidine administration alongside general anesthesia significantly improves postoperative pain management and reduces opioid consumption. Patients receiving dexmedetomidine reported decreased postoperative pain ratings and required fewer opioids during the recovery phase. Additionally, intraoperative dexmedetomidine use correlated with reduced postoperative pain severity and increased patient satisfaction compared to control groups. However, potential side effects such as bradycardia and hypotension were noted, necessitating careful patient selection and monitoring to mitigate risks. In conclusion, dexmedetomidine offers promising outcomes as an adjuvant for major abdominal surgery by providing effective analgesia while reducing reliance on opioids. Further research is warranted to optimize dosing and administration strategies, ensuring the safe and efficacious use of dexmedetomidine in perioperative care
Effects of Skin-to-Skin Contact Between High-Risk Mothers and Their Newborns on Levels of Postpartum Depression
Get PDFBackground: 13-15% of mothers experience postpartum depression (PPD), a depressive episode during pregnancy or in the weeks after delivery.1 Postpartum depression can have detrimental effects on both the mother and the infant. Mothers with PPD are more withdrawn towards their children, are increasingly irritable, and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors than mothers without PPD. Children born to these mothers have decreased physiological stability and impaired emotional, social, and cognitive development.19,22,28,29 An emerging treatment model for postpartum depression is skin-to-skin contact (SSC) also known as the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) model, in which a mother has prolonged, direct contact with her newborn child. Purpose: To review the current literature on the use of skin-to-skin contact/Kangaroo Mother Care model in mothers at high risk for developing postpartum depression (PPD) and their scores on postpartum depression screening scales after the intervention. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using articles from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS. All databases were accessed through the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine library. Articles were selected based on specific inclusion criteria that prioritized skin-to-skin contact/kangaroo care and postpartum depression. Results: The skin-to-skin contact (SSC) model has been shown to improve self-reported scores of postpartum depression, primarily by two mechanisms. First, SSC alters hormonal levels in the mother to increase oxytocin (facilitates bonding and attachment between mothers and their newborns) and decrease cortisol levels (a physiological marker of stress). 2,3,9 Second, SSC promotes maternal feelings of attachment to their infant, promoting increased relaxation and reduced levels of postpartum anxiety and depression in mothers.7 Conclusion: The use of the skin-to-skin contact model is beneficial to mothers, particularly those from low socioeconomic status. The reason is that SSC can be easily implemented in a wide variety of clinical settings because it requires very few outside resources.6,12 However, many studies have shown that the effectiveness of SSC wanes with time and has had minimal protective effects against postpartum depression by three months postpartum. Therefore, it is imperative that not only more studies are conducted evaluating the effectiveness of SSC on rates of postpartum depression but also encourage continuing SSC well past the initial hospital discharge for maximal benefit to both the mother and her infant
Efficacy of Psilocybin in the Treatment of Substance and Alcohol Use Disorders
Get PDFIntroduction: Substance use disorder (SUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are major public health crises, affecting millions of Americans. Current treatment options include behavioral therapies and medications. In this review, we explored psilocybin’s efficacy in treating SUD and AUD.
Methods: Key terms were used to search databases to identify articles that addressed psilocybin in the treatment of SUD. Included in the review were indexed, peer-reviewed, primary sources that were published within the last 10 years. Excluded studies were non-peer reviewed, not relevant to the thesis, and did not have an English translation.
Results: The psychodynamic antidepressant effects of psilocybin mark its potential as treatment for depression and other mental health disorders. Clinical trials investigating the efficacy of psilocybin as a complement to psychotherapy for AUD reported notable an overall decrease in alcohol consumption compared to control groups. Similarly, other trials concluded that participants reported improvement of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, participants suffering from mental health disorders who experimented with microdosing reported improved focus, confidence, and relationships alongside decreased social anxiety. Animal models proved that psilocybin disrupted alcohol-related memories and alcohol-seeking behaviors; thus, psilocybin therapy may be beneficial in preventing relapse in patients with AUD.
Discussion: Current studies show that psilocybin has potential as a treatment for SUD and AUD. Studies on psilocybin have various limitations, such as small sample sizes, reliance on self-reported data, and the inability to fully replicate the psychedelic experience in animal models. Despite limitations, these findings provide a strong rationale for conducting future high quality research
Exploring Hypertension Prevalence Among Ill-housed individuals in Urban Environments
Get PDFThis study explores the interrelations of hypertension, homelessness, and access to healthcare in urban ill-housed populations. It was found that conditions such as heart disease and diabetes significantly exacerbate hypertension, which remains highly prevalent due to the population\u27s limited access to consistent medical care. Homelessness further complicates the management of hypertension due to unstable living conditions, making adherence to treatment and follow-up with healthcare providers challenging. Additionally, factors like higher rates of substance abuse and malnutrition among homeless populations contribute to worsening hypertension, which, if untreated, can lead to severe health crises including heart attacks and strokes.
The research underscores the critical public health implications of hypertension within these communities, emphasizing the role of social determinants of health in exacerbating health disparities. The study suggests that interventions such as improved housing, accessible healthcare services, and nutrition support are crucial. It also calls for policymakers to allocate resources strategically to address these disparities and support the health and well-being of homeless populations.
Our findings reveal a stark connection between a lack of basic needs, as framed by Maslow\u27s Hierarchy of Needs, and poor health outcomes, particularly in managing chronic conditions like hypertension. This study not only highlights the health inequities faced by ill-housed individuals but also outlines the next steps for public health measures and policy adjustments aimed at reducing these disparities and improving overall community health
Health Benefits of Saccharomyces boulardii as a Probiotic
Get PDFSaccharomyces boulardii (SB), a budding yeast, within the Saccharomyces genus. It commonly used as a probiotic that has been isolated from lychee and mangosteen fruit. S. boulardii is not known to acquire resistant genes and does not last in the intestine after 3-5 days of discontinuing the ingestion. The clinical efficacy of this probiotic yeast is known to improve various diarrhea such as pediatric diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, acute diarrhea, and traveler’s diarrhea. Additionally, when used as an adjuvant to treatment for Helicobacter pylori and Clostridium difficile infections, it improves bacterial eradication, prevents relapse, reduces adverse reactions and treatment-associated diarrhea.
Several animal studies have shown that Saccharomyces boulardii can alleviate certain psychological and behavioral conditions through the brain-gut axis and modulate gut microbiome composition. There is bidirectional communication between the brain and gut which is carried out by various pathways like neuronal, endocrine, metabolic and immune. Alterations to composition and function of the microbiota are related to many stress related psychiatric disorders. This is evident in Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a gut-brain axis disorder that shares high levels of psychiatric comorbidities including anxiety and depression. The mechanism of how this happens is still unclear; however many studies support the view that the gut brain axis is key link between certain gastrointestinal and psychiatric disorders. Individually these disorders also share similar pathophysiology for example changes in monoamine levels and inflammatory states
Incorporating AI Tools to Enhance Information Literacy and Critical Thinking in First Year Medical Students
Get PDFThis study aims to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention incorporating medical databases, search engines, and generative artificial intelligence (GAI) tools on the critical thinking skills and confidence of first-year medical students at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (SOM). Approximately 125 students participating in a three-week pre-matriculation program will be subjects of the study. The intervention will consist of a curriculum focused on developing research questions, using search tools and GAI, evaluating sources, and writing a research paper. Pre- and post-tests, including a CARS assessment and a perceived knowledge and abilities questionnaire, will be administered to measure changes in critical analysis skills and confidence in research-related tasks. Data analysis will involve comparing pre- and post-test CARS scores using a paired t-test and analyzing responses to Likert-style and open-ended questions to assess changes in confidence and abilities. A survey conducted in February 2024 revealed that first-year medical students find AI tools helpful in saving time and effort, improving research and presentation skills, and enhancing clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. The study hypothesizes that the intervention will lead to improved CARS assessment scores, increased student confidence and abilities in various research-related tasks, and the establishment of a sustainable intervention that can be integrated into the SOM curriculum and shared with other medical schools through publication. The fair and accessible utilization of free AI resources is expected to provide uniform opportunities for all students to engage with research and analytical tools, ensuring that students\u27 likelihood of success is not influenced by their background
Ketamine for Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review
Get PDFThe purpose of this review is to explore perinatal ketamine’s potential for reducing postpartum depression after cesarean section. Articles reviewed from Pubmed, Cochrane, and Web of Science using specific search terms. 8 final papers were used for review after excluding duplicates and irrelevant titles and abstracts. Ketamine showed potential in reducing postpartum depression symptoms post C-section, although some studies reported no significant effects. All studies were randomized control trials. Ketamine may help prevent or lessen postpartum depression symptoms post C-section, but more research is needed to understand dosing and its casual relationship with PPD in this context
Morel Lavallee Lesion: A Shear Fascia-nating Soft Tissue Injury
Get PDFMorel-Lavallée lesions (MLLs), first described by their namesake, French physician Victor-Auguste-François Morel-Lavallée, in 1863, represent a distinct category of soft-tissue degloving injuries. These injuries occur when a shearing force disrupts the connection between subcutaneous tissue and fascia, severing lymphatic vessels and capillaries, and leading to an encapsulated collection of lymph, blood, and necrotic fat. Because this space is deep and enclosed, the fluid accumulation cannot easily drain or resolve spontaneously and often an inflammatory capsule develops, further inhibiting resorption. Undiagnosed, patients go on to develop chronic pain, infection, skin necrosis, progressive neurovascular deficits, and, in severe cases, potential loss of limb and even life. For emergency medicine physicians, the implications are significant: Recognizing MLLs when a trauma patient first presents to the ED is crucial to avoiding long-term disability, morbidity, and mortality. We report a classic presentation of a MLL, highlighting how a thorough history, physical, and bedside POCUS allowed the diagnosis to be made after a delayed presentation to the ER, potentially sparing the patient significant morbidity and chronicity
Opioid Prescription Rates Before and After ALTO Program and Various Factors Affecting Emergency Department Opioid Prescription Rates
Get PDFOpioid prescription rates vary between patient population, diagnosis, location, and emergency department characteristics. High prescription rates offer an avenue for potential opioid addiction and overdoses. Alternatives to opioids (ALTO) is a new program already implemented in certain emergency departments to help change opioid prescription rates by introducing new protocols for first line treatments for pain management. With current trends still showing that South Jersey opioids prescription rates are the highest in the state of New Jersey, ALTO was introduced at Inspira Health Network located in South Jersey. This study retrospectively analyzed opioids prescription rates for abdominal pain, renal colic, migraines, and low back pain preintervention and postintervention of ALTO at Woodbury Inspira Emergency Department in order to see the effects of ALTO. Here we report that although overall prescription rates were not significantly changed pre and post intervention, ALTO was effective in significantly reducing opioid prescriptions for migraines. In addition, female patients were significantly prescribed more opioids than male patients and young adults to adults were significantly prescribed more opioids than children, adolescent and elderly. ALTO has shown glimpses in its effectiveness in helping to reduce opioid prescription rates for specific diagnosis. More research still must be done to better understand opioid prescription rates and effectives of ALTO