July 2021 – Proceedings of the Texas A&M Medical Student Grand Rounds

Utilizing 3D Printing for Better Outcomes in Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

July 30, 2021 Aaron Kim

Aaron Kim Introduction. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is often called the “coronary artery disease of the hip” because it is cause by similar ischemic conditions1. An occlusion of the arteries surrounding the femoral head leads to progressive necrosis, further resulting in compromised subchondral circulation, accumulation of microfractures, and…

Featured Abstracts Orthopedics

The Role of WNT5a as a Regulator of Cystic Airspace Enlargement in Pulmonary Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

July 30, 2021 Ashley Kidwell

Ashley Kidwell Introduction. Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lymphatic disease that affects 5-9 million women of child-bearing age.1,2 This is the second leading cause of mortality in women with tuberous sclerosis.3 Pulmonary LAM begins with a loss of function mutation in tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (Tsc2).1 This removes its…

Respiratory

Utilization of the Type I Interferon Anti-Viral Response by the RNA-Lipoplex Melanoma Vaccines

July 30, 2021 Ramlah Khan

Ramlah Khan Introduction. Melanoma is a cancer of melanocytes and is the cause of the most skin cancer related deaths per year with incidence rates increasing by 1.5% per year.1,2 Current treatments for melanoma include surgical resection, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, but some patients don’t respond to these therapies,…

Cancer Immunology

Increased Expression of MOTS-c Due to Physical Activity Improves Glucose Regulation in the Progression of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

July 30, 2021 Audrey Kelley

Audrey Kelley Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is the most common metabolic disease in the world, and is characterized by an insufficient response to insulin with subsequent glucose accumulation in the blood.1,2 High-fat diets contribute to the development and progression of the disease by downregulating the expression of glucose…

Metabolism

The Role of TLR4 in the Development and Potential Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

July 30, 2021 Alec Judd

Alec Judd Introduction: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is defined as increased blood pressure in the cardiovascular system between the right ventricle and left atrium; normal values are <25 mmHg.1 Pulmonary arterial blood pressure is influenced by a myriad of factors including diet, exercise, and stress levels, and can be secondary…

Cardiology

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Homing through the SDF-1/CXCR4 Axis and its Potential in Primary Osteoporosis Therapeutics

July 30, 2021 July Jost

July Jost Introduction. Primary Osteoporosis (OP) is the most common bone disease worldwide and is characterized by an imbalance in bone homeostasis with a bone mineral density (BMD) 2.5 standard deviations below average1,2. This increases the risk for fracture development1,2. Declining levels of sex-steroids associated with menopause in women and…

Orthopedics Stem Cells

Promoting Brain Repair After Traumatic Brain Injury through IL-6 Trans-Signaling Dependent Microglial Repopulation

July 30, 2021 Marita John

Marita John Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.1 The hallmarks of TBI include cognitive dysfunction and activated microglia, but it is unclear whether activated microglia are harmful or beneficial. Recent studies have investigated whether manipulating the activation of microglia or…

Neuroscience

Targeting the NO-cGMP-PKG Signaling Pathway and Phosphorylation of Titin as a Novel Treatment for HFpEF Patients

July 30, 2021 Jesper Jiang

Jesper Jiang Introduction. Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome that disproportionately affects older individuals. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), where the left ventricular ejection fraction is greater than 50%, is the most common form of HF and accounts for at least 50% of all diagnosed HF.1-4 Age…

Aging Cardiology

The Downstream Effects of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Binding of TLR2 and its Role in Potential Therapeutics

July 30, 2021 Cade Janke

Cade Janke Introduction: Activation of the innate immune response is key in fighting off Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).[1][2] However, Mtb alters the PAMP-TLR2 relationship to evade this response. Alterations include modified bacterial wall components that are recognized by TLR2.[2] This results in decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines which are necessary to…

Immunology Microbiology

The Mechanisms and Consequences of Tauopathy in Blast-Induced Brain Injury

July 29, 2021 Jabez Gondokusumo

Jabez Gondokusumo Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from a violent blow or jolt to the head and can have lasting neurological impacts12. TBI can be caused by the detonation of an explosive device, which produces a force that acts mechanistically similar to blunt force trauma that damages the brain…

Neuroscience