Fort Worth Medical Students Published in Major Medical Publications

FORT WORTH – Several students from the TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine have studies published in major medical publications.

Second-year medical student Ali Mafuz was a part of a group that published a study about how flame retardants might have a significant impact on childbirth even If exposure occurred early on in a woman’s pregnancy.

Mafuz was part of an investigation team led by NYU Long Island School of Medicine researcher, Morgan R. Peltier, PhD., an associate professor in the Departments of Clinical Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Medicine at NYU Long Island School of Medicine, part of NYU Langone Health. The study found that most of the pregnant women who participated in the study had detectable levels of PBDEs in their blood.

The study showed that women with concentrations above 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood were about twice as likely to birth their children earlier through a cesarean section or intentionally induced labor because of safety concerns for the mother or infant. In comparison, women that had PBDE levels below that level showed no elevated risk for preterm birth.

First-year medical student Noah Embry assisted a Plano-based orthopedic surgeon in preparing a case study on the fastest recovery time in pediatric tibial tubercle avulsion fracture repair using the speedbridge double-row technique. The case report was published in Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and Techniques.

The case report showed that while Tibial Tuberosity Avulsion Fractures (TTAF) account for less than 1% of pediatric fractures they usually occur in adolescent males and most often occur with jumping. Most techniques to repair the fracture require screws and a minimum of 3 months to heal. The new technique by Dr. Chris Miller of Legacy Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, uses an all-suture, double-row knotless repair technique without the need for screws, plates, or metal. It helps patients move into the postoperative state without casting, faster range of motion, immediate therapy and a quicker return to playing sports.

Second-year medical student Jonas Kruse was a part of a group who presented an abstract paper at the American Academy of Neurology’s Annual Meeting on April 17, 2021.

The paper titled, ‘Purkinje Neurons: Structural and Functional Changes in Alzheimer’s Disease’ studied cerebellar involvement in postmortem human and mouse Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) brains. It also focused on the cerebellum-essential motor function in transgenic AD mice.

Second-year medical student Mallory Thompson joined a group that had their study on COVID-19 and dermatological personal protective equipment considerations published on Taylor & Francis Online.

The study looked at the effect that cutaneous injury and irritation among health care workers had considerably increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hours of prolonged use of personal protective equipment (PPE) led to itching, pain and aggravation of underlying skin conditions in healthcare professionals during the height of the pandemic.

The study looked at specific PPE design and use to determine the dermatologic consequences of prolonged use of certain PPE items. The group aimed to improve current recommendations to prevent and address PPE-induced dermatologic conditions.