Xavier Times - January 2022

THE XAVIER TIMES A Medical School Experience on an island unlike any other in the region!

JANUARY 2022

Vol. 13:/No.01

XAVIER UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE ARUBA

Celebrates White Coat Ceremony Dr. Jeremy Rae, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs At Xavier University School of Medicine, all first-semester MD students experience the ritual of the White Coat Ceremony, when students put on their white coat for the first time and recite the Medical Student Pledge of Professional Conduct, symbolizing the beginning of their journey as a medical student.

On Friday, January 7, Xavier University School of Medicine welcomed members of the incoming Spring 2022 MD class for their White Coat Ceremony.

The first speaker, Chief Academic Officer Dr. Arun Kumar Dubey, spoke about the mission of Xavier and how students can successfully navigate through the journey of medical school upon which they are about to embark. Dr. Dubey emphasized the ongoing physician shortage–a global issue, but one that will particularly affect the United States–as the need for doctors continues to increase.

Recognized by New York State Board of Education | Fully Accredited by ACCM COAT 1 WHITE CEREMONY

XAVIER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE / ARUBA

GLOBAL 4 ALUMNI MEET

9 WHAT TO EXPECT

10 STUDENT PERSPECTIVE

(516) 333-2224 • www.xusom.com • admissions@xusom.com Named a “Top 10 Caribbean Medical School” by MoneyInc.

FOR New Students Dr. Kevin Pawlak Dean of Pre Medical Science

White Coat White Coat

This semester we had our second online orientation program for new premed and MD students but this semester was different from the last because it was going to be our first hybrid semester in school history. This semester we were able to welcome some of our students back to campus and we were able to start having classes in the classroom again. With Aruba opening back up and tourists coming back to the island it meant that we were officially able to welcome any students back to campus that were able to travel. This created a unique challenge for the faculty in which they needed to teach the students in the class but make sure that the online students still felt like they were included in the discussions and The keynote speech was then given by Dr. Jamiu Students were recognized with their white coats as to provide both groups of students with a positive learning environment.

Busari, Associate Professor of Medical Education at they were given to them for the first time. The group During the orientation it was my privilege to give the first talk of the new semester and to Maastricht University and Dean of Health Professional of incoming students then recited the Medical Student welcomeatallthe of Horacio our new students to Xavier in University of Medicine for theConduct, Fall 2020led semester.

Pledge of Professional

by Dr. Busari.

Education Oduber Hospital Aruba. School first daythe of mental orientation we had informative talks about the premed and MD curriculum Dr. During Busari the discussed health crisisvery that has The of orientation is the White Coat arisen as a result ofwere the also COVID-19 pandemic, at XUSOM. There talks from student along finances and culmination the library system and all of week the available Ceremony, and Xavier University School of Medicine with the consequences the in students as theyThe begin resources for studentsfor to use their studies. final session of the day was a great question and their careers in medicine. Using real-life stories, he welcomes all of our new students and celebrates answer period that was held by the deans to answer any questions that the students had about the emphasized the importance of the roles of humility, the beginning of their journey to become successful school or from the first day of integrity, and social justice in orientation. the development of doctors!

During the second day or orientation we had talks about the student support system at the future physicans. school and about the importance of professionalism and the medical humanities in your studies. These talks were followed by two of the most important talks so far. These talks were focusing on the importance of study skills and time management for your success in medical school. As the students will soon find out this is truly one of the most critical aspects to success in your medical program. Taking the time to develop good study skills in your first couple semesters will help with processing the huge amount of material that needs to be learned during medical school.

Ceremony Ceremony

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DEAR XAVIER COMMUNITY I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!

To all of our returning students, welcome back to another semester. To all of our new students, we are excited to have you join us and thank you for entrusting us with your journey to become a doctor. As you all know, we are invested in your success, and will provide you with all of the tools necessary for a rewarding career in medicine.

The students, faculty, and staff have all worked very hard and followed guidelines to provide a safe environment during these difficult times. I am very appreciative of the effort that has been made to ensure the health of our community.

It’s also important to notice that, year after year, our students are excelling in academics; this is a direct result of the hard work of our faculty and administration under the leadership of Chief Academic Officer Dr. Dubey, Dean of Basic Sciences Dr. Majhi, VP of Academic Affairs / Dean

Of Clinical Science Dr. Pestell, Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Prasad, Dean of Pre-Med Dr. Pawlak, Associate Dean of Clinical Science Dr. Abazid, and all of our Department Chairs. I am so glad to share that our graduates will be joining their residency programs and facing new challenges as the need for new doctors grows more and more every day.

We are excited to welcome many of you to our new state-of-the-art residential complex, which is a beautiful, all-inclusive facility for our students to call Aruba home while they are studying with us on One Happy Island!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your support and contribution to the success of Xavier.

STAY SAFE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT 2022.

Sincerely,

Ravi Bhooplapur

President Xavier University School of Medicine

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s n o i t a l u t a Congr

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S E T A U D A R G LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN CLASS OF

Graduation 2022 Saturday, June 4, 2022 LOCATION: new residential campus in Aruba.

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For more information, visit XUSOM.com/Graduation

XAVIER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

ALUMNI GLOBAL MEET June 2-3, 2022, Aruba

By Dr. Abdulrahman Aboud & Dr. Rachel Karmally, Trustees & Global Alumni Meet Co-Chairs

We are excited for another amazing Xavier University School of Medicine Alumni Global Meet!

We have been working hard to recruit a special panel this year that consists of previous Xavier students, alumni, current residents, and graduated practicing physicians from different fields of medicine. This diverse panel will help answer all your questions about what you need to secure residency in the near future. We and the panel were all in the same position as you are now, and will share recent and valuable information to help you succeed.

Our advice to every student is to prepare a list of questions, general or specific, to your unique situation. The panel will help answer them for you.

Bring your enthusiasm, focus and excitement to find out about the next steps needed in designing your future.

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ASK ANY MEDICAL STUDENT AND THEY’LL TELL YOU

THE JOURNEY TO BECOMING A DOCTOR IS ALL ABOUT LANDING A GREAT RESIDENCY. At Xavier University School of Medicine in Aruba, we understand the challenges students face and are dedicated to helping overcome these challenges by preparing them for success. After all, becoming successful requires more than hard work and dedication. It’s about having a solid support system and the right tools to make everything happen.

HOW XAVIER HELPS

STUDENTS OBTAIN RESIDENCIES We sat down with Dr. Abdulrahman Aboud, a member of the Xavier University School of Medicine Board of Trustees—and proud alumnus of the university—to discuss Global Meet, an exclusive program to Xavier that is designed to guide and educate students on how to gain a competitive edge in the residency application process.

GAINING A COMPETITIVE EDGE There’s no time to waste when preparing for the residency application process. According to Dr. Aboud, medical students should begin preparing for the process on the first day of medical school. If this seems like an aggressive approach— it is. And here’s why. “Everything you do while in medical school matters,” said Aboud. “Applying for residency is highly competitive. You only have one chance to make a good impression, so it’s imperative that your application has a competitive advantage to edge out other applicants. That’s where Global Meet comes in.”

THE GLOBAL MEET CONNECTION Every year, Xavier hosts Global Meet which is unique to Xavier. During this event, which is delivered through a lecture-and-panel discussion format, all Xavier students have the unique opportunity to gain insight and knowledge about the residency application process. “The residency matching process is highly competitive and requires serious planning to ensure your application is reviewed in the best light,” explained Aboud. “This is why it’s imperative that students know what field of medicine they want to specialize in so they can narrow down the programs to apply to.” Every student applies and interviews for every program. At the end, the programs rank the students they want and vice versa. If the student’s and program’s ranking numbers are close, the student will get matched.

Aboud is a proud member of the panel and encourages Xavier students at all academic levels to attend. Here is a snapshot of what they’ll receive: · Q&A with experienced doctors to understand steps in the residency process · Help with residency applications · The best strategies to “match” with their individual U.S. residency programs of choice If you have been studying for a career in medicine, keep in mind some important points regarding residencies. While there’s no denying that grades play a major role in landing a residency, it’s about bringing your “A-game.” And we’re not just talking grades. Having a strong residency application is so much more than that. Aboud said it’s important to humanize your application, and he offers helpful tips to ensure yours is strong, competitive, and viewed in the best light: · Ensure your area of specialty fits the program you’re applying to · Showcase any related experience · Exhibit your strengths · Close any academic or time gaps · Eliminate any red flags “It’s more difficult for medical students outside of the U.S. to match with a residency,” said Aboud. “Programs like Global Meet act as a bridge to helping students navigate the residency process for a successful outcome.”

THE GLOBAL MEET CONNECTION

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CLINICAL ROTATIONS Up until now, we have been discussing the importance of landing a residency which can take three years or more depending on the specialty, however, part of the journey to becoming a practicing physician is completing clinical rotations which are a part of medical school. Every medical school has relationships with local hospitals and medical practices where students can complete rotations. Aboud emphasizes that this may be the most crucial step in your medical school career. “Every medical student is required to complete their clinical rotations in the core fields of standard medicine, plus electives,” he said.

For example, there are six core fields (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Surgery, Pediatric and Gynecology/Obstetrics) and then if the student is interested in Family Medicine, he or she would complete elective rotations in areas that build on that interest. It is during this time that students choose the area of medicine they wish to specialize in. Committing to a specialty is key to opening doors to your future. If possible, Aboud highly recommends students complete their clinical rotations at the facility where they want to do their residency. “Having experience and a proven track record at the same hospital or facility can give you the competitive edge during the residency application process.”

DR. ABOUD’S JOURNEY TO FAMILY MEDICINE As a Xavier alumnus, Aboud has a story of his own to tell.

Born in Iraq, he always had a passion for medicine. He journeyed to Canada, where he earned his undergraduate degree at University of Waterloo. Realizing the country’s severe shortage of doctors reinforced Aboud’s determination to earn his medical degree. He decided to take the Caribbean medical school route and chose Xavier University School of Medicine in Aruba to pursue his dream. “I had friends who attended Xavier and were able to give me firsthand knowledge about the university and its program,” he said.

“I applied and began my studies in January of 2012.” For the next several years, he embraced the program and discovered how certain advantages—such as Xavier’s small class sizes and tropical location—were the perfect combination for his success. “Unlike other medical schools, Xavier’s small class sizes give students the opportunity to ask questions and learn the material almost on a one-on-basis,” Aboud explained. “The tropical climate and relaxed atmosphere were the ultimate settings to explore other interests and gain experience in my field, such as planning health fairs for students and becoming the Vice President of the Student Association.

After completing his required studies at Xavier, Aboud moved to Chicago, where he decided to specialize in Family Medicine

Dr. Aboud addressed current students at the Alumni Global Meet

while completing his clinical rotations. “I fell in love with Family Medicine,” he said. “It’s not only challenging, but it covers a broad area that doesn’t limit me to one type of medicine.” He matched a residency at Sparrow Hospital which is affiliated with Michigan State University, where he made his mark as Chief Resident of Obstetrics in Family Medicine for the three years that followed.

ONE PATIENT AT A TIME Today, Aboud currently works as a doctor of Family Medicine in Canada, where he specializes in mental health and psychiatric services. “I am board certified in both the United States and Canada, but I chose to work here where the need for doctors is greater,” he explained. Canada is growing rapidly and there simply aren’t enough medical schools to meet the need. In fact, if you want to get a doctor’s appointment (nonemergency) in Canada, you would have to wait six months to a year. Aboud also went on to say that the demand for family physicians is global. “We are the first doctor a patient sees. I find that to be the best part of my job—to gain the patient’s trust and make them feel comfortable. It’s a blessing to touch so many people’s lives, and I’m grateful for that opportunity.”

Aboud maintains his connection with Xavier as a prestigious member of the Board of Trustees and planning developer of Global Meet. As someone who has firsthand knowledge of the challenges of medical school, Aboud offers words of wisdom to current and prospective medical students: “Your journey will change, and that’s okay. Don’t think about where you are now. You must grow from your struggles and know you will make it. Remember—everything you do in medical school matters. Push through it all and know you will come out a stronger, wiser, and ready to live your dream.”

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WHAT TO EXPECT IN MEDICAL SCHOOL: Dr. Gopi Shares Insight on Xavier’s Commitment to Student Success Congratulations! You’re on your way to becoming a doctor. As a result, your emotions may be taking over as to what lies ahead. It’s normal to feel nervous and a bit uneasy. After all, it is medical school. But the good news is that your hard work and dedication to your future career has brought you this far.

This month, we sat down with Dr. Gopi, Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology and Chair of the Curriculum Committee at Xavier University School of Medicine in Aruba for his keen perspective on what students can expect from the program, and the ways in which Xavier is committed to their success every step of the way.

EASING INTO THE PROGRAM There’s no denying that medical school is hard. Dr. Gopi explains how students may well feel a bit overwhelmed at first, since medical school is most likely their first exposure to such a vast and challenging curriculum. “At Xavier, we take a gentler approach,” said Gopi. “The curriculum is designed to ease our students into the program. This not only helps build the students’ confidence, but provides a comfort factor to help them advance throughout the curriculum.”

Here are some of the ways Xavier supports their students’ success: xyz Begin with fundamental concepts—First year students begin learning the basics of medicine (MD1). This helps ease them into the curriculum and prepares them as they advance to more challenging courses in the program.

xyz Provide academic and non-academic support services—Each Xavier student is assigned a mentor. This support service is crucial for when students need someone they can trust with their academic and non-academic concerns.

xyz Counseling services—Some students may face challenges and feel depressed, overwhelmed, or stressed out. Xavier offers counseling services for psychological issues, when or if a student needs them.

DR. GOPI SHARES ADVICE TO STUDENTS The faculty and staff at Xavier are committed to the success of their students. As a dedicated member of the Xavier faculty, we asked Dr. Gopi to share his thoughts and to offer any advice he would like to current and prospective Xavier medical students.

“The life of a medical student can be challenging. Every student—at one point or another—will feel like they are burned out. This is normal. When this happens, I advise my students to take a day off from their studies and do something that is relaxing and brings them joy.”

AT XAVIER, WE TAKE A GENTLER APPROACH

“THE CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO EASE OUR STUDENTS INTO THE PROGRAM...”

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WHAT TO EXPECT

PROVEN MODES OF TEACHING For the past five years, Dr. Gopi has led the classroom in the field of Physiology. He explains how the manner in which a student is taught is just as important, if not more so, as the material itself.

Here is a breakdown of the traditional modes of teaching used at Xavier that are proving successful for its students: xyz Interactive lecture—This two-way form of communication is key as it focuses on the students and allows them to interact throughout the lecture. xyz Small group learning—Through small group learning, students receive the skills they need for lifelong learning, which, in turn, provides critical thinking. Students will experience topics that include theme-based learning, problem-based learning, and flip-classroom learning—which is a methodology used to identify any gaps in the learning process. xyz Basic Sciences—From courses MD1 through MD6, Xavier professors teach from a clinical perspective, much like the way medicine is practiced in a hospital setting. Instruction is focused on preclinical subjects with relevance to a clinical case, which allows students to connect normal structure and function to its clinical perspective. xyz Art of Clinical—During the Basic Science program, students are exposed to nine organ systems. The method of teaching at Xavier ensures that students are learning around the concepts of Integrated Clinical Medicine and Physical Diagnosis (ICMPD) and Objective Structures Clinical Examination (OSCE). xyz Clinical Sciences – After completion of the USMLE Step 1 Exam, students undergo clinical training in various ACGME-accredited hospitals for 2 years (years 3 and 4 of medical school). Clinical training includes both core and elective clinical rotations. During these years, students start applying their knowledge of Basic Sciences into their clinical cases.

Dr. Gopi stresses the importance of identifying the best mode of learning for the student. “Not every student learns the same way,” he states. “Some learn more effectively by listening to lectures or videos, while others learn better by reading the material. Overall, being successful in medical school comes down to time management.”

DR. GOPI’S TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Dr. Gopi teaching during a Physiology class

As Chair of the Curriculum Committee at Xavier, Dr. Gopi has a keen sense of what methods work best for students who attend medical school. Here are some of his tips for success: xyz Attend all classes and lectures—Being disciplined and attending all classes and lectures are paramount to being successful in medical school. Missing even one class can cause a major setback in a student’s studies. xyz Be attentive during class—Come to class prepared and be attentive to the material being presented. Dozing off or daydreaming will only cause students to fall behind. xyz Connectivity—While listening to the lecture, Dr. Gopi suggests connecting the topic to a r eal-life situation. This methodology helps keep each student stay connected to the material in his or her own way.

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STUDENT PERSPECTIVES Latchmin Harakram, MD1 Queens, NY (USA) To answer this, I would have to give a small amount of background information about myself. I am originally from Guyana, South America. I eventually moved to the U.S. with my mom at the age of fourteen. I have lived in one of the most populated states in the U.S. which is New York, but yet somehow it felt very isolated. This was solely due to the lack of culture and community within the schools I have attended. This is no reflection on my teachers/professors, because without them I wouldn’t have gained the knowledge I needed to be here in Aruba at Xavier. This was a personal point of view that I had attending middle school through college.

I wanted to change that point of view, which led me to think that I would eventually like to be back in a small country where there was inclusivity, a community, and,

more importantly, cultural diversity. Upon researching, I came across Xavier University School of Medicine. I proceeded to apply. I eventually got an interview, which was conducted by one of the Academic Deans. During the interview, it quickly and naturally transitioned into feeling like I was already a part of their well-established community within their school. This ultimately led me to believe this is a school I can thrive in.

Coming to Aruba is a beautiful thing but coming to Xavier School of Medicine is even a greater accomplishment. I immediately felt at home inside and outside of the classroom. Classroom sizes are small which I am not used to coming from the States. However, this means your professors, advisors, librarian, maintenance staff, and students who are and aren’t in your class all know you on a first name basis.

Farhan Ahmed, MD1 Toronto, Ontario (Canada) One of my primary reasons for choosing Xavier over other Caribbean medical schools was the small and integrated classroom sizes that allow students to engage with each other and get any additional help on lecture content or preparation for examinations.

The curriculum is well-designed to cater to learning content in a systems-based method that helps students integrate all aspects and subjects. In addition, the library on campus has access to a wide range of resources that aid the understanding of concepts for medical students.

The new residential campus has all the necessities students need to succeed in medical school. There are many amenities, such as a gym, basketball court, and a soccer field. Not only are these facilities brand new and wellequipped, but they also provide students with a place to unwind and enjoy the beautiful island of Aruba during breaks in between studying. This allows students to engage and have a great time together. I am also very excited about the new Academic building opening soon!

My favorite thing about Xavier University School of Medicine is that the community is close-knit, and everyone is available and ready to help out one another!

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Fedny Agelus, MD1 Sarasota, FL (USA) Xavier is fully-accredited, which will allow me to practice in the U.S. Xavier also has cultivated a diverse community with small class sizes. The staff and the professors are very caring and attentive to students.

Then, there is the location. Aruba is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean that I have always dreamed of visiting with my family. The environment, the constant breeze, the kindness of the people, and more make this island a perfect place to spend two years of study. I also love the new student residential campus.

Even though I am far from my loving wife and son, the Xavier community has already made me feel like family. I am happy to continue this long and incredible journey here and am proud to call Xavier University School of Medicine my school.

Nabhan Haque, MD1 Orchard Lakes, MI (USA)

Housing amenities contributed to my choice. Not only do the dorms look nice, but they also come with a view, a meal plan, and have multiple sports areas for basketball, volleyball, and soccer. The convenience of the dorms is a contributing factor of wellness for students. With the limited time I have during medical school, amenities have made a difference in performance, stamina, and happiness.

Johnathan Riley, MD2 Detroit, MI (USA) The cost of attendance is an affordable price, and there are good clinical rotation sites where I will be able to learn the essential skills and knowledge while becoming a future physician, which I am ready for the challenge. Furthermore, the additional resources and Q banks recommended to me will help me be 100% prepared for the USMLE, which is my goal.

Why live in Aruba? There is always something I can do that will give me peace of mind when taking a break from my studies. Also, the community is friendly and will help you if you get lost while traveling. There is a nice shopping mall, plenty of restaurants, and sunny beach views that anyone would dream of and gives a calm feeling.

Kajal Sivia, MD1 Abbotsford, British Columbia (Canada) My reason for choosing Xavier would be OPPORTUNITY. I had the opportunity of attending medical school straight out of High School by attending the 5½ year Pre-Med to MD program, which guaranteed me admission into the MD program upon successful completion of Pre-Med.

Small class size was a factor in choosing Xavier. Teachers are available for discussion, and they have adequate time to help students with the material. Being able to talk to my teachers, I was able to form more intimate relationships with them, which helped keep me focused on school and helped reduce distraction, making school easier to manage.

There is a lot of stigma around schools which are known as foreign medical schools, however, I made sure to reach out to all alumni and choose a school that was accredited and met all requirements for me to practice as a physician in the United States and Canada. I also qualified for a scholarship that assists in the financial aspect of attending medical school.

At Xavier, the administration is outstanding. The folks here treat everyone like family, making the transition smoother and more effective. I’ve noticed this only happens when the leadership is aligned with the administration in a wellorganized and empathetic way. The happiness of the professors, administration, and students seems to rub off on me as well. Coming to Xavier was a great choice!

By talking to alumni and current students in Basic Sciences and Clinical rotations, it gave me the assurance I was looking for and also showed me anything is possible once you put your mind to it. I’m so glad to be a part of this school and am very excited to continue forward to see what the future has in store for me!

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Jaskaran Bhairon, MD1 Abbotsford, British Columbia (Canada)

The staff and faculty are accommodating and attentive to your needs; they ensure that you have the best learning environment–housing, meals, mental health, and educational support. Xavier provides excellent learning methods that suit every student; they consistently i mplement new ways to enhance students’ understanding and overall experience. At XUSOM, everyone is so dedicated that you get continuous support during and even after school hours; they also follow the health and safety guidelines and protocols to limit the exposure and incidence of COVID-19 and maintain the health and safety of the entire Xavier community.

I am very fortunate to have found out about XUSOM’s 5½ Year Pre-Med to MD program, which allowed me to attend Xavier directly from high school rather than having to complete my bachelor’s degree prior to entering medical school. The Pre-Med program at Xavier fully prepared me for the MD semesters. I am very glad that I got this opportunity to be in my first semester of medical school at my age. I am also very fortunate to have received one of the great scholarships that Xavier offers to assist with the financial aspect of attending medical school.

New Faculty

Spotlight GET TO KNOW Dr. Deepti Mankar Dr. Deepti Mankar graduated from Grant Medical College in Mumbai and subsequently earned her MD in Pathology from Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad. She has extensive experience as a Consultant Pathologist and has been a teacher of Pathology to medical, dental, and nursing students. She has been instrumental in conceptualization, setup, training, and quality management of Histopathology, Cytopathology, Blood Banking, and central Clinical Lab services in large corporate and teaching hospital-attached laboratories in India. Her interests include Ovarian and Endocrine Pathology and she has published research articles on subjects ranging from gout to evolving practices in Medical Education.

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STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

Hiba AbuShawish, MD2 Milwaukee, WI (USA)

RESEARCH

CORONAVIRUS

CAN YOU SPOT THE FAKE RECEPTOR? Engineered “decoy” receptors are currently being evaluated as a potential treatment for COVID-19 infections

by Dr. J Rae In order for the COVID-19 virus to attach to and enter human cells, the spike (S) protein must bind to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is responsible for regulating blood volume and pressure and is expressed on the surface of cells, primarily in the lung, heart and gastrointestinal tract.

Amongst various therapies being currently trialed (see also figure top left), the most advanced are those using cocktails of neutralizing antibodies.1 However, the SARS-CoV-2 S protein can develop accumulating mutations to reduce the binding of these antibodies and, therefore, decrease their effectiveness.

https://www.embopress.org/doi/full/10.15252/emmm.202012828

Experiments using engineered ACE2 decoy receptors2 indicate a high degree of binding to the virus’ S protein, even when a considerable number of mutations are introduced. This, therefore, may get around the problem of variants showing resistance to antibodies. The hope is that this treatment could reduce the viral load inside the body, which might mean faster recovery times for patients.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-020-00370-w

In one study, infected mice receiving the treatment only had mild symptoms compared with untreated mice, who died.3 To date, only one human clinical trial of the ACE2 product has been completed in patients with moderate to severe symptoms.4 Even so, more and more researchers are supporting the new therapeutic.5

We await further trials with interest, and conclude that resistance to engineered decoys will be rare and that decoys may be active against future outbreaks of COVID-19 variants.

REFERENCES: 1. Sokolowska, M. Outsmarting SARS-CoV-2 by empowering a decoy ACE2. Sig Transduct Target Ther 5, 260 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-020-00370-w 2. Chan, K. K., Tan, T., Narayanan, K. K., & Procko, E. (2020). An engineered decoy receptor for SARS-CoV-2 broadly binds protein S sequence variants. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology, 2020.10.18.344622. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.18.344622 3. Hassler, L et al. (2021). A novel soluble ACE2 protein totally protects from lethal disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology, 2021.03.12.435191. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.12.435191v2.full 4. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/results/NCT04335136 5.

https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/08/27/1033862/fake-receptors-new-covid-19-treatment/

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HOW DO WE LOSE THE SENSE OF SMELL DURING COVID-19 INFECTIONS?

by Dr. Virginia De Frias Professor of Neuroscience and Physiology

Temporary loss of smell, or anosmia, is one of the earliest and the most common neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19 infections. The partial loss of the sense of smell or even total anosmia are considered early markers of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

(Giacomelli et al., 2020; Lechien J. R, 2020).

The olfactory neuroepithelium is pseudostratified, composed of Bowman’s glands, olfactory sensory neurons, sustentacular cells, microvillar cells, globose, and horizontal basal cells which keep dividing throughout our life for the renewal of the pool of the sensory neurons. The sensory neuron is a bipolar cell; the dendrites are located in the nasal mucosa with multiple cilia covered with odorant receptors where the transduction mechanism occurs while the axon crosses the cribriform plate before reaching the olfactory bulb in the brain. The olfactory sensory neurons are embedded in the olfactory neuroepithelium by the sustentacular cells which are attached to the basal lamina and are critical for maintaining the integrity and function of the neuroepithelium, besides these cells regulate the homeostasis of water and ions in the olfactory neuroepithelium.

The olfactory sensory neurons do not express the gene that encodes the ACE2 receptor protein, which is used by SARS-CoV-2 to enter into the human cells. Fodoulian et al. (2020) reported a high expression of the proteins ACE2 and TMPRSS2, a serine protease considered a virus internalization enhancer on the apical membrane of the sustentacular cells from the human olfactory neuroepithelium from deceased SARS-CoV-2-infected patients.

Fodoulian L. et al (2020) also reported high expression of ACE2 or TMPRSS2 on the Purkinje neurons and cerebellar astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons from the cortical layer 5 of the human cerebral cortex .

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Similar results were reported by Klingenstein M. et al. (2021) who observed a high expressions of the proteins ACE2 and TMPRSS2 on the sustentacular cells of the human olfactory neuroepithelium with high expression in the glomerular layer and also ACE2 in the mitral cell and in some glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) on the human olfactory bulb from the human postmortem nasal and olfactory tissue.

The sustentacular cells are the gate for the entry of the virus in the olfactory neuroepithelium causing a transient impairment of olfaction produced by the inflammatory process that affects the integrity of all the cells of the olfactory neuroepithelium including the epithelial, sensory neurons and stem cells because are tightly packed together. The sustentacular cells regulates the homeostasis of the sensory neurons, express the cytochrome P450 family enzymes and are involved in the olfactory transduction cascade, so the viral infection of the sustentacular cells affect the integrity and function of the olfactory sensory neurons (Najafloo R. et al., 2021). It is possible that the virus replicates in the neuroepithelium below the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone, through which olfactory neuron axonal projections reach the olfactory bulb, offering a potential gateway of the virus to the brain.

REFERENCES: Fodoulian L., Tuberosa J., RossierD., Landis B.N., Carleton A., Rodriguez I. (2020). SARS-CoV-2 Receptors and Entry Genes Are Expressed in the Human Olfactory Neuroepithelium and Brain. iScience 23, 101839 December 18, 2020 ª 2020 The Author(s). https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.isci.2020.101839.

Giacomelli A., Pezzati L., Conti F., Bernacchia D., Siano M., Oreni L., Rusconi S., Gervasoni C., Ridolfo A. L., Rizzardini G., Antinori S., Galli M. (2020). Self-reported olfactory and taste disorders in patients with severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 infection: A cross-sectional study. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 71, 889–890.10.1093/cid/ciaa330.

Klingenstein M., Klingenstein S., Neckel P.H., Mack A.F., Wagne A.P., r,b Alexander Kleger A., Liebau S., Alfio Milazzo A. (2021). Evidence of SARSCoV2 Entry Protein ACE2 in the Human Nose and Olfactory Bulb. Cells Tissues Organs. 2021 Jan 22: 1–10. doi: 10.1159/000513040.

Lechien J. R., Chiesa-Estomba C. M., De Siati D. R., Horoi M., Le Bon S. D., Rodriguez A., Dequanter D., Blecic S., El Afia F., Distinguin L., ChekkouryIdrissi Y., Hans S., Delgado I. L., Calvo-Henriquez C., Lavigne P., Falanga C., Barillari M. R., Cammaroto G., Khalife M., Leich P., Souchay C.,Rossi C., Journe F., Hsieh J., Edjlali M., Carlier R., Ris L., Lovato A., De Filippis C., Coppee F., Fakhry N., Ayad T., Saussez S. (2020) Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions as a clinical presentation of mild-to-moderate forms of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a multicenter European study. Eur. Arch.

Otorhinolaryngol. 10.1007/s00405-020-05965.

Najafloo R., Jila Majidi J., Asghari A., Aleemardani M., Kamrava S.K., Simorgh S., Seifalian A., Bagher Z., Seifalian A.M. (2021). Mechanism of Anosmia: Caused by Symptoms of COVID-19 and Emerging Treatments. ACS Chemical Neuroscience, 12 (20), 3795-3805. DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00477.

NURSING CLINICAL ROTATIONS

by Dr. Davies and Dr. Pawlak The Nursing Program at Xavier University School of Medicine started in the Fall of 2020. One of the most important facets of nursing education is the clinical rotations, where students have the opportunity to perform the techniques and skills learned about in the classroom. Nursing clinical labs at Xavier have prepared the students to use their skills and education in a real-life setting by providing a safe, yet realistic, setting for them to practice what they have learned.

On Monday, January 10, 2022, the nursing students of Xavier University School of Medicine were able to put all of their learning and practice to good use, as they started clinical rotations at Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital in Aruba.

“It was a very exciting first week at the hospital,” said student Marie Henriquez. “Working with fulltime nurses at the hospital and seeing how they do their job has been a great experience so far. I was able to use my knowledge about medications and pathophysiology to help patients. It is a great feeling when patients and their families express gratitude for your work.”

“My first week at the Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital was spent on the General Surgery floor,” added student Cristel Arends. “On the day that I started, I was able to attend a Surgeon’s meeting where they discussed patients and caring for them. I had the opportunity to accompany nurses to observe patients and assist with wound care. I am enjoying learning hands-on through clinical rotations.”

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NEW CAMPUS UPDATE

Parking Housing Block

NEW RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS Dining Hall

OPEN NOW! Pool

Named a “Top 10 Caribbean Medical School” by jçåÉófåÅ.

XAVIER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE / ARUBA

North American Admissions Office 1000 Woodbury Road, Suite 109 Woodbury, New York 11797 USA T: 516-333-2224 F: 516-921-1070 E: Admissions@xusom.com

Aruba Campus Santa Helenastraat #23 Oranjestad, Aruba T: 297-588-7766 F: 297-588-6222

(516) 333-2224 • www.xusom.com • admissions@xusom.com