Dr. Sieck studies a range of health issues and their implications on patient care, particularly the dangers of herbal supplements like kratom, which have been linked to serious liver injuries. He also investigates rare complications from common conditions, such as how a stomach ulcer can lead to a life-threatening vascular condition. Additionally, Dr. Sieck looks at medical education, examining how different methods of assessment can improve the preparedness of medical students for licensing exams. His work contributes valuable insights for patients, educators, and healthcare providers.
Key findings
Kratom use can lead to acute liver injury, becoming the second leading cause of drug-induced liver injuries in the U.S.
Bleeding from gastric artery pseudoaneurysms caused by ulcers has a high mortality risk of 40% to 80% if untreated.
Switching to comprehensive final exams saved faculty 355 hours of remediation time in medical education.
End-of-semester final exams correlate more closely with USMLE Step 1 scores than subject examinations, with 50%-58% of students performing well on both.
Use of a fluoride treatment method increased loosely-bound fluoride uptake from 27.2 micrograms to 44.9 micrograms.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Sieck study kratom?
Yes, he examines the risks of kratom, particularly its link to liver injuries.
What conditions does Dr. Sieck focus on?
He studies complications from stomach ulcers and the effects of herbal supplements on health.
Is Dr. Sieck's work relevant for medical students?
Yes, his research improves assessment methods to better prepare medical students for licensing exams.
What treatments has Dr. Sieck researched?
He has researched fluoride treatments for dental health and their effectiveness in strengthening tooth enamel.
How does Dr. Sieck's research help patients?
His work informs patients about the risks of certain supplements and improves medical and dental care approaches.
Publications in plain English
A Rare Case of a Gastric Ulcer Causing Left Gastric Artery Pseudoaneurysm.
2023
ACG case reports journal
Roma K, Sieck B, Mikhael T, Naik K, Wahid S
Plain English This study looked at a rare medical issue where a stomach ulcer caused a dangerous condition called a pseudoaneurysm in the artery that supplies blood to the stomach. The researchers found that bleeding from this condition can be very serious, with a high risk of death if it bursts—between 40% and 80% of patients may not survive. This matters because it highlights the importance of recognizing and treating stomach ulcers quickly to prevent life-threatening complications.
Who this helps: This helps patients with stomach ulcers and their doctors.
Kratom-induced acute liver injury: A case study and the importance of herbal supplement regulation.
2023
Journal of hepatology
Roma K, Mohammed S, Sieck B, Naik K, Wahid S
Plain English The study focused on kratom, a popular herbal supplement linked to serious liver problems, which has become the second leading cause of drug-induced liver injuries in the U.S. Researchers found that kratom use can lead to severe health issues, including liver failure and even death. This is important because it highlights the need for better regulation of herbal supplements to protect users from potential harm.
Who this helps: This helps patients and healthcare providers understand the risks associated with kratom use.
Pre-clerkship National Board of Medical Examiners Subject Examinations Versus End-of-Semester Final Examinations: How Well Do They Assess Preparedness for the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1?
2022
Cureus
Moreno M, Gonzalez P, Sieck B, Simanton E
Plain English This study looked at how well different types of exams predict whether medical students are prepared for the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1. Researchers compared scores from two types of assessments used at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas: subject examinations and end-of-semester final exams. They found that overall, the end-of-semester exams correlated more closely with USMLE scores, but individual subject exam scores provided a stronger gauge of readiness for the licensing test, showing half (50%-58%) of students performed well in relation to their USMLE scores.
Who this helps: This benefits medical students and educators by identifying better ways to prepare for licensing exams.
Incorporation of Comprehensive Examinations for a Time-Efficient Remediation Method.
2022
Advances in medical education and practice
Gonzalez P, Moreno M, Iida T, Sieck B, Bester J +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how using a comprehensive final exam at the end of each semester can improve the remediation process for medical students at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine. The results showed that switching to this exam saved faculty 355 hours of remediation time compared to an older method, reducing the average time spent on each student to just over one hour. This is important because it allows faculty to spend more time enhancing the overall education for all students, rather than focusing on just a few.
Who this helps: This helps medical students and their instructors.
Assessment of loosely-bound and firmly-bound fluoride uptake by tooth enamel from topically applied fluoride treatments.
1990
Journal of dental research
Sieck B, Takagi S, Chow LC
Plain English This study looked at how different fluoride treatments affect tooth enamel. Researchers found that a fluoride gel applied for four minutes deposited an average of 27.2 micrograms of loosely-bound fluoride and 186 parts per million (ppm) of firmly-bound fluoride on the enamel. In comparison, a different fluoride treatment that included an earlier step increased those amounts to 44.9 micrograms of loosely-bound fluoride and 1280 ppm of firmly-bound fluoride, showing that this method better enhances the enamel's fluoride uptake.
Who this helps: This helps dental patients by improving fluoride treatments for stronger teeth.