Digital Commons Network^™

Distinct Thalamic And Frontal Neuroanatomical Substrates In Children With Familial Vs. Non-Familial Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd), Rahman Baboli, Meng Cao, Jeffrey M. Halperin, Xiaobo Li

Publications and Research

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent, inheritable, and heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder. Children with a family history of ADHD are at elevated risk of having ADHD and persisting its symptoms into adulthood. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of having or not having positive family risk factor in the neuroanatomy of the brain in children with ADHD. Cortical thickness-, surface area-, and volume-based measures were extracted and compared in a total of 606 participants, including 132, 165, and 309 in groups of familial ADHD (ADHD-F), non-familial ADHD (ADHD-NF), and typically developed children, respectively. Compared to controls, …

Reducing Liver Cancer Risk Through Dietary Change: Positive Results From A Community-Based Educational Initiative In Three Racial/Ethnic Groups, Lin Zhu, Ellen Jaeson Kim, Evelyn González, Marilyn A. Fraser, Steven Zhu, Nathaly Rubio-Torio, Grace X. Ma, Ming-Chin Yeh, Yin Tan

Publications and Research

Dietary behaviors and alcohol consumption have been linked to liver disease and liver cancer. So far, most of the liver cancer awareness campaigns and behavioral interventions have focused on preventive behaviors such as screening and vaccination uptake, while few incorporated dietary aspects of liver cancer prevention. We implemented a community-based education initiative for liver cancer prevention among the African, Asian, and Hispanic populations within the Greater Philadelphia and metropolitan New York City areas. Data from the baseline and the 6-month follow-up surveys were used for the assessment of changes in dietary behaviors and alcohol consumption among participants. In total, we …

Measuring Phases Of Employment Decision-Making And The Need For Vocational Services As A Social Determinant Of The Health Of Employed People Living With Hiv, Kb Boomer, Liza M. Conyers, Yili Wang, Yung-Chen Jen Chiu

Publications and Research

(1) Background: Secure employment has been recognized as a social determinant of health for people living with HIV (PLHIV), but limited research has been conducted to understand the employment needs and vocational decision-making process of those who are employed. The purpose of this study is to examine the applicability of the client-focused considering-work model to assess the employment outcomes and employment decision-making phases of a sample of employed PLHIV. (2) Methods: This study analyzed data of 244 employed PLHIV who completed National Working Positive Coalition’s Employment Needs Survey which included a 20-item Considering Work Scale- Employed version (CWS-Employed) and a …

Smoking Addiction In Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders And Its Perception And Intervention In Healthcare Personnel Assigned To Psycho-Rehabilitation Programs: A Qualitative Research, Pasquale Caponnetto, Marilena Maglia, Marta Mangione, Chiara Vergopia, Graziella Chiara Prezzavento, Riccardo Polosa, Maria Catena Quattropani, Jennifer Dipiazza, Maria Salvina Signorelli

Publications and Research

Patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders have a higher prevalence and frequency of smoking rates when compared to the rest of the population; to this, it must be added that they develop a greater dependence and have some worse health consequences than the general population. This is qualitative research on the perception of smoking in healthcare professionals assigned to psycho-rehabilitation programs for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The point of view of health personnel (Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Pedagogists, and Nurses) about cigarette smoking in these patients was analyzed, focusing on their implications in disturbance and comparing them with e-cigarettes too. The methodology …

Lessons From Health, Health Care, And Health Disparities Among Latinx Populations Scientific Panel, In New York City-2021, Andres Valcarcel, Maria-Isabel Roldos, Judith Aponte

Publications and Research

On September 28, 2021 the City University of New York- CUNY’s Institute for Health Equity (CIHE) hosted the online panel: Health, Health Care, and Health Disparities Among Latinx Population as part of a Speaker Series for Hispanic Heritage Month. CIHE is a CUNY-wide institute that coordinates research, teaching, service, and community collaboration to eliminate health inequalities and promote health. The purpose of this perspective is to summarize the key salient discussion points presented by four panelists with expertise in Hispanic and Latinx health of those residing in urban settings; and lessons learned from the Speaker Series.

Microalbuminuria And Hypertension Among Immigrants With Type 2 Diabetes: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Shiryn D. Sukhram, Gustavo G. Zarini, Lemia H. Shaban, Joan A. Vaccaro, Fatma G. Huffman

Publications and Research

Purpose: This study examined the association of microalbuminuria (MAU), as determined by albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), with hypertension (HTN) among Turkish immigrants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) living in deprived neighborhoods of The Hague, Netherlands. Methods: A total of 110 participants, physician-diagnosed with T2D, aged ≥ 30 years were recruited from multiple sources from The Hague, Netherlands in a cross-sectional design. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured using automated office blood pressure equipment. Urine albumin was measured by immunoturbidimetric assay. Urine creatinine was determined using the Jaffe method. MAU was defined as ACR ≥ 3.5 mg/mmol …

Microalbuminuria And Hypertension Among Immigrants With Type 2 Diabetes: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Shiryn D. Sukhram, Gustavo Zarini, Lemia H. Shaban, Joan A. Vaccaro, Fatma G. Huffman

Publications and Research

Purpose: This study examined the association of microalbuminuria (MAU), as determined by albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), with hypertension (HTN) among Turkish immigrants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) living in deprived neighborhoods of The Hague, Netherlands.

Methods: A total of 110 participants, physician-diagnosed with T2D, aged 30 years were recruited from multiple sources from The Hague, Netherlands in a cross-sectional design. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured using automated office blood pressure equipment. Urine albumin was measured by immunoturbidimetric assay. Urine creatinine was determined using the Jaffe method. MAU was defined as ACR 3.5 mg/mmol for females …

Incidence And Factors Related To Nonmotorized Scooter Injuries In New York State And New York City, 2005–2020, Peter Tuckel

Publications and Research

Background: This study provides an analysis of contemporary trends and demographics of patients treated for injuries from nonmotorized scooters in emergency departments in New York state excluding New York City (NYS) and New York City (NYC).

Methods: The study tracks the incidence of nonmotorized scooter injuries in NYS and NYC from 2005 to 2020 and furnishes a detailed profile of the injured patients using patient-level records from the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS). A negative binomial regression analysis is performed on the SPARCS data to measure the simultaneous effects of demographic variables on scooter injuries for NYS and …

Improving Long-Term Adherence To Monitoring/Treatment In Underserved Asian Americans With Chronic Hepatitis B (Chb) Through A Multicomponent Culturally Tailored Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Grace X. Ma, Lin Zhu, Wenyue Lu, Elizabeth Handorf, Yin Tan, Ming-Chin Yeh, Cicely Johnson, Guercie Gurrier, Minhhuyen T. Nguyen

Publications and Research

Background: Although Asian Americans make up 6% of the U.S. population, they account for 58% of Americans with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Yet, adherence to monitoring and antiviral treatment guidelines among Asian American CHB patients remains suboptimal. Methods: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a multicomponent intervention on adherence to CHB monitoring among Asian Americans with CHB. The intervention components included virtual patient education, patient navigation, and mobile health reminders delivered by bilingual community health educators. Chi-square test and t -test were used to compare demographic characteristics and two CHB measures: CHB clinical follow-up and …

Lgbtq+ And Dental Education: Analyzing The Present And Recommendations For The Future, Colin M. Haley, Diana V. Macri, Herminio L. Perez, Scott B. Schwartz

Publications and Research

LGBTQ+ populations constitute increasing proportions of children, adolescents, and adults in the United States. Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, this group suffers from health inequities, including oral health. The report “Oral Health: Advances and Challenges” identified the LGBTQ+ community as an underserved population which faces significant barriers in accessing oral health care. Coverage of LGBTQ+ topics in formal education settings in both dental schools and dental hygiene programs is scarce, which contributes to inequities within this group. Increasing curriculum content related to LGBTQ+ populations is of utmost importance to promote optimal patient-provider interactions while improving oral health outcomes. Ensuring equity …

Antidepressant Effect Of Ketamine On Inflammation-Mediated Cytokine Dysregulation In Adults With Treatment-Resistant Depression: Rapid Systematic Review, Shiryn D. Sukhram, Grozdena Yilmaz, Jianying Gu

Publications and Research

Background. Major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD) represent a global source of societal and health burden. To advise proper management of inflammation-related depression among TRD patients, it is important to identify therapeutic clinical treatments. A key factor is related to proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of depressive symptoms in MDD patients. Ketamine may provide an anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategy by targeting proinflammatory pathways associated with depressive disorders, which may be exacerbated in the ageing population with TRD.

Objective. Despite a burgeoning body of …

Toward Informatics-Enabled Preparedness For Natural Hazards To Minimize Health Impacts Of Climate Change, Jimmy Phuong, Naomi O. Riches, Luca Calzoni, Gora Datta, Deborah Duran, Asiyah Yu Lin, Ramesh P. Singh, Anthony E. Solomonides, Noreen Y. Whysel, Ramakanth Kavuluru

Publications and Research

Natural hazards (NHs) associated with climate change have been increasing in frequency and intensity. These acute events impact humans both directly and through their effects on social and environmental determinants of health. Rather than relying on a fully reactive incident response disposition, it is crucial to ramp up preparedness initiatives for worsening case scenarios. In this perspective, we review the landscape of NH effects for human health and explore the potential of health informatics to address associated challenges, specifically from a preparedness angle. We outline important components in a health informatics agenda for hazard preparedness involving hazard-disease associations, social determinants …

Risk Levels And Adverse Clinical Outcomes Among Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Receiving Oral Anticoagulants, Gregory Lip, Richard R. Murphy, Farhad Sahiar, Timothy J. Ingall, Amol Dhamane, Mauricio Ferri, Patrick Hlavacek, Madison T. Preib, Allison V. Keshishian, Cristina Russ, Lisa Rosenblatt, Huseyin Yuce, Steve Deitelzweig

Publications and Research

Importance The CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (calculated as congestive heart failure, hypertension, age 75 years and older, diabetes, stroke or TIA, vascular disease, age 65 to 74 years, and sex category) is the standard for assessing risk of stroke and systemic embolism and includes age and thromboembolic history. To our knowledge, no studies have comprehensively evaluated safety and effectiveness outcomes among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation receiving oral anticoagulants according to independent, categorical risk strata.

Objective To evaluate the incidence of key adverse outcomes among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation receiving oral anticoagulants by CHA₂DS_{2 …}

Lgbtq+ And Dental Education: Analyzing The Present And Recommendations For The Future, Diana V. Macri, Colin Haley Dds, Herminio Perez Dmd, Scott Schwartz Dds

Publications and Research

LGBTQ+ populations constitute increasing proportions of children, adolescents, and adults in the United States. Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, this group suffers from health inequities, including oral health. The report “Oral Health: Advances and Challenges” identified the LGBTQ+ community as an underserved population which faces significant barriers in accessing oral health care. Coverage of LGBTQ+ topics in formal education settings in both dental schools and dental hygiene programs is scarce, which contributes to inequities within this group. Increasing curriculum content related to LGBTQ+ populations is of utmost importance to promote optimal patient-provider interactions while improving oral health outcomes. Ensuring equity …

Recognizing And Disrupting Stigma In Implementation Of Hiv Prevention And Care: A Call To Research And Action, Sarit A. Golub, Rachel A. Fikslin

Publications and Research

Introduction: There is robust evidence that stigma negatively impacts both people living with HIV and those who might benefit from HIV prevention interventions. Within healthcare settings, research on HIV stigma has focused on intra-personal processes (i.e. knowledge or internalization of community-level stigma that might limit clients’ engagement in care) or inter-personal processes (i.e. stigmatized interactions with service providers). Intersectional approaches to stigma call us to examine the ways that intersecting systems of power and oppression produce stigma not only at the individual and interpersonal levels, but also within healthcare service delivery systems. This commentary argues for the importance of analysing …

Developing Standards For Cultural Competency Training For Health Care Providers To Care For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, And Asexual Persons: Consensus Recommendations From A National Panel, Mandi L. Pratt-Chapman, Kristen Eckstrand, Amorie Robinson, Lauren B. Beach, Charles Kamen, Alex S. Keuroghlian, Scott Cook, Asa Radix, Markus P. Bidell, Daniel Bruner, Liz Margolies

Publications and Research

Purpose: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and/or asexual and other sexual and gender diverse persons (LGBTQIA + or SGD persons) experience barriers to equitable health care. The purpose of this article is to describe a collaborative process that resulted in core cultural competency recommendations addressing training for those who provide health care and/or social services to LGBTQIA + patients.

Methods: In 2018 and 2019, Whitman-Walker Health, a Federally Qualified Community Health Center in Washing- ton, DC, and the National LGBT Cancer Network purposively selected leaders of community clinics and community-based organizations, cultural competency trainers, and clinicians and researchers with …

Cmv-Responsive Cd4 T Cells Have A Stable Cytotoxic Phenotype Over The First Year Post-Transplant In Patients Without Evidence Of Cmv Viremia, Lauren E. Higdon, Ayah A. Amad, Steven Schaffert, Kenneth B. Margulies, Jonathan S. Maltzman

Publications and Research

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a known cause of morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant recipients. While primary infection is controlled by a healthy immune system, CMV is never eradicated due to viral latency and periodic reactivation. Transplantation and associated therapies hinder immune surveillance of CMV. CD4 T cells are an important part of control of CMV reactivation. We therefore investigated how CMV impacts differentiation, functionality, and expansion of protective CD4 T cells from recipients of heart or kidney transplant in the fi rst year post-transplant without evidence of CMV viremia. We analyzed longitudinal peripheral blood samples by flow cytometry …

Is The Phq-9 A Unidimensional Measure Of Depression? A 58,272-Participant Study, Renzo Bianchi, Jay Verkuilen, Sharon Toker, Irvin Sam Schonfeld, Markus Gerber, Elmar Brähler, Kurt Kroenke

Publications and Research

The PHQ-9 has become a measure of reference in depression research and clinical practice. However, the issue of the PHQ-9’s unidimensionality has not been fully elucidated, and the usability of the PHQ-9’s total score requires clarification. In this study, we examined the dimensionality, scalability, and monotonicity properties of the PHQ-9 as well as the scale’s total-score reliability. We did so based on exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) bifactor analysis and Mokken scale analysis (MSA). We relied on a total of 58,272 participants (63% female; Mage = 43, SDage = 13) from 29 samples involving seven different countries (e.g., Germany, the …

Longitudinal Patterns Of Suicidality Among Heroin Users In Johannesburg, South Africa: A Need For Suicide Screening And Intervention, Nirvana Morgan, Ellen-Ge Denton, Ugasvaree Subramaney, William Daniels, Tilman Steinert

Publications and Research

Objectives: The objective of the study was to longitudinally assess the outcomes and correlates of suicidal ideation and behavior (SIB) among heroin users who attended inpatient detoxification and psychosocial rehabilitation. SIB was assessed in 300 heroin users upon entry into inpatient detoxification (baseline) as well as 3-months (t1) (n = 252; 84%) and 9-months (t2) (n = 225; 75%) post treatment. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the demographic, clinical and treatment related factors that increased the risk for a high SIB score.

Results: From baseline to t1 there was a significant decrease in the proportion of …

Depression Is Associated With Myocardial Infarction Within A Two-Year Period Among Adults In China, Lydia W. Li, Greta Cheng, Hongwei Xu, Zhenmei Zhang, Jinyu Liu, Yeates Conwell

Publications and Research

We examined whether baseline depression is associated with MI within a two-year period among adults aged 45+ in China and whether the association varies by sociodemographic characteristics. Two-year longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of people aged 45+ in China were analyzed (N = 15,226). MI within the 2-year period was coded dichotomously. Baseline depression, assessed by the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, was used as a dichotomous and a continuous variable. After adjusting for medical conditions, lifestyle and sociodemographic characteristics, the odds of having an MI within the 2-year period were 46% greater for respondents with …

Feasibility Of Using Electronic Health Records For Cascade Monitoring And Cost Estimates In Implementation Science Studies In The Adolescent Trials Network For Hiv/Aids Interventions, Tyra Dark, Kit N. Simpson, Sitaji Gurung, Amy L. Pennar, Marshall Chew, Sylvie Naar

Publications and Research

Background:One of the most difficult areas in the fight against HIV/AIDS is reaching out to youth aged 13 to 24 years. The proportion of youth living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and who are virally undetectable is low, highlighting significant challenges for reaching the Joint United Nations Program on HIV targets.

Objective:This study aimed to assess the feasibility of obtaining key clinical indicators and monitoring treatment, viral suppression, and retention components of the youth HIV treatment cascade in Adolescent Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions clinics using electronic health record (EHR) downloads and to provide baseline characteristics for the study …

Lessons To Build An Educational Model For Higher Education Institutions Defined As Anchor Institutions To Tackle Public Health Crises: A Pilot Study On Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Faculty And Students In Herbert L. College In The Bronx, Ny, Maria-Isabel Roldos, Katherine Burt, Jacob Eubank

Publications and Research

Coronavirus disease 2019 exacerbated health inequities in Bronx Communities. This study explored vaccine hesitancy among a random sample of faculty and students from Herbert Lehman College. Findings suggest faculty are largely vaccinated (87%), while 59% of students are unvaccinated. Significant gaps in information were found related to safety and complications. This suggests universities need to adopt an educational model with a multipronged social support strategy to gain students’ trust and a greater sense of belonging.

An Evaluation Of The Effect Of The Oxycontin® Reformulation On Unintentional Fatal And Non-Fatal Overdose, Daniel C. Beachler, Kelsey Hall, Renu Garg, Geetanjoli Banerjee, Ling Li, Luke Boulanger, Huseyin Yuce, Alexander M. Walker

Publications and Research

Objectives: OxyContin® was reformulated with a polyethylene oxide matrix in August 2010 to reduce the potential for intravenous abuse and for abuse by insufflation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of OxyContin’s reformulation on overdose risk for individuals dispensed OxyContin in comparison to those dispensed other opioids under regular care. Methods: Three national insurance databases with National Death Index linkage identified OD in individuals with any dispensing of OxyContin or a primary comparator opioid (ER morphine, transdermal fentanyl, or methadone) between July 2008 through September 2015. A difference-in-differences design was used to compare the pre-post reformulation …

Adapting A Conceptual Framework To Engage Diverse Stakeholders In Genomic/Precision Medicine Research, Karriem S. Watson, Elizabeth G. Cohn, Alecia Fair, Usha Menon, Laura A. Szalacha, Selena M. Carpenter, Consuelo H. Wilkins

Publications and Research

Introduction: Genomic/precision medicine offers a remarkable opportunity to improve health and address health disparities. Genomic medicine is the study of genes and their interaction with health. Precision medicine is an approach to disease prevention and treatment that considers individual variability in genes, environ- ment and lifestyle. Conclusions from studies lacking diversity may hinder general- izability as genomic variation occurs within and between populations. Historical factors, such as medical mistrust, ethical issues related to decision making, and data sharing pose complex challenges that may further widen inequities in genomic/ precision medicine if not appropriately addressed. Although few biomedical studies integrate priorities …

Sleep And Economic Status Are Linked To Daily Life Stress In African-Born Blacks Living In America., Zoe C. Waldman, Blayne R. Schenk, Marie Grace Duhuze Karera, Arielle C. Patterson, Thomas Hormenu, Lilian S. Mabundo, Christopher W. Dubose, Ram Jagannathan, Peter L. Whitesell, Annemarie Wentzel, Margrethe F. Horlyck-Romanovsky, Anne E. Sumner

Publications and Research

To identify determinants of daily life stress in Africans in America, 156 African-born Blacks (Age: 40 ± 10 years (mean ± SD), range 22-65 years) who came to the United States as adults (age ≥ 18 years) were asked about stress, sleep, behavior and socioeconomic status. Daily life stress and sleep quality were assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. High-stress was defined by the threshold of the upper quartile of population distribution of PSS (≥16) and low-stress as PSS < 16. Poor sleep quality required PSQI > 5. Low income was defined as groups, PSS were: 21 ± 4 versus …

Factors Associated With Hepatitis B Medication Adherence And Persistence Among Underserved Chinese And Vietnamese Americans, Aisha Bhimla, Lin Zhu, Wenyue Lu, Sarit Golub, Chibuzo Enemchukwu, Elizabeth Handorf, Yin Tan, Ming-Chin Yeh, Minhhuyen T. Nguyen, Min Qi Wang, Grace X. Ma

Publications and Research

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection disproportionately affects Asian Amer- icans in the United States, while this population faces low adherence to HBV treatment. Using the information–motivation–behavioral skills model (IMB), the study aims to examine medication adherence and persistence among Chinese and Vietnamese people with HBV. Methodology: Study participants were recruited between March 2019 and March 2020 and were enrolled through multiple recruitment approaches in the Greater Philadelphia Area and New York City. The study is an assess- ment of the baseline data on medication adherence, HBV-related knowledge, motivation of HBV med- ication treatment, self-efficacy about HBV medication treatment, and …

From Abortion Rights To Reproductive Justice: A Call To Action, Erica Goldblatt Hyatt, Judith L.M. Mccoyd, Mery Diaz

Publications and Research

As aggressive cultural and legislative attacks on abortion rights and access continue, we call upon social workers to pursue the liberatory aims of the reproductive justice (RJ) movement. We argue that the RJ framework, rooted in feminist theory, aligns with social work’s social justice ethos and goals, appropriately guiding advocacy and intervention. After outlining the central aims and tenets of the RJ movement, we consider policies that impair RJ and those that could promote RJ, focusing on enhancing body sovereignty, childbearing, and parenting. We conclude with concrete recommendations for how social workers can pursue RJ professionally and personally.

Results Of A Phase 1, Randomized, Placebocontrolled First-In-Human Trial Of Griffithsin Formulated In A Carrageenan Vaginal Gel, Natalia Teleshova, Maria J. Keller, José A. Fernández Romero, Barbara A. Friedland, George W. Creasy, Marlena G. Plagianos, Laurie Ray, Patrick Barnable, Larisa Kizima, Aixa Rodriguez, Nadjet Cornejal, Claudia Melo, Gearoff Cruz Rodriguez, Sampurna Mukhopadhyay, Giulia Calenda, Shweta U. Sinkar, Thierry Bonnaire, Asa Wesenberg, Shimin Zhang, Kyle Kleinbeck, Kenneth Palmer, Mohcine Alami, Barry R. O'Keefe, Patrick Gillevet, Hong Hur, Yupu Liang, Gabriela Santone, Raina N. Fichorova, Tamara Kalir, Thomas M. Zydowsky

Publications and Research

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is dominated by clinical therapeutic antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. Griffithsin (GRFT) is a non-ARV lectin with potent anti-HIV activity. GRFT’s preclinical safety, lack of systemic absorption after vaginal administration in animal studies, and lack of cross-resistance with existing ARV drugs prompted its development for topical HIV PrEP. We investigated safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and immunogenicity of PC-6500 (0.1% GRFT in a carrageenan (CG) gel) in healthy women after vaginal administration. This randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group, double-blind first-in-human phase 1 study enrolled healthy, HIV-negative, non-pregnant women aged 24–45 years. In the open label period, all participants (n …

Hematologic Involvement As A Predictor Of Mortality In Covid-19 Patients In A Safety Net Hospital, Luis F. Gonzalez-Mosquera, Sandra Gomez-Paz, Eric Lam, Diana Cardenas-Maldonado, Joshua Fogel, Vishnu Adi, Sofia Rubinstein

Publications and Research

Introduction: COVID-19 affects the hematologic system. This article evaluated the impact of hematologic involvement of different blood cell line parameters of white blood cells including absolute neutrophil count (ANC), hemoglobin, and platelets in COVID-19 patients and their association with hospital mortality and length of stay (LOS).

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 475 patients with con- firmed positive COVID-19 infection and hematologic abnormalities in the metropolitan New York City area.

Results: Elevated absolute neutrophil count (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.02-1.42; p < 0.05) increased days of hematologic involvement (OR: 4.44; 95% CI: 1.42-13.90; p < 0.05), and persistence of hematologic involvement at discharge (OR: 2.87; 95% CI: 1.20-6.90; p < 0.05) was associated with higher mortality. Higher hemoglobin at admission (OR: 0.77; 95% CI:0.60-0.98; p < 0.001) and platelets peak (OR: 0.995; 95% CI: 0.992-0.997; p < 0.001) were associated with decreased mor- tality. Patients with higher white blood cell peak (B = 0.46; SE = 0.07; p < 0.001) and higher hemoglobin at admission (B = 0.05; SE = 0.01; p < 0.001) were associated with higher LOS. Those with higher hemo- globin nadir (B = -0.06; SE = 0.01; p < 0.001), higher platelets nadir (B = -0.001; SE = < 0.001; p < 0.001), and hematologic involvement at discharge or death (B = -0.06; SE = 0.03; p < 0.05) were associated with lower LOS.

Conclusions: These findings can be used by clinicians to better risk- stratify patients with hematologic involvement in COVID-19 …

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation On Parkinson’S Disease: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Paloma Cristina Alves De Oliveira, Thiago Anderson Brito De Araújo, Daniel Gomes Da Silva Machado, Abner Cardoso Rodrigues, Marom Bikson, Suellen Marinho Andrade, Alexandre Hideki Okano, Hougelle Simplicio, Rodrigo Pegado, Edgard Morya

Publications and Research

Background: Clinical impact of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) alone for Parkinson’s disease (PD) is still a challenge. Thus, there is a need to synthesize available results, analyze methodologically and statistically, and provide evidence to guide tDCS in PD.

Objective: Investigate isolated tDCS effect in different brain areas and number of stimulated targets on PD motor symptoms.

Methods: A systematic review was carried out up to February 2021, in databases: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of science. Full text articles evaluating effect of active tDCS (anodic or cathodic) vs. sham or control on motor symptoms of PD were …