Digital Commons Network^™

Persistent Wheezing In An Adolescent Patient, Matilda Dervisevic, Stephen Cliff

Posters

No abstract provided.

Combined Middle Meningeal Artery Embolisation And Subdural Evacuation Port System Drainage For Chronic Subdural Haematoma: A Systematic Review, Single-Arm Meta-Analysis, Meta-Regression, And Cost-Benefit Analysis, Shiva A. Nischal, Santosh Guru, Shaan Patel, Ashviniy Thamilmaran, Mary Murphy

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural haematoma (cSDH) is an increasingly prevalent condition in older, anticoagulated, and medically frail patients, in whom recurrence and perioperative risk remain substantial despite standard surgical evacuation. Growing recognition of cSDH as an angiogenic, inflammatory disorder has prompted interest in minimally invasive strategies that combine mechanical decompression with targeted modulation of the underlying vascular pathology. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and health-economic profile of combined middle meningeal artery embolisation and subdural evacuation port system (MMAE-SEPS) drainage for cSDH, compared with conventional burr-hole evacuation.

METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched from inception to 24th August …

Participant Recruitment, Baseline Characteristics And Burden Of Cardiometabolic Risk Markers Among Adults With Prediabetes In Kenya: Insights From The Fermented Foods And Prediabetes Study, Rosebella Iseme, Alex Muia, Jacob Shabani, Samuel Mucheru, Catherine Gathu, Eliphas Gitonga, Redempta Mutisya, Peter Kioko, Jalal Safipour, Cornelia Witthöft

Population Health, East Africa

Aims

Methods

Results …

Prevalence And Determinants Of Fully Vaccinated Status For Covid-19 Among Pregnant Women In Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, And Pakistan, Vaishnavi Mathur, Jessica Schue, Berhaun Fesshaye, Prachi Singh, Emily Miller, Caroline Badzi, Emefa Modey, Marleen Temmerman, Ferdinand Okwaro, Renato Souza

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Maternal immunization provides essential maternal and fetal protection for several infectious diseases. The variability in vaccination guidelines for pregnant women across countries and through the course of the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the perception of both the general public and broader health care systems towards COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy and moreover shaped the accessibility and decision-making trajectory of pregnant women to become fully vaccinated. As part of a larger multi-country, mixed-methods study, the purpose of this cross-sectional analysis is to assess what factors are associated with pregnant women being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, and Pakistan. In each …

Postoperative Ileus After Lumbar Spine Surgery: Modifiable Risk Factors And Impact On Outcomes, Ali Mehaidli, Richard Easton, Alqasim Elnaggar, Gary George, Ahmad Almaat, Victor Chang, Jad Khalil, Kevin Taliaferro

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Postoperative ileus (POI) is an infrequent but impactful complication following lumbar spine procedures. While well-characterized in abdominal surgery, spine-specific data remain limited, particularly regarding modifiable risk factors. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 41,164 patients who underwent elective lumbar spine surgery between 2018 and 2023 using the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC) registry. Multivariable generalized estimating equation models were used to identify independent risk factors for POI. We also evaluated the association between POI and postoperative outcomes, including patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Results: POI occurred in 1.1% of patients (n = 447). Independent risk factors included older age (RR …

Halo Effect Of Prescribing Guidelines For Opioid Naive Patients Translates To Opioid Non-Naive Patients Undergoing Lumbar Decompression: A Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (Mssic) Study, Anisse Chaker, Geoff Kahn, Michael Melhem, Jian-Hui Hu, Kari Jarabek, Heegook Yeo, Jawad Saad, Abdullah Al-Tekreeti, Kenneth Easton, Jad Khalil, Richard Easton, Doirs Tong, Miguelangelo Perez-Cruet, Noojan Kazemi, Ilyas Aleem, Muwaffak Abulhak, David Nerenz, Victor Chang

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Chronic opioid dependency in spine surgery is an ongoing concern given the ongoing opioid epidemic. We have previously reported on our cohort of opioid-naıve patients, however the literature has shown that patients with opioid use at baseline are at higher risk of less favorable outcomes. Starting in 2022, MSSIC instituted state-wide prescribing guidelines for opioid naıve patients undergoing one- or two-level lumbar decompression surgery (laminectomy, laminotomy, foraminotomy, microdiscectomy) with performance goals of 80% compliance. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether there would be a form of a “halo” effect on prescribing patterns for patients with baseline …

The Dietary Management Of Sodium In Children With Kidney Diseases-Clinical Practice Recommendations From The Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce., José Renken-Terhaerdt, An Desloovere, Michiel Js Oosterveld, Nonnie Polderman, Evelien Snauwaert, Stella Stabouli, Johan Vande Walle, Caroline Anderson, Sheridan Collins, Larry A. Greenbaum, Matthew Harmer, Lyndsay Harshman, Christina L. Nelms, Pearl Pugh, Vanessa Shaw, Jetta Tuokkola, Molly R Wong Vega, Bradley A. Warady, Rukshana Shroff, Fabio Paglialonga

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Sodium imbalance is a common concern in children with kidney diseases, presenting as either sodium excess or sodium deficit, each with significant clinical implications. Sodium excess contributes to fluid overload and hypertension, while increased sodium losses, particularly via urine or peritoneal fluid, can predispose patients to hypotension and growth failure. Effective sodium management is thus a critical component of care in pediatric kidney diseases, with dietary sodium intake playing a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis. The Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce (PRNT) has developed clinical practice recommendations (CPRs) for dietary sodium management in children with kidney diseases, addressing key aspects of …

A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis On The Levels Of Supportive Care Needs In Adults With Cancer, Caroline B. Silveira, Rech, Maria Petropoulou, Pietro S. Rössler, Francine F. De Souza, Helena B. Böhmer, Amanda L. Giacomet, Richard Alejandro B. De Barros, Lucélia De C. De Barros, Vagner R.Z.B. Pereira, Nanci Da S.T. Junqueira, Pedro Lopez

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To estimate the levels of supportive care needs among adults with cancer using the Supportive Care Needs Survey–Short Form 34 (SCNS-SF34) and to examine demographic, clinical, and treatment-related determinants. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted (CRD42024604977). Studies reporting SCNS-SF34 scores in adults with cancer were included. Searches were performed across six different databases (November 2024; updated August 2025). Random-effects meta-analyses were undertaken to estimate the pooled mean scores across the five SCNS-SF34 domains and total score. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses explored potential determinants. Results: Ninety-five studies (n = 32,493) were analysed. The unmet needs observed tended to …

Co-Location Of Substance Use Disorder Treatment And Hospital Emergency Departments, Leila Hasan

Honors College Theses

Patients with substance use disorder (SUD) rely heavily on the hospital emergency department (ED) for acute care and are often discharged from the ED without access to long-term recovery resources. This project explores the impact of co-located addiction treatment programs with hospital EDs on recovery outcomes of patients with SUD. A systematic literature review conducted on relevant studies indicates that co-located programs can be effective in increasing treatment initiation and maintenance, reducing ED revisits, and reducing repeated overdose in SUD patients. Programs that were most effective included three key elements: fast linkage of SUD patients to program staff in the …

Residency As A Rite Of Passage: Assessing Liminality In Night Float And Improving Competency Evaluations, Lily Anderson-Chavarria, James Meza, Frank Mueller, Jianming Lau

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Purpose/Background: ACGME emphasizes competency-based evaluation of post-graduate education. However, written evaluations using averaged Likert Scales with minimal anchoring to real experiences is a sub-optimal method of evaluating resident competence. Through qualitative research, we explored resident’s own reflections on their transition into competent physicians and attempted to identify an alternative model for resident assessment. Based on informal observations, we predicted that night float rotations in the second-year curriculum are determinative for residents to achieve competence in clinical care. We further hypothesized that residents’ experiences mirror a Rite of Passage marked by rituals of separation, transition and reintegration, with night float serving …

Training Fm Residents In Prep Is "Hiv Possible", M Ellis Jaruzel, Carlie Nikel

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) offers the promise of dramatically reducing the risk of HIV transmission. Institutions in public health believe that PrEP is key to ending the HIV epidemic and improving access is central to this program. Prior literature has suggested that discomfort discussing sexual behaviors and STIs inhibit prescribing PrEP in primary care settings. Given the anticipated need for competent prescription of PrEP in primary care settings as a future routine part of clinical practice, a large (10/10/10) midwestern family medicine residency program designed and implemented a sexual health and PrEP OSCE in consultation with experts from the state (Michigan) …

Understanding Delays In Emergency Department Care: A National Analysis Of Wait Times, Gregory Forsberg

Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science Honors Projects

Emergency department (ED) wait times remain a persistent bottleneck in the United States healthcare system, impacting patient outcomes, hospital efficiency, and equitable access to care. This study analyzes nationally representative data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS), a complex, multi-stage probability sample. Using survey-weighted analyses and predictive modeling, we examine the effects of patient characteristics, triage acuity, and visit timing. Results indicate that operational and system-level factors, including hospital capacity, geographic region, and temporal variation, are among the most influential predictors of ED wait times

Rare Diseases In Children—Knowledge, Experiences And Challenges Faced By Pediatricians In Tanzania, Mariam Noorani, Mohamedraza Ebrahim, Francis Furia

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Diagnosing and treating rare diseases in children is a major challenge for pediatricians globally. There is a lack of adequate knowledge of these conditions and diagnostic testing is not easily accessible, which frequently results in delays in care. The knowledge, experiences and challenges faced by pediatricians in Tanzania are not known. This study used a nationwide cross-sectional online survey to describe the knowledge of pediatricians in Tanzania on rare diseases, their experiences, and the challenges they face in treating these children. The survey tool was shared on the Pediatric Association of Tanzania WhatsApp group where most pediatricians are registered. 168 …

Pattern Dynamics And Stochasticity Of Brain Rhythms And Spike Trains In A Tauopathy Mouse Model Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Clarissa M. Hoffman

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Systems neuroscience posits that every aspect of perceived physical reality, every aspect of animal and human behavior, and every cognitive phenomenon emerges from patterns of neuronal activity. While most researchers embrace this idea, there are major difficulties in describing and analyzing these complex neuronal dynamics—spike flows produced by cells ensembles, synchronized extracellular field oscillations, and other patterns—which limits our understanding of how the activity of individual neurons and the whole-animal cognition and behavior might be connected. In particular, we lack the approaches and even the semantics for connecting the individual cell outputs and the integrated results of their activity. Current …

Technical Development, Optimization, And Clinical Implementation Of Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods For Radiation Oncology, Lucas Mccullum

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has gradually grown more important in the field of radiation oncology. This paradigm shift has grown from initial experiments with MRI of cancerous lesions in the early 1970s, to the integration of MRI images for radiation therapy treatment planning (i.e., MRI-Simulation) in the early 1980s, to the combined MRI linear accelerator (MR-Linac) becoming commercially available in 2018 which can simultaneously image a tumor and treat it with radiation. However, due to its novelty in radiation oncology, its full potential for the integration of quantitative MRI-based biomarkers has yet to be fully realized.

Therefore, this dissertation will …

A Global Prospective Harmonization Framework For Suicidality, Anhedonia, And Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms In Psychiatric Genetic Studies: A Cross-Continental Study Within The Ancestral Population Network, Ana Diaz-Zuluaga, Jacey Anderberg, Ana Ramirez-Diaz, Andrea Marques, Catherine Rast, Daniel Bustamante, Deborah Jonker, Johanna Valencia-Echeverry, Stella Gichuru, Lukoye Atwoli

Internal Medicine, East Africa

This study aims to prospectively collect harmonized, quantitative, and dimensional psychiatric phenotypes (suicidality, anhedonia, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms) and information on discrimination, stigma, and unfair treatment in up to 27,500 individuals across diverse ancestries and clinical populations for genetic analysis within the NIMH Ancestral Population Network (APN). Five APN projects are participating in the current study (PUMAS-Paisa, PUMAS-NeuroGAP, KOMOGEN-D, LATINO, and SAX-II), spanning recruitment over 15 countries across the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Participants are being enrolled via the recruitment protocols specific to each participating project. The harmonized clinical battery includes the Columbia-Suicide Severity Scale, Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale, and Florida Obsessive-Compulsive …

Qualitative Beta-2-Adrenoceptor Signaling In The Regulation Of Human Airway Epithelia Mucin And Cytokine Production, Fred Graumuller, Diana Cervantes, Tung O. Chan, Niccolette Schaunaman, Dominic R. Villalba, Burton F. Dickey, Julia K. L. Walker, Hong Wei Chu, Raymond B. Penn

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Numerous in vivo studies have demonstrated beta-2-adrenoceptor (β2AR) -agonism as permissive in the development of allergic lung inflammation, and have implicated the arrestin-dependent signaling arm of the β2AR in mediating this effect. However, the specific cell type(s) mediating β2AR regulation of allergic lung inflammation remain unestablished.

METHODS: To explore the potential contribution of airway epithelia in this phenomenon, we compared the ability of ractopamine (RP), recently identified as a Gs-biased beta-agonist, to that of the unbiased/balanced beta-agonist albuterol (ALB), on IL-13-stimulated mucin and cytokine production in human airway epithelia cultures in air-liquid interface (HAE).

RESULTS: ALB, which activates both …

Low-Abundance And Fragmentary Helicobacter Pylori Dna Detected In Phenotypically Negative Gastric Biopsies Using Targeted Sequencing, Fabien Mbaya-Tshibangu, Alain Cimuanga-Mukanya, Evariste Tshibangu-Kabamba, Nadine Kayiba-Kalenda, Tressy Kalenga-Ngomba, Patrick Ngoma-Kisoko, Gunturu Revathi, Junko Akada, Benoît Mbiya-Mukinayi, Augustin Tshibaka Kabongo

Pathology, East Africa

Accurate detection and monitoring of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Helicobacter pylori mainly rely on phenotypic methods and culture, which can sometimes fail when bacterial load is low or after recent treatment. We investigated whether gastric biopsies classified as H. pylori-negative by standard diagnostic techniques still contain detectable bacterial DNA, including regions linked to AMR, and assessed whether selected DNA fragments can mediate allelic exchange in vitro. Gastric biopsies from 46 dyspeptic patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (including 23 phenotypically positive and 23 phenotypically negative individuals) were analyzed using long-read amplicon sequencing of seven resistance-associated loci, selective whole-genome …

Optimized Ultrasound Imaging Of Phase-Change Nanodroplets, Charles R Dyall, Dmitry Nevozhay, Andy Liu, Trevor M Mitcham, George J Lu, Konstantin V Sokolov, Richard R Bouchard

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Phase-change nanodroplets (PCNDs) continue to generate significant research interest due to their potential to extravasate into tissue, to be targeted for molecular imaging and drug delivery, and to undergo an induced phase-change to "activated" microbubbles (MBs) for ultrasound (US) imaging. To accurately quantify molecular markers, however, one assumes a consistent proportion of PCNDs in a region of interest (ROI) are stably activated and imaged. Herein we present a framework for developing a diagnostic sequence that is optimized for PCND activation uniformity, contrast, and acquisition time. To develop this framework, activation was examined at three scales of increasing complexity: single, adjacent, …

Corrigendum To 'Risk Factors For Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome After Initial Detection Of Pulmonary Impairment After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation' [Transplantation And Cellular Therapy 29/3 (2023) 204-204], Mansour Alkhunaizi, Badar Patel, Luis Bueno, Neel Bhan, Tahreem Ahmed, Muhammad H Arain, Rima Saliba, Gabriela Rondon, Burton F Dickey, Lara Bashoura, David E Ost, Liang Li, Shikun Wang, Elizabeth Shpall, Richard E Champlin, Rohtesh Mehta, Uday R Popat, Chitra Hosing, Amin M Alousi, Ajay Sheshadri

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Potential Impact Of Parasites In The Transmission Of Chronic Wasting Disease, Paulina Soto, Rodrigo Morales

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Growth Hormone Pathway As A Prognostic And Therapeutic Biomarker In Patients With Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated With Radiation Therapy, Joe R Eid, Safa Kaseb, Lianchun Xiao, Ryan Sun, Mahesh Kumar Kannan, Manal Hassan, Asif Rashid, Hop S Tran Cao, Hesham M Amin, Eugene J Koay

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Radiation therapy (RT) has emerged as an effective local therapy option for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is associated with improved overall survival (OS). However, some patients still have poor outcomes after RT, and biomarkers are needed to stratify prognostic groups. High circulating growth hormone (GH) levels promote HCC proliferation and survival and are associated with aggressive disease. In this study, we evaluated whether pretreatment GH levels are associated with OS and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients who underwent RT for unresectable HCC.

Methods and materials: Patients undergoing RT for HCC during 2017-2023 were identified from a …

Severe Transvalvular And Paravalvular Aortic Regurgitation As Late Tavr Failure Successfully Treated With Percutaneous Therapy, Ashley Armstrong, Luca Halalau, Ivan Hanson

Conference Presentation Abstracts

BACKGROUND - Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an established therapy for severe aortic stenosis. With improving long-term survival, late prosthetic valve–related complications are increasingly recognized. CASE SUMMARY - We report a 74-year-old man who presented eight years after TAVR with progressive dyspnea, orthopnea, and bilateral lower extremity edema, identified to be acute decompensated heart failure with a new diastolic murmur. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated severe aortic regurgitation. Subsequent transesophageal echocardiography identified concomitant severe paravalvular and severe transvalvular regurgitation of the bioprosthetic valve. Invasive hemodynamic assessment revealed acute volume overload with markedly elevated filling pressures, secondary pulmonary hypertension, and right ventricular …

Social Correlates Of Trauma And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: The Importance Of Context, Lukoye Atwoli, Linnet Ongeri

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Understanding trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) requires a contextual perspective that considers historical legacies, social environments, and cultural realities. This paper draws on empirical evidence from Kenya and Uganda to demonstrate the limitations of applying trauma frameworks developed in high-income countries to African contexts. Findings from the Orphaned and Separated Children’s Assessment Related to Their Health and Well-Being (OSCAR) study challenge assumptions about care environments. The study reveals higher PTSD rates among orphans in family-based settings compared to institutional care, and highlights the protective roles of religion and social support. The Neuropsychiatric Genetics of African Populations-Psychosis (NeuroGAP-Psychosis) study provides …

Population Pharmacokinetics And Dosing Simulations Of Pentobarbital In The Pediatric Population, Victoria Etges Helfer, Lorena Medina-Aymerich, William J. Muller, Marisa Meyer, Amira Al-Uzri, Russell Mcculloh, Chi D. Hornik, Stephen J. Balevic, Rachel G. Greenberg, Daniel K. Benjamin, Sarah G. Anderson, Daniel Gonzalez

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Pentobarbital is a barbiturate with sedative and anticonvulsant properties, occasionally used in pediatric patients for preoperative sedation, deep sedation during mechanical ventilation, and seizure control. Despite its long-standing clinical use, age-appropriate dosing remains challenging due to variability across studies and limited pediatric pharmacokinetic (PK) data. This study (NCT01431326) aimed to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of pentobarbital in pediatric patients (birth to 21 years) and evaluate dosing strategies using model-based simulations. A two-compartment population PK model, allometrically scaled to total body weight, adequately described pentobarbital plasma concentrations, with no additional covariates identified as significant. Simulations were conducted across four age groups: …

Case Series: Joubert Syndrome And Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Jonathon Schening, Stephanie Leon-Paredes, Eric Chiou, Vibha Szafron, Anthony Olive, Sara Anvari

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Joubert syndrome (JS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by developmental abnormalities, particularly in the brainstem and cerebellar vermis, alongside multisystem manifestations such as kidney and liver anomalies, polydactyly, cleft lip or palate, and tongue defects. The underlying ciliopathy causing JS may also contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms and immune dysregulation via Wnt signaling and impaired epithelial maintenance. Dysmotility including Hirschsprung disease has been documented at increased rates in JS and in other ciliopathies. Our case series highlights how JS patients frequently exhibit feeding intolerance, vomiting, and poor growth, which may raise suspicion for an underlying gastrointestinal condition, such as eosinophilic …

Aspirin And Preterm Birth Among Pregnant People With Increased Heat Exposure: Secondary Analysis Of A Randomized Clinical Trial, Gabriella Meltzer, Luke Duttweiler, Sarah Saleem, Kartik Shankar, Manolo Mazariegos, Antoinette Tshefu, Jackie Patterson, Elwyn Chomba, Waldemar Carlo, Shivaprasad Goudar, Richard Derman, Archana Patel, Patricia Hibberd, Edward Liechty, Fabian Essamai, Edwin Asturias, Denise Babineau, Janet Moore, Cascade Tuholske, Andrew Zimmer, Brent Coull, Elizabeth Mcclure, Robert Goldenberg, Nancy Krebs, Matthew Hoffman, Blair Wylie

Global Health Articles

IMPORTANCE: Scalable interventions are urgently needed to mitigate the adverse effects of heat on pregnancy and newborn health.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether low-dose aspirin modifies the association between heat exposure and preterm birth.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This secondary analysis of the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research Aspirin Supplementation for Pregnancy Indicated Risk Reduction in Nulliparas (ASPIRIN) randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted from March 2016 to June 2018. Statistical analyses were performed from June 2024 to June 2025. The study settings included the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Kenya, Guatemala, Pakistan, and Belagavi and Nagpur, …

Factors Associated With Postpartum Depression Symptoms Following Antepartum Hospitalization, Alison N Goulding, Daniel Palacios, Sukru Aras, Hu Chen, Sasidhar Pasupuleti, Marika Toscano, Nicole Cirino, Israel C Christie, Zhandong Liu, Emily S Miller, Terri L Fletcher

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Background: Hospitalized antepartum patients are at increased risk for postpartum depression (PPD). Developing approaches to identify those at highest risk for PPD would enable timely and targeted intervention.

Objective: We aimed to identify factors associated with the development of PPD symptoms in hospitalized antepartum patients and to assess their predictive utility.

Study design: This retrospective cohort study included pregnant individuals hospitalized in a regional referral center due to medical or obstetric complications between 2012 and 2025. Data were extracted from the electronic health record, including demographics, medical and obstetric history, hospitalization characteristics, and postpartum Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores …

Hepatopulmonary Syndrome As Presentation Of Pediatric Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis, Shruti Sakhuja, Stacey S Beer, Kalyani R Patel, Alexiss M Williams, Nhu Thao Galvan, John A Goss, Krupa R Mysore

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Childhood obesity is rising and leading to serious co-morbidities, among which is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) predisposing individuals to cirrhosis. We describe a young 11-year-old Hispanic male who presented with hepatopulmonary syndrome secondary to cirrhotic portal hypertension from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), necessitating liver transplantation. Despite lifestyle modifications post-transplantation, the patient experienced persistent weight gain and recurrence of steatosis, emphasizing challenges of managing pediatric MASLD. The burden of childhood obesity is increasing and impacting children significantly earlier than previously believed. Our case is one of the few to report the severe complications of MASH in a young, pre-teen …

Mif-Cd74 Signaling Drives Immune Modulation In Medulloblastoma, Benjamin Draper, Zhen You, Dean Thompson, Xu Guo, Alaide Morcavallo, Diego Chillon Pino, Carlos Lorenzo Gido Nery, Sumana Shrestha, Chantelle E Bowers, Courtney Himsworth, Alberto Delaidelli, Bethany Remeniuk, Sonia Morlando, Brandon Wade, Freya Gordon, Yara Sanchez-Corrales, Bei Hopkins, Natalie Monteiro, Darren Locke, Miao Liu, Jacob Torrejon Diaz, Kevin Greenslade, Barbara Martins Da Costa, Karen Barker, Colin Kwok, Olumide Ogunbiyi, Anya Fletcher, Stacey Richardson, Carlos Custodia, Rafael Roque, Thomas Jackson, Regan Barfoot, Sergi Castellano, Rebecca M Hill, Olivier Saulnier, Thomas S Jacques, Michael D Taylor, Claudia C Faria, Olivier Ayrault, Poul H Sorensen, John Anderson, Louis Chesler, L Frank Huang, Steven C Clifford, Laura K Donovan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Relapsed medulloblastoma remains a significant therapeutic challenge as it is near universally fatal. The tumor microenvironment of medulloblastoma plays a critical role in tumor progression, influencing tumor growth, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance. We hypothesized that defining tumor-immune interactions in diagnostic and relapsed medulloblastoma may uncover mechanisms of immune evasion and identify novel therapeutic targets.

Methods: We analyzed paired primary and recurrent RNA-sequencing data from 140 medulloblastoma patients to profile immune cell composition and validate spatial relationships within the TME. To identify key tumor-immune interactions, we developed a novel algorithm to detect receptor-ligand pairs using single-cell RNA-sequencing data. These …