Digital Commons Network^™

Covid-19 Convalescent Plasma Therapy Decreases Inflammatory Cytokines: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Feben Habtehyimer, Xianming Zhu, Andrew D Redd, Kelly A Gebo, Alison G Abraham, Eshan U Patel, Oliver Laeyendecker, Thomas J Gniadek, Reinaldo E Fernandez, Owen R Baker, Malathi Ram, Edward R Cachay, Judith S Currier, Yuriko Fukuta, Jonathan M Gerber, Sonya L Heath, Barry Meisenberg, Moises A Huaman, Adam C Levine, Aarthi Shenoy, Shweta Anjan, Janis E Blair, Daniel Cruser, Donald N Forthal, Laura L Hammitt, Seble Kassaye, Giselle S Mosnaim, Bela Patel, James H Paxton, Jay S Raval, Catherine G Sutcliffe, Matthew Abinante, Kevin S Oei, Valerie Cluzet, Marie Elena Cordisco, Benjamin Greenblatt, William Rausch, David Shade, Amy L Gawad, Sabra L Klein, Andrew Pekosz, Shmuel Shoham, Arturo Casadevall, Evan M Bloch, Daniel Hanley, Aaron A R Tobian, David J Sullivan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This study examined the role that cytokines may have played in the beneficial outcomes found when outpatient individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 were transfused with COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) early in their infection. We found that the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 decreased significantly faster in patients treated early with CCP. Participants with COVID-19 treated with CCP later in the infection did not have the same effect. This decrease in IL-6 levels after early CCP treatment suggests a possible role of inflammation in COVID-19 progression. The evidence of IL-6 involvement brings insight into the possible mechanisms involved in CCP treatment mitigating SARS-CoV-2 severity.

Rare Case Of Mycobacterium Avium Complex Peritonitis In A Patient With Multiple Myeloma Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis, Sacide S. Ozgur, Nida Ansari, Dhruv Patel, Ryan Rahman, Raymond Shih

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections can present as a variety of severe diseases. While it has a predilection for immunocompromised patients such as those with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), it can also affect immunocompetent patients as well. One of the rare yet severe diseases that MAC infections can present is MAC peritonitis. Often hard to distinguish from other causes of peritonitis, high clinical suspicion should be maintained for those who are susceptible. Here we present an 85-year-old female with a past medical history of end-stage renal disease on peritoneal dialysis who presented with nausea and vomiting. She was found to …

D-Mannose Reduces Cellular Senescence And Nlrp3/Gasdermind/Il-1Β-Driven Pyroptotic Uroepithelial Cell Shedding In The Murine Bladder, Chetanchandra S Joshi, Arnold M Salazar, Caihong Wang, Marianne M Ligon, Rayvanth R Chappidi, Bisiayo E Fashemi, Paul A Felder, Amy Mora, Sandra L Grimm, Cristian Coarfa, Indira U Mysorekar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Aging is a risk factor for disease via increased susceptibility to infection, decreased ability to maintain homeostasis, inefficiency in combating stress, and decreased regenerative capacity. Multiple diseases, including urinary tract infection (UTI), are more prevalent with age; however, the mechanisms underlying the impact of aging on the urinary tract mucosa and the correlation between aging and disease remain poorly understood. Here, we show that, relative to young (8-12 weeks) mice, the urothelium of aged (18-24 months) female mice accumulates large lysosomes with reduced acid phosphatase activity and decreased overall autophagic flux in the aged urothelium, indicative of compromised cellular homeostasis. …

Identifying Opportunities For Prevention Of Adverse Outcomes Following Female Genital Fistula Repair: Protocol For A Mixed-Methods Study In Uganda, Alison El Ayadi, Susan Obore, Fred Kirya, Suellen Miller, Abner Korn, Hadija Nalubwama, John Neuhaus, Monica Getahun, Patrick Eyul, Robert Twine, Erin Andrew, Justus Barageine

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Female genital fistula is a traumatic debilitating injury, frequently caused by prolonged obstructed labor, affecting between 500,000-2 million women in lower-resource settings. Vesicovaginal fistula causes urinary incontinence, and other morbidity may occur during fistula development. Women with fistula are stigmatized, limit social and economic engagement, and experience psychiatric morbidity. Improved surgical access has reduced fistula consequences yet post-repair risks impacting quality of life and well-being include fistula repair breakdown or recurrence and ongoing or changing urine leakage or incontinence. Limited evidence on risk factors contributing to adverse outcomes hinders interventions to mitigate adverse events. This study aims to quantify …

An Evolutionary Perspective On Complex Neuropsychiatric Disease, Jon M Mcclellan, Anthony W Zoghbi, Joseph D Buxbaum, Carolina Cappi, James J Crowley, Jonathan Flint, Dorothy E Grice, Suleyman Gulsuner, Conrad Iyegbe, Sanjeev Jain, Po-Hsiu Kuo, Maria Claudia Lattig, Maria Rita Passos-Bueno, Meera Purushottam, Dan J Stein, Anna B Sunshine, Ezra S Susser, Christopher A Walsh, Olivia Wootton, Mary-Claire King

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The forces of evolution-mutation, selection, migration, and genetic drift-shape the genetic architecture of human traits, including the genetic architecture of complex neuropsychiatric illnesses. Studying these illnesses in populations that are diverse in genetic ancestry, historical demography, and cultural history can reveal how evolutionary forces have guided adaptation over time and place. A fundamental truth of shared human biology is that an allele responsible for a disease in anyone, anywhere, reveals a gene critical to the normal biology underlying that condition in everyone, everywhere. Understanding the genetic causes of neuropsychiatric disease in the widest possible range of human populations thus yields …

Pediatric Medical Subspecialist Use In Outpatient Settings, Christopher B Forrest, Candice P Chen, Eliana M Perrin, Christopher J Stille, Ruth Cooper, Katherine Harris, Qian Luo, Mitchell G Maltenfort, Lauren E Parlett

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Importance

A first step toward understanding whether pediatric medical subspecialists are meeting the needs of the nation’s children is describing rates of use and trends over time.

Objectives

To quantify rates of outpatient pediatric medical subspecialty use.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This repeated cross-sectional study of annual subspecialist use examined 3 complementary data sources: electronic health records from PEDSnet (8 large academic medical centers [January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2021]); administrative data from the Healthcare Integrated Research Database (HIRD) (14 commercial health plans [January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2021]); and administrative data from the Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information …

Seroprevalence Of Hiv Markers Among Patients Attending To Shebin El- Kom Teaching Hospital, Elham T. Awwad, Rasha G Mostafa, Asmaa M Soliman, Abdelghany Aish, Mariam A. Fouad

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Objectives: to determine the prevalence of HIV infections and assess the accuracy of various testing methods among patients at Shibin El Kom teaching hospital.

Background: HIV/AIDS is a global public health challenge, with increasing prevalence in developing countries like Egypt. Stigma and limited detection methods have hindered the accurate assessment of HIV cases. Early detection is critical for effective prevention and treatment.

Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted from May 2006 to December 2022, involving 71,353 individuals who underwent routine preoperative and preadmission investigations. Blood samples were collected and tested using an immunochromatographic rapid test, ELISA, chemiluminescence, and Western blot. …

Elucidating Granulocytic Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Heterogeneity During Staphylococcus Aureus Biofilm Infection, Blake P. Bertrand, Cortney E. Heim, Scott A. Koepsell, Tammy Kielian

Journal Articles: Pathology and Microbiology

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are pathologically activated immature myeloid cells with immunosuppressive activity that expand during chronic inflammation, such as cancer and prosthetic joint infection (PJI). Myeloid-derived suppressor cells can be broadly separated into 2 populations based on surface marker expression and function: monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) and granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSCs). Granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells are the most abundant leukocyte infiltrate during PJI; however, how this population is maintained in vivo and cellular heterogeneity is currently unknown. In this study, we identified a previously unknown population of Ly6G+Ly6C+F4/80+MHCII+ MDSCs during PJI that displayed immunosuppressive properties ex vivo. …

C1q Is Elevated During Chronic Staphylococcus Epidermidis Central Nervous System Catheter Infection, Matthew K. Beaver, Lara Bergdolt, Anna Dunaevsky, Tammy Kielian, Gwenn Skar

Journal Articles: Pathology and Microbiology

INTRODUCTION: Significant neurologic morbidity is caused by pediatric cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt infections. The underlying mechanisms leading to impaired school performance and increased risk of seizures are unknown, however, a better understanding of these mechanisms may allow us to temper their consequences. Recent evidence has demonstrated important roles for complement proteins in neurodevelopment and neuroinflammation.

METHODS: We examined complement activation throughout

RESULTS: We found that MASP2 predominated early in catheter infection, but that Factor B was elevated at intermediate time points. Unexpectedly C1q was elevated at late timepoints when bacterial burdens were low or undetectable. Based on these findings and …

Antimicrobial Activity Of Gallium(Iii) Compounds: Pathogen-Dependent Targeting Of Multiple Iron/Heme-Dependent Biological Processes, Seoung-Ryoung Choi, Mohammed A. Hassan, Bradley E. Britigan, Prabagaran Narayanasamy

Journal Articles: Pathology and Microbiology

Metals play vital roles in biological systems, with iron/heme being essential for cellular and metabolic functions necessary for survival and/or virulence in many bacterial pathogens. Given the rise of bacterial resistance to current antibiotics, there is an urgent need for the development of non-toxic and novel antibiotics that do not contribute to resistance to other antibiotics. Gallium, which mimics iron, has emerged as a promising antimicrobial agent, offering a novel approach to combat bacterial infections. Gallium does not have any known functions in biological systems. Gallium exerts its effects primarily by replacing iron in redox enzymes, effectively inhibiting bacterial growth …

Prognostic Value Of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (Ngal)For Early Detection Of Acute Kidney Injuries In Liver Disease Patients With Different Morbidities, Naglaa F. Al-Mihy, Atteyat A. Semeya, Dina A. Ibrahim, Marwa K. Hassan, Hani S. Aboalam, Mona Youssef

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background A glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 25 kDa is known as neutrophil gelatinaseassociated lipocalin (NGAL). It is often detected in tiny amounts in many human organs. Aim of the research: To identify the profile of circulating NGAL in liver disease patients with different morbidities and also evaluate the potential for NGAL as a prognostic indicator for early identification of AKI in these individuals. Patients & methods: This cross-sectional research was performed on 230 cases with different liver diseases, selected from the inpatient and outpatient clinics in the hepatology and gastroenterology departments of the multicentric They were divided into …

A Diagnostic Challenge – Tinu Syndrome, Sophia Lee, Md, Claire Kassakian, Md

Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

Case Study: A Severe Presentation Of Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonia, Revati Kalluri, Md, Mari Kai, Md

Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

From Dormant To Dangerous: Hepatitis B Reactivation Under Immunosuppression, Adam Knott, Md, Amy Dechet, Md

Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

A Potentially Cat-Astrophic Missed Diagnosis: Systemic Autoimmune Disease, Or Something More Sinister?, Cameron Smith, Do, Mph, Amy Dechet, Md

Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

Infectious Causes Of Cavernous Thrombosis: A Rare Case Of Mastoiditis, Koshin Ahmed, Suresh Antony

Central & West Texas GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Mycobacterium Flavescens Infection: An Unusual Case Of Prosthetic Joint Infection, Peter Holleb, Suresh Antony

Central & West Texas GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Disseminated Cryptococcus Gattii Infection In A Middle Aged Male, Gina Brock, Kenley Tyler, Maclaren Durkee

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Ascending Paralysis: A Case Of West Nile Virus, Samantha Rudy, Claire Levinson, Lauren Gilbert, Michaela Snow, Robyn Kramer

Continental, MidAmerica, & Mountain Divisions GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

A Common Complaint With An Unexpected Diagnosis: A Case Of Mycobacterium Avium Complex Pulmonary Abscesses, Maryam Fallahi, Mark Cheneler, Qazi Haider, Madhukanth Reddy

North Texas GME Research Forum 2024

Introduction: Mycobacterial infections are an atypical organism for pulmonary infections. These infections are classically separated in tuberculous (MTB) and nontuberculous (NTM) groups due to their differing pathogenicity and microbiologic therapy regimens. MTB is typically treated with a 4-drug therapy known as RIPE (rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol) however NTM is typically treated with 3- or 4-drug therapy with a backbone of rifampin, macrolide, and ethambutol. Due to the long courses of therapy required for NTM, stringent diagnostic criteria of clinical, radiologic, and microbiologic findings are required. Despite meeting all 3 criteria for diagnosis, not every patient is a candidate for …

Children's Mercy Annual Report 2023, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Children's Mercy Annual Reports

Annual report for Children's Mercy Kansas City in Kansas City MO, a pediatric medical center.

Research Annual Report Fy2024, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Research Annual Reports

Annual report of the research at Children's Mercy Kansas City in Kansas City MO, a pediatric medical center.

Cryptococcus Gattii: Disseminated Disease In An Immunocompetent Patient, Conner Dalton, Jani Smit

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Decreasing Blood Culture Contamination At A Children’S Hospital, Taylor Pearl, Brittany Bare, Ricardo Zegarra-Linares, Jessica Lee

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Clostridium Perfringens As A Rare Cause Of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis, Javier Escobar, Dean Hasan, Mohamed Faris

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Eikenella Corrodens Orbital Cellulitis On A 2 Year Old Boy: A Case Report, Juan F. Bedoya, Ricardo Zegarra-Linares, Meena Dhir

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Case Report: Streptococcus Gallolyticus Prosthetic Joint Infection, Jeffrey Dickerson, Liza Salloum, Amaan Sheikh, Madhukanth Reddy, Bryan Youree

North Texas GME Research Forum 2024

Streptococcus gallolyticus, part of the Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC) formerly known as Group D streptococi, is strongly associated with colorectal cancer and infective endocarditis. Its appearance in septic arthritis is rare, and its role in septic arthritis has not been as thoroughly investigated. We present the case of a 69 year old male with a history of atrial fibrillation and hypertension who was admitted to our hospital after undergoing a right knee replacement in 2023 with a chief complaint of right knee pain, fever, and chills. Arthrocentesis and blood cultures were performed, and the patient was started on …

Investigating And Addressing Deficiencies In Our Current Urinalysis Reflex Program, Alexander Duggan, Megan Hobbs, Cameron Holsomback

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Peptostreptococcus Endocarditis Bacteremia, Kimberly Mathurin, Payton Williams, Sydney Koenig, Minh Chung, Grayson Beasley, Kaleb Freeman

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Systemic Storm: Multi-Organ Septic Emboli In Acute Aortic Valve Endocarditis, Jilpa Shah, Akshaj Pole, Amnah Andrabi

North Texas GME Research Forum 2024

According to the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA), Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the endocardial surface of the native valve, prosthetic heart valve, or an implanted cardiac device such as a permanent pacemaker or a defibrillator. IE is a rare fatal disease with an incidence rate of 3 to 10 cases per 100,000 people, predominantly in males over the age of 50 years in developed countries. Septic emboli are a serious sequelae of infective endocarditis with commonly affecting brain, spleen, kidneys, and lung. Usually, initial management includes tapered long term antibiotics with surgical evaluation for possible valve …