Digital Commons Network^™

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes And Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Huzaifa Ul Haq Ansari, Muhammad Ammar Samad, Eman Mahboob, Eeshal Zulfiqar, Shurjeel Uddin Qazi, Areeba Ahsan, Mushood Ahmed, Faizan Ahmed, Raheel Ahmed, Shafaqat Ali, Mahboob Alam, Jamal S Rana, Gregg C Fonarow

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have shown benefits in improving cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) and may mitigate symptom progression in myocardial infarction (MI). However, their effectiveness in patients with type 2 diabetes and MI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unclear.

Methods: To identify eligible studies, a comprehensive search of electronic databases, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Embase, was conducted from inception until May 2024. Results were presented as risk ratios (RR) and their corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: Our analysis included 8 observational studies comprising 24,229 patients. The results indicated that …

Rising Mortality Rates Linked To Type-2 Diabetes And Obesity In The United States: An Observational Analysis From 1999 To 2022, Mushood Ahmed, Abdullah Nofal, Aimen Shafiq, Hira Javaid, Areeba Ahsan, Zain Ali Nadeem, Raheel Ahmed, Mahboob Alam, Mamas A Mamas, Marat Fudim, Gregg C Fonarow

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity are increasing in the United States. However, population-level data for mortality trends due to T2D and obesity are limited. This study aims to assess these death trends among adults in the United States categorized by sex, race, and geographical location.

Methods: We queried the CDC-WONDER database for multiple cause of death data of adults aged ≥25 years. The crude mortality rates (CMR), age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs), annual percent change (APC), and the average APC (AAPC) along with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were analyzed.

Results: From 1999 to 2022, a …

Exploration Of Cytokines And Microbiome Among Males And Females With Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Li Juen Chen, Anna M Plantinga, Robert Burr, Kevin Cain, Pamela Barney, Tor Savidge, Robert J Shulman, Margaret Heitkemper, Kendra Kamp

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Whether pathophysiological factors differ between males and females with irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea (IBS-D) remains to be tested. To better understand potential sex differences, males with IBS-D were compared to naturally cycling females and to females with IBS-D taking hormonal contraception on plasma levels of cytokines and gut microbiome characteristics.

Methods: Males and females with Rome III IBS-D completed questionnaires and kept a daily symptom diary for 28 days. Blood and stool samples were collected between days 3 and 8 of the daily diary (estrogen-dominant days in naturally cycling females). Blood samples were analyzed for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated and unstimulated cytokine …

Shifting Tuberculosis Dynamics In The Eu/Eea: Geographical And Drug Resistance Trends Among People Of Foreign Origin, 2019 To 2023, Anca Vasiliu, Veronica Cristea, Krista Stoycheva, Senia Rosales-Klintz, Christoph Lange, Dominik Zenner, Csaba Ködmön

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

We observed shifting trends in tuberculosis (TB) epidemiology in the EU/EEA between 2019 and 2023. In 2023, TB notifications among people of foreign origin increased by 24.6% after decreasing between 2019 and 2020. The majority originated from African and East Mediterranean regions, with a 316.4% upsurge in TB among Ukrainians in 2022-23. Rifampicin-resistant/multidrug-resistant TB increased by ≥ 60% in 2019-23, mainly among Ukrainians. Rapid response to shifting epidemiological patterns is crucial for efficient TB prevention and control within the EU/EEA.

Early Life Epigenetics And Childhood Outcomes: A Scoping Review, Srirupa Hari Gopal, Theresa Alenghat, Mohan Pammi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression, without a change in the DNA sequence that are potentially heritable. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small non-coding RNA (sncRNA) changes have been studied in various childhood disorders. Causal links to maternal health and toxin exposures can introduce epigenetic modifications to the fetal DNA, which can be detected in the cord blood. Cord blood epigenetic modifications provide evidence of in-utero stressors and immediate postnatal changes, which can impact both short and long-term outcomes in children. The mechanisms of these epigenetic changes can be leveraged for prevention, early …

Modeling The Kinetics Of Interorgan Arginine Metabolism During Bacterial Sepsis In Swine, Caitlin Vonderohe, Douglas Burrin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Cascades, A Novel Sox2 Super-Enhancer-Associated Long Noncoding Rna, Regulates Cancer Stem Cell Specification And Differentiation In Glioblastoma, Uswa Shahzad, Marina Nikolopoulos, Christopher Li, Michael Johnston, Jenny J Wang, Nesrin Sabha, Frederick S Varn, Alexandra Riemenschneider, Stacey Krumholtz, Pranathi Meda Krishnamurthy, Christian A Smith, Jason Karamchandani, Jonathan K Watts, Roel G W Verhaak, Marco Gallo, James T Rutka, Sunit Das

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults, with a median survival of just over 1 year. The failure of available treatments to achieve remission in patients with glioblastoma (GBM) has been attributed to the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are thought to play a central role in tumor development and progression and serve as a treatment-resistant cell repository capable of driving tumor recurrence. In fact, the property of "stemness" itself may be responsible for treatment resistance. In this study, we identify a novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), cancer stem cell-associated distal enhancer of SOX2 …

Science Under Siege: Protecting Scientific Progress In Turbulent Times, James Briscoe, Craig E Franklin, Daniel A Gorelick, E Elizabeth Patton, Michael Way

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Implementing A Nurse-Enabled, Integrated, Shared-Care Model Involving Specialists And General Practitioners In Early Breast Cancer Post-Treatment Follow-Up (Eminent): A Single-Centre, Open-Label, Phase 2, Parallel-Group, Pilot, Randomised, Controlled Trial, Raymond J. Chan, Fiona Crawford-Williams, Chad Yixian Han, Lee Jones, Alexandre Chan, Daniel Mckavanagh, Marissa Ryan, Christine Carrington, Rebecca L. Packer, Megan Crichton, Nicolas H. Hart, Emma Mckinnell, Melissa Gosper, Juanita Ryan, Bethany Crowe, Ria Joseph, Carolyn Ee, Jane Lee, Steven M. Mcphail, Katharine Cuff, Laisa Teleni, Jon Emery

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Current models of post-treatment cancer care rely heavily on hospital-based, medical specialists and do not sufficiently leverage primary care. Many breast cancer survivors face ongoing unmet needs that may benefit from a multidisciplinary, shared-care approach. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of implementing nurse-enabled, shared-follow-up care between the acute and primary care setting for early-stage breast cancer. Methods: In this single-centre, open-label, phase II, pilot, randomised, controlled trial, individuals diagnosed with breast cancer (Stage 0–III) were randomised 1:1 to either usual care or intervention, which includes a 1) Specialist Nurse Consultation to co-develop a survivorship care …

Treatment Efficiency And Quality Improvement Via Double Imaging Modality (Dim) Versus Single Imaging Modality (Sim) Image-Guided Radiotherapy For Prostate Cancer, Milad Mirzaei, Suki Gill, Mahsheed Sabet, Martin A. Ebert, Pejman Rowshanfarzad, Jake Kendrick, Angela Jacques, Clare Herbert, Jeremy Croker, Sean Bydder, Joshua Dass, Edward Bailey, Rohen White, Catherine Moffat, Colin Tang, Adriano Polpo, Nicholas Bucknell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Daily image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) for prostate cancer reduces treatment-related toxicity. However, positional and anatomical variations can result in patient re-setup, increased treatment time, and additional imaging dose. A simple technique of two distinct imaging modalities was investigated: initially, an anteroposterior kilovoltage (AP-kV) planar image was acquired, followed by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). To determine whether this dual imaging modality (DIM) can reduce repeat CBCTs with an AP-kV screening image compared to CBCT alone, i.e. a single imaging modality (SIM). Methods: Patients were enrolled sequentially before and after the new departmental protocol for IGRT. Initially, all patients had a …

Abnormal Urine Drug Screens In Pregnancy- Opportunity For Laboratory Stewardship, Anil K Chokkalla, Sahil Malik, Ridwan Ibrahim, Sridevi Devaraj

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Clinical testing for drugs of abuse typically involves initial screening followed by confirmatory testing. Due to limited evidence-based guidelines, the healthcare provider makes the decision to confirm abnormal screens based on the clinical context. This two-step approach proved to be inadequate in scenarios like maternal substance abuse and subsequent fetal/ newborn exposure. The goal of this study is to assess and improve the confirmatory testing rate of abnormal screens among pregnant patients at our women's center.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to assess the confirmation rates among positively screened pregnant patients, and a lab stewardship initiative was …

Inappropriate Laboratory Testing: Significant Waste Quantified By A Large-Scale Year-Long Study Of Medicare And Commercial Payer Reimbursement, Dave Smart, Jeff Schreier, Ila R Singh

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Context.—: Laboratory testing, beyond what is essential for managing health, is considered low-value care, posing patient risks and wasting resources. Measuring excess testing on a national level is crucial to identify waste and optimize healthcare resource allocation for maximum impact.

Objective.—: To measure inappropriate laboratory testing and its cost across Medicare and many US commercial payers.

Design.—: A retrospective analysis on 2019 claims data measured the frequency of 4 commonly used laboratory tests among 64 million individuals with Medicare and 168 million with commercial insurance. Tests included 25-hydroxy vitamin D, prostate-specific antigen, lipid panel, and hemoglobin A1c. Clinical guidelines, medical …

Genomics And Multiomics In The Age Of Precision Medicine, Srinivasan Mani, Seema R Lalani, Mohan Pammi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Precision medicine is a transformative healthcare model that utilizes an understanding of a person's genome, environment, lifestyle, and interplay to deliver customized healthcare. Precision medicine has the potential to improve the health and productivity of the population, enhance patient trust and satisfaction in healthcare, and accrue health cost-benefits both at an individual and population level. Through faster and cost-effective genomics data, next-generation sequencing has provided us the impetus to understand the nuances of complex interactions between genes, diet, and lifestyle that are heterogeneous across the population. The emergence of multiomics technologies, including transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics, has enhanced …

Evaluating Predictors Of Kinase Activity Of Stk11 Variants Identified In Primary Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers, Yile Chen, Kyoungyeul Lee, Junwoo Woo, Dong-Wook Kim, Changwon Keum, Giulia Babbi, Rita Casadio, Pier Luigi Martelli, Castrense Savojardo, Matteo Manfredi, Yang Shen, Yuanfei Sun, Panagiotis Katsonis, Olivier Lichtarge, Vikas Pejaver, David J Seward, Akash Kamandula, Constantina Bakolitsa, Steven E Brenner, Predrag Radivojac, Anne O'Donnell-Luria, Sean D Mooney, Shantanu Jain

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Critical evaluation of computational tools for predicting variant effects is important considering their increased use in disease diagnosis and driving molecular discoveries. In the sixth edition of the Critical Assessment of Genome Interpretation (CAGI) challenge, a dataset of 28 STK11 rare variants (27 missense, 1 single amino acid deletion), identified in primary non-small cell lung cancer biopsies, was experimentally assayed to characterize computational methods from four participating teams and five publicly available tools. Predictors demonstrated a high level of performance on key evaluation metrics, measuring correlation with the assay outputs and separating loss-of-function (LoF) variants from wildtype-like (WT-like) variants. The …

Predicting The Impact Of Rare Variants On Rna Splicing In Cagi6, Jenny Lord, Carolina Jaramillo Oquendo, Htoo A Wai, Andrew G L Douglas, David J Bunyan, Yaqiong Wang, Zhiqiang Hu, Zishuo Zeng, Daniel Danis, Panagiotis Katsonis, Amanda Williams, Olivier Lichtarge, Yuchen Chang, Richard D Bagnall, Stephen M Mount, Brynja Matthiasardottir, Chiaofeng Lin, Thomas Van Overeem Hansen, Raphael Leman, Alexandra Martins, Claude Houdayer, Sophie Krieger, Constantina Bakolitsa, Yisu Peng, Akash Kamandula, Predrag Radivojac, Diana Baralle

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Variants which disrupt splicing are a frequent cause of rare disease that have been under-ascertained clinically. Accurate and efficient methods to predict a variant's impact on splicing are needed to interpret the growing number of variants of unknown significance (VUS) identified by exome and genome sequencing. Here, we present the results of the CAGI6 Splicing VUS challenge, which invited predictions of the splicing impact of 56 variants ascertained clinically and functionally validated to determine splicing impact. The performance of 12 prediction methods, along with SpliceAI and CADD, was compared on the 56 functionally validated variants. The maximum accuracy achieved was …

Assessing Predictions On Fitness Effects Of Missense Variants In Hmbs In Cagi6, Jing Zhang, Lisa Kinch, Panagiotis Katsonis, Olivier Lichtarge, Milind Jagota, Yun S Song, Yuanfei Sun, Yang Shen, Nurdan Kuru, Onur Dereli, Ogun Adebali, Muttaqi Ahmad Alladin, Debnath Pal, Emidio Capriotti, Maria Paola Turina, Castrense Savojardo, Pier Luigi Martelli, Giulia Babbi, Rita Casadio, Fabrizio Pucci, Marianne Rooman, Gabriel Cia, Matsvei Tsishyn, Alexey Strokach, Zhiqiang Hu, Warren Van Loggerenberg, Frederick P Roth, Predrag Radivojac, Steven E Brenner, Qian Cong, Nick V Grishin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

This paper presents an evaluation of predictions submitted for the "HMBS" challenge, a component of the sixth round of the Critical Assessment of Genome Interpretation held in 2021. The challenge required participants to predict the effects of missense variants of the human HMBS gene on yeast growth. The HMBS enzyme, critical for the biosynthesis of heme in eukaryotic cells, is highly conserved among eukaryotes. Despite the application of a variety of algorithms and methods, the performance of predictors was relatively similar, with Kendall's tau correlation coefficients between predictions and experimental scores around 0.3 for a majority of submissions. Notably, the …

Analysis And Benchmarking Of Small And Large Genomic Variants Across Tandem Repeats, Adam C English, Egor Dolzhenko, Helyaneh Ziaei Jam, Sean K Mckenzie, Nathan D Olson, Wouter De Coster, Jonghun Park, Bida Gu, Justin Wagner, Michael A Eberle, Melissa Gymrek, Mark J P Chaisson, Justin M Zook, Fritz J Sedlazeck

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Tandem repeats (TRs) are highly polymorphic in the human genome, have thousands of associated molecular traits and are linked to over 60 disease phenotypes. However, they are often excluded from at-scale studies because of challenges with variant calling and representation, as well as a lack of a genome-wide standard. Here, to promote the development of TR methods, we created a catalog of TR regions and explored TR properties across 86 haplotype-resolved long-read human assemblies. We curated variants from the Genome in a Bottle (GIAB) HG002 individual to create a TR dataset to benchmark existing and future TR analysis methods. We …

Use Of Robust Norming To Create A Sensitive Cognitive Summary Score In De Novo Parkinson's Disease: An Illustrative Example, Daniel Weintraub, Michael C Brumm, Ryan Kurth, Michele K York

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Cognitive impairment is common at all stages of Parkinson's disease (PD), but there is no consensus on which neuropsychological tests to use or how to interpret cognitive battery results. A cognitive summary score (CSS) combines the richness of a neuropsychological battery with the simplicity of a single score.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether a CSS created using robust norming can detect early cognitive deficits in de novo, untreated PD.

Methods: Baseline cognitive data from PD participants and healthy control participants (HCs) in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative were used to (1) create a robust …

Physicians' Perceptions Of Barriers And Facilitators To The Improvement Of Healthcare Equity For Children Hospitalized With Traumatic Brain Injury: Preliminary Findings From A Pilot Multicenter Pediatric Trauma Study From The United States, Chelsea D Hicks, Heather Barnett, Jennifer Shi, Julia Velonjara, Mauricio A Escobar, Darci Evans, John Fisher, Arnett Klugh Iii, Katrina M Morgan, Morgan K Richards, Sarah Risen, Courtney Robertson, Irim Salik, Dennis W Simon, Arul S Thirumoorthi, Deidre L Wyrick, Bryan J Weiner, Theresa J Hoeft, Monica S Vavilala

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background and objective: Disparities in outcomes for pediatric patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in rural populations and for racial and ethnic minority groups have been documented. In light of this, we examined physician champions' perceptions of healthcare equity for hospitalized children with TBI.

Methods: We surveyed 10 physician TBI champions at 10 US pediatric trauma centers (PTCs) regarding organizational characteristics, barriers, and facilitators (domains and specific) in terms of improving healthcare equity, and priorities to redress inequities.

Results: Level I center TBI champions reported more pediatric beds and higher staffing-to-patient ratios while Level II TBI champions reported more pediatric …

Neuro-Ophthalmic Complications Following Eighth Cranial Nerve Microvascularx Decompression, Stanley M Saju, Patrick J Hunt, Pamela Davila-Siliezar, Noor Laylani, Andrew G Lee

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose: To discuss a novel diagnosis of post-surgical iatrogenic AICA vasospasm following eighth cranial nerve microvascular decompression as the most likely etiology for a lateral pontine infarct.

Observations: A 49-year-old male presented with tinnitus, vertigo, binocular and monocular diplopia following left occipital decompressive craniectomy and microvascular decompression of cranial nerve VIII. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated patent vasculature with evolution of a subacute infarct of the left lateral pons and middle cerebellar peduncle in the territory of the left AICA.

Conclusions: We report a unique case of lateral pontine infarction without vascular occlusion acutely following surgical microvascular decompression of CN VIII, …

Altered Thermal Preference By Preoptic Estrogen Receptor Alpha Neurons In Postpartum Females, Nan Zhang, Meng Yu, Qianru Zhao, Bing Feng, Yue Deng, Jonathan C Bean, Qingzhuo Liu, Benjamin P Eappen, Yang He, Kristine M Conde, Hailan Liu, Yongjie Yang, Longlong Tu, Mengjie Wang, Yongxiang Li, Na Yin, Hesong Liu, Junying Han, Darah Ave Threat, Nathan Xu, Taylor Smiley, Pingwen Xu, Lulu Chen, Tianshu Zeng, Yanlin He, Chunmei Wang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate how reproductive experience (RE) alters thermal preference and thermoregulation in female mice, with a focus on estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-expressing neurons in the preoptic area (POA).

METHODS: Thermal preference and body temperature were measured in female mice with and without RE, and virgin female mice with selective deletion of ERα from the POA (ERα

RESULTS: We showed that female mice prefer a cooler environment starting from late pregnancy and persisting long term postpartum. Female mice with RE (>4 weeks post-weaning) displayed lower body temperature and a lower thermal preferred temperature, and lost preference …

Anesthetic Considerations For Repair Of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms, David A Lyubashevsky, Thomas Powell, Ali Khalifa, Vicente Orozco-Sevilla, Daniel A Tolpin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Anesthetic management of open thoracoabdominal aneurysm (TAAA) repair poses a number of challenges for even the most experienced of cardiovascular anesthesiologists. This procedure encompasses a large number of unique anesthetic techniques, including one-lung ventilation, invasive hemodynamic monitoring, left-heart bypass, massive transfusion, selective renal and visceral perfusion, and central nervous system monitoring with CSF drainage. In this article, we aim to describe the anesthetic management for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, including preoperative workup, intraoperative management, as well as postoperative concerns in the intensive care unit.

Anesthetic Considerations For Endovascular Repair Of The Thoracic Aorta, Olivia M Valencia, Thomas Powell, Ali Khalifa, Vicente Orozco-Sevilla, Daniel A Tolpin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Thoracic aorta pathologies, especially those of the ascending aorta and aortic arch, were traditionally approached via open surgical repair. This carries risk of ischemic end-organ damage and other complications. Endovascular repair of ascending aorta and aortic arch pathologies is becoming more successful and widespread, thereby posing numerous challenges to the anesthesiologist. This article reviews the anesthesia-pertinent pathophysiology, repair techniques, preoperative evaluation, intraoperative management, and postoperative care of patients presenting for endovascular repair of thoracic aorta pathologies.

High-Dose Methotrexate Usage Without Drug-Level Monitoring In Advanced Pediatric Mature B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma In A Resource-Limited Setting In Malawi, Rizine R Mzikamanda, Loviisa Mulanje, Casey L Mcatee, Apatsa Matatiyo, Zoe Mwale, Grace Chirwa, Watipaso Wanda, Atupele Miranda Mpasa, Stella Wachepa, Minke H W Huibers, Steve Martin, Tamiwe Tomoka, Maurice Mulenga, Yuri Fedoriw, Gugulethu Mapurisa, Julie M Gastier Foster, Nader El-Mallawany, Katherine D Westmoreland, Peter Wasswa, Carl E Allen, Nmazuo Ozuah

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose: Excellent survival for advanced (stages II with high lactate dehydrogenase, III, and IV) pediatric mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (MB-NHL) has been achieved with intensive regimens, but adoption in sub-Saharan Africa is limited by inadequate supportive care. We provide real-world data on treating advanced MB-NHL with high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX; ≥1,000 mg/m2/cycle) where real-time serum MTX monitoring is unavailable.

Methods: We identified two cohorts-a retrospective (January 2017-December 2020) cohort treated with 1,000 or 3,000 mg/m2/cycle of HD-MTX and a prospective (July 2022-July 2023) cohort-with a modified LMB96 protocol containing 3,000 mg/m2/cycle of HD-MTX. All doses of HD-MTX were given over 3 …

Proposal For A Fourth Indicator On Vaccine Uptake In The Joint External Evaluation Tool, Lawrence R Stanberry, Tariro Makadzange, Wilmot G James, Janan J Dietrich, Peter J Hotez, Shabir A Madhi, Susan L Rosenthal, Martin Veller, Natalia Pasternak Taschner, James W Le Duc, Youngmee Jee, Anthony L Cunningham, Margie Danchin, Julie Leask

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Should All Pediatric Patients With Type 1 Autoimmune Hepatitis Be Screened For Inflammatory Bowel Disease?, Richard Kellermayer

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Amoxicillin Dosage On Cure Rate, Gut Microbiota, And Antibiotic Resistome In Vonoprazan And Amoxicillin Dual Therapy For Helicobacter Pylori: A Multicentre, Open-Label, Non-Inferiority Randomised Controlled Trial, Yi Hu, Zhen-Yu Zhang, Fen Wang, Kun Zhuang, Xin Xu, Dong-Sheng Liu, Hui-Zhen Fan, Li Yang, Kui Jiang, De-Kui Zhang, Long Xu, Jian-Hua Tang, Xue-Mei Liu, Cong He, Xu Shu, Yong Xie, James Y W Lau, Yin Zhu, Yi-Qi Du, David Y Graham, Nong-Hua Lu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Vonoprazan and amoxicillin (VA) dual therapy as a mainstream Helicobacter pylori regimen has gained momentum worldwide, but the optimum dosages remain unclear. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of VA dual therapy with 2 g amoxicillin or 3 g amoxicillin, and to assess the short-term effects of therapy on the gut microbiota and antibiotic resistome.

Methods: We conducted an open-label, non-inferiority randomised controlled trial at 12 centres in China. Individuals infected with H pylori, aged 18-70 years, and without previous eradication therapy were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio (block size of six) to …

A Multicenter Training And Interrater Reliability Study Of The Based Score For Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome, John R Mytinger, Dara V F Albert, Shawn C Aylward, Christopher W Beatty, Sonam Bhalla, Sonal Bhatia, Guy N Brock, Micheal A Ciliberto, Purva R Choudhari, Daniel J Clark, Jennifer Madan Cohen, Theresa M Czech, Megan M Fredwall, Ernesto Gonzalez-Giraldo, Chellamani Harini, Senyene E Hunter, Amanda G Sandoval Karamian, Akshat Katyayan, Isaac Kistler, Neil Kulkarni, Virginia B Liu, Corinne Mccabe, Thomas Murray, Kerri Neville, Shital H Patel, Spriha Pavuluri, Donald J Phillips, Debopam Samanta, Deepa Sirsi, Emily M Spelbrink, Carl E Stafstrom, Maija Steenari, Danielle S Takacs, Tyler Terrill, Linh Tran, Jorge Vidaurre, Daniel W Shrey

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

PURPOSE: The best possible outcomes in infantile epileptic spasms syndrome require electroclinical remission; however, determining electrographic remission is not straightforward. Although the determination of hypsarrhythmia has inadequate interrater reliability (IRR), the Burden of AmplitudeS and Epileptiform Discharges (BASED) score has shown promise for the reliable interictal assessment of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome. Our aim was to develop a BASED training program and assess the IRR among learners. We hypothesized moderate or better IRR for the final BASED score and the presence or absence of epileptic encephalopathy (+/-EE).

METHODS: Using a web-based application, 31 learners assessed 12 unmarked EEGs (length 1-6 …

Pregnancy In Women Receiving Maintenance Dialysis, Cristina Popa, Priyadarshini John, Prasoon Verma, Sehrish Ali, Silvi Shah

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Women with kidney failure experience pathophysiological changes that frequently result in disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Because of these hormonal disturbances, women with kidney disease often experience oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, sexual dysfunction, and infertility. Preconception counseling, partnered with the early identification and optimal management of risk factors, such as hypertension and discontinuation of teratogenic medications, should be pursued for females contemplating conception. Pregnancy in women receiving maintenance dialysis is associated with a high risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes and should be managed by a multidisciplinary team of providers. In this review article, we discuss pregnancy incidence, pregnancy outcomes, and …

Irisin-Mediated Muscle-Renal Crosstalk As A Protective Mechanism Against Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Via Cgas-Sting Signalling Inhibition, Long Peng, Suhua Li, Qiang Huang, Yuxiang Sun, Juan Sun, Ting Luo, Yanlin Wang, Zhaoyong Hu, Weiyan Lai, Hui Peng

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) continues to pose a pressing clinical challenge during invasive cardiovascular procedures due to the limited availability of preventative strategies. We aimed to demonstrate that irisin, a myokine induced by exercise, protects against CI-AKI by inhibiting the cGAS-STING inflammatory pathway.

Methods and results: We explored the relationship between serum irisin levels and CI-AKI incidence in patients administered the contrast media iohexol. Notably, lower serum irisin levels were strongly associated with an increased incidence of CI-AKI following contrast media administration. To establish a causal link between serum irisin levels and CI-AKI, we utilised a mouse model …