Digital Commons Network^™

Music Appreciation In Cochlear Implant Users: A Questionnaire, Hanna Davidson

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Cochlear implants provide significant benefits for speech perception in individuals with severe to profound hearing loss; however, music perception and appreciation remain challenging due to limited spectral and temporal resolution. This study examined music appreciation in post lingually deafened adult cochlear implant users, focusing on changes in enjoyment, listening behaviors, and subjective experiences following implantation. Sixteen adults completed a 36-item questionnaire assessing pre- and post-implant music engagement, perceived sound quality, and emotional responses to music. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, and qualitative responses were analyzed thematically.

Results indicated a moderate decline in music enjoyment following …

Implicit Attitudes Toward Hearing Aid Visibility: Conspicuous Versus Inconspicuous Hearing Aid Colors, Orly R. Ames

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Hearing aid stigma remains a significant barrier to treatment uptake, with device visibility frequently identified as a contributing factor. Although prior research has examined visibility in relation to hearing aid size and style, the role of color as a distinct aesthetic dimension has not been systematically investigated. The present study assessed whether hearing aid color affects implicit and explicit attitudes toward hearing aids and whether such evaluations differ across contexts. Twenty-six adults who were not current hearing aid users participated in an online quantitative multi-method study consisting of an Implicit Association Test (IAT) and self-report questionnaires. The IAT measured implicit …

A Comparison Of Manufacturers’ Claims Of Attenuation Rates In Non-Custom Earplugs, Skyler M. Shipley

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Recreational and social environments frequently expose individuals to high intensity noise environments; however, the use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) remains limited. This study evaluated whether non-custom, over-the-counter musicians’ earplugs provide attenuation consistent with manufacturers’ claims and whether cost is associated with performance. Six commercially available earplug models were tested using both human participants and a KEMAR manikin system. Attenuation was measured across frequencies from 250–8000 Hz (octave and inter-octave frequencies) and were tested using different ear tip sizes. Results indicated that several earplugs achieved attenuation levels comparable to or exceeding their advertised noise reduction ratings (NRR), though consistency varied …

Kanak-Ish Misfits: Queer Imaginaries, Racialized Borders, And The Politics Of Care In Berlin, Germany, Faruk Seref

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation examines queer Muslim experiences of border politics, racialization, and care in Berlin, Germany. By formulating bordering as a domineering and oppressive practice of boundary-making, I study how global bordering mechanisms shape and disrupt structures of care, caring, and being cared for. With an intersectional focus on race, gender, sexuality, and sex, I argue that borders are simultaneously materialized and challenged in varying localities, including the nightclub, the queer scene, the diasporic neighborhoods, and households. Ultimately, viewing collective care as fundamental to survival, healing, resistance, and building non-punitive lifeworlds, I theorize the counter-hegemonic practices of queers of color through …

Clinical Presentations Of Pemphigus Vulgaris In Patients With Skin Of Color: A Systematic Literature Review, Haya Alkiswani, Simona Alomary, Jared Boetes, Nicole J. Baker, Susan C. Taylor

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare, often severe autoimmune disease affecting skin and mucous membranes. Despite the scarce literature on PV in skin of color (SOC) populations (Fitzpatrick III-VI), existing studies suggest that there are misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and recurrence of symptoms in SOC patients with PV. Objective: This review explores the clinical presentations of PV reported in patients with SOC, diagnostic challenges and delays, treatments, and patient outcomes to allow for an improved understanding of how PV manifests clinically in darker skin. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using articles found in PubMed and Embase. Two independent …

The Dermatologic Effects Of Climate Change On Skin Of Color Populations: A Comprehensive Review, Grace Ugwueke, Simona A. Alomary, Nicole J. Baker, Susan C. Taylor Md, Nada Elbuluk Md

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Background: Climate change contributes to rising temperatures, worsening air pollution, increasing UV exposure, and more frequent extreme weather events with downstream consequences for dermatologic conditions. However, limited research has examined how these climate-related effects can impact skin of color (SOC) populations, who often face disproportionate environmental exposures and structural inequities. Objective: To summarize the dermatologic implications of climate and environmental stressors on SOC populations. Methods: A literature search of PubMed and Embase (2000-2025) identified studies assessing dermatologic outcomes related to climate change or environmental exposures. Of 1254 records screened, 133 duplicates were removed, leaving 1121 studies for evaluation. Twenty-three studies …

Sex-Based Disparities In Health Care Access And Utilization Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation, Ji Mei May Wong, Peter R. Kowey

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

IMPORTANCE: Females with atrial fibrillation (AF) experience a higher risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and mortality than males with AF. Theories suggest that sex-based differences in hormonal, structural, and electrophysiologic factors are associated with this imbalance; we hypothesized that sex-based differences in health care access and utilization (HCAU) are also underlying factors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether sex-based disparities in HCAU barriers exist among individuals with AF.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study used data on patients with AF in the All of Us Research Program Registered Tier dataset (version 8), which contains integrated data from the electronic health record …

Ppg-Sport: A Dataset For Reliable Heart Rate Monitoring From Wrist Ppg Under Dynamic Sports Conditions, Changshuo Hu, Hung Manh Pham, Yiming Zhang, Guanru Yan, Xiao Ma, Yuezhong Wu, Thivya Kandappu, Archan Misra, Dong Ma

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Photoplethysmography (PPG) has become a cornerstone of physiological sensing in wearable devices, enabling non-invasive monitoring of heart rate and related biomarkers. However, its reliability deteriorates sharply under dynamic, high-intensity, or non-periodic motions such as those in sports, where existing datasets fail to capture realistic wrist dynamics. To address this gap, we introduce PPG-Sport, the first large-scale dataset designed for heart rate monitoring from wrist-worn PPG under real sports conditions. The PPG-Sport dataset includes synchronized PPG, inertial measurement unit (IMU), and electrocardiography (ECG) recordings from both wrists of 30 participants across six representative activities: stationary, walking, running, badminton, table tennis, and …

Neuroinflammation And Neuropathology In A Novel Tau, Amyloid-Beta And Alpha-Synuclein Co-Pathology Model, Jhodi Mickayla Webster

ETDs from 2020-2029

Neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson disease (PD) often present with overlapping proteinopathies rather than aggregated proteins in isolation. Amyloid-β (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau are found in a substantial proportion of idiopathic PD cases, while α-synuclein (α-syn) pathology is present in over half of AD cases. The presence of these co-pathologies is associated with accelerated cognitive decline and increase mortality in these patients. In parallel, neurodegenerative diseases are increasingly recognized as being shaped by interactions between central nervous system (CNS) pathology and the immune system. Despite this, most experimental animal models of neurodegenerative disease examine single pathologies in …

The Healthcare Transition Experiences Of Emerging Adults With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Leslie Noojin Pitts

ETDs from 2020-2029

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of disorders characterized by enzyme deficiencies impairing adrenal hormone production and requiring lifelong management. Individuals with CAH experience increased morbidity and mortality due to the underlying condition, steroid exposure, and inadequate preventative care. Despite clinical guidelines recommending a structured healthcare transition (HCT), little is known about the HCT experiences of emerging adults with CAH. Understanding these experiences is critical for identifying practice gaps and developing interventions to improve health outcomes. This qualitative descriptive study explored the HCT experiences, challenges, and outcomes of emerging adults with CAH, as guided by the refined Social Ecological …

Better Questions Make Better Dentists: Why Values-Based Conversations Lead To Better Outcomes, Anish Gupta Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Dr. Anish Gupta argues that technical proficiency in dentistry must be guided by values-based communication to ensure optimal patient outcomes. He critiques traditional informed consent that merely lists procedural options, suggesting it can lead to confusion if a patient's primary motivations—such as dignity or quality of life—are not addressed. By slowing down to uncover what truly matters to the patient, dentists can provide better guidance and clinical judgment. Gupta emphasizes that alignment with patient values removes obstacles to treatment acceptance.

Updated 2026 Comprehensive Evidence-Based Guidelines For Facet Joint Interventions In The Management Of Chronic Spinal Pain: American Society Of Interventional Pain Physicians (Asipp) Guidelines, Laxmaiah Manchikanti, Mahendra R. Sanapati, Sheri L. Albers, Alan D. Kaye, Vinita Singh, Nebojsa Nick Knezevic, Rajesh Naidu Janapala, Amol Soin, Annu Navani, Adam M. Kaye, Ahad Mussarat, Alexander Bautista, Dajie Wang, Paul J. Christo, Maged Mina, Daneshvari R. Solanki, Devi Nampiaparampil, Gerard Limerick, John Manor, Kris Ferguson, Lynn Cintron, Michael Bottros, Shirley Chen, Shivam S. Shah, Vahid Grami, Douglas P. Beall, Shalini Shah, Sairam Atluri, Mittal S. Prajapati, Alaa Abd-Elsayed, Salahadin Abdi, Steve Aydin, Sanjay Bakshi, Joseph Cabaret, Aaron K. Calodney, Kenneth D. Candido, Christopher G. Gharibo, Mayank Gupta, Michael Harned, Standiford Helm Ii, Sachin Sunny Jha, Radomir Kosanovic, Vidyasagar Pampati, Ramarao Pasupuleti, Bradley W. Wargo, Hermant Kalia, Gary Schwartz, Joshua A. Hirsch

Department of Anesthesiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Chronic axial spinal pain is a major contributor to disability and healthcare expenditures, with facet joints recognized as one of the established sources of pain.

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence-based guidance in performing diagnostic and therapeutic facet joint interventions.

METHODS: A multidisciplinary panel of experts from various medical and pharmaceutical disciplines, convened by the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), reviewed the available evidence, considered patient perspectives, and formulated recommendations for facet joint interventions in the management of chronic pain.The methodology included the development of key questions with evidence-based statements and recommendations. Grading of the evidence and recommendations followed …

Practice With Purpose: The Pediatric Ng/Og Tube Safety Hierarchy, Caitlin Roush, Christine Hajovsky, Delaney Dewolf, Elizabeth Hernandez, Giselle Daclan, Jay Barber, Kris Noel, Kristen Dickey, Lynde Craig, Madeline Herrera, Margaret Willenburg, Mckenzie Pedigo, Melynda Olguin, Myesha Vines, Rhianna Brard, Teresa Wynee

Practice With Purpose

No abstract provided.

06-16-26 Bor Hsc Committee Notice Of Meeting, Patricia Serna

HSC Committee (A subcommittee of the UNM Board of Regents)

06-16-26 BOR HSC Committee Notice of Meeting

Investigation Of Warfarin–Human Serum Albumin Binding By Ultrafast Affinity Extraction Using Single- And Dual-Column Affinity Microcolumn Systems, Samiul Alim

Department of Chemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This dissertation examined the interaction of warfarin with human serum albumin (HSA) by using affinity chromatography, with particular emphasis on ultrafast affinity extraction (UAE) and affinity microcolumns. HSA affinity supports were prepared by immobilizing HSA onto diol-bonded silica via Schiff base chemistry and used to prepare affinity microcolumns for chromatographic studies under physiological-like conditions at pH 7.4 and 37.0 °C. UAE studies were performed to investigate the effects of residence time, flow rate, and column configuration on the measured apparent free fraction of warfarin and on the calculated apparent binding parameters. The results showed that the measured apparent free fraction …

Robotic-Assisted Pedicle Screw Placement Achieves High Accuracy And Narrows The Experience Gap: A Preclinical Evaluation, Anna T. Reza, Matthias Walper, Mitchell K. Ng, Paul G. Mastrokostas, Andrew S. Lee, Rafael G. Rafael, Kornelis A. Poelstra, Ratliff K. John, Rajiv K. Sethi, Michael A. Mont

Rothman Institute Papers

To assess a robotic-assisted system versus open manual techniques to: (1) compare pedicle screw accuracy between fellows and attendings with and without robotic assistance, and (2) evaluate executed versus planned trajectory fidelity relative to prior reports. Robotic-assisted spine systems aim to improve the accuracy, reproducibility, and safety of pedicle screw placement. Limited evidence compares outcomes across differing surgeon experience levels. A total of 255 thoracolumbar pedicle screws were placed in synthetic torsos simulating adult degenerative anatomy. Four surgeons (two fellows, two attendings) each placed half their screws using open fluoroscopy-guided techniques and half using a minimally invasive percutaneous approach with …

Prevalence And Aetiology Of Cerebral Palsy Among Nigerian Children: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis., Udochukwu Michael Diala, Aderonke O. Uhunmwangho-Courage, Fatima Abdullahi, Paul Ikhurionan, Caitlin Bakker, Duke Appiah, David Danjuma Shwe, Rose N. Gelineau-Morel, Kabiru Gurama, Olugbenga Akinyemi Ofakunrin, Angela Mcgillivray, Gabriel E. Ofovwe, Tina Slusher

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Nigeria is among the leading countries contributing to the burden of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy (CP) is the commonest physical disability in childhood, accounting for 16.2% of child neurology referrals. Many cases of CP are preventable with simple interventions such as neonatal resuscitation and effective phototherapy. Lack of reliable data on the burden of disease limits comprehensive national policy directed to the prevention, holistic care and rehabilitation of patients with cerebral palsy in Nigeria. Therefore, to effectively address this problem, this study aimed to describe the pooled prevalence of CP in Nigeria, its potential causes and types.

METHODS: This …

Birth-Size Reference Charts For Newborns Admitted To The Neonatal Intensive Care Units., Fu-Sheng Chou, Hung-Wen Yeh, Crystal Hsueh, Irene E. Olsen, Veeral N. Tolia, Reese H. Clark

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Our original birth-size reference charts (the Olsen charts), published in 2010 (weight, length, head circumference) and 2015 (body mass index), had limitations, including manually defined exclusion criteria and the use of completed gestational weeks. This project aimed to update the charts and address those limitations.

METHODS: We analyzed de-identified data from infants admitted to Pediatrix NICUs between 2010 and 2022. In contrast to prior work, newborns with mortality before discharge, multiple births, and congenital anomalies were included; only statistical outliers (defined as two times the interquartile range below the first quartile or above the third quartile) were excluded. Gestational …

Infection Prevention And Control Of Candida Auris In Pediatric Settings, Thomas S. Murray, Hana Hakim, Christelle Ilboudo, Lynn Ramírez-Ávila, Jana Shaw, Terri Stillwell, Patricia Budo, Bernard Ebruke, Noa Fleiss, Amanda Green, Matthew Linam, Roshni Mathew, April Mcdougal, Natalie Neu, Zoi Dorothea Pana, Karen Ravin, Ayelet Rosenthal, Jane D. Siegel, Katlyn Steimel, Amy Valencia, Carol Vance, Lars F. Westblade, Lisa Saiman

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Candida auris (also referred to as Candidozyma auris) is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen associated with high morbidity and mortality. Existing infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance has largely focused on adult populations, with limited recommendations for pediatric healthcare and non-healthcare settings.

METHODS: The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) convened a multidisciplinary expert panel to develop IPC recommendations for C. auris. The panel developed recommendations using a structured, iterative Delphi consensus process with rounds of discussion, refinement, and anonymous electronic voting with predefined consensus thresholds. Panelists reviewed relevant peer-reviewed and gray literature integrated with expert …

Practice Patterns In Pediatric Cardiothoracic Presurgical Conferences: A Multicenter Survey Study., Britney Reed, Poonam Puranik, Andrew Rodenbarger, Mira Trivedi, Dilachew A. Adebo, Gary Beasley, Louis Bezold, M Jay Campbell, Michael R. Carr, Joshua Daily, Mark Debrunner, Erica Del Grippo, Carlen G. Fifer, Timothy M. Hoffman, Susan R. Hupp, Joshua D. Kurtz, Gira Morchi, Carl Owada, Renuka Peterson, Michael D. Puchalski, Ryan Romans, Arwa Saidi, Rajesh U. Shenoy, Anoop K. Singh, Robert D. Tunks, Thomas M. Yohannan, Carolyn M. Wilhelm, Jyoti K. Patel

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeries are high-stakes, complex procedures, typically undergoing prior review at multidisciplinary conferences. This study evaluates practice patterns of conferences throughout the United States (US). Surveys were distributed to fellowship program directors or division directors in 124 US pediatric cardiology centers seeking information on conference logistics, fellow roles, quality improvement (QI), and satisfaction. All 47 responding centers (response rate 38%) conduct presurgical conferences, mostly on a weekly basis (92%) lasting 60-120 min (79%). The conferences are solely virtual (19%) or hybrid (81%). High-volume centers (> 300 surgical cases/year) are more likely to hold multiple conferences (13/20 vs 7/27, p <  0.01) and less likely to designate a moderator (11/20 vs 22/26, p = 0.027). Categorical pediatric cardiology fellows at 33 centers present clinical data (97%), echocardiograms (85%), catheterizations (82%), and cross-sectional imaging (39%), typically beginning in their first year. Most centers report that minor (98%) or major changes (51%) are made to patient management at least "sometimes." Responders rate conferences as very important (median 10/10 on a 10-point Likert scale, IQR 9-10), but satisfaction is more modest (median 7/10, IQR 7-9). Only 17% of centers have a formal QI process. Comments from 42 centers reveal positive themes of collaboration (68%) but also concerns about lengthy (30%) or inefficient (36%) discussion. Conclusions: This survey highlights common practices for pediatric cardiothoracic presurgical conferences. Conferences are collaborative and seen as highly impactful. However, satisfaction varies, and QI efforts are infrequent. These findings highlight opportunities for process improvement and standardization.

Strategies For High-Quality Community-Based Participatory Research Partnerships In Public Health Research., Emily M. D'Agostino, Rumour Piepenbrink, Lori Brand Bateman, Dana Keener Mast, Liliane Windsor, Debra Oto-Kent, Alan Wells, Jennifer Goldman, Jennifer E. Schuster, Rachel Kaufmann, Rachel Gurarie, Miriam Nuño

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVES: Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) is grounded in trusting, reciprocal, and authentic relationships. We aimed to identify key strategies and actionable next steps to establish and sustain high-quality community-academic partnerships that foster community-based health equity.

STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative thematic analysis.

METHODS: We analyzed three recorded discussions from a roundtable session with community and academic partners from the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics-Underserved Populations (RADx-UP) program (2020-2025), which supported 142 community-engaged public health research projects aimed at reducing COVID-19-related health inequities.

RESULTS: Key themes identified as most fundamental to support CBPR included establishing a long-term commitment, mutual co-learning among partners, flexible and …

Attachment Style, The Working Alliance, And Client Self-Disclosure In Individual Psychotherapy, Jennifer S. Baar

Dissertations

Client self-disclosure is a core component of the psychotherapy process and increased levels of client self-disclosure have been shown to predict more positive therapeutic outcomes (Pattee & Farber, 2008; Sloan & Kahn, 2005). Similarly, the working alliance and attachment are constructs that have been studied in psychotherapy research and are consistently associated with therapeutic outcomes. Specifically, stronger working alliance ratings and higher levels of secure attachment have been found to predict more positive therapy outcomes (e.g., Flückiger et al., 2018; Mallinckrodt et al., 2005; Sauer et al., 2010). As these three constructs have been found to influence psychotherapy outcomes, the …

Exploring How Therapist Trainees’ Mentalization, Attachment Styles, And The Working Alliance Impact Treatment Outcomes In Psychotherapy, Hanali Gilbert

Dissertations

A burgeoning area of research within the past 30 years has sought to identify which specific therapist factors contribute to differential treatment outcomes (Barkham et al., 2017). The purpose of the current naturalistic study was to explore how two personal characteristics of therapist trainees, mentalization capacity and attachment styles, impact early treatment outcomes at two Midwestern psychology training clinics. This study also examined whether therapist mentalization and the working alliance interacted to influence client outcomes. Therapists completed the Mentalization Scale (MentS; Dimitrijević et al., 2018) and the Experiences in Close Relationships scale (ECR; Brennan et al., 1998), while the Working …

Personal And High-Intensity Gait Factors Associated With Balance And Walking Improvement With Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Study, Heather Staal

Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between personal factors and High-Intensity Gait variables and balance and walking improvement in an outpatient stroke population.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, with persistent gait and balance impairments commonly limiting independence and participation. High-intensity gait training (HIGT) is an evidence-based rehabilitation approach that improves walking outcomes following stroke; however, guidance on how specific training variables are applied in outpatient physical therapy settings remains broad.

Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzes clinical data from outpatient physical therapy episodes in which HIGT is a …

Beta2-Agonist And Anti-Inflammatory Combination Therapy For Asthma Rescue: A Paradigm Shift In Asthma Care, Neil Skolnik, Jessica Stieritz, Julie Akers, Timothy Hudd, Wendy L. Wright, Ileen Gilbert, Nazrin Yusufova, Bill Cook, Emily Robb, Henry Naddaf

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) report and national and international guidelines have shifted away from short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA)-only bronchodilators as first-line asthma rescue therapy, recognizing that both bronchoconstriction and inflammation underlie the increase in symptoms preceding an exacerbation. Instead, the GINA Committee supports strategies to reduce inflammation, such as anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR) therapy (as-needed, low-dose inhaled corticosteroid [ICS]–formoterol or SABA–ICS for symptom relief) and single maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART) or maintenance and reliever therapy (MART; i.e., ICS–formoterol used as both maintenance and as-needed rescue therapy). This narrative review discusses the rationale behind the move toward AIR and SMART …

Polygenic Risk Scores And Hla Class Ii Variants Are Biomarkers Of Corticosteroid Response In Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome., Tiffany Tu, Alejandro Ochoa, Amika Sood, Ashley Dabrik, Megan Chryst-Stangl, Brandon Lane, Guanghong Wu, Frank Donovan, Ursula Harper, Settara Chandrasekharappa, Christopher Esezobor, Adaobi Solarin, David Hooper, Christine Sethna, Sandra Amaral, Mahmoud Kallash, Michelle Rheault, Priya Verghese, Vikas Dharnidharka, Eloise Salmon, Patricia Weng, Tarak Srivastava, Michael E Seifert, Cozumel Pruette, David Selewski, Keisha Gibson, Tracy Hunley, Asiri Abeyagunawardena, Shenal Thalgahagoda, Arvind Bagga, Aditi Sinha, Nicholas Webb, Larry Greenbaum, Ali Gharavi, Krzysztof Kiryluk, Matthias Kretzler, Lisa Guay-Woodford, Simone Sanna-Cherchi, Agnieszka Bierzynska, Ania Koziell, Gavin Welsh, Moin Saleem, Charles Rotimi, Eileen Chambers, Cliburn Chan, Curegn Consortium, Pnrc Glomerular Disease Group, Cibmtr/Nmdp Consortium, Annette Jackson, Adebowale Adeyemo, Rasheed Gbadegesin

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

INTRODUCTION: Nephrotic syndrome (NS), a common glomerular disease in children, is classified based on response to corticosteroid therapy as either steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS), or steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). However, there are no current reliable predictors of therapy response at initial clinical presentation.

METHODS: To evaluate predictors, we conducted genome-wide association studies, developed polygenic risk scores (PRS) for therapy response and analyzed classical HLA alleles in 1,997 children (994 discovery and 1,003 replication/validation cohorts) previously unstudied children with NS and 3,558 ancestry-matched control individuals.

RESULTS: A significant association with HLA loci defined by variants in HLA-DQB1, HLA-DRB1, and HLA-DQA1 were …

Early Neurodevelopmental Outcomes In Children With Congenital Heart Disease., Mike Seed, Dawn Ilardi, Valerie Rofeberg, Cynthia Ortinau, Caren Goldberg, Garrett Reichle, Lauren Bush, Justin Elhoff, Amy Jo Lisanti, Jennifer Butcher, Caitlin Rollins, Andrew Van Bergen, Shabnam Peyvandi, Emily Bucholz, Stephanie Cox, Lyla Hampton, Jacqueline Sanz, Sonia Monteiro, Shruti Tewar, Kiona Allen, Caroline Lee, Kristi Glotzbach, Nneka Alexander, Laurel Bear, Corinne Anton, Renee Sananes, Linh Ly, Gina Boucher, Kelly Wolfe, Lindsay Edwards, Elizabeth J. Willen, Alexander Tan, Christina Ortega, Erica Sood, Anjali Sadhwani, Kari Crawford Plant, Lauren Quigley, Jessica Pliego, Elizabeth Valles, Abbey Hines, David Wypij, Thomas Miller

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

IMPORTANCE: Neurodevelopmental impairments are common in children with congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVES: To compare neurodevelopmental outcomes by cardiac diagnosis and identify associations between medical and social factors and early neurodevelopmental outcomes among children with congenital heart disease.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional analysis used neurodevelopmental follow-up data obtained between May 1, 2019, and June 30, 2022, and entered into the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative (CNOC) registry, with linkage to the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium registry. Children younger than 30 months from 25 CNOC sites were studied. Data analysis was performed between January 2023 and December 2024.

EXPOSURES: Patients …

Retrospective Chart Review Of Immobilized Lipase Cartridge Use In Children With Short Bowel Syndrome., Elizaveta Khenner, Jennifer Morton, Laura Green, Ashlee Yoder, Kayla Paul, Ann E. Remmers, William San Pablo

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

This retrospective, single-center chart review studied the use of an in-line, immobilized lipase cartridge (ILC) in children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) at Children's Mercy Hospital. For parenteral nutrition (PN)-dependent patients, the primary endpoint was enteral feeding progression, evaluated by comparing monthly change from baseline in PN and enteral nutrition (EN) after the start of ILC use. For patients with enteral autonomy, changes from baseline in growth measure z-scores were evaluated. In 9 PN-dependent patients (with Type II or III SBS), mean PN use decreased 10.6 kcal/kg/day (15.5%) and mean EN use increased by 6.0 kcal/kg/day (39.9%) after 3.8 to …

Incidental Colorectal Adenomas In Adolescents: Clinical Management, Genetic Evaluation, And Surveillance., Brett J. Hoskins, Shlomi Cohen, Colleen B. Flahive, Isabel Rojas, Aparajita Singh, Thomas M. Attard

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The rising incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer has renewed attention to colorectal adenomas in adolescents and young adults (AYA), although these lesions remain rare and poorly characterized in adolescents. Lack of age-specific guidance creates uncertainty regarding genetic evaluation, surveillance intervals, and long-term management when these lesions are identified in adolescents. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence and expert perspective on epidemiology, evaluation, endoscopic management, surveillance, genetic considerations, and psychosocial implications of incidentally identified colorectal adenomas across the AYA spectrum, with emphasis on adolescents as a distinct clinical population. Available data largely derive from adults aged 20-49 years but suggest that …

A 2-Year Randomized Trial Of Pitavastatin Calcium Vs Placebo To Treat Combined Dyslipidemia In Adolescents With Overweight And Obesity., Brian W. Mccrindle, Silva Arslanian, Michele Mietus-Snyder, Elaine M. Urbina, Adam L. Ware, Jessica E. Teng, Felicia Trachtenberg, Mark W. Russell, Amy S. Shah, Mark Cartoski, Julie A. Brothers, Christine San Giovanni, Justin P. Zachariah, Sandra Pena, William T. Mahle, Amy L. Peterson, Sheela N. Magge, Geetha Raghuveer, Binu Sharma, Valiantsina Kazlova, Craig A. Sponseller, D'Andrea Freemon, Mario Stylianou, Sarah D. De Ferranti, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Combined dyslipidemia of overweight/obesity (CDO) is prevalent in youth and is associated with an increased risk of early cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the impact and safety of statin therapy for CDO in adolescents.

METHODS: A double-blind, randomized trial was performed across 18 North American sites. Participants aged 10 to 19 years with body mass index ≥85th percentile and CDO defined as non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) ≥120 mg/dL (3.10 mmol/L) and either low HDL-C or high triglyceride:HDL-C ratio were randomized centrally to receive either pitavastatin calcium 4 mg/d or placebo for 2 years. The primary outcome was …