Digital Commons Network^™

Mbiochemical Identification And Clinical Description Of Edetomidine Exposure In People Who Use Fentanyl In Philadelphia, Pa, Phil Durney, Jennifer L. Kahoud, Tareva Warrick-Stone, Maeve Montesi, Meg Carter, Sabrina Butt, Alberto Martinez Mencia, Louisa Omoregie, Monali Shah, Mariah Bloomfield, Nicholas Tomasko, Rebecca C. Jaffe, Allison Herens, Warren R. Korn, Karen Alexander, Douglas F. Stickle, Dennis Goodstein, Lara Weinstein, Kory S. London

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

Medetomidine, a veterinary α2-adrenergic agonist, has recently emerged as an adulterant in the non-medical opioid supply, yet human exposure has remained poorly characterized. We conducted a pragmatic retrospective cohort analysis utilizing chart review and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) toxicology testing on available urine samples from patients presenting to two hospitals in Philadelphia, PA, who fit two clinical phenotypes, intoxication or withdrawal. Samples also underwent glucuronidase pre-treatment to assess impact on the yield of medetomidine and xylazine metabolite detection. Testing identified universal exposure to medetomidine (58/58 samples) via the 3-hydroxy-medetomidine (3-OH-M) metabolite, post glucuronidase treatment and variable xylazine exposure (40/58 …

The Cortical Motor Map For The Extensor Digitorum Communis Muscle Fails To Increase In Treatment-Related Clinically Significant Upper Limb Post-Stroke Recovery, Tomoko Kitago, Joshua Silverstein, Michael B. Gerber, Charlene Thomas, Linda M. Gerber, Gary W. Thickbroom, Dylan J. Edwards

Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Papers

Objectives: Cortical reorganization has been proposed as a mechanism for motor recovery of the upper limb. The objective of this study was to determine if intervention-related clinical improvement in post-stroke hemiparesis is associated with enlarged motor cortex representation. Methods: Data were analyzed from a single site subset of the NICHE trial. Clinical assessments of upper limb movement (Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Motor Assessment, FM-UE, Action Research Arm Test, ARAT, and Wolf Motor Function Test, WMFT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) motor mapping of the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) muscle were performed in 23 participants (3–12 months post-stroke, 10 female, 40–88 yrs) …

Savings Associated With Bundled Payments For Outpatient Spine Surgery Among Medicare Beneficiaries, Austin S. Kilaru, Grace Y. Ng, Erkuan Wang, Erin Huang, Aidan P. Crowley, Jingsan Zhu, Joshua M. Liao, Said A. Ibrahim, Torrey Shirk, Deborah S. Cousins, Neil R. Malhotra, Amol S. Navathe

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

IMPORTANCE: Few value-based payment programs have targeted outpatient surgery, although these procedures comprise most surgeries performed in hospitals. In 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services introduced Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced), the first episode-based payment model to include an outpatient surgical condition-spine surgery. It is not known whether bundled payments reduce spending or improve quality for outpatient surgery, despite plans to expand outpatient episodes in future models.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether hospital participation in the first year of BPCI Advanced for outpatient and inpatient spine surgery (back and neck except spinal fusion procedures [BNESF]) was …

Identification Of Serum Exosome Proteins In Systemic Sclerosis With Interstitial Lung Disease By Aptamer Proteomics, Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez, Simon T. Dillon, Xuesong Gu, Towia A. Libermann, Sergio A. Jimenez

Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine Papers and Presentations

OBJECTIVE: A major unmet need for Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) clinical management is the absence of well validated biomarkers for early diagnosis of SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). The objective of this study was to identify proteins contained within serum exosomes that may serve as potential biomarkers to differentiate patients with Diffuse SSc without SSc-ILD from patients with Diffuse SSc with SSc-ILD employing aptamer-based proteomics.

METHODS: Serum exosomes were isolated from two cohorts of patients. The first cohort included 15 patients with Diffuse SSc without SSc-ILD and 14 patients with Diffuse SSc with SSc-ILD and the second cohort included 12 patients …

Optimizing Stereotactic Intracranial Neoplasm Treatment: A Systematic Review Of Pet Integration With Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, Robert C. Subtirelu, Eric M. Teichner, Milo Writer, Kevin Bryan, Shiv Patil, Talha Khan, Lancelot Herpin, Raj N. Patel, Emily Christner, Chitra Parikh, Thomas Werner, Abass Alavi, Mona-Elisabeth Revheim

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

OBJECTIVE: Traditional imaging modalities for the planning of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) are non-specific and do not accurately delineate intracranial neoplasms. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of positron emission tomography (PET) for the planning of GKRS for intracranial neoplasms (ICNs) and the post-GKRS applications of PET for patient care.

METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect were searched in order to assemble relevant studies regarding the uses of PET in conjunction with GKRS for ICN treatment. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed to identify relevant studies on the use of PET in conjunction with …

The Need For Targeted Prevention And Screening In Gastrointestinal Cancer Disparities, Jason C. Lin, John C. Lin, Joy Zhao

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Meta-Analysis Of Uveal Melanoma Genome-Wide Association Studies Identifies Novel Risk Loci And Population Effect Size Heterogeneity., Georgia Mies, Noah L. Tsao, Alexandre Houy, Sarah E. Coupland, Helen Kalirai, Asta Försti, Kari Hemminki, Hauke Thomsen, Marc-Henri Stern, Carol L. Shields, Scott M. Damrauer, Katheryn G. Ewens, Arupa Ganguly, Iain Mathieson

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare but frequently metastasizing cancer. Genome-wide association studies have identified three common genome-wide significant germline risk loci. Here, we perform a genome-wide association study on 401 new cases and conduct a meta-analysis with three independent previously published cohorts for a total sample size of 2,426 cases. We confirm the three previously identified risk loci and identify four additional genome-wide significant loci. We find that eye pigmentation-decreasing variants are systematically associated with increased UM risk and that selection for lighter pigmentation in the past 5,000 years explains about 73% of the difference in UM incidence between …

Lysosomal Storage Disorders In Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis Diagnosed By Exome Sequencing, Mona M Makhamreh, Kavya Shivashankar, Stephanie M. Rice, Sascha Wodoslawsky, Christina Grant, Rodney Mclaren, Seth I. Berger, Huda B. Al-Kouatly

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

Lysosomal storage disorders (LSD) are a group of inherited metabolic diseases that contribute to nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF). Our objective was to review the pooled exome sequencing (ES) diagnostic yield of LSD in NIHF cases. We expanded our previous meta-analysis and updated our search strategy of prenatal ES studies from 1/1/2000 to 8/1/2024. Cases with LSD gene variants were reviewed. Variants were curated based on the current American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and ClinGen guidelines. Forty-one ES studies met our inclusion criteria. A total of 207/558 NIHF cases yielded a positive diagnosis by ES. LSD cases represented 27/558 …

Integrase-Deficient Lentiviral Vector As A Platform For Efficient Crispr/Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing For Mucopolysaccharidosis Iva, Fnu Nidhi, Shunji Tomatsu

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA) is a lysosomal storage disorder causing systemic skeletal dysplasia due to a deficiency of N-acetyl-galactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS) enzyme activity, leading to the impaired degradation and accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), keratan sulfate (KS) and chondroitin-6-sulfate. While treatments such as enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are available, they have significant limitations regarding efficacy in skeletal tissues and long-term safety, highlighting the need for more effective therapies. We evaluated a novel gene therapy approach using a dual Integrase-deficient lentiviral vector (IDLV) to deliver an expression cassette that includes human GALNS cDNA and Cas9 sgRNA, …

Prognostic Value Of Lipoprotein(A) For Cardiovascular Events After Lower Limb Revascularization In Diabetic Patients With Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia, Federico Biscetti, Maria Margherita Rando, Maria Anna Nicolazzi, Flavia Angelini, Roberto Iezzi, Luis H. Eraso, Paul J. Dimuzio, Dario Pitocco, Massimo Massetti, Antonio Gasbarrini, Andrea Flex

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) presents a major clinical challenge in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), requiring lower extremity revascularization (LER) to mitigate adverse cardiovascular and limb outcomes. Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) has been implicated in cardiovascular risk, but its role in patients with T2DM and CLTI undergoing revascularization remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of Lp(a) levels in diabetic CLTI patients for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), major adverse limb events (MALE), or both after LER.

METHODS: In this prospective cohort study of 158 individuals with T2DM and CLTI undergoing LER, baseline clinical data …

Computational And Imaging Approaches For Precision Characterization Of Bone, Cartilage, And Synovial Biomolecules., Rahul Kumar, Kyle Sporn, Vibhav Prabhakar, Ahab Alnemri, Akshay Khanna, Phani Paladugu, Chirag Gowda, Louis Clarkson, Nasif Zaman, Alireza Tavakkoli

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Degenerative joint diseases (DJDs) involve intricate molecular disruptions within bone, cartilage, and synovial tissues, often preceding overt radiographic changes. These tissues exhibit complex biomolecular architectures and their degeneration leads to microstructural disorganization and inflammation that are challenging to detect with conventional imaging techniques. This review aims to synthesize recent advances in imaging, computational modeling, and sequencing technologies that enable high-resolution, non-invasive characterization of joint tissue health. Methods: We examined advanced modalities including high-resolution MRI (e.g., T1ρ, sodium MRI), quantitative and dual-energy CT (qCT, DECT), and ultrasound elastography, integrating them with radiomics, deep learning, and multi-scale modeling approaches. We …

Breastfeeding Continuation At One Month Postpartum Among Women In Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder Who Initiated Breastfeeding: Prevalence And Determinants, Julia Eisenberg, Meghan Gannon, Kim Mclaughlin, Diane J. Abatemarco, Vanessa L. Short

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

Objective: To describe breastfeeding behaviors and determinants in the 1-month postdelivery period among women in treatment for opioid use disorder.

Study Design: Participants completed one questionnaire during pregnancy and one questionnaire at 1 month postpartum. Those who reported on the postpartum questionnaire that they had initiated breast- feeding were included in this analysis (N = 31). Infant feeding practices, receipt of lactation support, and demographic, psychosocial, and infant birth characteristics were compared between those who breastfed for at least 1 month and those who did not.

Results: In all, 45% of the participants were breastfeeding at 1 month post delivery. …

Systemic Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors In Common Ophthalmic Diseases: A Scoping Review From A Clinical Standpoint, Shahin Hallaj, Wesam S. Shalaby, Sapna Sinha, Jonathan S. Myers, Reza Razeghinejad

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This paper provides a detailed overview of systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) and their application in managing ophthalmic conditions, including glaucoma, cystoid macular edema, and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Despite their recognized clinical benefits, the potential for severe systemic adverse effects often discourages clinicians from prescribing these agents. By examining the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, safety profile, and clinical indications of systemic CAIs, this review highlights strategies to mitigate treatment challenges, particularly in patients with comorbidities and complex medical backgrounds.

RECENT FINDINGS: New insights into the diverse roles and distribution of carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes have expanded our understanding of …

Overexpression Of Tsg101 Causes The Development Of Adenosquamous Mammary Carcinoma, Rayane Dennaoui, Patrick D. Rädler, Madison N. Wicker, Kerry Vistisen, Rosa-Maria Ferraiuolo, Aleata A. Triplett, Hridaya Shrestha, Tessa A. Liner, Karoline C. Manthey, Hallgeir Rui, Robert D. Cardiff, Teresa M. Gunn, Charles M. Perou, Kay-Uwe Wagner

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: The mammalian Tumor Susceptibility Gene 101 (TSG101) encodes a protein with diverse functions that control the proliferation and survival of cells, but its role in malignant transformation and cancer development has remained enigmatic.

METHODS: To study the pro-tumorigenic functions of TSG101, we developed a bi-transgenic mouse model that expresses exogenous TSG101 along with a luciferase reporter in a ligand-controlled manner in the mammary gland epithelium. We performed a comprehensive histopathologic, biochemical, and molecular characterization of ductal hyperplasia and mammary tumors. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering based on 1,723 intrinsic genes of ten TSG101-overexpressing cancers alongside 251 tissue samples representing 31 reference …

From Imaging To Computational Domains For Physics-Driven Molecular Biology Simulations: Hindered Diffusion In Platelet Masses, Catherine House, Ziyi Huang, Kaushik Shankar, Sandra Young, Meghan Roberts, Scott Diamond, Maurizio Tomaiuolo, Timothy Stalker, Lu Lu, Talid Sinno

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

When formed in vivo, murine hemostatic thrombi exhibit a heterogeneous architecture comprised of distinct regions of densely and sparsely packed platelets. In this study, we utilize high-resolution electron microscopy alongside machine learning and physics-based simulations to investigate how such clot microstructure impacts molecular diffusivity. We used Serial Block Face - Scanning Electron Microscopy (SBF-SEM) to image select volumes of hemostatic masses formed in a mouse jugular vein, producing high-resolution 2D images. Images were segmented using machine learning software (Cellpose), whose training was augmented by manually segmented images. The segmented images were then utilized as 2D computational domains for Lattice Kinetic …

Exploring Sex-Specific Clinical Features In Chinese Patients With Takotsubo Syndrome, Hong-Yi Duan, Ling-Lin Wang, Ling-Chun Lyu, Zhen-Hua Shi, Xiao-Ping Lin, Zheng-Yang Yu, Guo-Hua Fan, Jing Chen, Xin-Hong Yang, Wei Deng, Chang-Wu Xu, Yan Huang, Qing Zhou, Jin-Ling Chen, Hong-Ning Song, Dong Hu, Jin-Qiu Liu, Hector Barajas-Martinez, Charles Antzelevitch, Kan Liu, Hong Jiang, Dan Hu

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is considered as a transient acute heart failure syndrome predominant in females. However, data on Chinese TTS patients are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of Chinese TTS patients, identify prognostic markers.

METHODS: A total of 258 TTS patients were enrolled. Data on clinical characteristics and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were collected and analyzed. The latter included severe heart failure, shock, malignant arrhythmia, and death.

RESULTS: The average age of TTS patients was 59.3 ± 19.2 years. Female patients accounted for 68.9%. MACE occurred in 41.4% of patients during hospitalization. …

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Seeking Into Cell-Free Therapies For Bone-Affected Lysosomal Storage Disorders, Andrés Felipe Leal, Harry Pachajoa, Shunji Tomatsu

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) constitute a group of monogenic systemic diseases resulting from deficiencies in specific lysosomal enzymes that cause the intralysosomal accumulation of non- or partially degraded substrates, leading to lysosomal dysfunction. In some cases of LSDs, the bone is more severely affected, thus producing skeletal manifestations in patients. Current therapies, such as enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and gene therapy (GT), show limited efficacy in correcting skeletal abnormalities. Increasing evidence suggests that microenvironmental disturbances also contribute significantly to disease pathogenesis. Therefore, therapeutic strategies targeting lysosomal dysfunction and microenvironmental dysregulation are needed. Mesenchymal stem-cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) are emerging as …

Pharmacological Considerations For Healthcare Providers When Caring For Muslim Patients: A Practical Guide, Layla Abubshait, Nissa Tasnim, Taha Cangoz

Einstein Health Papers

Healthcare providers increasingly encounter Muslim patients with unique pharmacological considerations influenced by religious beliefs and practices. Islam, as the world's second-largest religion, includes specific guidelines affecting medication permissibility, particularly regarding alcohol and pork-derived ingredients. This educational guide examines the intersection of Islamic teachings with pharmacotherapy, providing examples of commonly prescribed medications containing alcohol or porcine-derived gelatin from our academic medical center's inpatient and outpatient formulary. We document alcohol content percentages in various medications and suggest possible alternatives as illustrative examples. Most importantly, we present a step-by-step practical framework for using National Drug Code (NDC) numbers and the DailyMed database, enabling …

Single-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion Is Associated With Higher Nonroutine Discharge Rates Compared To Cervical Disc Arthroplasty In Obese Patients, Paul G. Mastrokostas, Luke B. Schwartz, Eli Berglas, Aaron B. Lavi, Leonidas E. Mastrokostas, Jonathan Dalton, Christopher K. Kepler, Arya Varthi, Jad Bou Monsef, Afshin E. Razi, Mitchell K. Ng

Rothman Institute Papers

CONTEXT: Obesity is a recognized risk factor for adverse outcomes in cervical spine surgery. While cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) has emerged as an alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), comparative outcomes among obese patients remain underexplored.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to compare nonroutine discharge rates and other postoperative outcomes between obese patients undergoing single-level ACDF and CDA.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using a national database.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample was queried to identify obese patients who underwent single-level ACDF or CDA between 2016 and 2020. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were …

How Are We Defining Preoperative Anemia? A Comparison Of Various Anemia Thresholds Among Patients Undergoing Short-Construct Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Tariq Issa, Omar Tarawneh, Teeto Ezeonu, Mark Lambrechts, Mark Kurd, Ian Kaye, Jose Canseco, Alan Hilibrand, Alex Vaccaro, Christopher Kepler, Gregory Schroeder

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a risk factor for increased transfusions. However, various definitions of anemia have been described in scientific literature and a consensus on how to appropriately diagnose anemia or who to preoperatively optimize is lacking. We aimed to compare multiple anemia definitions and evaluate if any threshold best predicts transfusion requirements and surgical outcomes following spinal fusion.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1-2 level posterior spinal fusions. Preoperative hemoglobin was defined based on preoperative laboratories within 28 days of surgery. Anemia was diagnosed using the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Society of Hematology (ASH), and …

A Comparison Of Different Posterior Arthrodesis Techniques Versus Anterior Dens Screw For Odontoid Fractures: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Pavlos Texakalidis, Stavros Matsoukas, Michael Cloney, Mykhaylo Krushelnytskyy, Kevin Swong, Najib El Tecle, Tyler Koski, Nader Dahdaleh

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Odontoid fractures are often managed surgically. The most common approaches are anterior dens screw (ADS) and posterior arthrodesis (PA), with the latter being associated with significantly higher fusion rates. PA techniques can include wiring, C1-C2 transarticular (TA) screws, and C1 lateral mass (LM)-C2 pars/pedicle screws. Most comparative studies group multiple PA techniques together when comparing PA versus ADS. Our objective was to systematically review the literature and identify studies that separately provide fusion rates of each different posterior C1-C2 arthrodesis (PA) technique utilized compared to ADS.

METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted according to the Preferred …

Commentary On Quality Improvement Case Series: Leukemic Arthritis Mimicking Septic Arthritis In A Pediatric Patient, Alexandre Arkader, Mihir M Thacker, Karim Masrouha

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Factors Related To Hypertension In Pediatric Patients Who Do Not Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Retrospective Chart Study, Alyssa Exarchakis, Alexandra Cohen, Penghao Wang, Seema Rani, Diana Martinez

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background/Objectives: The relationship between OSA and adult hypertension has been extensively studied; however, it remains understudied in pediatric patients without OSA. The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with pediatric hypertension without OSA, through an IRB-approved retrospective chart review of patients who underwent polysomnography at Nemours Children's Hospital, DE/NJ between January 2020 and July 2023. Methods: Eligibility criteria included children 8-17 years, completed PSG, and clinic visit blood pressure (BP). Anthropometrics, demographics, social determinants, and medical history were obtained from electronic medical records. Hypertension was defined as the average systolic and/or diastolic BP that is …

Amino Acid Transporter Lat1 (Slc7a5) Promotes Metabolic Rewiring In Tnbc Progression Through The L-Trp/Qprt/Nad+ Pathway, Margot Y. Fedoroff, Lei Zhao, Shaomin Wang, Alok Bhushan, Haifeng Yang, Karen M. Bussard, Stephen C. Peiper, Jun He

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Cancer cells uptake excessive nutrients by expressing higher levels of glucose and/or amino acid transporters to meet their increased energy demands. L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), is regarded as a cancer-specific transporter for the uptake of large neutral amino acids such as L-tryptophan. However, the mechanism by which LAT1 rewires cellular metabolism to promote cancer progression and chemoresistance have not yet been investigated.

METHODS: The protein levels of LAT1, p-PKM2, and p-LDHA were determined in breast cancer tissue arrays by immunohistochemistry staining followed by survival analysis. The orthotopic breast cancer models in mice, syngeneic breast cancer models, and …

The Impact Of Operative Level On Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Following Single-Level Posterior Lumbar Decompression For Disc Herniation, Jonathan Dalton, Robert Oris, Omar Tarawneh, Gregory Toci, Rajkishen Narayanan, Dominic Finan, Hannah Bash, Marco Goldberg, John Mangan, Barrett Woods, Mark Kurd, Ian Kaye, Jose Canseco, Alan Hilibrand, Alex Vaccaro, Gregory Schroeder, Christopher Kepler

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To compare the impact of upper versus lower lumbar decompression on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing L1-L2, L2-L3, L4-L5, or L5-S1 single-level elective decompression with 1-year PROMs were identified. Included PROMs were the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) back and leg, and Short Form-12 physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores. Minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were calculated. Multivariable regressions assessed the independent predictive ability of operative level controlling for demographic confounders.

RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-six patients were included (94 upper lumbar decompressions). Upper lumbar decompression patients were older (64.0 vs. …

Brivaracetam Effectiveness And Patient-Reported Outcomes In Clinical Practice: Data From A 12-Month Prospective, Observational Study In The United States., Hina Dave, Michael R. Sperling, Hamada Hamid Altalib, Heidi Henninger, Roger J. Porter, Michael Gelfand, Prashant Dongre, Sami Elmoufti, Melinda S. Martin, Anne-Liv Schulz, Jacqueline A. French

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate real-world effectiveness, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and safety/tolerability of brivaracetam in patients (≥16 years) with focal-onset seizures currently receiving ≥ 1 antiseizure medication (ASM), and with historical or current use of levetiracetam, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, and/or carbamazepine.

METHODS: EP0088 was a 12-month, prospective, observational study of brivaracetam in a clinical practice setting in the US. Primary study outcome was brivaracetam retention at 12 months after brivaracetam initiation. Effect of brivaracetam on patients' perceptions of their health was assessed using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) short forms and Seizure-Related Disability Assessment Scale (SERDAS). Safety outcomes included incidence of treatment-emergent adverse …

From Aortic Stenosis To Cardiomyopathy: The Hidden Impact Of Undiagnosed Acommissural Unicuspid Aortic Valve, Muhammad Sabri, Hamza Muhammadzai, Angad Bedi, Eddy Mizrahi, Matthew Collins

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

Unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) is a rare congenital anomaly, diagnosed in individuals aged 30 to 50. It is associated with aortic stenosis or aortic regurgitation, potentially leading to heart failure. We report a case of a 28-year-old male with an acommissural UAV, aortopathy, critical aortic stenosis, and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, presenting with shortness of breath. This case is notable for late presentation of an acommissural UAV, which typically manifests in childhood.

Irradiation Of Prostate Cancer Alters Circulating Small Extracellular Vesicle Functions, Aejaz Sayeed, Vaughn Garcia, Cecilia E. Verrillo, Rachel M. Derita, Md Niamat Hossain, Shiv R. Krishn, Samuel Sey, Christopher D. Shields, Adrian D. Altieri, Qin Liu, Khalid Sossey-Alaoui, William K. Kelly, Lucia R. Languino

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

It is known that β1 integrins and a downstream signaling molecule c-Src are upregulated in prostate cancer (PrCa) tissues, are co-expressed in circulating small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and contribute to cancer progression. Here, we demonstrate that sEVs from PrCa patients show robust expression of both β1 integrins and c-Src. The impact of irradiation, a widely used therapy for the treatment of PrCa, on circulating sEVs is however not fully understood. We show that sEVs isolated from the plasma of transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice, stimulate migration and anchorage-independent growth of recipient cancer cells, but sEVs are not active …

Evanescent - Issue 6

Evanescent

Evanescent: A Journal of Literary Medicine is the journal of the Eakins Writing Project, which also sponsors the Drs. Theresa and Charles Yeo Writing Prize. The Eakins Writing Project is supported by the Jefferson Center for Injury Research and Prevention, located in the Department of Surgery of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia.

Contents:

10 - From the Editors

11 - Basketball: Youth to Older by Dr. Charles Yeo

13 - A Follow-up from the Editors

14 - Prism by Yazan Bader (Third Place Winner)

17 - Reflections on Shards of Glass by Ana Maria Lopez

19 - The Dragonfly’s Journey by …

Tissue Engineering: History, Principles, Applications, Challenges, And Future Work, Alexa Cesari, Ms

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Tissue engineering is a comprehensive and cutting-edge field that leverages principles from multiple scientific disciplines to assist in regenerative medicine. It is defined by the most basic structure of the human body, the cell. When an injury occurs, cells send signals to initiate wound healing processes. In most cases, the body is equipped to heal wounds on its own; however, there are instances where wounds are too severe and cannot undergo proper regeneration. When this occurs, alternative measures are taken to assist in wound repair. With numerous advancements made over the years, tissue engineering has become an increasingly common method …