Digital Commons Network^™

Outcomes Following Isolated Right Ventricular Assist Device As Durable Support For Primary Right Heart Failure: An Intermacs Analysis, Edo Y. Birati, E. Wilson Grandin, Robert S. Zhang, Fausto Cabezas, Keshava Rajagopal, Matthew Seigerman, Allison Padegimas, Jeremy A. Mazurek, Michael S. Kiernan, Navin K. Kapur, Pavan Atluri, Guilherme H. Oliveira, Francis D. Pagani, Susan L. Myers, Jeffrey Teuteberg, Robert L. Kormos, James K. Kirklin, Michael A. Acker, J. Eduardo Rame

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Outcomes with isolated right ventricular assist devices (iRVAD) using pumps designed for the left ventricle are not well described. This study compares the clinical characteristics and outcomes of iRVAD patients to those patients treated with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and biventricular assist devices (BiVAD). This study consisted of patients who received iRVAD from the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) registry (2006-2017). The primary outcome was 2-year survival. Of 20,789 patients, 26 (0.13%) received iRVAD, 17 with pulsatile flow and 9 with continuous-flow devices. Device strategy was bridge to recovery/rescue therapy in 9 (35%), bridge to transplant/decision …

Integration Of Interprofessional Education Into Routine Resident Practice: 2 Cases Of Successful Implementation., Catherine C Skae, Victoria Gorski, Anna Flattau, Manaslu Gurung, Kalli Varaklis, Sarah Hallen

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Artificial Intelligence In Orthopedic Medical Education: A Comprehensive Review Of Emerging Technologies And Their Applications, Kyle Sporn, Rahul Kumar, Phani Paladugu, Tejas Sekhar, Swapna Vaja, Tamer Hage, Ethan Waisberg, Chirag Gowda, Ram Jagadeesan, Nasif Zaman, Alireza Tavakkoli

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and mixed reality (MR) into orthopedic education has transformed learning. This review examines AI-powered platforms like Microsoft HoloLens, Apple Vision Pro, and HTC Vive Pro, which enhance anatomical visualization, surgical simulation, and clinical decision-making. These technologies improve the spatial understanding of musculoskeletal structures, refine procedural skills with haptic feedback, and personalize learning through AI-driven adaptive algorithms. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT further support knowledge retention and provide evidence-based insights on orthopedic topics. AI-enabled platforms and generative AI tools help address challenges in standardizing orthopedic education. However, we still face many barriers that relate to standardizing data, …

The Impact Of Biomaterial Characteristics On Macrophage Phenotypes In Tissue Engineering: A Review, Julian Jackson, Hani Samarah, William Palmer, Zachary Kaplan, Marianna Nicodem, Parvesh Kumar, Spenser Short, Kelly Bridgham, Larry Harshyne, Joseph Curry

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

Macrophages are highly plastic cells central to pathogen removal, tissue regeneration, and inflammation, making them key targets in biomaterial design for improved clinical outcomes. Foreign body responses (FBRs) to implanted biomaterials often involve excessive macrophage-mediated inflammation, leading to fibrotic encapsulation, infection, and implant failure. Advances in tissue engineering demonstrate that macrophage polarization - the transition from pro-inflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes - can be influenced by biomaterial properties to mitigate these responses and enhance regeneration. This review synthesizes the relationship between biomaterial properties, such as surface chemistry, structure, and stiffness, and their ability to modulate macrophage behavior. Key innovations, …

#Genderaffirminghormonetherapy And Health Information On Tiktok: Thematic Content Analysis, Julia Beatini, Nora Yanyi Sun, Julianna K. Coleman, Maetal E. Haas-Kogan, Andrea Pelletier, Deborah Bartz, Alex Sogomon Keuroghlian

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

BACKGROUND: Transgender and gender diverse people often turn to online platforms for information and support regarding gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT); however, analysis of this social media content remains scarce.

OBJECTIVE: We characterized GAHT-related videos on TikTok to highlight the implications relevant to GAHT prescribers.

METHODS: We used a web scraper to identify TikTok videos posted under the hashtags #genderaffirminghormonetherapy and #genderaffirminghormones as of November 2023. We identified recurrent themes via qualitative content analysis and assessed health education videos with the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials (PEMAT-A/V) scale and a modified Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose (CRAAP) …

Effect Of A Digital Health Exercise Program On The Intention For Spinal Surgery In Adult Spinal Deformity: Exploratory Cross-Sectional Survey, Marsalis Christian Brown, Christopher Quincy Lin, Christopher Jin, Matthew Rohde, Brett Rocos, Jonathan Belding, Barrett I. Woods, Stacey J. Ackerman

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) is a prevalent condition estimated at 38%. Symptomatic ASD is associated with substantial health care costs. The role of nonoperative interventions in the management of ASD remains elusive. The National Scoliosis Clinic's (NSC) scoliosis realignment therapy (SRT) is a personalized digital health exercise program for the nonoperative management of ASD.

OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study had two objectives: (1) to evaluate the effect of the SRT program on users' intention of having spinal fusion; and (2) from a US payer perspective, to estimate the annual cost savings per 100,000 beneficiaries by averting spinal surgery.

METHODS: Individuals …

Comparison Of Outcomes Among Neurovascular Patients Managed In Dedicated Neurological Intensive Care Units Vs. General Intensive Care Units, Joanna Roy, Basel Musmar, Nassos Tziviskos, Saarang Patel, Roberto Deleon, Ashley Thommana, Shady Mina, Stavropoula Tjoumakaris, Michael Gooch, Robert Rosenwasswer, Pascal Jabbour

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

Background/Objectives: Patients with neurovascular conditions often require multidisciplinary management to optimize recovery. Our systematic review identifies literature comparing outcomes among neurovascular patients managed at dedicated neurological intensive care units (ICUs) compared to general ICUs. Methods: PubMed was searched to identify articles that reported outcomes among patients managed at dedicated neurological ICUs versus general ICUs. Articles that reported outcomes among patients with neurovascular conditions were included. Articles that reported outcomes among patients managed at stroke units were excluded. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess for risk of bias across individual studies. Results: After a title and abstract screen …

An Unusual Complication Of Diverticular Bleed: Dysphagia And Food Impaction From Black Esophagus, Nicholas Noverati, Beatriz Torre, Maria Mostyka, Cuckoo Choudhary, Christopher Henry, David Kastenberg, Stephanie Moleski

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Acute esophageal necrosis, or black esophagus, is a rare clinical phenomenon typically seen in older men after an acute triggering event. It may present with dysphagia due to stricturing or dysmotility, a complication of severe esophageal inflammation.

CASE PRESENTATION: Here we describe a case of a woman with several cardiovascular risk factors who developed black esophagus following diverticular-related hemorrhagic shock and presented with chest pain followed by dysphagia and food impaction likely as a result of mucosal sloughing and altered esophageal motility. The diagnosis was confirmed endoscopically and pathology revealed coagulative necrosis due to ischemia.

DISCUSSION: Acute esophageal necrosis …

Heavy Metals In Spices From Lancaster, Pa: Arsenic, Cadmium, And Lead Exposure Risks And The Need For Regulation, Andrew Huff, Hoi Lam, Anuj Ghimirey, Jay Goldring, Michelle Pimentel, Harriet Okatch

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

Heavy metal exposure is associated with adverse health effects in children including impaired cognitive functioning. Studies have identified spices as a potential source of heavy metals. However, in Lancaster, PA no such studies have been conducted. Hence the aim of this study was to quantify arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in spices from Lancaster, PA. Spices were either purchased from stores in Lancaster or obtained as donations from families in Lancaster. As, Cd, and Pb were quantified using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare the median heavy metal concentrations in store-purchased …

Devastating "Dana" Floods In Valencia: Insights On Resilience, Challenges, And Strategies Addressing Future Disasters, Jose M. Martin-Moreno, Eva Garcia-Lopez, Mariano Guerrero-Fernandez, Jose L. Alfonso-Sanchez, Paul Barach

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND:

The unprecedented DANA floods that struck Valencia, Spain on October 29, 2024, caused catastrophic human, economic, and ecological damages, resulting in 223 fatalities, the displacement of 15,000 residents, and long-term health and environmental consequences and incurred financial losses estimated over 50 billion euros. Vulnerabilities in urban planning, ambiguous command and control oversight, delayed warnings, and insufficient preparedness underscored systemic gaps in the flood preparedness and management.

ANALYSIS AND POLICY OPTIONS:

Urgent actions, including stricter urban zoning laws, implementing comprehensive early warning systems, and fostering community-based disaster preparedness are needed to mitigate future risks. A One Health approach that addresses …

Structural Insights Into The Function, Dysfunction And Modulation Of Kv3 Channels, Manuel Covarrubias, Qiansheng Liang, Linh Nguyen-Phuong, Kyle J. Kennedy, Tyler D. Alexander, Ms, Andrew Sam

Department of Neuroscience Faculty Papers

The third subfamily of voltage-gated K⁺ (Kv) channels includes four members, Kv3.1, Kv3.2, Kv3.3 and Kv3.4. Fast gating and activation at relatively depolarized membrane potentials allows Kv3 channels to be major drivers of fast action potential repolarization in the nervous system. Consequently, they help determine the fast-spiking phenotype of inhibitory interneurons and regulate fast synaptic transmission at glutamatergic synapses and the neuromuscular junction. Recent studies from our group and a team of collaborators have used cryo-EM to demonstrate the surprising gating role of the Kv3.1 cytoplasmic T1 domain, the structural basis of a developmental epileptic encephalopathy caused by the …

Spectrum Of Congenital Anomalies Detected Through Anatomy Ultrasound At A Referral Hospital In Ghana, Alim Swarray-Deen, Morgan Yapundich, Sarah Boudova, Kwaku Doffour-Dapaah, Jeff Osei-Agyapong, Perez Sepenu, Alex K. Boateng, Teresa A. Mensah, Patrick Anum, Nana Essuman Oduro, Theophilus Adu-Bredu, Promise E. Sefogah, Jerry Coleman, Samuel A. Oppong

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Africa has a high burden of congenital anomalies due in part to limited preconception care, infections, and environmental exposures. However, the true prevalence of congenital anomalies is unclear because of insufficient access to prenatal diagnostic services. We aimed to determine the rate of congenital anomalies, and characterize the anomalies detected prenatally at a referral hospital in Ghana.

METHODS: We performed a four-year retrospective review of all fetal anomaly ultrasounds performed and congenital anomalies detected from January 1st, 2020, to December 31st, 2023, at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. Data were extracted from the electronic database on maternal age, …

Leveraging Lower Body Negative Pressure For Enhanced Outcomes In Orthopedic Arthroplasty—Insights From Nasa’S Bone Health Research, Phani Paladugu, Rahul Kumar, Tamer Hage, Swapna Vaja, Tejas Sekhar, Samuel Weisberg, Kyle Sporn, Ethan Waisberg, Joshua Ong, Amar S. Vadhera, Mouayad Masalkhi, Ryung Lee, Chirag Gowda, Ram Jagadeesan, Nasif Zaman, Alireza Tavakkoli

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Exposure to microgravity causes rapid bone loss and muscle atrophy, posing serious challenges for long-duration spaceflight. In response, NASA developed countermeasures such as Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) to simulate gravitational loading on astronauts’ lower extremities. LBNP, often combined with exercise, has proven effective in mitigating musculoskeletal degradation during bed rest analogs. This opinion paper argues that LBNP’s success in preserving bone mass and muscle function in microgravity can be translated to improve re- covery after orthopedic arthroplasty on Earth. We draw physiological parallels between microgravity-induced musculoskeletal disuse and the postoperative period following total joint replacement, during which reduced weight-bearing …

Hepatic Manifestations Following Gene Therapy, Akash Roy, Shalini Bansal, Anand Kulkarni, K. Rajender Reddy

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Gene therapy involves the introduction of genetic materials, most commonly using viral vectors, to alter gene expression to ameliorate or cure disease symptoms with minimal adverse events. While interest in gene therapy has been on the increase, concerns have arisen about the potential for hepatotoxicity, which arises from diverse mechanisms. While viral vectors can produce dose-dependent hepatotoxicity secondary to integration, immune responses appear to be the primary driving mechanism. A mild increase in aminotransferases is the most common hepatic manifestation, occurring variably in 20%-80%, while there has been rare progress to acute liver failure. The occurrence of hepatotoxicity is unpredictable …

Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma: Predictors Of Response To Induction Therapy And Patterns Of Progression, Louis Cappelli, Allison Kayne, Jennifer Newman, Ahmed Elguindy, Narendranath Epperla, Joshua D. Palmer, Ubaldo E. Martinez-Outshoorn, Pierluigi Porcu, Wenyin Shi, Iyad Alnahhas

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare and aggressive variant of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. While PCNSL is often sensitive to induction high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) based chemotherapy, recurrence rates remain high, approaching 50% within 5 years. The most common molecular alterations in PCNSL include mutations in MYD88 and CD79 and CDKN2A homozygous deletion. There are no predictive or prognostic molecular markers in PCNSL.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 40 patients with PCNSL treated at Thomas Jefferson University and Ohio State University between 2011 and 2023. We created a clinically annotated database of patient characteristics and outcomes. For …

A Hybrid Deep Learning-Based Approach For Visual Field Test Forecasting, Ashkan Abbasi, Sowjanya Gowrisankaran, Wei-Chun Lin, Xubo Song, Bhavna Josephine Antony, Gadi Wollstein, Joel Schuman, Hiroshi Ishikawa

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

OBJECTIVE: Longitudinal assessment of visual field (VF) testing is essential in glaucoma management. Conventional VF forecasting methods require numerous prior tests, while deep learning techniques have shown promising results with fewer tests. This study introduces a hybrid deep learning framework to enhance flexibility and accuracy in VF test forecasting.

DESIGN: A retrospective longitudinal study using deep learning-based VF forecasting models.

SUBJECTS AND CONTROLS: A total of 1750 subjects (healthy and glaucoma patients) with 19 437 Humphrey VF (24-2 Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm) tests collected from longitudinal glaucoma cohorts at the University of Pittsburgh and New York University.

METHODS: Three deep …

Editorial: Women In Science: Allergy Research, Gemma Carreras-Badosa, Vanesa Esteban, Vivian Hernandez-Trujillo, Elina Toskala, Manali Mukherjee, Saba Al Heialy, Karin Fieten

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Difference In Clinical Presentation And Surgical Outcomes In Pediatric And Adult Patients With Chiari Malformation Type 1: A Single Center Retrospective Study, Erik Öhlén, Victor Gabriel El-Hajj, Victor E. Staartjes, Pascal Jabbour, Erik Edström, Adrian Elmi-Terander

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Chiari malformation type 1 (CM1) is a common congenital disorder affecting both children and adults. Although pediatric and adult CM1 patients share many characteristics, the differences between the groups are not fully described.

METHOD: A comparative analysis was made of two previously defined cohorts of adult and pediatric non-syndromic CM1, surgically treated at the study center. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Chicago Chiari outcome scale (CCOS) and radiological outcomes were measured as change in cerebellar tonsil and syringomyelia status.

RESULTS: A total of 209 patients (73 pediatric, 136 adults) were included, with median ages of 11 and 33 …

Epilepsy Diagnosis When The Routine Ancillary Tests Are Normal, Boulenouar Mesraoua, Bassel Abou-Khalil, Bernhard Schuknecht, Hassan Al Hail, Musab Ali, Majd A. Abualrob, Khaled Zammar, Ali A. Asadi-Pooya

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Background/Objectives: In a patient suspected of having epilepsy, routine EEG primarily contributes to the recording of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs). Similarly, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the gold standard imaging technique for identifying epileptogenic structural brain abnormalities. Various EEG and MRI tools to improve epilepsy diagnosis will be presented. Methods: When the initial EEG fails to record IEDs, various EEG measures that can improve EEG performance are presented; a comprehensive epilepsy-targeted MRI protocol to identify, localize, and characterize an epileptogenic lesion will also be described. Results: Studies show that the initial routine EEG fails to record IEDs in approximately …

Environmental Exposures And Familial Background Alter The Induction Of Neuropathology And Inflammation After Sars-Cov-2 Infection, Debotri Chatterjee, Drishya Kurup, Richard Jay Smeyne

Department of Neuroscience Faculty Papers

Post-infection sequela of several viruses have been linked with Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we investigated whether mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 alone or in combination with two putative Parkinsonian toxins, MPTP and paraquat, increased the susceptibility to develop Parkinsonian pathology. We also examined if G2019S LRRK2 mice had any change in sensitivity to SARS-CoV-2 as well as if vaccination against this virus altered any neuropathology. Infection with WA-1/2020 or Omicron B1.1.529 strains sensitized both WT and G2019S LRRK2 mice to the neuropathological effects of a subtoxic exposure to MPTP, but not paraquat. These neuropathologies were rescued in WT mice vaccinated with …

Sleep Deprivation Increases Mortality Risk Among Older Adults With Epilepsy, Srikanta Banerjee, Jagdish Khubchandani, Stanley Nkemjika

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

Introduction: Among U.S. adults, over 3 million report a history of epilepsy, accounting for nearly 1.2% of the population. Sleep deprivation is a well-known risk factor for increased likelihood, intensity, and length of seizures. However, the long-term impact of sleep deprivation on people with epilepsy is not well explored. The purpose of this study was to assess mortality risk among individuals with epilepsy based on sleep duration.

Methods: Data from the 2008–2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were linked with mortality data from the National Death Index (NDI) for US adults aged 65 years and older. Survival curves showed the …

Virtual Reality-Enhanced Rehabilitation For Improving Musculoskeletal Function And Recovery After Trauma, Phani Paladugu, Rahul Kumar, Joshua Ong, Ethan Waisberg, Kyle Sporn

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Orthopedic trauma remains a critical challenge in modern healthcare, often resulting in severe mobility limitations, acute pain, and delayed recovery. Conventional rehabilitation techniques, though effective, fail to address the individualized, high-precision interventions needed for musculoskeletal injuries like fractures, joint instability, ligament tears, and muscular atrophy. Virtual reality (VR) technologies, such as Apple Vision Pro and HTC Vive Pro, offer a transformative approach by enhancing diagnostic precision, rehabilitation effectiveness, and patient engagement through interactive, immersive environments that improve clinical outcomes. These VR technologies provide real-time biomechanical data, such as joint mechanics, muscle coordination, and movement patterns, allowing clinicians to design personalized …

Early Assurance Program Outcomes For Matriculation Years 2019-2022, Anita Wilson, Phd, Aaron Douglas, Phd, Alisa Losasso, Md, Katherine Berg, Md, Kathleen Day, Ms, Bonnie Emilius, Ms, Michelle Calderoni, Steven Herrine, Md, Wayne Bond Lau, Charles A. Pohl, Md

JeffMD Academic Affairs

Purpose

The goal of the early assurance admission program is to find and recruit students with an interest in pursuing medicine as a career. Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC) grants three types of early admission to students who meet the eligibility criteria from secondary and post-secondary institutions. This poster compares the performance of early admission students to the performance of a matched sample of traditional admission students.

Use Of Procalcitonin In Therapeutic Decisions In The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pierre Tissières, Elisabeth Esteban Torné, Johannes Hübner, Adrienne Randolph, Corsino Rey Galán, Scott Weiss

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Procalcitonin (PCT) is frequently used by clinicians in children with suspected bacterial infections and sepsis. However interpretation in the critically ill child may be challenging due to the complexity of underlying conditions and its impact on PCT values. Herein, we propose a guidance for the use of procalcitonin in critically ill children, supported by a comprehensive analysis of the literature, to help the clinician for interpreting PCT in the various clinical conditions encountered in pediatric intensive care units. We describe the importance of the clinical context, timing of measurement and evidence on PCT values in diagnosing sepsis and to guide …

Characterizing Radiation-Related Laryngotracheal Stenosis, Natalia Queenan, Jay Trivedi, Dylan Bertoni, Sana Siddiqui, Austin Yap, Kathleen Tibbetts

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Radiation-related laryngotracheal stenosis (RLTS) develops due to fibrosis of the airway after radiotherapy. We aim to characterize the presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with RLTS and compare these to patients with iatrogenic laryngotracheal stenosis (ILTS).

METHODS: In a single-center retrospective cohort study, patients diagnosed with RLTS between 2017 and 2022 were identified. Demographic data, risk factors, cancer history and treatment, presentation of stenosis, primary stenosis intervention, and outcomes were extracted. Patients were compared to a cohort of patients with ILTS and no history of radiation therapy. Data were analyzed using Fisher's Exact Tests and paired t-tests.

RESULTS: Seven …

Impact Of Age On Biology, Presentation And Outcomes In Marginal Zone Lymphoma: Results From A Multicenter Cohort Study, Pallawi Torka, Natalie S. Grover, Timothy J. Voorhees, Reem Karmali, Kaitlin Annunzio, Marcus P. Watkins, Andrea Anampa-Guzmán, Heather Reves, Montreh Tavakkoli, Beth Christian, Colin Thomas, Stefan K. Barta, Praveen Ramakrishnan Geethakumari, Nancy L. Bartlett, Geoffrey Shouse, Adam J. Olszewski, Narendranath Epperla

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Given the paucity of age-specific data about biology, presentation, and treatment outcomes in adults with MZL, we sought to evaluate differences between younger (≤ 70 years) and older (> 70 years) patients with MZL in a large retrospective cohort treated in the contemporary era (2010 onwards). The primary objective was progression-free survival (PFS), while secondary objectives included the evaluation of overall survival (OS) and the cumulative incidence of transformation between the 2 groups. A total of 598 patients were included in the analysis and among these 32% were > 70 years of age. There were no age-based differences in the prevalence …

Functional Protein Biomarkers Based On Distributions Of Expression Levels In Single-Cell Imaging Data, Misung Yi, Tingting Zhan, Hallgeir Rui, Inna Chervoneva

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

MOTIVATION: The intra-tumor heterogeneity of protein expression is well recognized and may provide important information for cancer prognosis and predicting treatment responses. Analytic methods that account for spatial heterogeneity remain methodologically complex and computationally demanding for single-cell protein expression. For many functional proteins, single-cell expressions vary independently of spatial localization in a substantial proportion of the tumor tissues, and incorporation of spatial information may not affect the prognostic value of such protein biomarkers.

RESULTS: We developed a new framework for using the distributions of functional single-cell protein expression levels as cancer biomarkers. The quantile functions of single-cell expressions are used …

Structural Basis For Polθ-Helicase Dna Binding And Microhomology-Mediated End-Joining, Fumiaki Ito, Ziyuan Li, Leonid Minakhin, Htet A. Khant, Richard T. Pomerantz, Xiaojiang S. Chen

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) present a critical threat to genomic integrity, often precipitating genomic instability and oncogenesis. Repair of DSBs predominantly occurs through homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). In HR-deficient cells, DNA polymerase theta (Polθ) becomes critical for DSB repair via microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ), also termed theta-mediated end joining (TMEJ). Thus, Polθ is synthetically lethal with BRCA1/2 and other HR factors, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic target in HR-deficient cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms governing Polθ-mediated MMEJ remain poorly understood. Here we present a series of cryo-electron microscopy structures of the Polθ helicase domain (Polθ-hel) …

Partnering With Social Media Influencers To Promote Hpv Vaccination In Diverse Communities, Amy Leader, Amelia Burke-Garcia, Dasha Afanaseva, Erin Cutroneo, Preethi Selvan, Kayla Madden, Joshua Banks, Angela Sustaita-Ruiz

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: While human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent HPV-related cancers, many children and adolescents remain unvaccinated. Resistance often stems from parental vaccine hesitancy and mistrust of the health care system, both of which may be higher in communities of color. Partnering with social media influencers may be an effective method for disseminating health messages. We tested the impact of HPV social media posts developed by influencers on outcomes of knowledge, attitudes, and intentions to vaccinate.

METHODS: Ten social media influencers who identified as African American or Hispanic created posts about the HPV vaccine. …

Midrc Mrale Mastermind Grand Challenge: Ai To Predict Covid Severity On Chest Radiographs, Samuel G. Armato, Karen Drukker, Lubomir Hadjiiski, Carol C. Wu, Jayashree Kalpathy-Cramer, George Shih, Maryellen L. Giger, Natalie Baughan, Benjamin Bearce, Adam E. Flanders, Robyn L. Ball, Kyle J. Myers, Heather M. Whitney, The Midrc Grand Challenge Working Group

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: The Medical Imaging and Data Resource Center (MIDRC) mRALE Mastermind Grand Challenge fostered the development of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for the automated assignment of mRALE (modified radiographic assessment of lung edema) scores to portable chest radiographs from patients known to have COVID-19.

APPROACH: The challenge utilized 2079 training cases obtained from the publicly available MIDRC data commons, with validation and test cases sampled from not-yet-public MIDRC cases that were inaccessible to challenge participants. The reference standard mRALE scores for the challenge cases were established by a pool of 22 radiologist annotators. Using the MedICI challenge platform, participants submitted …