Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding The Role Of Sex On Outcomes For The Cancer Patient Undergoing Treatment With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Scoping Review Protocol, Amy L Shaver, Nikita Nikita, Swapnil Sharma, Daniel S Lefler, Atrayee Basu-Mallick, Jennifer M Johnson, Meghan L Butryn, Grace Lu-Yao

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have changed the treatment landscape for multiple cancer types. Sex plays an important role in both the development of cancer as well as the functioning of the immune system. Though a difference in response to immune therapy is emerging between men and women it is unclear how this difference affects cancer outcomes and what the potential underlying mechanisms are for those effects. The objective of this study is to describe the influence that sex has on the outcomes experienced by cancer patients on ICI therapy and to identify and analyse any knowledge gaps in the …

Functional, Diagnostic And Therapeutic Aspects Of Bile, Monjur Ahmed

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Bile is a unique body fluid synthesized in our liver. Enterohepatic circulation preserves bile in our body through its efficient synthesis, transport, absorption, and reuptake. Bile is the main excretory route for bile salts, bilirubin, and potentially harmful exogenous lipophilic substances. The primary way of eliminating cholesterol is bile. Although bile has many organic and inorganic contents, bile acid is the most physiologically active component. Bile acids have a multitude of critical physiologic functions in our body. These include emulsification of dietary fat, absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins, maintaining glucose, lipid, and energy homeostasis, sustenance of intestinal epithelial integrity …

"Don't Look Up" Your Science-Herd Immunity Or Herd Mentality?, Botond Z Igyártó

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

This analysis piece will attempt to examine some of the critical pandemic-related measures implemented in the United States from an immunological perspective and pinpoint caveats that should have been considered before their implementation. I also discuss alternative measures grounded in scientific data that were not thoroughly explored and likely could have helped fight the pandemic.

By The Numbers

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

Statistics about Jefferson University

Rna Like You've Never Seen Before

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

New methods to ‘see’ unstudied types of RNA reveal an incredibly abundant regulatory molecule that plays a role in disease and health alike.

Return To Work And Driving After Robotic Arm-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty, Manoshi Bhowmik-Stoker, Kevin K Mathew, Zhongming Chen, Antonia F Chen, William J Hozack, Ormonde Mahoney, Fabio R Orozco, Michael A Mont

Rothman Institute Papers

Background: Robotic arm-assisted total knee arthroplasty (RATKA) has demonstrated improved patient-reported outcome measures. Less evidence has been reported on how frequently patients return to complex activities of daily living. Our purposes were to investigate (1) hospital lengths of stay (LOSs) (2) discharge dispositions and (3) the rates and postoperative time intervals at which patients returned to driving and working.

Methods: A total of 50 RATKA patients who were employed prior to surgery were included. Outcomes included hospital LOS, discharge dispositions, return to driving, and return to work.

Results: A total of 48 patients (96%) were discharged home with self-care or …

Racial Difference In Bmi And Lung Cancer Diagnosis: Analysis Of The National Lung Screening Trial, Joy Zhao, Julie Barta, Russell K. Mcintire, Christine S. Shusted, Charnita Zeigler-Johnson, Hee-Soon Juon

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Background: The inverse relationship between BMI and lung cancer diagnosis is well defined. However, few studies have examined the racial differences in these relationships. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships amongst race, BMI, and lung cancer diagnosis using the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) data.

Methods: Multivariate regression analysis was used to analyze the BMI, race, and lung cancer diagnosis relationships.

Results: Among 53,452 participants in the NLST cohort, 3.9% were diagnosed with lung cancer, 43% were overweight, and 28% were obese. BMI was inversely related to lung cancer diagnosis among Whites: those overweight (aOR = …

The Heart's "Little Brain"

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

Researchers develop the first ever 3D map of the heart’s nervous system, providing a foundation for understanding the complexities of heart health.

Jeffsolves: A New Way Of Thinking

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

Medical and industrial design students team up to develop medical devices to solve healthcare challenges

A Path Towards Digital Equity

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

Telemedicine is a vital tool in health care, but it’s leaving some patients behind. Jefferson researchers are on a mission to improve ‘digital readiness’ in under-resourced communities to bridge inequities.

Inflecting The Narrative On African Studies

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

Inflection points can be powerful events. They can prompt an individual to take on a new career challenge. And on occasion, that individual’s decision can redound to the benefit of thousands of others. Such may be the case for Marcella McCoy-Deh, PhD, associate professor of American Studies and director of the Philadelphia University Honors Institute.

A Journey Of Adaptation

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

Consider Haloferax volcanii, a single celled organism that thrives in extreme conditions such as the very salty Dead Sea. Scientists study it for clues about potential life on Mars and about how organisms may adapt to Earth’s changing climate. Much like the organism she studies, H. volcanii researcher Manuela Tripepi, PhD, is an expert at adapting to challenging situations.

Covid Briefs

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

• Intellectual Disability a High Risk for COVID-19 Death
• Design Solutions for COVID-19 Problems
• The Secret Sauce in COVID-19 Vaccines
• At Home with Dementia during the Pandemic
• Predicting the Severe Cases of COVID-19

Enveloping Buildings In Textiles

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

There are myriad elements that determine how well a building functions. One of the most important and complex is the design and composition of its envelope. Similar to the human skin, the building envelope is the boundary between interior and exterior, and it has multiple functions: protecting the indoor environment, facilitating climate control and reducing the building’s energy consumption.

Learning From Drowsy Flies

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

Who knew that fruit flies slept—or that humans might benefit from studying their sleep? Kyunghee Koh, PhD, does. The associate professor of Neuroscience uses fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning sleep. Two of her lab’s recent studies offer results that are both interesting and potentially far-reaching

Cancer Prediction Model Misses High-Risk Black Patients

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

Black men are more likely to die from lung cancer than persons of any other racial or ethnic group. A new study suggests that better detection could reduce that disparity.

Antitrust Laws Don't Hinder Foreign Investment

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

Using data on the period from 1970 to 2019 from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators, this study considered the question of whether anti-trust laws encourage or diminish foreign investment in developing and transition countries

Bursts Of Power

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

Mitochondria fire oxidants to communicate with organelles nearby, a communication that could be important in various diseases.

Reaching Across The Globe And To The Stars

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

From maternal health to science in space, Jefferson’s global initiatives are attacking pressing problems through connected learning and investigation.

Research blooms in an interconnected world. Research that is open to the rich knowledge, experience and culture of collaborators across the globe is stronger for it. Thomas Jefferson University is building international partnerships to tackle health disparities and innovations in medicine, and to broaden access and opportunities that have lasting impact. Read about Jefferson’s global footprint.

Building The Research Enterprise Of 2028, Mark L. Tykocinski, Md

Thomas Jefferson University Research Magazine

This edition of Jefferson Research offers a tantalizing peek at the array of work done at Thomas Jefferson University: from how mitochondria communicate with nearby organelles, to the use of innovative textiles to reduce a building’s energy consumption; from how “digital readiness” can improve health equity, to space travel’s effects on the immune system. It also serves as a lens on the exciting path that our university's research community will pursue over the next five years, guided by our new strategic plan for the Jefferson Research Enterprise

Editorial: Glia-Mediated Neurotoxicity: Uncovering The Molecular Mechanisms, Amit K Srivastava, Barbara Lukomska, Lorraine Iacovitti

Farber Institute for Neuroscience Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Predictive Factors And Outcomes For Ibrutinib In Relapsed/Refractory Marginal Zone Lymphoma: A Multicenter Cohort Study, Narendranath Epperla, Qiuhong Zhao, Sayan Mullick Chowdhury, Lauren Shea, Tamara K Moyo, Nishitha Reddy, Julia Sheets, David M Weiner, Praveen Ramakrishnan Geethakumari, Malathi Kandarpa, Ximena Jordan Bruno, Colin Thomas, Michael C Churnetski, Andrew Hsu, Luke Zurbriggen, Cherie Tan, Kathryn Lindsey, Joseph Maakaron, Paolo F Caimi, Pallawi Torka, Celeste Bello, Sabarish Ayyappan, Reem Karmali, Seo-Hyun Kim, Anna Kress, Shalin Kothari, Yazeed Sawalha, Beth Christian, Kevin A David, Irl Brian Greenwell, Murali Janakiram, Vaishalee P Kenkre, Adam J Olszewski, Jonathon B Cohen, Neil D. Palmisiano, Elvira Umyarova, Ryan A Wilcox, Farrukh T Awan, Juan Pablo Alderuccio, Stefan K Barta, Natalie S Grover, Nilanjan Ghosh, Nancy L Bartlett, Alex F Herrera, Geoffrey Shouse

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Ibrutinib is effective in the treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) with an overall response rate (ORR) of 48%. However, factors associated with response (or lack thereof) to ibrutinib in R/R MZL in clinical practice are largely unknown. To answer this question, we performed a multicenter (25 US centers) cohort study and divided the study population into three groups: "ibrutinib responders"-patients who achieved complete or partial response (CR/PR) to ibrutinib; "stable disease (SD)"; and "primary progressors (PP)"-patients with progression of disease as their best response to ibrutinib. One hundred and nineteen patients met the eligibility criteria with 58%/17% …

Echocardiographic Predictors Of Symptomatic Cardiotoxicity Among Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Muhammad Umer Siddiqui, Youssef Yaacoub, Heidi-Anne Hanson, Joey Junarta, Ahmed K Pasha, Mahek Shah

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapeutic agents have been associated with cardiotoxicity; thus, they require close monitoring. Several echocardiographic variables have been investigated as early predictors of symptomatic cardiotoxicity in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To identify if global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a better predictor of symptomatic cardiotoxicity compared to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients receiving chemotherapy.

METHODS: MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception through December 2020. Adults who developed symptomatic cardiotoxicity (New York Heart Association [NYHA] Class III-IV heart failure, cardiac arrest, or cardiac death) after undergoing chemotherapy with pre- and postchemotherapy echocardiographic measures …

College Students’ Adoption Of Sonocent, A Specialized Notetaking Software: A Descriptive Study, Marie-Christine Potvin, Monique Chabot, Richard Hass, Abigail Garrity, Anne Bower

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Notetaking is critical to students’ academic success. Students have many notetaking software programs to available for support. This study aimed to describe college students’ adoption and use of a comprehensive notetaking software (Sonocent). Freshman students (n=138) were offered a free Sonocent license with free training on its use during first semester science coursework. The study found a small adoption rate among participants and an overall low level of satisfaction with the software. Students who reported difficulty with notetaking at the start of the semester were more likely to use Sonocent with the audio recording feature deemed most useful.

Cryo-Em Structure Of The Human Kv3.1 Channel Reveals Gating Control By The Cytoplasmic T1 Domain, Gamma Chi, Qiansheng Liang, Akshay Sridhar, John B Cowgill, Kasim Sader, Mazdak Radjainia, Pu Qian, Pablo Castro-Hartmann, Shayla Venkaya, Nanki Kaur Singh, Gavin Mckinley, Alejandra Fernandez-Cid, Shubhashish M M Mukhopadhyay, Nicola A Burgess-Brown, Lucie Delemotte, Manuel Covarrubias, Katharina L Dürr

Department of Neuroscience Faculty Papers

Kv3 channels have distinctive gating kinetics tailored for rapid repolarization in fast-spiking neurons. Malfunction of this process due to genetic variants in the KCNC1 gene causes severe epileptic disorders, yet the structural determinants for the unusual gating properties remain elusive. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of the human Kv3.1a channel, revealing a unique arrangement of the cytoplasmic tetramerization domain T1 which facilitates interactions with C-terminal axonal targeting motif and key components of the gating machinery. Additional interactions between S1/S2 linker and turret domain strengthen the interface between voltage sensor and pore domain. Supported by molecular dynamics simulations, electrophysiological and …

Reports Of Adverse Events Associated With Use Of Novel Psychoactive Substances, 2017-2020: A Review, Amanda L A Mohr, Barry K Logan, Melissa F Fogarty, Alex J Krotulski, Donna M Papsun, Sherri L Kacinko, Marilyn A Huestis, Jeri D Ropero-Miller

Institute of Emerging Health Professions Faculty Papers

An important role of modern forensic and clinical toxicologists is to monitor the adverse events of novel psychoactive substances (NPS). Following a prior review from 2013 to 2016, this critical literature review analyzes and evaluates published case reports for NPS from January 2017 through December 2020. The primary objective of this study is to assist in the assessment and interpretation of these cases as well as provide references for confirmation methods. Chemistry, pharmacology, adverse events and user profiles (e.g., polypharmacy) for NPS are provided including case history, clinical symptoms, autopsy findings and analytical results. Literature reviews were performed in PubMed …

Racial Disparities In Hepatitis B Birth Dose In The Washington Metropolitan Region, 2018-2020., Hee-Soon Juon, Donna T Sheler, Jane Pan, Daisy Le, Y Tony Yang

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Hepatitis B vaccination protects newborns from contracting the hepatitis B virus that may lead to chronic infection, liver failure, or death. Trends and racial differences in the administration of the hepatitis B (HepB) birth dose in 2018-2020 were examined in the targeted region. A retrospective analysis of electronic birth dose vaccination data of newborns in 2018-2020 was performed. Birth data from six birthing facilities and home delivery records were obtained from the DC Health Department Vital Statistics Division. This data represented 40,269 newborns and included the mother's race and ethnicity, health insurance type, birthing facility, and administration of the HepB …

Addressing The Gap In Data Communication From Home Health Care To Primary Care During Care Transitions: Completeness Of An Interoperability Data Standard, Paulina Sockolow, Edgar Y Chou, Subin Park

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

In a future where home health care is no longer an information silo, patient information will be communicated along transitions in care to improve care. Evidence-based practice in the United States supports home health care patients to see their primary care team within the first two weeks of hospital discharge to reduce rehospitalization risk. We sought to identify a parsimonious set of home health care data to be communicated to primary care for the post-hospitalization visit. Anticipating electronic dataset communication, we investigated the completeness of the international reference terminology, Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC), for coverage of the …

Pruritic Annular Erythematous Eruption After Receiving The Covid-19 Vaccine, Devon E. Cross, James Garritano, Amanda E. Zubek, Alicia J. Little

COVID-19 Papers, Posters, and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Novel Mechanisms For Post-Transplant Maintenance Therapy In Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Steven A Manobianco, Tara Rakiewicz, Lindsay Wilde, Neil D Palmisiano

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation has improved survival for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), especially for patients with disease at high risk of relapse. However, relapse remains the most common cause of treatment failure and death in the post-transplant period. Maintenance therapy, an extended course of treatment after achieving remission to reduce the rate of relapse, is an important component of the treatment of various hematologic malignancies; however, its role in the treatment of AML is far less well-defined. Recently, there has been significant interest in the use of novel therapeutic agents as maintenance therapy after allogeneic stem cell transplant, …