Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding Alcohol Use Discourse And Stigma Patterns In Perinatal Care On Twitter, Fritz Culp, Yuqi Wu, Dezhi Wu, Yang Ren, Phyllis Raynor Phd, Aprn, Pmhnp-Bc, Peiyin Hung Ph.D, Shan Qiao Ph.D., Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Kacey Eichelberger

Publications

(1) Background: perinatal alcohol use generates a variety of health risks. Social media platforms discuss fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and other widespread outcomes, providing personalized user-generated content about the perceptions and behaviors related to alcohol use during pregnancy. Data collected from Twitter underscores various narrative structures and sentiments in tweets that reflect large-scale discourses and foster societal stigmas; (2) Methods: We extracted alcohol-related tweets from May 2019 to October 2021 using an official Twitter search API based on a set of keywords provided by our clinical team. Our exploratory study utilized thematic content analysis and inductive qualitative coding methods …

A New Chapter In An Evolving Pandemic: Successful Pediatric Liver Transplantation With Sars-Cov-2+ Donors, Flor M Munoz, Elizabeth Andrea Moulton, Tyler Malcolm Mccann Lambing, Sarah Koohmaraie, Nicolas Fernando Moreno, Christine A O'Mahony, John A Goss, Nhu Thao Nguyen Galván

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Amid a viral pandemic with poorly understood transmissibility and pathogenicity in the pediatric patient, we report the first pediatric liver transplants utilizing allografts from SARS-CoV-2+ donors.

METHODS: We describe the outcomes of two pediatric liver transplant recipients who received organs from SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test-positive (NAT+) donors. Data were obtained through the respective electronic medical record system and UNet DonorNet platform.

RESULTS: The first donor was a 3-year-old boy succumbing to head trauma. One of four nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs and 1 of 3 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) NAT tests demonstrated SARS-CoV-2 infection before organ procurement. The second donor was a …

Progress In Gastroparesis - A Narrative Review Of The Work Of The Gastroparesis Clinical Research Consortium, Thomas L Abell, Kenneth L Koch, Richard W Mccallum, Irene Sarosiek, Cheryl E Bernard, Braden Kuo, Robert Bulat, Robert J Shulman, Bruno P Chumpitazi, James Tonascia, Laura A Miriel, Laura A Wilson, Mark L Van Natta, Emily Mitchell, Frank Hamilton, Gianrico Farrugia, Henry P Parkman, Niddk/Nih Gpcrc Consortium

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The Gastroparesis Clinical Research Consortium is a multicenter coalition created and funded by the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders, with a mission to advance understanding of the pathophysiology of gastroparesis and develop an effective treatment for patients with symptomatic gastroparesis. In this review, we summarize the results of the published Gastroparesis Clinical Research Consortium studies as a ready and convenient resource for gastroenterologists and others to provide a clear understanding of the consortium's experience and perspective on gastroparesis and related disorders.

Implementing Molecular Tuberculosis Diagnostic Methods In Limited-Resource And High-Burden Countries, Christoph Lange, Daniela Maria Cirillo

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world with more than a million people dying of TB each year. Accurate and timely TB diagnosis has the potential to alleviate the global TB burden; therefore, one of the pillars of the End TB Strategy developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) is the early diagnosis of TB, including universal drug-susceptibility testing (DST). The WHO emphasises the importance of DST before treatment initiation, using molecular WHO-recommended rapid diagnostic tests (mWRDs). Currently available mWRDs are nucleic acid amplification tests, line probe assays, whole genome sequencing, and targeted next-generation sequencing. …

Risk Factors And Prognostic Significance Of Anemia In Children With Hiv Infection On Antiretroviral Therapy, Shaun Bulsara, Taylor Olmsted Kim, Heather Haq, Erin Peckham-Gregory, Sebastian R Wanless, Peter Elyanu, Philippa Musoke, Mwita Lumumba, Adeodata Kekitiinwa, Mogomotsi Matshaba, Jenny Despotovic, Michael Scheurer

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVES: To establish the incidence, risk factors and prognostic effect of anemia in children living with HIV (CLWH).

DESIGN: Retrospective nested case-control study of patients 0-18 years in five centers in sub-Saharan Africa, 2004-2014.

METHODS: Incident cases of anemia were identified from electronic records and matched with CLWH without anemia. We calculated the incidence density of anemia and used conditional logistic regression to evaluate its association with risk factors, stratified by severity and type of anemia. We used a Cox proportional hazards model to evaluate the impact of anemia on survival.

RESULTS: Two thousand, one hundred and thirty-seven children were …

Children And Caregiver Proxy Quality Of Life From Peanut Oral Immunotherapy Trialschildren And Caregiver Proxy Quality Of Life From Peanut Oral Immunotherapy Trials, Antonella Muraro, Carla Jones, Robert Ryan, David Norval, Jennifer Jobrack, Aikaterini Anagnostou, Julie Wang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is significantly and substantially reduced in individuals with peanut allergy due to many factors associated with unanticipated or potentially fatal reactions. Further insight on the impact of peanut oral immunotherapy in managing peanut allergy on HRQoL is needed. The aim of this analysis was to assess effects of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) allergen powder-dnfp (PTAH), a biologic drug for peanut oral immunotherapy, on HRQoL from three phase 3 and two follow-on trials of PTAH.

METHODS: HRQoL assessments from participants aged 4-17 in the PALISADE (ARC003), ARC004 (PALISADE follow-on), ARTEMIS (ARC010), RAMSES (ARC007), and ARC011 (RAMSES …

Foxi3 Haploinsufficiency Contributes To Low T-Cell Receptor Excision Circles And T-Cell Lymphopenia, Morgan Similuk, Ottavia M Delmonte, Francesca Pala, Christine Peng, Colleen Jodarski, Michael D Keller, Ivan K Chinn, Andrew K Groves, Luigi D Notarangelo, Magdalena A Walkiewicz, Javier Chinen, Vanessa Bundy

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Newborn screening can identify neonatal T-cell lymphopenia through detection of a low number of copies of T-cell receptor excision circles in dried blood spots collected at birth. After a positive screening result, further diagnostic testing is required to determine whether the subject has severe combined immunodeficiency or other causes of T-cell lymphopenia. Even after thorough evaluation, approximately 15% of children with a positive result of newborn screening for T-cell receptor excision circles remain genetically undiagnosed. Identifying the underlying genetic etiology is necessary to guide subsequent clinical management and family planning.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to elucidate the genetic basis of …

Assessment For Deeper Understanding Using Concept Maps: Lessons Learned From Flipped Teaching Of Pharmacology

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

To foster a deeper understanding of pharmacology concepts among physician assistant students, we integrated concept mapping into our flipped teaching to provide assessment for learning. Different mapping-based assessment strategies were adopted based on learner feedback, including in-person collaborative mapping, an individual computerized mapping-based quiz with automated feedback, and a collaborative computerized mapping-based quiz enhanced by the jigsaw strategy. Each mapping activity also leveraged the strength of a specific technology platform. Based on the findings from comparing learner ratings of these mapping activities and thematic analysis of learner feedback, we engaged in critical reflection and share our lessons learned.

A Consensus List Of Ultrasound Competencies For Graduating Emergency Medicine Residents, Jennifer Carnell, Jason T Nomura, John Bailitz, Jeremy S Boyd, Megan M Leo, E Liang Liu, Youyou Duanmu, Josie Acuña, Ross Kessler, Marco F Elegante, Mathew Nelson, Rachel B Liu, Resa E Lewiss, Arun Nagdev, Rob D Huang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVES: Emergency ultrasound (EUS) is a critical component of emergency medicine (EM) resident education. Currently, there is no consensus list of competencies for EUS training, and graduating residents have varying levels of skill and comfort. The objective of this study was to define a widely accepted comprehensive list of EUS competencies for graduating EM residents through a modified Delphi method.

METHODS: We developed a list of EUS applications through a comprehensive literature search, the American College of Emergency Physicians list of core EUS benchmarks, and the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency-Academy of Emergency Ultrasound consensus document. We assembled a multi-institutional …

Proteasome Inhibitors Silence Oncogenes In Multiple Myeloma Through Localized Histone Deacetylase 3 (Hdac3) Stabilization And Chromatin Condensation, Joanne I Hsu, Ragini M Mistry, Fabio Stossi, Premal Lulla, Zheng Sun, Ergun Sahin, Sarvari V Yellapragada, André Catic

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Proteasome inhibitors have become the standard of care for multiple myeloma (MM). Blocking protein degradation particularly perturbs the homeostasis of short-lived polypeptides such as transcription factors and epigenetic regulators. To determine how proteasome inhibitors directly impact gene regulation, we performed an integrative genomics study in MM cells. We discovered that proteasome inhibitors reduce the turnover of DNA-associated proteins and repress genes necessary for proliferation through epigenetic silencing. Specifically, proteasome inhibition results in the localized accumulation of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) at defined genomic sites, which reduces H3K27 acetylation and increases chromatin condensation. The loss of active chromatin at super-enhancers critical …

A Phase I/Ii Trial Of Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab In Children And Young Adults With Relapsed/Refractory Solid Tumors: A Children's Oncology Group Study Advl1412, Joel M Reid, Xiaowei Liu, Charles G Minard, Stephan Voss, Stacey L Berg, Brenda J Weigel, Crystal L Mackall

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

PURPOSE: In many cancers, nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab improves response rates compared with either agent alone, but the combination has not been evaluated in childhood cancer. We conducted a phase I/II trial of nivolumab plus ipilimumab in children and young adults with recurrent/refractory solid tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: ADVL1412, Part C assessed safety of nivolumab plus ipilimumab at two dose levels (DL): DL1 1 mg/kg of each drug and DL2 3 mg/kg nivolumab plus 1 mg/kg ipilimumab. Part D evaluated response at the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) in Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and osteosarcoma. Part E tested DL3 (1 …

Comparative Effectiveness Of Surveillance Colonoscopy Intervals On Colorectal Cancer Outcomes In A National Cohort Of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Akbar K Waljee, Frank I Scott, James D Lewis, Hashem B El-Serag, Jason K Hou

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Surveillance colonoscopy is recommended to reduce colorectal cancer (CRC)-related morbidity and mortality in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The comparative effectiveness of varying colonoscopy intervals on CRC outcomes among patients with IBD is unknown.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with confirmed CRC within a cohort of 77,824 patients with IBD during 2000 to 2015 in the National Veterans Health Administration. We examined the association between colonoscopy surveillance intervals on CRC stage, treatment, or all-cause and cancer-specific mortality. The interval of colonoscopy prior to CRC diagnosis was categorized as those performed within <1 >year, …

Simultaneous Use Of Endobronchial And Endoscopic Ultrasound Guidance As Primary Tools In The Diagnosis Of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, Quillann Huang, Munish Sharma

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is related to exposure to asbestos. It is insidious in nature and is generally diagnosed at an advanced stage. MPM is aggressive and portends a poor prognosis. Definitive diagnosis is usually established by obtaining pathological samples of the pleura by medical or surgical thoracoscopy. However, these procedures are invasive and carry a risk of seeding of biopsy sites with tumors. We herein report an infrequently encountered case of simultaneous use of endobronchial ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy of malignant pleural mesothelioma in a 48-year-old female patient.

Cancer Evaluations During The Covid-19 Pandemic: An Observational Study Using National Veterans Affairs Data, Li Wei, Debra T Choi, Abigail D Marinez, Daniel R Murphy

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

INTRODUCTION: Fewer cancer diagnoses have been made during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemic-related delays in cancer diagnosis could occur from limited access to care or patient evaluation delays (e.g., delayed testing after abnormal results). Follow-up of abnormal test results warranting evaluation for cancer was examined before and during the pandemic.

METHODS: Electronic trigger algorithms were applied to the Department of Veterans Affairs electronic health record data to assess follow-up of abnormal test results before (March 10, 2019-March 7, 2020) and during (March 8, 2020-March 6, 2021) the pandemic.

RESULTS: Electronic triggers were applied to 8,021,406 veterans' electronic health records to identify …

Metabolome And Microbiome Multi-Omics Integration From A Murine Lung Inflammation Model Of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, Matthew J Robertson, Kristi Hoffman, Vasanta Putluri, Chandra Shekar R Ambati, Nagireddy Putluri, Binoy Shivanna, Cristian Coarfa, Mohan Pammi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Respiratory tract microbial dysbiosis can exacerbate inflammation and conversely inflammation may cause dysbiosis. Dysbiotic microbiome metabolites may lead to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Hyperoxia and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) interaction alters lung microbiome and metabolome, mediating BPD lung injury sequence.

METHODS: C57BL6/J mice were exposed to 21% (normoxia) or 70% (hyperoxia) oxygen during postnatal days (PND) 1-14. Pups were injected with LPS (6 mg/kg) or equal PBS volume, intraperitoneally on PND 3, 5, and 7. At PND14, the lungs were collected for microbiome and metabolomic analyses (n = 5/group).

RESULTS: Microbiome alpha and beta diversity were similar between groups. Metabolic changes included …

Histopathologic And Transcriptomic Phenotypes Of A Conditional Rankl Transgenic Mouse Thymus, Kimal Rajapakshe, Dimuthu Perera, Michael M Ittmann, Qianxing Mo, Yong Lin, Matthew L Bettini, Cristian Coarfa, John P Lydon

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Although conventional knockout and transgenic mouse models have significantly advanced our understanding of Receptor Activator of NF-κB Ligand (RANKL) signaling in intra-thymic crosstalk that establishes self-tolerance and later stages of lymphopoiesis, the unique advantages of conditional mouse transgenesis have yet to be explored. A main advantage of conditional transgenesis is the ability to express a transgene in a spatiotemporal restricted manner, enabling the induction (or de-induction) of transgene expression during predetermined stages of embryogenesis or during defined postnatal developmental or physiological states, such as puberty, adulthood, and pregnancy. Here, we describe the K5: RANKL bigenic mouse, in which transgene derived …

Cic Missense Variants Contribute To Susceptibility For Spina Bifida, Wei Yang, Menuka Karki, Paula Andrea Pimienta Ramirez, Robert M Cabrera, Ying Linda Lin, Bogdan J Wlodarczyk, Gary M Shaw, M Elizabeth Ross, Cuilian Zhang, Richard H Finnell, Yunping Lei

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are congenital malformations resulting from abnormal embryonic development of the brain, spine, or spinal column. The genetic etiology of human NTDs remains poorly understood despite intensive investigation. CIC, homolog of the Capicua transcription repressor, has been reported to interact with ataxin-1 (ATXN1) and participate in the pathogenesis of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. Our previous study demonstrated that CIC loss of function (LoF) variants contributed to the cerebral folate deficiency syndrome by downregulating folate receptor 1 (FOLR1) expression. Given the importance of folate transport in neural tube formation, we hypothesized that CIC variants could contribute to increased …

Psychiatric Comorbidities And Their Treatment Predict Buprenorphine Continuation Among Postpartum People With Opioid Use Disorder, Alison N Goulding, Caitlin E Martin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a growing crisis among pregnant and postpartum people. Psychiatric comorbidities are common, yet how they impact OUD treatment outcomes is not well characterized. The aim of this study was to assess the association of psychiatric comorbidities and receipt of psychiatric treatment with buprenorphine continuation through one year postpartum among a sample of people with OUD.

METHODS: A subsample was identified from a larger retrospective cohort of patients receiving buprenorphine for OUD at the time of delivery from an academic medical center between 2017 and 2020. Medical record abstractions were conducted during pregnancy through one …

Standards For Evaluating Neonatal Growth Outcomes Using Individualized Pathological Growth Potential Realization Indices

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVE: Provide standards for detecting neonatal growth abnormalities with the average pathological Growth Potential Realization Index (av. pGPRI).

METHODS: Individualized Growth Assessment (IGA) evaluations of 117 neonates with normal growth outcomes were carried out using measurements of WT, HC, AC, ThC and CHL. Growth Potential Realization Index (GPRI) values for each parameter were calculated from predicted and actual birth measurements, the former obtained using Rossavik size models derived from the second-trimester growth potential estimates. Subtraction of either the upper and lower boundaries of GPRI reference ranges from these GPRI measurements gave + pGPRI and - pGPRI measurements. GPRI's within their …

Long-Term Relugolix Combination Therapy For Symptomatic Uterine Leiomyomas, Roberta Venturella, Claudio Villarroel, Laura Mckain, Yulan Li, Rachel B Wagman, Elizabeth A Stewart

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVE: In the LIBERTY 1 and LIBERTY 2 placebo-controlled trials, once-daily relugolix combination therapy reduced menstrual blood loss volume and pain in women with heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine leiomyomas and was well tolerated, with preservation of bone mineral density (BMD) through 24 weeks. Here we report the long-term efficacy and safety of relugolix combination therapy treatment for up to 52 weeks.

METHODS: Women with uterine leiomyoma-associated heavy menstrual bleeding who completed any treatment arm in either the LIBERTY 1 or LIBERTY 2 trial were eligible to enroll in a 28-week long-term extension study. All participants received once-daily relugolix …

Factors Affecting Rates Of Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up In Infants With Congenital Heart Disease, Keila N Lopez, Estrella Mazarico De Thomas, Robert G Voigt, Lara Shekerdemian, Shaine A Morris

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental outcomes programs for children with congenital heart disease (CHD) support early identification and intervention for developmental impairments; however, not all eligible children attend such programs. The purpose of our study was to examine factors, including sociodemographic, associated with cardiac neurodevelopmental outcomes program attendance.

METHODS: Children with CHD born April 2013-April 2018 who underwent cardiac surgery before age 6 months were included. The primary outcome was at least one neurodevelopmental clinic visit, and secondary outcome was number of visits attended during the first two years of life. Predictor variables included maternal and infant characteristics, surgical data, geographic location of …

Modified Polyacrylamide By Incorporating Silica For Drilling Fluid Technology / Koh Jin Kwei, Jin Kwei Koh

Student Works (2020-2029)

Drilling is a process to remove the cutting in the excavations and offshore industry. Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a commercial additive in the drilling industry nowadays, but PAM has poor thermal, chemical, and pile stability in the geotechnical industry. Therefore, the functionalised material is required to be involved in the PAM-based drilling fluid. This study focuses on the modification of PAM incorporated with silica (SiO2). The rheological investigation was optimised using various PAM concentrations (500-2000 ppm) for the subsequent testing with the effect of SiO2, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), temperature, and pH. Meanwhile, the promising formulation of modified PAM was identified …

Radial Collateral Ligament Injuries Of The Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Joint

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Injuries to the radial collateral ligament (RCL) of the thumb are thought to be relatively uncommon, especially when compared to the ulnar collateral ligament. However, the radial collateral ligament is increasingly recognized as critical for the overall stability of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint. This article sets out to provide a comprehensive review of RCL injuries of the thumb MCP joint, including epidemiology, biomechanics, diagnosis, and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS: Although traditionally thought to respond well to conservative management, especially when compared to injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament, there is mounting evidence that chronic RCL injury leads to …

Use Of Fenoldopam In Children With Congenital Heart Disease To Decrease Fluid Balance: A Retrospective, Descriptive Study And Insights Into Predictors Of Decreased Fluid Balance, Priya Chandra, Jamie S Penk, Saul Flores, Enrique G Villarreal, Stuart L Goldstein

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

This retrospective study aimed to determine if fenoldopam is associated with a decrease in fluid balance and to define the factors that may promote this in children with a history of congenital heart disease at the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). Patients cared from January 2014 to December 2018 in the CICU were reviewed, and those on fenoldopam infusion were identified. Patient cohort data included demographics, clinical information, laboratory results, hemodynamic and urine output measurements, and information regarding fenoldopam infusion were compared between those with and without decrease in fluid balance. Forty-six patients were identified. Patients received a starting dose …

Role Of Bacteriophage Therapy For Resistant Infections In Transplant Recipients

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose of review: Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are prevalent in transplant recipients and associated with poor outcomes. We review recent cases of phage therapy used to treat recalcitrant infections in transplant recipients and explore the future role of such therapy in this setting.

Recent findings: Individual case reports and small case series suggest possible efficacy of phage therapy for the treatment of MDRO infections in pre and posttransplant patients. Importantly, there have been no serious safety concerns in the reported cases that we reviewed. There are no applicable randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to better guide phage therapy at this time.

Summary: …

Mechanisms Of Cancer Metastasis, Jeffrey M Rosen, Sendurai A Mani

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Metastatic cancer is almost always terminal, and more than 90% of cancer deaths result from metastatic disease. Combating cancer metastasis and post-therapeutic recurrence successfully requires understanding each step of metastatic progression. This review describes the current state of knowledge of the etiology and mechanism of cancer progression from primary tumor growth to the formation of new tumors in other parts of the body. Open questions, avenues for future research, and therapeutic approaches with the potential to prevent or inhibit metastasis through personalization to each patient's mutation and/or immune profile are also highlighted.

Design Of The Remedē System Therapy (Rēst) Study: A Prospective Non-Randomized Post-Market Study Collecting Clinical Data On Safety And Effectiveness Of The Remedē System For The Treatment Of Central Sleep Apnea, Biykem Bozkurt, John P Boehmer, Jorge I Mora, Rahul Doshi, Timothy I Morgenthaler, Wayne C Levy, Timothy E Meyer, Scott W Mckane, Robin Germany, Remedē System Therapy Study Group

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a disorder defined by lack of respiratory drive from the brain stem on breathing efforts. There is a lack of established therapies for CSA and most available therapies are limited by poor patient adherence, limited randomized controlled studies, and potentially adverse cardiovascular effects. The remedē System (ZOLL Respicardia, Inc., Minnetonka, Minnesota) uses transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation to stimulate the diaphragm, thereby restoring a more normal breathing pattern throughout the sleep period.

Methods: The remedē System Therapy (rēST) Study is a prospective non-randomized multicenter international study evaluating long-term safety and effectiveness of the remedē System …

An Open-Access, Interactive Decision-Support Tool To Facilitate Guideline-Driven Care For Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Fasiha Kanwal, Amit G Singal, Aijaz Ahmed, Robert Taglienti, Zobair Younossi, Laura Kulik, Neil Mehta

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in incidence and is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Adherence to HCC surveillance guidelines and appropriate treatment triage of liver lesions may improve receipt of curative-intent treatment and improved survival. Late-stage HCC diagnosis reflects sub-optimal implementation of effective HCC surveillance, whereas inappropriate treatment triage or linkage to care accounts for the non-receipt of curative-intent in close to half of early-stage HCC in the USA. A free, open-access decision-support tool for liver lesions that incorporates current guideline recommendations in a user-friendly interface could improve appropriate and timely triage of patients to appropriate care. This …

Implementation Of Systematic Safety Checklists In A Neurocritical Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Study, Muhammad Suhaib Qasim, Bárbara Gutiérrez-Flores, Eric Bershad, Mohammad Hirzallah, Chethan P Venkatasubba Rao, Rahul Damani

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background and objectives: Structured and systematised checklists have been shown to prevent complications and improve patient care. We evaluated the implementation of systematic safety checklists in our neurocritical care unit (NCCU) and assessed its effect on patient outcomes.

Design/methods: This quality improvement project followed a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology. A checklist for medication reconciliation, thromboembolic prophylaxis, glycaemic control, daily spontaneous awakening, breathing trial, diet, catheter/lines duration monitoring and antibiotics de-escalation was implemented during daily patient rounds. Main outcomes included the rate of new infections, mortality and NCCU-length of stay (LOS). Intervened patients were compared with historical controls after propensity score and …

Highlights Of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Studies Presented At The 2022 European Society Of Cardiology Congress, Azka Latif, Mohamed M Gad, Leandro Slipczuk, Dinesh Kalra, Salim S Virani

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose of review: Focused review of select studies presented at the 2022 European Society of Cardiology Congress.

Recent findings: Included studies assessed the effects of aspirin and omega-3 fatty acid supplements on heart failure (ASCEND study); the impact of icosapent ethyl on ST-elevation MI incidence (REDUCE-IT); air temperature's effect on cardiovascular mortality (EXHAUSTION project); LVEF outcomes after troponin-guided neurohormonal blockade for the prevention of anthracycline toxicity; efficacy of routine stress testing after high-risk PCI (POST-PCI trial); influenza vaccine among patients with acute coronary syndromes (VIP-ACS trial); empagliflozin in patients with acute myocardial infarction (EMMY); effects of comprehensive imaging-based cardiovascular screening …