Digital Commons Network^™

Global Trends And Forecast Of Cardiovascular Diseases, Cancer, And Shared Risk Factors: Insights From The Gbd 2021, Chieh Y Koo, Bryan Chong, Jayanth Jayabaskaran, Srinithy Nagarajan, Silingga M Jauhari, Yiming Chen, Li L Tan, Anurag Mehta, Muhammad S Khan, Mark Muthiah, Derek Hausenloy, A M Richards, Dennis T Ko, Christian D Mallen, Eric A Secemsky, Mark Y Chan, Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan, Nicholas W S Chew, Mamas A Mamas

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer share multiple risk factors and are the leading causes of morbidity and death worldwide. This study aims to examine historical and projected trends of the combined CVD-cancer global estimates and their shared risk factors.

Methods: Death and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) associated with CVDs, cancers, and their risk factors were obtained from the GBD (Global Burden of Disease) 2021 study. Historical estimates from 1990 to 2021 and forecast data from 2025 to 2050 were examined across age groups, regions, sociodemographic index, and sex.

Results: In 2021, CVD-cancer resulted in age-standardized DALY rates of 8009 …

Social Vulnerability And Perinatal Risk: Demographic Determinants Of The Impact Of A Natural Disaster On Pregnant Women, Cynthia D Shope, Amy E Lucas, Stephen M Cherry, Kjersti M Aagaard, Melissa A Suter

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: Despite growing research on disaster-related health impacts, pregnant individuals remain understudied. This study explores the sociodemographic characteristics of pregnant women affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 4,951 pregnant individuals (511 directly impacted) was conducted to identify predictors of disrupted healthcare, financial loss, and mental health outcomes.

Results: Social and structural vulnerabilities significantly influenced disaster impact. Pregnant individuals who were foreign-born racial/ethnic minorities (16.7% non-Latinx Black, 10.2% Latinx vs. 8.3% non-Latinx White), low-income (13.0% vs. 8.0%), less educated (12.5% vs. 7.6%), reliant on public healthcare (81% vs. 33.5%), or with limited maternity care access (11.4% vs. 54.8%) …

Serum Response Factor Is Essential For Endometrial Function And Prevention Of Inflammatory Fibrosis, Ryan M Marquardt, Sara A Grimm, San-Pin Wu, Peter F Lais, Shu-Yun Li, Xin Xu, Erin Smithberger, David Cunefare, Charan Ganta, David Olson, Eunhee M Jeong, Jae-Wook Jeong, Bruce A Lessey, John P Lydon, Francesco J Demayo

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Pregnancy requires a supportive uterine environment facilitated by steroid hormone–regulated differentiation of endometrial stromal fibroblasts into decidual cells and tight control of inflammation. Serum response factor (SRF) is a widely expressed transcription factor essential for mesenchymal cell growth and differentiation with noted roles in hormonal regulation of muscle tissues but little characterization in reproductive organs. Here, we reveal that endometrial SRF is dysregulated in human endometriosis and is critical for female reproductive success in mice through regulation of endometrial stromal and epithelial cells. Immunohistochemical analysis identified decreased endometrial SRF expression in infertile endometriosis patient tissues. RNAi-based SRF knockdown in human …

Validation Of A Risk Score For Cancer-Associated Thrombosis Using Nationwide Ehr Data, Ang Li, Omid Jafari, Barbara D Lam, Jun Y Jiang, Rock Bum Kim, Shengling Ma, Emily Zhou, Joyce W Tiong, Elizabeth C Chiang, Justine Ryu, Christopher I Amos, Jennifer La, Nathanael R Fillmore

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Importance: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in patients with cancer. Existing risk prediction models are typically validated within individual sites, a fragmented approach that limits clinical adoption.

Objective: To validate the electronic health record cancer-associated thrombosis (EHR-CAT) score compared with the benchmark Khorana score in a contemporary cohort of patients with cancer across the nation, before and after treatment, excluding those at high risk of bleeding.

Design, setting, and participants: This prognostic study included patients in a nationwide longitudinal EHR database from January 2018 to December 2023 with follow-up continuing to April 2025. Patients with …

Physical Activity And Molecular Subtypes Of Colorectal Cancer: A Pooled Observational Analysis And Mendelian Randomization Study, Christos V Chalitsios, Yin Cao, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is associated with lower colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, but its association with molecular subtypes defined by genetic and epigenetic alterations of the disease is unclear. Such information may enhance the understanding of the mechanisms related to the benefits of physical activity.

METHODS: Pooled observational (cases: n = 5386; controls: n = 6798; studies n = 5) and genome-wide association data (cases: n = 8178; controls: n = 10 472; studies n = 5) were used. We used multivariable logistic regression models and Mendelian randomization to assess the association between physical activity and the risk of CRC subtypes …

Evaluation Of Integrative Oncology Modalities For Symptom Management: A Mascc/Sio Global Survey, Alexandre Chan, Reem Nasr, Daniela Arcos, Dalia Kagramanov, Chioma Asuzu, Ting Bao, Yin Ting Cheung, Jung Hye Kwon, Judith Lacey, Richard T. Lee, Maryam Lustberg, Beatrice M. Ohaeri, Santosh Rao, Enrique Soto-Perez-De-Celis, Claudia M. Witt, Ana M. Lopez

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: With growing evidence pointing towards the potential of integrative oncology modalities (IOM) in addressing cancer and cancer-treatment related symptoms, research on IOM utilization and implementation is warranted. This study examines global stakeholder perspectives on integrative oncology (IO) utilization for supportive cancer care.

METHODS: Members of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) completed a survey on the utilization of IOM for supportive cancer care. Descriptive statistics were used to assess demographic data, IOM usage patterns, IOM education, and financial considerations for utilizing IOM.

RESULTS: Among 344 participants representing eight geographical …

Risk Of Late-Onset Depression In Long-Term Survivors Of Breast, Prostate, And Colorectal Cancer, Melissa Taylor, Sarah Westvold, Jessica Long, Terry Hyslop, Andrea Silber, Rebecca Forman, Faiza Yasin, Tendai Kwaramba, Shi-Yi Wang, Michael Leapman, Michael Cecchini, Ira Leeds, Lisa Spees, Stephanie Wheeler, Cary Gross, Kevin Oeffinger, Michaela Dinan

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

IMPORTANCE: The prevalence of depression is higher in cancer survivors than in the general population. As the long-term cancer survivor population increases, it is increasingly important to understand risk factors for late-onset depression.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors associated with late-onset depression in long-term (5-year) survivors of breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective cohort study used 2022 linkage of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) and Medicare data to identify 5-year survivors of breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer 66 years or older who were enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare and had no previous depression diagnosis. Long-term …

Condition-Specific Growth Charts For Children With Alagille Syndrome., Koen Huysentruyt, Shannon M. Vandriel, Mathieu Roelants, David A. Piccoli, Kathleen M. Loomes, Elizabeth B. Rand, Noelle H. Ebel, Jeffrey A. Feinstein, Irena Jankowska, Piotr Czubkowski, Dorota Gliwicz-Miedzinska, Emmanuel M. Gonzales, Emmanuel Jacquemin, Jérôme Bouligand, Saul J. Karpen, Rene Romero, Henry C. Lin, Björn Fischler, Henrik Arnell, Li-Ting Li, Jian-She Wang, Rima Fawaz, Silvia Nastasio, Kyung Mo Kim, Seak Hee Oh, Lorenzo D'Antiga, Emanuele Nicastro, Ryan T. Fischer, Susan M. Siew, Michael Stormon, Chatmanee Lertudomphonwanit, Winita Hardikar, Sahana Shankar, James E. Squires, Shikha S. Sundaram, Catherine Larson-Nath, Deirdre A. Kelly, Jane Hartley, Pinar Bulut, M Kyle Jensen, Catalina Jaramillo, Amin J. Roberts, Helen M. Evans, Étienne M. Sokal, Tanguy Demaret, Henkjan J. Verkade, Richard J. Thompson, Bettina E. Hansen, Tim J. Cole, Binita M. Kamath, Dominique Debray, Florence Lacaille, Jernej Brecelj, Nehal M. El-Koofy, Mohamed A. Elmonem, Way Seah Lee, Maria Camila Sanchez, Maria Lorena Cavalieri, Christina Hajinicolaou, Kathleen B. Schwarz, Elisa Carvalho, Nathalie Rock, Wikrom Karnsakul, Ruben E. Quiros-Tejeira, Seema Alam, Gabriella Nebbia, Yael Mozer-Glassberg, Pamela L. Valentino, Ermelinda Santos-Silva, Zerrin Önal, Antal Dezsofi-Gottl, Melina Melere, María Legarda Tamara, John Eshun, Aglaia Zellos, Giuseppe Indolfi, Maria Rogalidou, Niviann Blondet, Pier Luigi Calvo, Marisa Beretta, Andréanne N. Zizzo, Cigdem Arikan, Mureo Kasahara, Nanda Kerkar, Amal A. Aqul, Victorien M. Wolters, Raquel Borges Pinto, Jesus Quintero Bernabeu, Jennifer Garcia, Sabina Wiecek, Christos Tzivinikos, Quais Mujawar, Carolina Jimenez-Rivera, Cristina Molera Busoms, Cristina Gonçalves, Luis Bujanda, Global Alagille Alliance (Gala) Study Group

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

IMPORTANCE: Different degrees of growth delay have been reported in children with Alagille syndrome (ALGS), yet these patients are routinely evaluated using standard growth charts.

OBJECTIVE: To develop condition-specific growth charts for ALGS using modern statistical approaches.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This case series used data from the international, multicenter Global Alagille Alliance (GALA) study accrued between May 14, 2018, and March 20, 2023. Children born at full term between January 1, 1997, and August 31, 2019, with a clinically and/or genetically confirmed ALGS diagnosis and their native liver were included. Data from children with a known history of prematurity …

A Multiomics Recovery Factor Predicts Long Covid In The Impacc Study, Gisela Gabernet, Jessica Maciuch, Jeremy P Gygi, John F Moore, Annmarie Hoch, Caitlin Syphurs, Tianyi Chu, Naresh Doni Jayavelu, David B Corry, Farrah Kheradmand, Lindsey R Baden, Rafick-Pierre Sekaly, Grace A Mccomsey, Elias K Haddad, Charles B Cairns, Nadine Rouphael, Ana Fernandez-Sesma, Viviana Simon, Jordan P Metcalf, Nelson I Agudelo Higuita, Catherine L Hough, William B Messer, Mark M Davis, Kari C Nadeau, Bali Pulendran, Monica Kraft, Chris Bime, Elaine F Reed, Joanna Schaenman, David J Erle, Carolyn S Calfee, Mark A Atkinson, Scott C Brakenridge, Esther Melamed, Albert C Shaw, David A Hafler, Alison D Augustine, Patrice M Becker, Al Ozonoff, Steven E Bosinger, Walter Eckalbar, Holden T Maecker, Seunghee Kim-Schulze, Hanno Steen, Florian Krammer, Kerstin Westendorf, Bjoern Peters, Slim Fourati, Matthew C Altman, Ofer Levy, Kinga K Smolen, Ruth R Montgomery, Joann Diray-Arce, Steven H Kleinstein, Leying Guan, Lauren Ir Ehrlich

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Following SARS-CoV-2 infection, approximately 10%–35% of patients with COVID-19 experience long COVID (LC), in which debilitating symptoms persist for at least 3 months. Elucidating the biologic underpinnings of LC could identify therapeutic opportunities.

Methods: We utilized machine learning methods on biologic analytes provided over 12 months after hospital discharge from more than 500 patients with COVID-19 in the IMPACC cohort to identify a multiomics “recovery factor,” trained on patient-reported physical function survey scores. Immune profiling data included PBMC transcriptomics, serum O-link and plasma proteomics, plasma metabolomics, and blood mass cytometry by time of flight (CyTOF) protein levels. Recovery factor …

Music As A Strategy To Improve Hypertension And Stroke Management: Evidence From A Crowdsourcing Open Call And Designathon In Nigeria, Chidi Okafor, Shravya Allena, Olufunto A Olusanya, Titilola Gbaja-Biamila, Temitope Ojo, Juliet Iwelunmor, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: In Nigeria, cardiovascular diseases, especially hypertension, are on the rise. This increase in hypertension correlates with more strokes, significantly impacting mortality. Since hypertension often persists into adulthood, early interventions are crucial to prevent its complications. Non-invasive methods, such as music and creative activities, can effectively improve blood pressure and reduce stroke risk. This study aims to improve intergenerational awareness of hypertension and promote sustainable preventive practices by involving youth and caregivers within families and communities.

METHODS: We employed a participatory, observational design, incorporating a five-month crowdsourcing open call followed by a designathon event. Participatory social and health innovations were …

Changes In Walking Performance Under Dual Task Conditions Across Pregnancy – A Case Study, Nikola Chmura, Wanda Forczek-Karkosz

ISBS Proceedings Archive

In recent years there is a growing literature on the walking pattern during pregnancy in the context of preventing falls as pregnancy progresses (Błaszczyk et al. 2016). The study examines the impact of pregnancy on walking under dual-task conditions. A 27-year-old participant was assessed in her first and third trimester for gait parameters and cognitive function changes. Results showed slower walking speed, prolonged double support phase, and a wider base of support, especially when performing an additional task. The DIVA test revealed impaired attention and increased errors.Findings highlight the effect of cognitive load on stability in pregnant women, potentially increasing …

Stress-Relaxation And Failure Properties Of Spinal Ligaments In Pigs With And Without Scoliosis-Like Deformity, Christian D'Andrea, Mattan Orbach, Dogerno Norceide, Madeline Boyes, Axel Moore, Jacob Jordan, Thomas Schaer, Anita Singh, Patrick Cahill, Edward Vresilovic, Brian Snyder, Sriram Balasubramanian

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

This study addresses the need for accurate tissue material properties in computational models of the spine. Fundamental to functional spinal unit (FSU) biomechanics are the stress-relaxation and failure properties of the interspinous and intertransverse ligaments (ISL and ITL, respectively). These were measured and compared in normative and scoliotic spines using a Yorkshire pig model. Skeletally immature female pig spines were posterolaterally tethered to induce scoliosis. 23 ISLs and 17 ITLs excised from normative and scoliotic spine segments underwent stress-relaxation and failure tests. Group comparisons tested the effects of scoliosis (magnitude, convexity versus concavity), spinal level (thoracic, lumbar), and pig age. …

Sensory-Selective Peripheral And Neuraxial Nerve Blockade With 2',6'-Pipecoloxylidide, Claire A Ostertag-Hill, Shuanglong Chen, Tianrui Xue, Rachelle Shao, Matthew Torre, Bin Feng, Zahra Vahedi, Longtu Chen, Steven J Staffa, Yueqin Zheng, Daniel S Kohane

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Background: Safe sensory-selective local anesthetics would be a major advance in the management of acute and chronic pain. This articles describes the sensory-selective local anesthetic properties and the toxicity profile of a known metabolite of amino-amide local anesthetics, 2',6'-pipecoloxylidide (PPX).

Methods: PPX was synthesized and made into its hydrochloride salt. PPX or ropivacaine (ROP) were injected at the sciatic nerve or intrathecally in rats, who then underwent modified hotplate (sensory) testing and weight-bearing (motor) testing. Rats injected with PPX or ROP were assessed for clinical toxicity endpoints. Conduction blockade was studied with single-unit recordings in mice. Biocompatibility was assessed histologically. …

J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society Research Grants: What Is The Return On Invesments, Lancelot Benn, Susan Stephens, Mark Ehioghae, Rishi Balkissoon, Brendan A. Williams, Shaina Lipa, David N. Bernstein, Gbolabo Sokunbi, Barrett I. Woods, Wakenda Tyler, Jaysson Brooks, Randall C. Morgan, Kwadwo Owusu-Akyaw, Wayne Johnson, Eric Carson, George V. Russell, Addisu Mesfin

Rothman Institute Papers

INTRODUCTION: The J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society (JRGOS) aims to increase diversity in orthopaedic surgery and promote high-quality musculoskeletal care for all. Through targeted research funding, JRGOS supports projects aligned with its mission. Despite awarding over $300,000 in research grants since 2011, the return on investment (ROI) of this program has not been analyzed. This study evaluates the ROI of JRGOS research grants from 2011 to 2023.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all JRGOS research grants awarded between 2011 and 2023. Data included recipient demographics, grant titles, award year, institution, and amount. PubMed and Google Scholar were used …

Predictors Of Decannulation Success In Tracheostomy: A 10-Year Analysis Of The Global Tracheostomy Collaborative Database., Charissa J. Zaga, Carly E. Milliren, Brendan A. Mcgrath, Christina J. Yang, Bradley A. Schiff, Stephen J. Warrillow, Jennifer K. Henningfeld, Prudence A. Gregson, Joshua R. Bedwell, Karen M. Beaudet, Michael J. Brenner, Vinciya Pandian

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: Decannulation is a critical milestone in functional recovery after tracheostomy, but standardized guidelines are lacking. This study examined factors associated with tracheostomy decannulation success, comparing hospital utilization, adverse events, and survival outcomes between decannulated and non-decannulated patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, observational study.

SETTING: Data were collected from 25 hospitals participating in the Global Tracheostomy Collaborative (GTC) in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

METHODS: Prospectively collected data from adult patients who underwent tracheostomy from 2013 to 2022 were analyzed. Outcomes included decannulation success, hospital utilization metrics (intensive care unit [ICU] admissions, mechanical ventilation use, tracheostomy duration, and …

A Historical Cohort Comparison After Inpatient Admission For Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa: Feasibility Of Virtual Group Therapy, Elizabeth V Franklin, Margaret Mathias, Rachel Wolfe, Duc T Nguyen, Drusilla M Rosales, Sofia Pedroza, Albert C Hergenroeder, Constance M Wiemann

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Objective: Access to follow-up care after a medical admission for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) is important; yet access can be delayed or unavailable. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a supplemental virtual 8-week outpatient group therapy program following inpatient care. A secondary aim explored the outpatient program's impact on self-reported anxiety, disordered eating, and depression symptoms, and readmission rates.

Method: A retrospective chart review study compared 68 adolescents (aged 11-18) with AN enrolled in an 8-week group therapy program (Recovery and Prevention Program [RAPP]) to 64 adolescents who were not enrolled in RAPP (historical cohort). "RAPP completers" …

Estimating Daily Air Quality Exposure Of The Aging And Dementia Population, Wan-Tai Michael Au-Yeung, Moiz Usmani, Ryan Ramphul, Chao-Yi Wu, Hiroko Dodge, Joel Steele, Zachary Beattie, Jeffrey Kaye

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background

To understand the effect of air quality on cognition, air quality measurements should reflect real-world exposure. Currently, air quality exposure is derived from outdoor air quality monitors despite older adults spending most of their time indoors.

Objective

To examine if there are discrepancies between indoor particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) at older adults’ personal residences, PM2.5 levels measured with nearest outdoor public air monitors, and remotely accessed gridded ensemble air quality data.

Methods

PM2.5 levels collected in older adults’ residences, collected from the nearest outdoor public air quality monitors and ensemble data from Hazardous Air Quality Ensemble System (HAQES) were …

Basal Cell Carcinoma Risk Prediction In Survivors Of Childhood Cancer, Cindy Im, Christina Boull, Zhe Lu, Kenneth Liao, Hasibul Hasan, Linwan Xu, Yadav Sapkota, Rebecca M Howell, Michael A Arnold, Miriam R Conces, Ashley J Housten, Judith Gebauer, Thorsten Langer, Jop C Teepen, Leontien C M Kremer, Louis S Constine, Yutaka Yasui, Melissa M Hudson, Kirsten K Ness, Gregory T Armstrong, Joseph P Neglia, Yan Yuan, Lucie M Turcotte

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Survivors of childhood cancer face excess risk of developing basal cell carcinoma. Age-specific basal cell carcinoma risk prediction models for survivors may support targeted screening recommendations.

Methods: We developed models predicting basal cell carcinoma risk by ages 40 and 50 years featuring detailed cancer treatment predictors, utilizing statistical and machine-learning algorithms and data from 23 166 five-year survivors in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, a multi-institutional retrospective cohort study. Selected models were externally validated in 5314 survivors in the St Jude Lifetime Cohort. Model discrimination and precision were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) …

Priming With Transcutaneous Spinal Direct Current Stimulation Followed By Robotic Exoskeleton Gait Training In Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Series, Marcie Kern, Catherine Velasquez-Ignacio, Taimoor Afzal, Shih-Chiao Tseng, Gerard E Francisco, Shuo-Hsiu Chang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: To investigate the safety and feasibility of repeated transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) as priming strategy during exoskeleton-assisted locomotor training in individuals with SCI and evaluate potential neurophysiologic and functional gait changes.

Study design: Case series experimental design.

Setting: Research laboratory at a post-acute rehabilitation hospital.

Participants: Four participants with chronic incomplete SCI.

Interventions: Four participants with chronic incomplete SCI received three weeks of training consisting of two types of interventions after baseline (A): 20-minute tsDCS (anode or cathode) applied over the spinous processes of T10 followed by 20-minute exoskeleton-assisted locomotor training (B, B1, B2) and 20-minute exoskeleton-assisted …

Hand Swelling And Other Non-Raynaud Phenomenon Symptoms As The Initial Presentation Of Systemic Sclerosis: Prevalence And Clinical Associations In Two Us Cohorts, Iqtidar Hanif, Shervin Assassi, Maureen D Mayes, Zsuzsanna H Mcmahan, Meng Zhang, Julio Charles, John M Vanburen, Jessica S Alvey, Kimia Ghaffari, Elana J Bernstein, Flavia V Castelino, Lorinda Chung, Luke Evnin, Tracy M Frech, Jessica K Gordon, Faye N Hant, Laura K Hummers, Dinesh Khanna, Kimberly S Lakin, Dorota Lebiedz-Odrobina, Yiming Luo, Ashima Makol, Jerry A Molitor, Duncan F Moore, Carrie Richardson, Nora Sandorfi, Ami A Shah, Ankoor Shah, Victoria K Shanmugam, Virginia D Steen, Elizabeth R Volkmann, Carleigh Zahn, Brian Skaug

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Raynaud phenomenon (RP) is often the initial clinical manifestation of systemic sclerosis (SSc), but some patients develop other manifestations first. To help elucidate the diversity of SSc presentation in its early stages, we describe the initial clinical manifestations and antinuclear antibody (ANA) profiles of patients in two early SSc cohorts.

Methods: All patient data in the Genetics vs Environment in Scleroderma Outcomes Study (GENISOS) and Collaborative National Quality and Efficacy Registry (CONQUER) cohorts were reviewed. Both studies enrolled patients within five years of the first non-RP symptom.

Results: In GENISOS and CONQUER, respectively, 194 (44.2%) of 439 and 292 …

Probabilistic Template Matching For Detecting Resting-State Functional Mri Language Network In Brain Tumor Patients, Jian Ming Teo, Vinodh A Kumar, Alexander M Khalaf, Kyle R Noll, Sherise D Ferguson, Chibawanye I Ene, Sujit S Prabhu, Max Wintermark, Ho-Ling Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Intersubject variation among patients with brain tumors complicates the template matching process for detecting the resting-state (rs) functional MRI (fMRI) language network when using independent component analysis (ICA).

Purpose: This study aimed to develop methods that use a probabilistic language atlas to incorporate intersubject variation in brain tumor patients into the template matching process.

Methods: This retrospective study included 79 patients with brain tumors (average age, 50 ± 15 years) who underwent presurgical task-based (tb)-fMRI and rs-fMRI at clinical 3T scanners. At varying template generation thresholds (τ), binary and probabilistic templates were obtained from the language atlas. A binary …

Study Of 18 F-Fluciclovine Pet For Serial Assessment Of Glioblastoma Tumor Volumes During Surgery And Radiotherapy, Samir A Dagher, Jason M Johnson, Rania M M Mohamed, Shehbaz Ansari, Osama Mawlawi, Ho-Ling Liu, Max Wintermark, Dawid Schellingerhout, Lesley Flynt, Debra N Yeboa, Jeffrey S Weinberg, Sherise D Ferguson, Maria K Gule-Monroe

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: Recent evidence supports incorporating 18 F-Fluciclovine PET for glioblastoma treatment planning and monitoring, as it better captures tumor infiltration compared to conventional MRI. However, the relationship between PET- and MRI-defined tumor volumes remains unclear, particularly in the post-treatment setting. This study prospectively compares tumor volumes on MRI and PET at multiple timepoints throughout the treatment course and evaluates volumetric changes with therapy.

METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 8 adults with IDH-wildtype glioblastoma treated with surgery and chemoradiation between September 2019 and 2021. Participants underwent paired 18 F-Fluciclovine PET/CT and conventional MRI at four timepoints: preoperatively, pre-radiation, and at one- and …

Low Socioeconomic Status Adversely Influences Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Paige E Brlecic, Christopher B Sylvester, Katie J Hogan, Qianzi Zhang, Joseph S Coselli, Marc R Moon, Todd K Rosengart, Subhasis Chatterjee, Ravi K Ghanta

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Although socioeconomic status (SES) is believed to affect patient outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), readmission data are sparse. In a national cohort, we analyzed the influence of SES on readmission, resource utilization, and mortality after CABG.

Methods: We queried the Nationwide Readmissions Database to identify patients who underwent isolated CABG from January 2016 through December 2018. We derived low, middle, and high SES from International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification codes, patient demographics, and neighborhood-level factors. The effect of SES on risk-adjusted outcomes was assessed with multivariable analysis.

Results: Of 523,042 patients who underwent CABG, …

High Risk Of Persistence And Risk Of Dysplasia After Diagnosis Of Ultrashort Barrett's Esophagus, Wasseem Skef, Jasmine Haydel, Ashwin Rao, Ronan Allencherril, Rollin George, Gyanprakash A Ketwaroo, Aaron P Thrift, Hashem B El-Serag, Theresa Nguyen Wenker

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: The management of ultrashort (< 1 cm) Barrett's esophagus (BE) remains unclear. We aimed to determine the prevalence of ultrashort BE (USBE) at index diagnosis, identify factors associated with persistent BE after USBE diagnosis, and identify risk of dysplasia after initial USBE in a population of US veterans.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Houston, TX, of consecutive patients with new BE diagnosis from November 1990 to June 2022 with follow-up through April 2023. Using a pathology database, we identified patients with a new USBE diagnosis and any subsequent follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). We examined the association of sociodemographic and clinical risk factors of persistent USBE cohort compared with longer-length segment BE and those with a negative follow-up EGD after index USBE with χ 2 tests and logistic regression models. Last, we calculated the prevalence and …

Beyond Seizures As An Outcome Measure: A Global Severity Scoring System For Cdkl5 Deficiency Disorder, Peter Jacoby, Eric D Marsh, Scott Demarest, Jacinta M Saldaris, Helen Leonard, Heather E Olson, Joni N Saby, Elia Pestana-Knight, Rajsekar Rajaraman, Dana Price, Judith Weisenberg, Bernhard Suter, Jenny Downs, Tim A Benke

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a rare developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) associated with multiple impairments and comorbidities. Outcome measures for disease-modifying clinical trials for DEEs should measurably capture a spectrum of caregiver priorities and be externally validated.

Methods: The International CDKL5 Clinical Research Network was the data source for this observational study. A Structural Equation Model was constructed with latent, exogenous variables related to observed clinical features to calculate a global severity score from the following assessments: the CDKL5 Clinical Severity Assessment-Clinician and -Caregiver, Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant Toddler Checklist and the Sleep Disturbance …

A Rare Molecular Diagnosis In A Patient With Hepatocerebral Syndrome Contributes To The Expansion Of The Phenotypic Spectrum Of Polg2 -Related Mitochondrial Disorder, Vittoria Rossi, Dan Brooks, Hongzheng Dai, Elizabeth Mizerik, Karla Salazar, Daniel Davila-Williams, Yishay Ben-Moshe, Seema R Lalani, Sarah H Elsea, Charul Gijavanekar, Daryl A Scott, Keren Machol, Mir Reza Bekheirnia, Fernando Scaglia

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

POLG2 encodes an accessory subunit in DNA polymerase gamma that is required for mitochondrial DNA synthesis. Monoallelic pathogenic variants in POLG2 are associated primarily with progressive external ophthalmoplegia with mitochondrial DNA deletions, autosomal dominant type 4 (PEOA4, MIM #610131). We report a rare case of severe infantile hepatocerebral syndrome associated with biallelic variants in POLG2. The proband, a 5-week-old female infant, presented with seizures and acute liver failure. Extensive metabolic workup, including untargeted metabolomics analysis and elevated plasma growth differentiation factor 15, was suggestive of mitochondrial dysfunction. Rapid trio genome sequencing identified compound heterozygous variants, a likely pathogenic variant and …

Predictors Of Decannulation Success In Tracheostomy: A 10-Year Analysis Of The Global Tracheostomy Collaborative Database, Charissa J Zaga, Carly E Milliren, Brendan A Mcgrath, Christina J Yang, Bradley A Schiff, Stephen J Warrillow, Jennifer K Henningfeld, Prudence A Gregson, Joshua R Bedwell, Karen M Beaudet, Michael J Brenner, Vinciya Pandian

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: Decannulation is a critical milestone in functional recovery after tracheostomy, but standardized guidelines are lacking. This study examined factors associated with tracheostomy decannulation success, comparing hospital utilization, adverse events, and survival outcomes between decannulated and non-decannulated patients.

Study design: Retrospective, observational study.

Setting: Data were collected from 25 hospitals participating in the Global Tracheostomy Collaborative (GTC) in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Methods: Prospectively collected data from adult patients who underwent tracheostomy from 2013 to 2022 were analyzed. Outcomes included decannulation success, hospital utilization metrics (intensive care unit [ICU] admissions, mechanical ventilation use, tracheostomy duration, and …

Consequences Of Adverse Events In Cancer Immunotherapy Combinations - A Comprehensive Real-World Analysis, Siv Gyda Aanes, Carsten Nieder, David Westfall Bates, Siri Wiig, Ellinor Christin Haukland

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are pivotal in systemic anticancer therapy. The aim of the study was to investigate incidence, severity and consequences of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in ICI combinations by comparing different adverse events classification systems.

Methods: A retrospective multicentre cohort study included patients treated with ICI combinations. IrAEs were assessed by CTCAE v.5, NCC MERP index and SITC consensus for chronic irAEs.

Results: Among 612 patients, 244 (40%) experienced 354 irAEs, in total 58 irAEs per 100 patients varying between treatments. Higher incidence was observed for autoimmune disease, thoracic radiotherapy, melanoma, dual ICI and ICI/TKI. Severe irAEs …

Cognitive Reserve Predicts Baseline Tau Burden In The Us Pointer Trial Imaging Cohort, Valory N Pavlik, Chris J Weber, Joseph C Masdeu, Laura D Baker, Melissa M Yu, Michele York, Rachel A Whitmer, Susan M Landau, Theresa M Harrison, Tomas M Holland, Laura Lovato

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Higher cognitive reserve (CR) is associated with reduced dementia risk. We hypothesized that higher CR is associated with less baseline Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology in the U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER) cohort.

Methods: A subsample of participants underwent amyloid beta and tau positron emission tomography imaging. Regression analysis was used to model the association between educational attainment (EA) as a CR proxy measure, amyloid positivity, and entorhinal cortex (ERC) and meta-temporal region of interest (meta-ROI) tau standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR).

Results: In 911 participants with complete imaging data, higher …

Using Video Ethnography And Stimulated Recall Interviews To Describe The Diagnostic Process In The Emergency Department, Milisa Manojlovich, Caitlin Cassady, Sarah J Parker, Ellie Davis, Charlotte Ahr, David Ryamukuru, Anna Wang, Kalyan Pasupathy, Hardeep Singh, Prashant Mahajan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Understanding how physicians make diagnoses is challenging because cognitive processes are unobservable and partly unconscious, making it difficult for physicians to describe how they arrived at a diagnosis. Physicians who work in emergency departments (EDs) are especially vulnerable to making diagnostic errors because the ED is a fast-paced, dynamic setting where complex decision-making occurs under severe time, information, and resource constraints. The purpose of our study was to describe how the diagnostic process evolves for ED clinicians in both pediatric and adult ED settings.

Methods: We used a qualitative, video ethnography study design to capture in situ, real-time ED …