Digital Commons Network^™

Transition Of Women Veterans From Active Duty To Adult Learner On Campus, Sheila Outlaw

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractA large percentage of women veteran students at a local 4-year university are transitioning from active duty to the role of adult learner on a college campus, and some have overcome barriers, such as inadequate childcare, lack of transportation, and financial aid issues and completed their educational goals. Unfortunately, some women veterans are not successful. The purpose of this study was to identify methods that self-identified women veteran students at the local study site use to successfully meet their educational goals. Adult transition and transformative learning theory are the conceptual frameworks for this study. A qualitative study collecting semistructured interview …

Experiences Of Rural Female Caregivers Of Loved Ones Diagnosed With Chronic Pain And Mental Health Care, Anne Banner Hatfield

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe complex diagnosis of chronic pain can include both physiological and psychological symptoms resulting in a need for caregivers to assist their loved ones and become involved in their mental health care treatment. As the aging population and the number of individuals diagnosed with chronic pain increases, the number of caregivers who assist them also increases. Critical to addressing the psychological symptoms of chronic pain is knowing how caregivers experience their involvement in mental health treatment. This research addressed the need for an understanding of caregivers’ experiences of caregiving and involvement with health care providers of mental health treatment for …

Crisis Intervention Team Training On Autism Among Female Cit-Trained Police Officers, Julie Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this qualitative case study was the lack of documentation that supports the perceptions and experiences of crisis intervention team (CIT) trained female police officers related to their encounters with persons with mental illness (PwMI) with autism. Using Giles’s communicative accommodation theory (CAT), the purpose of this study examined the perceptions of CIT-trained female police officers of PwMI with autism during encounters. Giles’s CAT was aligned closest with the teachings of CIT training. Seven participants provided data which comprised of completed questionnaires and transcribed interviews. The method of analysis used was a combination of inductive coding and …

Cell-Directed Aptamer Therapeutic Targeting For Cancers Including Those Within The Central Nervous System, Jun Wei, Renduo Song, Aria Sabbagh, Anantha Marisetty, Neal Shukla, Dexing Fang, Hinda Najem, Martina Ott, James Long, Lijie Zhai, Maciej S Lesniak, Charles David James, Leonidas Platanias, Michael Curran, Amy B Heimberger

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Osteopontin (OPN) is produced by tumor cells as well as by myeloid cells and is enriched in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of many cancers. Given the roles of OPN in tumor progression and immune suppression, we hypothesized that targeting OPN with aptamers that have high affinity and specificity could be a promising therapeutic strategy. Bi-specific aptamers targeting ligands for cellular internalization were conjugated to siRNAs to suppress OPN were created, and therapeutic leads were selected based on target engagement and

Outcomes Of Sars-Cov-2-Positive Youths Tested In Emergency Departments: The Global Pern-Covid-19 Study, Anna L. Funk, Fahd A. Ahmad, Et Al

Open Access Publications

Importance: Severe outcomes among youths with SARS-CoV-2 infections are poorly characterized.

Objective: To estimate the proportion of children with severe outcomes within 14 days of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in an emergency department (ED).

Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective cohort study with 14-day follow-up enrolled participants between March 2020 and June 2021. Participants were youths aged younger than 18 years who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection at one of 41 EDs across 10 countries including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Singapore, Spain, and the United States. Statistical analysis was performed from September to October 2021. …

An Evidence-Based Definition Of Anemia For Singleton, Uncomplicated Pregnancies, Amanda C. Zofkie, W. Holt Garner, Rachel C. Schell, Alexandra S. Ragsdale, Donald D. Mcintire, Scott W. Roberts, Catherine Y. Spong

Open Access Publications

BACKGROUND: The definition for anemia in pregnancy is outdated, derived from Scandinavian studies in the 1970's to 1980's. To identity women at risk of blood transfusion, a common cause of Severe Maternal Morbidity, a standard definition of anemia in pregnancy in a modern, healthy United States cohort is needed.

OBJECTIVE: To define anemia in pregnancy in a United States population including a large county vs. private hospital population using uncomplicated patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inclusion criteria were healthy women with the first prenatal visit before 20 weeks. Exclusion criteria included preterm birth, preeclampsia, hypertension, diabetes, short interval pregnancy (<18 months), multiple gestation, abruption, and fetal demise. All women had iron fortification (Ferrous sulfate 325 mg daily) recommended. The presentation to care and pre-delivery hematocrits were obtained, and the percentiles determined. A total of 2000 patients were included, 1000 from the public county hospital and 1000 from the private hospital. Each cohort had 250 patients in each 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018. The cohorts were compared for differences in the fifth percentile for each antepartum epoch. Student's t-test and chi-squared statistical tests were used for analysis, p-value of ≤0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS: …

Understanding Contributors To Racial And Ethnic Inequities In Covid-19 Incidence And Mortality Rates, Karen E. Joynt Maddox, Mat Reidhead, Joshua Grotzinger, Timothy Mcbride, Aaloke Mody, Elna Nagasako, Will Ross, Joseph T. Steensma, Abigail R. Barker

Open Access Publications

BACKGROUND: Racial inequities in Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported over the course of the pandemic, with Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native American individuals suffering higher case rates and more fatalities than their White counterparts.

METHODS: We used a unique statewide dataset of confirmed COVID-19 cases across Missouri, linked with historical statewide hospital data. We examined differences by race and ethnicity in raw population-based case and mortality rates. We used patient-level regression analyses to calculate the odds of mortality based on race and ethnicity, controlling for comorbidities and other risk factors.

RESULTS: As of September 10, 2020 there were 73,635 confirmed …

Intrinsic Mechanisms In The Gating Of Resurgent Na+ Currents, Joseph L. Ransdell, Jonathan D. Moreno, Druv Bhagavan, Jonathan R. Silva, Jeanne M. Nerbonne

Open Access Publications

The resurgent component of the voltage-gated sodium current (I

Perceptions Of Risk Of Sars-Cov-2 Transmission In Social And Educational Activities By Infectious Diseases And General Pediatric Healthcare Providers, A Pre-Vaccine Risk Perception Cross-Sectional Survey, Andrew B. Janowski, Philip M. Polgreen, Susan E. Beekmann, Jason G. Newland

Open Access Publications

BACKGROUND: The perception of the transmission risks of SARS-CoV-2 in social and educational settings by US healthcare providers have not been previously quantified.

METHODS: Respondents completed an online survey between September and October 2020 to estimate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission on a scale of 0-10 for different social and educational activities prior to the availability of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Demographic information and experiences during the pandemic were also collected. The risk assessment was emailed to three listservs of healthcare providers, including national listservs of pediatric (PID) and adult infectious diseases (AID) providers, and a listserv of general pediatric practitioners …

Effect Of Early Treatment With Fluvoxamine On Risk Of Emergency Care And Hospitalisation Among Patients With Covid-19: The Together Randomised, Platform Clinical Trial, Gilmar Reis, Eric J Lenze, Angela M Reiersen, Et Al

Open Access Publications

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence indicates a potential therapeutic role of fluvoxamine for COVID-19. In the TOGETHER trial for acutely symptomatic patients with COVID-19, we aimed to assess the efficacy of fluvoxamine versus placebo in preventing hospitalisation defined as either retention in a COVID-19 emergency setting or transfer to a tertiary hospital due to COVID-19.

METHODS: This placebo-controlled, randomised, adaptive platform trial done among high-risk symptomatic Brazilian adults confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2 included eligible patients from 11 clinical sites in Brazil with a known risk factor for progression to severe disease. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either fluvoxamine (100 mg twice …

Hemodynamic Profiles By Non-Invasive Monitoring Of Cardiac Index And Vascular Tone In Acute Heart Failure Patients In The Emergency Department: External Validation And Clinical Outcomes, Nicholas Eric Harrison, Sarah Meram, Xiangrui Li, Morgan B. White, Sarah Henry, Sushane Gupta, Dongxiao Zhu, Peter Pang, Phillip Levy

Open Access Publications

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive finger-cuff monitors measuring cardiac index and vascular tone (SVRI) classify emergency department (ED) patients with acute heart failure (AHF) into three otherwise-indistinguishable subgroups. Our goals were to validate these "hemodynamic profiles" in an external cohort and assess their association with clinical outcomes.

METHODS: AHF patients (n = 257) from five EDs were prospectively enrolled in the validation cohort (VC). Cardiac index and SVRI were measured with a ClearSight finger-cuff monitor (formerly NexFin, Edwards Lifesciences) as in a previous study (derivation cohort, DC, n = 127). A control cohort (CC, n = 127) of ED patients with sepsis was …

Association Of A Perioperative Multicomponent Fall Prevention Intervention With Falls And Quality Of Life After Elective Inpatient Surgical Procedures, Bradley A. Fritz, Christopher R. King, Divya Mehta, Emily Somerville, Alex Kronzer, Arbi Ben Abdallah, Troy Wildes, Michael S. Avidan, Eric J. Lenze, Susan Stark

Open Access Publications

Importance: Falls after elective inpatient surgical procedures are common and have physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Close interactions between patients and health care teams before and after surgical procedures may offer opportunities to address modifiable risk factors associated with falls.

Objective: To assess whether a multicomponent intervention that incorporates education, home medication review, and home safety assessment is associated with reductions in the incidence of falls after elective inpatient surgical procedures.

Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective propensity score-matched cohort study was a prespecified secondary analysis of data from the Electroencephalography Guidance of Anesthesia to Alleviate Geriatric Syndromes (ENGAGES) randomized …

Association Between Workplace Absenteeism And Alcohol Use Disorder From The National Survey On Drug Use And Health, 2015-2019, Ian C. Parsley, Ann Marie Dale, Sherri L. Fisher, Carrie M. Mintz, Sarah M. Hartz, Bradley A. Evanoff, Laura J. Bierut

Open Access Publications

Importance: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is common and associated with increased morbidity. The degree to which AUD currently factors into workplace absenteeism needs further characterization in the US.

Objective: To examine the association between AUD and workplace absenteeism in a nationally representative sample.

Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used data from a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized US residents from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to examine the association of AUD with workplace absenteeism. Eligible respondents were aged 18 years and older who reported full-time employment. Data were analyzed from March to September 2021. …

Association Of Multidimensional Poverty With Dementia In Adults Aged 50 Years Or Older In South Africa, Jean-Francois Trani, Jacqueline Moodley, May Thu Thu Maw, Ganesh M. Babulal

Open Access Publications

Importance: Limited research exists investigating the association between multidimensional poverty and dementia in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Objective: To investigate the association between multidimensional poverty and dementia among adults aged 50 years or older living in South Africa.

Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, between November 11, 2019, and February 28, 2020. Participants included 227 adults aged 50 years or older. Data analysis was concluded from August 1 to 30, 2021.

Exposures: Multidimensional poverty included 7 dimensions that are central to well-being (education, health, economic activity, living standards, social participation, fair treatment, …

Salaries, Degrees, And Babies: Trends In Fertility By Income And Education Among Japanese Men And Women Born 1943-1975-Analysis Of National Surveys, Cyrus Ghaznavi, Haruka Sakamoto, Lisa Yamasaki, Shuhei Nomura, Daisuke Yoneoka, Kenji Shibuya, Peter Ueda

Open Access Publications

BACKGROUND: While fertility rates have decreased during the second half of the 20th century in Japan, little is known regarding trends in the number of children that men and women have across birth cohorts and whether these differ by education and income.

METHODS: We used data from four rounds of the National Fertility Survey (1992, 2005, 2010 and 2015) and included men and women aged 40-49 years (16728 men and 17628 women). By 5-year birth cohorts, we assessed the distribution of number of children (0, 1, 2 and 3 or more) and total fertility (the mean number of children) at …

Association Between Hospital Private Equity Acquisition And Outcomes Of Acute Medical Conditions Among Medicare Beneficiaries, Marcelo Cerullo, Kelly Yang, Karen E. Joynt Maddox, Ryan C. Mcdevitt, James M. Roberts, Anaeze C. Offodile

Open Access Publications

Importance: As private equity (PE) acquisitions of short-term acute care hospitals (ACHs) continue, their impact on the care of medically vulnerable older adults remains largely unexplored.

Objective: To investigate the association between PE acquisition of ACHs and access to care, patient outcomes, and spending among Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with acute medical conditions.

Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used a generalized difference-in-differences approach to compare 21 091 222 patients admitted to PE-acquired vs non-PE-acquired short-term ACHs between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2018, at least 3 years before to 3 years after PE acquisition. The analysis was conducted …

Associations Between Body Dissatisfaction And Relationship Functioning Among Same-Sex Female Couples: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, Cassidy M. Sandoval, Kelly A. Romano, Kristin E. Heron, Charlotte A. Dawson, Tiphanie G. Sutton, Barbara A. Winstead, Robin J. Lewis

Psychology Faculty Publications

Nearly all past research about body dissatisfaction and romantic relationship factors is among heterosexual couples; little is known about these associations in sexual minority couples. The present study aimed to fill gaps in the current literature by using actor-partner interdependence models (APIMs) to examine dyadic patterns of association between body dissatisfaction and different aspects of relationship functioning among same-sex female couples. Participants were 163 same-sex female romantic dyads (326 women) between the ages of 18-35 years who completed measures of body dissatisfaction and relationship factors. Results from significance testing of actor and partner effects indicated higher levels of women's own …

Cancer Prevention Behaviors In Workers Of A Referral Cancer Center In Mexico City: A Pilot Study On Early Detection Awareness For Cancer, Nancy Reynoso-Noverón, Shine Chang, Luis Alonso Herrera-Montalvo, Abelardo Meneses-García

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Prevention strategies for cancer are necessary. Health workers who often serve as role models bear responsibility for prevention counseling and programs. However, whether their habits and behaviors reflect prevention goals are unknown. We describe the prevalence of cancer risk factors and prevention behaviors in health workers of a referral cancer center in Mexico City.

Methods: Cross-sectional study in which workers of the National Cancer Institute were invited to participate in a prevention program, risk factor survey, and nutrition, psychological, and genetic counseling were included. The likelihood of cancer was calculated based on the presence of risk factors. Factors associated …

A T-Cell Engaging Bispecific Antibody With A Tumor-Selective Bivalent Folate Receptor Alpha Binding Arm For The Treatment Of Ovarian Cancer, Brian C Avanzino, Kirthana Prabhakar, Pranjali Dalvi, Sharon Hartstein, Hannes Kehm, Aarti Balasubramani, Andrew A Boudreau, Ben Buelow, Karen Chang, Laura M Davison, Suhasini Iyer, Vidyut Kalwit, Kristin Lewis Wilson, Harbani K Malik-Chaudhry, Will Pierson, Geovanni Pineda, Udaya S Rangaswamy, Sowmya Saiganesh, Ute Schellenberger, Harshad S Ugamraj, Rodolfovan D Yabut, Roland Buelow, Jocelyn Chapman, Nathan D Trinklein, Katherine E Harris

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The use of T-cell engagers (TCEs) to treat solid tumors is challenging, and several have been limited by narrow therapeutic windows due to substantial on-target, off-tumor toxicities due to the expression of low levels of target antigens on healthy tissues. Here, we describe TNB-928B, a fully human TCE that has a bivalent binding arm for folate receptor alpha (FRα) to selectively target FRα overexpressing tumor cells while avoiding the lysis of cells with low levels of FRα expression. The bivalent design of the FRα binding arm confers tumor selectivity due to low-affinity but high-avidity binding to high FRα antigen density …

High-Resolution Metabolomics Of Exposure To Tobacco Smoke During Pregnancy And Adverse Birth Outcomes In The Atlanta African American Maternal-Child Cohort, Youran Tan, Dana Boyd Barr, P Barry Ryan, Veronika Fedirko, Jeremy A Sarnat, Audrey J Gaskins, Che-Jung Chang, Ziyin Tang, Carmen J Marsit, Elizabeth J Corwin, Dean P Jones, Anne L Dunlop, Donghai Liang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy has been associated with a series of adverse reproductive outcomes; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well-established. We conducted an untargeted metabolome-wide association study to identify the metabolic perturbations and molecular mechanisms underlying the association between cotinine, a widely used biomarker of tobacco exposure, and adverse birth outcomes. We collected early and late pregnancy urine samples for cotinine measurement and serum samples for high-resolution metabolomics (HRM) profiling from 105 pregnant women from the Atlanta African American Maternal-Child cohort (2014-2016). Maternal metabolome perturbations mediating prenatal tobacco smoke exposure and adverse birth outcomes were assessed …

Use Of Specific Duodenal Dose Constraints During Treatment Planning Reduces Toxicity After Definitive Paraaortic Radiation Therapy For Cervical Cancer, David S Lakomy, Juliana Wu, Bhavana V Chapman, Zhiqian Henry Yu, Belinda Lee, Ann H Klopp, Anuja Jhingran, Patricia J Eifel, Lilie L Lin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: This study aimed to validate the safety of paraaortic nodal (PAN) radiation therapy (RT) for patients with cervical cancer when the duodenal dose is limited to V55 < 15 cm3 and V60 < 2 cm3.

Methods and materials: A total of 97 patients who were treated with RT for cervical cancer between 2010 and 2018 received at least 56 Gy to grossly involved PANs. Patients were treated with concurrent chemoradiation (n = 88; 91%), with 93% of patients (n = 90) receiving intensity modulated RT to the initial PAN field and 98% (n = 95) receiving intensity modulated RT to a sequential PAN boost. The V55 < 15 cm3 and V60 < 2 cm3 criteria were implemented in 2014. Normal tissues were contoured on computed tomography (CT) simulation data sets, and the duodenum was contoured from the gastric outlet to the duodenojejunal flexure. Sixty-six patients (68%) had a resimulation scan after approximately 20 fractions. Composite duodenal doses were calculated using the initial CT scan for 50 patients (52%) and the resimulation CT scan for 47 patients (48%) depending on the anatomic changes throughout treatment.

Results: …

Editorial: The Role Of The Igf Axis In Tumorigenesis And Cancer Treatment: From Genes To Metabolites, Guo Mengzhe, Xie Shanshan, Zhao Di, Wu Shihua

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Hispanic Ethnicity And Mortality Among Critically Ill Patients With Covid-19, Ana C Ricardo, Jinsong Chen, Stephanie M Toth-Manikowski, Natalie Meza, Min Joo, Shruti Gupta, Deepa G Lazarous, David E Leaf, James P Lash

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Hispanic persons living in the United States (U.S.) are at higher risk of infection and death from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared with non-Hispanic persons. Whether this disparity exists among critically ill patients with COVID-19 is unknown.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate ethnic disparities in mortality among critically ill adults with COVID-19 enrolled in the Study of the Treatment and Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 (STOP-COVID).

METHODS: Multicenter cohort study of adults with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to intensive care units (ICU) at 67 U.S. hospitals from March 4 to May 9, 2020. Multilevel logistic regression was used to evaluate …

Increasing Referral Of At-Risk Women For Genetic Counseling And Brca Testing Using A Screening Tool In A Community Breast Imaging Center, Banu K Arun, Susan K Peterson, Lilian E Sweeney, Rachel D Bluebond, Rebecca S S Tidwell, Sukh Makhnoon, Anne C Kushwaha

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Genetic evaluation and testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) remain suboptimal. The authors evaluated the feasibility of using a screening tool at a breast imaging center to increase HBOC assessment referrals.

METHODS: A brief questionnaire based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network HBOC genetic counseling referral guidelines was developed and added to the standard intake forms of patients undergoing mammography at a community breast imaging center from 2012 through 2015. Patients who met the criteria in the guidelines were referred for genetic counseling.

RESULTS: A total of 34,851 patients were screened during the study period, and 1246 …

Progranulin Loss Results In Sex-Dependent Dysregulation Of The Peripheral And Central Immune System, Madelyn C Houser, Oihane Uriarte Huarte, Rebecca L Wallings, Cody E Keating, Kathryn P Macpherson, Mary K Herrick, George T Kannarkat, Sean D Kelly, Jianjun Chang, Nicholas H Varvel, Jessica E Rexach, Malú Gámez Tansey

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Progranulin (PGRN) is a secreted glycoprotein, the expression of which is linked to several neurodegenerative diseases. Although its specific function is still unclear, several studies have linked it with lysosomal functions and immune system regulation. Here, we have explored the role of PGRN in peripheral and central immune system homeostasis by investigating the consequences of PGRN deficiency on adaptive and innate immune cell populations.

METHODS: First, we used gene co-expression network analysis of published data to test the hypothesis that

RESULTS: Male PGRN KO mice exhibited a lower abundance of microglial cells with higher MHC-II expression, increased CD44 expression …

Distal-Less Homeobox Genes Dlx5/6 Regulate Müllerian Duct Regression, Rachel D Mullen, Brice Bellessort, Giovanni Levi, Richard R Behringer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Dlx5 and Dlx6 encode distal-less homeodomain transcription factors that are present in the genome as a linked pair at a single locus. Dlx5 and Dlx6 have redundant roles in craniofacial, skeletal, and uterine development. Previously, we performed a transcriptome comparison for anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)-induced genes expressed in the Müllerian duct mesenchyme of male and female mouse embryos. In that study, we found that Dlx5 transcripts were nearly seven-fold higher in males compared to females and Dlx6 transcripts were found only in males, suggesting they may be AMH-induced genes. Therefore, we investigated the role of Dlx5 and Dlx6 during AMH-induced Müllerian …

Oral Administration Of A Dual Eta/Etb Receptor Antagonist Promotes Neuroprotection In A Rodent Model Of Glaucoma, Bindu Kodati, Nolan R Mcgrady, Hayden B Jefferies, Dorota L Stankowska, Raghu R Krishnamoorthy

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease associated with elevated intraocular pressure and characterized by optic nerve axonal degeneration, cupping of the optic disc, and loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The endothelin (ET) system of vasoactive peptides (ET-1, ET-2, ET-3) and their G-protein coupled receptors (ET

METHODS: Male and female Brown Norway rats were subjected to the Morrison model of ocular hypertension by injection of hypertonic saline through the episcleral veins. Following IOP elevation, macitentan (5 mg/kg body wt) was administered orally 3 days per week, and rats with IOP elevation were maintained for 4 weeks. RGC function was determined …

Clinical Implementation And Initial Experience With A 15 Tesla Mr-Linac For Mr-Guided Radiation Therapy For Gynecologic Cancer: An R-Ideal Stage 1 And 2a First In Humans Feasibility Study Of New Technology Implementation, David S Lakomy, Jinzhong Yang, Sastry Vedam, Jihong Wang, Belinda Lee, Angela Sobremonte, Pamela Castillo, Neil Hughes, Mustefa Mohammedsaid, Anuja Jhingran, Ann H Klopp, Seungtaek Choi, C David Fuller, Lilie L Lin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: Magnetic resonance imaging-guided linear accelerator systems (MR-linacs) can facilitate the daily adaptation of radiation therapy plans. Here, we report our early clinical experience using a MR-linac for adaptive radiation therapy of gynecologic malignancies.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Treatments were planned with an Elekta Monaco v5.4.01 and delivered by a 1.5 Tesla Elekta Unity MR-linac. The system offers a choice of daily adaptation based on either position (ATP) or shape (ATS) of the tumor and surrounding normal structures. The ATS approach has the option of manually editing the contours of tumors and surrounding normal structures before the plan is adapted. Here, …

A Novel Group Of Genes That Cause Endocrine Resistance In Breast Cancer Identified By Dynamic Gene Expression Analysis, Arvand Asghari, Katherine Wall, Michael Gill, Natascha Del Vecchio, Farnaz Allahbakhsh, Jacky Wu, Nan Deng, W Jim Zheng, Hulin Wu, Michihisa Umetani, Vahed Maroufy

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in women. Among female cancer deaths, BC is the second leading cause of death worldwide. For estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancers, endocrine therapy is an effective therapeutic approach. However, in many cases, an ER-positive tumor becomes unresponsive to endocrine therapy, and tumor regrowth occurs after treatment. While some genetic mutations contribute to resistance in some patients, the underlying causes of resistance to endocrine therapy are mostly undetermined. In this study, we utilized a recently developed statistical approach to investigate the dynamic behavior of gene expression during the development of …

Invasive Haemophilus Influenza Type B In An Infant During The Covid-19 Pandemic: The Return Of Diseases We Hoped Never To See Again…, Christy Tabarani, Stephen A Fletcher, Gloria P Heresi, Susan H Wootton

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.