Digital Commons Network^™

Overcoming Recruitment Barriers Through Meaningful Community Engagement: Lessons Learned From A Maternal-Child Food Insecurity Assessment In Underserved Communities, Gabriela Buccini, Cristina Hernandez, Kristen N Herlosky, Shannon Rabb, Lizette Guillen, Dodds Simangan, Jyoti Desai, Alison Brown, Juanita Chinn, Timothy Grigsby, Jason Flatt, Ana A Baumann

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Recruiting participants from underserved communities for research can be challenging due to multilevel barriers. We conducted a maternal-child food insecurity needs assessment within underserved communities in urban Las Vegas, Nevada, and numerous barriers were faced to recruiting participants. This study aimed to examine barriers to participant recruitment, identify practical strategies for engaging participants, and analyze these strategies guided by the Meaningful Community Engagement Framework.

METHODS: This case study used an ethnography approach to analyze data collection barriers and community engagement strategies employed from March 2022 to February 2023 during a maternal-child food insecurity needs assessment. Inductive and deductive qualitative …

Mechanosensitivity Of Macrophage Polarization: Comparing Small Molecule Leukadherin-1 To Substrate Stiffness, Hemant Joshi, Edgar Anaya, Anvitha Addanki, Alison Almgren-Bell, Elizabeth M Todd, Sharon Celeste Morley

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Macrophages sustain tissue homeostasis through host defense and wound repair. To promote host defense, macrophages upregulate surface markers associated with antigen processing and secrete pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and IL-1β. After pathogen clearance, macrophages shift phenotype to promote wound repair. Shifts in phenotypes are termed "polarization" and have historically been modeled by exposure to soluble mediators such as LPS+IFNγ (host defense) or IL-4+IL-13 (tissue repair). Greater emphasis is now being placed on understanding how the mechanical environment of macrophages, such as tissue compliance, regulates macrophages responses. Here, we compare incubation of primary macrophages on collagen-coated silica gels of varying …

Effects Of Vagus Nerve Stimulation On Daily Function And Quality Of Life In Markedly Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: Findings From A One-Year, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial, A John Rush, Charles R Conway, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Depression treatments aim to minimize symptom burden and optimize quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial function.

OBJECTIVE: Compare the effects of adjunctive versus sham vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on QoL and function in markedly treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

METHODS: In this multicenter, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, 493 adults with TRD and ≥4 adequate but unsuccessful antidepressant treatment trials (current episode) were randomized to active (n = 249) or sham (n = 244) VNS (plus treatment as usual) over a 12-month observation period. Quarterly outcomes included QoL with the Q-LES-Q, Mini-Q-LES-Q, and EQ-5D-5L, and function with the WHODAS 2.0 and Work Productivity …

Vagus Nerve Stimulation In Treatment-Resistant Depression: A One-Year, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial, Charles R Conway, Christopher L Kriedt, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Few treatments are available for individuals with marked treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the safety and effectiveness of FDA-approved adjunctive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in patients with marked TRD.

METHODS: This 12-month, multicenter, double-blind, sham-controlled trial included 493 adults with marked treatment-resistant major depression who were randomized to active or no-stimulation sham VNS for 12 months. The primary outcome was percent time in response across months 3-12, with response defined as a ≥50 % change from baseline on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Several secondary endpoints were evaluated.

RESULTS: Overall, 88.4 % of participants completed the trial. Percent …

Exploring Factors Contributing To Patient Decision-Making In The Care Journey To Elective Hernia Care In Kenya, Helen W. Li, Jesse Kiprono Too, Sarah Nyanchama Nyariki, Charles Nathan Nessle, Sara Malone, Rachel Matsumoto, Teddy Ashibende Aurah, Jeffrey A. Blatnik, Joanna Hunter-Squires, Ivan Seno Saruni

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Capacity for elective general surgical care is an important reflection of a health system's ability to meet a population's surgical needs and is currently known to be inadequate in many low- and middle-income countries. Patient agency is a key, understudied factor which shapes how and when patients ultimately decide to engage with formal care. Understanding factors which influence patient care seeking activity can have important implications for how current and future health systems may be utilized. This study aims to explore how patients approach the navigation and triage of their elective hernia condition within the Kenyan surgical care system. …

Tourette Syndrome Research Highlights From 2024 [Version 3; Peer Review: 2 Approved, 1 Approved With Reservations], Andreas Hartmann, Per Andrén, Cyril Atkinson-Clement, Virginie Czernecki, Cécile Delorme, Simon Morand-Beaulieu, Nanette Mol Debes, Kirsten Müller-Vahl, Peristera Paschou, Natalia Szejko, Apostolia Topaloudi, Kevin J Black

2020-Current year OA Pubs

We summarize research reports from 2024 relevant to Tourette syndrome, which the authors consider the most important or interesting. This working draft aims to submit this content for publication around the beginning of 2025 in the yearly Tourette Syndrome Research Highlights series on F1000Research. The authors welcome article suggestions and thoughtful feedback from readers, who can add a comment by clicking on the rectangular comment box icon to the left of the LOG IN link at the top of this page. For private comments, you can reach us by email ( [email protected] or [email protected]).

Tracking The Evolving Role Of Artificial Intelligence In Implementation Science: Protocol For A Living Scoping Review Of Applications, Evaluation Approaches And Outcomes [Version 2; Peer Review: 2 Approved], Guillaume Fontaine, Byron J Powell, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) offers significant opportunities to improve the field of implementation science by supporting key activities such as evidence synthesis, contextual analysis, and decision-making to promote the adoption and sustainability of evidence-based practices. This living scoping review aims to: (1) map applications of AI in implementation research and practice; (2) identify evaluation approaches, reported outcomes, and potential risks; and (3) synthesize reported research gaps and opportunities for advancing the use of AI in implementation science.

METHODS: This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and the Cochrane guidance for living systematic reviews. A living scoping …

Development Of A High-Throughput Platform For Quantitation Of Histone Modifications On A New Qtof Instrument, Emily Zahn, Yixuan Xie, Xingyu Liu, Rashmi Karki, Richard M Searfoss, Francisca N De Luna Vitorino, Joanna K Lempiäinen, Joanna Gongora, Zongtao Lin, Chenfeng Zhao, Zuo-Fei Yuan, Benjamin A Garcia

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) regulate gene expression patterns through epigenetic mechanisms. The five histone proteins (H1, H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) are extensively modified, with over 75 distinct modification types spanning more than 200 sites. Despite strong advances in mass spectrometry (MS)-based approaches, identification and quantification of modified histone peptides remains challenging because of factors, such as isobaric peptides, pseudo-isobaric PTMs, and low stoichiometry of certain marks. Here, we describe the development of a new high-throughput method to identify and quantify over 150 modified histone peptides by LC-MS. Fast gradient microflow liquid chromatography and variable window sequential windows acquisition of …

Disclosing Disabilities: Barriers For Medical School Applicants, Sarah Leah Solomon, Aitan E. Magence, Harry Haran, Fern R. Juster, Kristina H. Petersen

2020-Current year OA Pubs

This study investigated the availability of accommodation request procedures for medical school admissions interviews and the accessibility of Technical Standards (TS) for candidates with disabilities (CWD) across Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)-accredited institutions in the United States and Canada. Utilizing a cross-sectional study methodology, surveys were distributed to Deans of Admissions and Disabilities Resource Professionals (DRP) at all LCME-accredited US and Canadian MD programs. Surveys gathered data about interview formats, interview accommodation procedures, and TS accessibility during the 2018-2019 academic year. We received responses from 71 institutions (41.3%), with 56.3% survey completion rate (n = 40). Among respondents, interview …

Acquired Ductopenia: An Insight Into Imaging Findings, Rachita Khot, Nathan R Shelman, Daniel R Ludwig, Rashmi T Nair, Mark A Anderson, Sudhakar K Venkatesh, Raj Mohan Paspulati, Rex A Parker, Christine O Menias

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Hepatic ductopenia is a pathologic diagnosis characterized by a decrease in the number of intrahepatic bile ducts as a consequence of various underlying etiologies. Some etiologies, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and ischemic cholangitis, often have distinctive imaging findings. In contrast, other causes such as chronic rejection following liver transplantation, drug-induced biliary injury, infection, malignancy such as lymphoma, and graft-versus-host disease may only have ancillary or non-specific imaging findings. Thus, diagnosing ductopenia in conditions with nonspecific imaging findings requires a multidimensional approach, including clinical evaluation, serological testing, imaging, and liver histology to identify the underlying cause. These …

Improving Outcomes Of Single-Sided Deaf Cochlear Implant Users By Reducing Interaural Frequency And Loudness Mismatches Through Device Programming, Laura K Holden, Rosalie M Uchanski, Noël Y Dwyer, Ruth M Reeder, Timothy A Holden, Jill B Firszt

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The study aimed to improve outcomes in Nucleus cochlear implant (CI) recipients with single-sided deafness (SSD) by reducing interaural frequency and loudness mismatches through device programming. In Experiment 1a, a modified frequency allocation table (FAT) was created to better match the tonotopicity of the contralateral ear and reduce interaural frequency mismatch. Twenty experienced SSD-CI users completed localization and speech recognition tests with their everyday FAT. Tests were repeated after 6 weeks' use of the modified FAT. Participants compared both FATs for 2 weeks before being tested again with each. For 10 newly implanted SSD-CI recipients (Experiment 1b), Group A was …

Risk Factors For Development Of Stroke In Patients With Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Support As Destination Therapy, Ioana B Florea, Nadia H Bakir, Meghan O Kelly, Joel D Schilling, Gregory A Ewald, Akinobu Itoh, Marc R Moon, Spencer J Melby, Ralph J Damiano, Kunal D Kotkar, Muhammad F Masood

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly used as destination therapy. Although postimplantation stroke rates have been described in the context of bridge-to-transplant or mixed cohorts, stroke development is not well evaluated in patients who receive continuous-flow LVAD with a destination therapy indication. This report characterizes the stroke profile of a modern institutional cohort of patients undergoing destination therapy and evaluates their risk factors for stroke onset.

METHODS: Patients implanted with continuous-flow LVAD as destination therapy at the reporting institution between January 2010 and June 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Stroke was defined as any neurologic deficit …

Feasibility Of Endobronchial Ultrasound Guided Miniforceps Biopsy For Pd-L1 Expression And Quantitative Tissue Analysis, Max T Wayne, Nathaniel G Moulton, Cody Weimholt, Praveen Chenna, Alexander C Chen

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Testing for targeting programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is standard of care for patients with newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) but is only approved for use with core biopsy specimens. Endobronchial ultrasound guided miniforceps biopsy (EBUS-MFB) is an approach to obtain core biopsy material but data assessing the ability of EBUS-MFB to adequately test for PD-L1 is lacking. We evaluate the feasibility of EBUS-MFB to acquire adequate tissue for PD-L1 testing and look to compare the quality of specimens between EBUS-MFB and endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) using a standard method of tissue analysis.

METHODS: …

Enhancing Safety: Multi-Institutional Fmea And Fta On 177 Lu-Based Radio-Pharmaceutical Therapy, Siju C George, Santiago Aguirre, Nichole M Maughan, Ranjini Tolakanahalli, E James Jebaseelan Samuel, Sven L Gallo, Jacqueline E Zoberi, Yongsook C Lee

2020-Current year OA Pubs

PURPOSE: This study investigates potential failure modes and conducts failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and fault tree analysis (FTA) on the administration of

METHODS: We reviewed the literature to investigate the administration of Pluvicto and Lutathera, focusing on prospective procedural failures and potential failure modes (PFMs) and their outcomes. We distributed an FMEA survey to multiple experienced centers in

RESULTS: The findings from the literature review and survey responses on the prospective study have identified several critical areas at risk of failure. These areas include non-optimized treatment delivery, inadequate patient monitoring, and lack of safety training, leading to radiation …

Cervical Cancer In Women With Hiv: A Call To Action For Equitable Prevention In Low- And Middle-Income Countries, Jonathan Klutse, Yeena Abla Tay, Dzidzor Aku Attoh, Emmanuel Frimpong Gyekye, Charlotte Borteley Bortey, Esenam Dzifa Buatsi, Charlayne Cherylyn Oppong, Helena Lamptey, Collins Stephen Ahorlu, George Boateng Kyei, Evelyn Yayra Bonney

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Cervical cancer is preventable; however, it remains the leading cause of death in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Women with HIV (WWHs) have a sixfold higher risk of developing and dying from cervical cancer than women without HIV. Cervical cancer can be prevented by vaccination against high-risk human papillomaviruses (hrHPVs) and by screening for and treating precancer cervical lesions. While these preventive measures are routinely available to WWHs in developed countries, they are lacking in most LMICs, where the burden of HIV and cervical cancer is the highest. To prevent cervical cancer deaths among WWHs in LMICs, it is imperative …

Usability Of The Mayo Test Drive Remote Self-Administered Web-Based Cognitive Screening Battery In Adults Aged 35-100 With And Without Cognitive Impairment, Jay S Patel, Jason Hassenstab, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Mayo Test Drive (MTD): Mayo Test Development through Rapid Iteration, Validation and Expansion, is a web-based remote cognitive assessment platform for self-administered neuropsychological measures with previously demonstrated validity and reliability. We examined the usability of MTD and hypothesized that completion rates would be greater than 90%. We explored whether completion and participation rates differed by cognitive status and demographic factors.

METHODS: A total of 1,950 Mayo Clinic Study of Aging and Mayo Alzheimer's Disease Research Center participants (97% White, 99% Non-Hispanic) were invited to participate in this ancillary, uncompensated remote study. Most invitees were cognitively unimpaired (CU;

RESULTS: Baseline …

An Exploratory Graphical Analysis Of The Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale Pre- And Post-Treatment Using Pooled Antidepressant Trial Secondary Data, David Byrne, Arunangshu Ghoshal, Fiona Boland, Susan Brannick, Robert M Carney, Pim Cuijpers, Alexandra L Dima, Kenneth E Freedland, Suzanne Guerin, David Hevey, Bishember Kathuria, Vincent Mcdarby, Emma Wallace, Frank Doyle

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: The 10-item Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) is a commonly used measure of depression in antidepressant clinical trials. Numerous studies have adopted classical test theory perspectives to assess the psychometric properties of this scale, finding generally positive results. However, its network configural structure and stability is unexplored across different time-points and treatment groups.

AIMS: To assess the network structure and stability of the MADRS in clinical settings pre- and post-treatment, and to determine a configurally invariant and stable model across time-points and treatment groups (placebo and intervention).

METHOD: Individual participant data for 6440 participants from 14 clinical trials of …

Development Of 2d Microfluidics Surface With Low-Frequency Electric Fields For Cell Separation Applications, Madushan Wickramasinghe, Dharmakeerthi Nawarathna

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Cell separation techniques are widely used in many biomedical and clinical applications for the development of screening, diagnosis and therapeutic tests. Current 3D microfluidics-based cell separation methods have limited applications in part due to low throughput and technical complexity. To address these critical needs, we have developed a 2D microfluidics surface which is the miniaturized version of a 3D microfluids cell separation device. Using low-frequency electric fields (1–10 Vpp and 1 kHz–20 MHz), we have first studied dielectrophoresis, AC electro-osmosis and capillary flow within a sessile drop, and finally utilized the results to develop the 2D cell separation surface. Our …

Clinical Pharmacology And Medication Safety: A Remote Learning Elective Designed For Senior Medical Students, Elizabeth B. Graham, William T. Wightkin, Curt R. Bay, Uzoma S. Ikonne

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

In the United States, medical educators have expressed concern that an integrated and condensed pre-clerkship curriculum risks leaving gaps in student pharmacology knowledge. This study evaluates a remote-learning clinical pharmacology elective that integrates fundamental pharmacology concepts and principles of medication safety and explores how the course impacts senior medical students' self-reported readiness for residency. Clinical Pharmacology and Medication Safety is a remote elective course for senior medical students. The course integrates a review of basic pharmacology with clinical pharmacology topics through case-based learning sessions led by clinical pharmacists and physicians. To evaluate the elective's effectiveness, students in the fall and …

Eeg Spectral Analysis Of Nighttime Sleep And Daytime Mslts And Neurocognitive Evaluations In Subjects With Co-Morbid Insomnia And Osa, Yuan Shi, Yuru Nie, Fengyi Hao, Xujun Feng, Ye Zhang, Larry D. Sanford, Rong Ren, Xiangdong Tang

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Chronic insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea commonly co-occur. Few studies have explored the neurophysiological and neurocognitive characteristics of COMISA, which could help guide improving treatment diagnostic tools and determining novel therapeutic targets. This study aims to explore the neurophysiological and neurocognitive characteristics of COMISA using electroencephalographic (EEG) spectral analysis and subjective and objective neurocognitive measurements.

Methods

Participants were from our community recruited OSA-insomnia-COMISA cohort with 206 included for our current analysis including 74 chronic insomniacs (CIs), 55 OSA patients and 77 COMISA patients. Standard polysomnography (PSG) and multiple sleep latency tests (MSLTs) were recorded and used to obtain relative …

Implementing A Chatbot To Promote Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer Genetic Screening In Women's Health: Identifying Barriers And Facilitators To Screening Adoption, Easton N. Wollney, Shireen Madani Sims, Luisel J. Ricks-Santi, Elizabeth Eddy, Daniel Wiesman, Carla L. Fisher

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

To promote genetic screening among women at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that risk assessment be integrated into practice. Chatbots like the Genetic Information Assistant (Gia®) are increasingly implemented to expand access to hereditary genetic screening. Factors that impact chatbot implementation for HBOC risk screening and women's uptake are not fully realized. To refine implementation strategies prior to full scale implementation, we sought to identify women's perceived facilitators/barriers to adopting Gia screening in a rural population within a large healthcare system in the southern United States.

Methods

We …

Codon Composition In Human Oocyters Reveals Age-Associated Defects In Mrna Decay, Pavla Brachova, Lane K. Christenson, Nehemiah S. Alvarez

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Oocytes from women of advanced reproductive age exhibit diminished developmental potential, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely defined. Oocyte maturation depends on translational control of maternal mRNA synthesized during growth. We performed a computational analysis on human oocytes from women < 30 versus ≥40 years and observed that mRNA GC content correlates negatively with half-life in oocytes from young (< 30 yr) but positively with oocytes from aged (>40 yr) women. In young oocytes, longer mRNA half-life is associated with lower protein abundance, whereas in aged oocytes GC content correlates positively with protein abundance. During the GV-to-MII transition, codon composition stratifies stability: codons that support rapid translation (optimal) stabilize mRNA, while slow-translating codons (non-optimal) promote decay. With reproductive aging, GC-containing codons become more optimal and align with increased …

Disparities In Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes And Economic Burdens Among Minorities In Southeastern Virginia, Ismail El Moudden, Asra Amidi, Reem Sharaf Alddin, Michael Bittner, Qi Zhang

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in the United States, presenting significant public health challenges and financial burdens, particularly in Southeastern Virginia, where African American and Hispanic (AA&H) populations are disproportionately affected.

Methods

This retrospective observational study analyzed data from 30,855 hospital discharges of AA&H patients across Southeastern Virginia from 2016 to 2020, focusing on individuals aged 18 to 85 with cardiovascular diseases. Utilizing the Virginia Health Information database, we examined demographic information, clinical data, and healthcare utilization patterns through hypothesis tests and regression models to explore associations between these variables and the economic impacts of cardiovascular …

Mobile Health Intervention Tools Promoting Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Adolescent Girls And Young Women In Sub-Saharan Africa: Scoping Review, Alex Emilio Fischer, Homaira Hanif, Jacob B. Stocks, Aimee E. Rochelle, Karen Dominguez, Eliana Gabriela Armora Langoni, H. Luz Mcnaughton Reyes, Gustavo F. Doncel, Kathryn E. Muessig

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background:

In 2022, 3100 adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa experienced new HIV infections each week. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective at preventing HIV but has limited uptake and persistence. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions can improve medication adherence; however, their utility to improve PrEP adherence among adolescent girls and young women is not well established.

Objective:

This scoping review synthesizes evidence supporting mHealth for PrEP among adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa and identifies strategies for further evaluation.

Methods:

We searched PubMed and Google Scholar databases, expert referrals, and reference lists using the following eligibility …

Revisiting Abdominal Wall "Morbidity" Of The Extensile Anterolateral Approach To The Thoracolumbar Spine, Alekos A Theologis, Andrew P Collins, Kanwar Parhar, Munish C Gupta

2020-Current year OA Pubs

PURPOSE: To assess patients' perceptions of their abdominal wall following extensile anterolateral approaches to the thoracolumbar spine for adult spinal deformity (ASD) using validated questionnaires.

METHODS: Adults who underwent anterior-posterior thoracolumbar spinal operations to the pelvis for ASD in which the anterior fusion was performed through an extensile anterolateral approach were reviewed. Three questionnaires were administered at least 1 year following surgery and included The Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative Survey (AHS-QC), The Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS), and The Anterior Abdominal Incision Questionnaire (AAIQ).

RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (80.4% female, median age 65 years) were included. Average follow-up was 2.8 …

De Novo Lipid Synthesis In Cardiovascular Tissue And Disease, Tariq J Khan, Clay F Semenkovich, Mohamed A Zayed

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Most tissues have the capacity for endogenous lipid synthesis. A crucial foundational pathway for lipid synthesis is de novo lipid synthesis (DNL), a ubiquitous and complex metabolic process that occurs at high levels in the liver, adipose and brain tissue. Under normal physiological conditions, DNL is vital in converting excess carbohydrates into fatty acids. DNL is linked to other pathways, including the endogenous synthesis of phospholipids and sphingolipids. However, abnormal lipid synthesis can contribute to various pathologies and clinical conditions. Experimental studies involving dietary restriction and in vivo genetic modifications provide compelling evidence demonstrating the significance of lipid synthesis in …

Treatment Of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasias With Sclerotherapy: A Case Series, Jenny Ji, Andrew M Peterson, Jay F Piccirillo

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is characterized by abnormal blood vessel formation. One treatment for HHT-related arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is sclerotherapy, which collapses the blood vessels by irritating the endothelial lining.

METHODS: This case series describes two HHT patients undergoing in-office sodium tetradecyl sulfate sclerotherapy for non-nasal telangiectasias and AVMs. The first patient had AVMs on the red lip while the second patient had an AVM and several telangiectasias on the tongue.

RESULTS: Both patients' AVMs required only one treatment visit and were no longer noticeable within a week. Neither of the patients had any side effects from treatment.

CONCLUSION: …

Expert Consensus On The Diagnosis And Management Of Digoxin Toxicity, Jason B Hack, Sue Wingate, Ron Zolty, Michael W Rich, Paul J Hauptman

2020-Current year OA Pubs

While there has been a decline in the use of digoxin in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation, acute and chronic digoxin toxicity remains a significant clinical problem. Digoxin's narrow therapeutic window and nonspecific signs and symptoms of toxicity create clinical challenges and uncertainty around the diagnostic criteria of toxicity and responsive treatment choices for the bedside clinician. A systematic review of published literature on digoxin toxicity (34,587 publications over 6 decades, with 114 meeting inclusion criteria) was performed to develop 33 consensus statements on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches which were then evaluated through a modified Delphi process involving …

Nutcracker Syndrome (A Delphi Consensus), Floor Heilijgers, Suresh Vedantham, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) describes the symptomatic compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery. Whereas asymptomatic compression is a common radiological finding, patients with NCS can report a range of symptoms. There are no specific diagnostic criteria and interventions include a range of open surgical and endovascular procedures. Therefore, we wished to develop an international consensus document covering aspects of diagnosis, management, and follow-up for patients with NCS.

METHODS: A three-stage modified Delphi consensus was performed. A steering committee developed 37 statements covering 3 categories for patients with NCS: diagnosis, management, and follow-up. These …

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome And Occupational Co-Exposure To Biomechanical Factors And Neurotoxic Chemicals Using Job-Exposure Matrices And Self-Reported Exposure: Findings From The Constances Cohort, Julie Bodin, Clémence Rapicault, Alexis Descatha, Marc Fadel, Fabien Gilbert, Bradley Evanoff, Nathalie Bonvallot, Marcel Goldberg, Marie Zins, Yves Roquelaure

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between occupational co-exposure to biomechanical risk factors, potentially neurotoxic chemicals and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a large cohort of French workers, using two methods to estimate chemical exposure: job-exposure matrices (JEM) and self-reported exposure.

METHODS: A randomly selected sample of adults were included between 2012 and 2018 in the French cohort CONSTANCES. Self-reported CTS was assessed using the first self-administered follow-up questionnaire, sent out approximately one year after baseline. Occupational exposure to biomechanical risk factors was assessed using self-administered questionnaire completed at inclusion. Lifetime occupational exposure to chemicals was assessed using two different methods: …