Digital Commons Network^™

Efficacy And Safety Of Once-Daily Roflumilast Cream 005% In Pediatric Patients Aged 2-5 Years With Mild-To-Moderate Atopic Dermatitis (Integument-Ped): A Phase 3 Randomized Controlled Trial, Lawrence F Eichenfield, Rocco Serrao, Vimal H Prajapati, John C Browning, Lisa Swanson, Tracy Funk, Mercedes E Gonzalez, Adelaide A Hebert, Mark Lee, Mark Boguniewicz, Eric L Simpson, Melissa S Seal, David Krupa, Diane Hanna, Scott Snyder, Patrick Burnett, David H Chu, Erin Almaraz, Robert C Higham, David R Berk

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/objectives: Efficacy and safety of roflumilast cream 0.15% were demonstrated in patients aged ≥ 6 years with atopic dermatitis (AD) in two Phase 3 trials. This Phase 3 parallel-group, double-blind trial (INTEGUMENT-PED; NCT04845620) compared the efficacy and safety of roflumilast cream 0.05% and a vehicle in patients aged 2-5 years with AD.

Methods: Patients aged 2-5 years with mild-to-moderate AD were treated with once-daily roflumilast cream 0.05% or vehicle for 4 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was Validated Investigator Global Assessment for AD (vIGA-AD) Success (0 [Clear] or 1 [Almost Clear] plus ≥ 2-grade improvement from baseline) at Week …

Administration Of Anti-Gfap Antibodies Increases Cgrp Expression And Increases Pain Hypersensitivity In Spinal Cord Injured Animals, Georgene W Hergenroeder, Samuel T Molina, Juan J Herrera

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in a multitude of cellular and pathological changes including neuronal loss, axonal damage, gliosis, and loss of motor and sensory function. In 40%-70% of patients, SCI can also trigger the development of neuropathic pain. Our previous study demonstrated that SCI patients who developed autoantibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were at increased risk for the subsequent development of neuropathic pain. However, whether GFAP autoantibodies (GFAPab) contribute to the development of neuropathic pain after SCI had yet to be examined.

Objective: Using a mid-thoracic contusion model of SCI in male Sprague-Dawley rats, we examined …

Predictors For Spontaneous Pleurodesis In Patients With Indwelling Pleural Catheters For Malignant Pleural Effusion: A Safety Net Hospital Experience, Saad Farooq, Sabiha Armin, Jordan E Killingsworth, Akriti Agrawal, Adishwar Rao, Rosa M Estrada-Y-Martin, Sujith V Cherian

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) affects approximately 150,000 patients in the United States each year and usually signifies advanced-stage cancer. The optimal treatment remains a challenge but indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) offer several advantages and may help achieve spontaneous pleurodesis (SP) in some patients.

Objectives: We aim to investigate the predictors of SP among patients with MPE, particularly in a resource-limited community-based safety net hospital.

Design: This is a retrospective cohort study done at a community-based safety net hospital.

Methods: Adults diagnosed with or suspected of having MPE between January 2015 and December 2023 who underwent IPC placement were included. …

Development, Delivery, And Evaluation Of The Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute Pilot Infection Control Lecture Series, Kayla E Ruch, Anabel Rodriguez, Janelle Rios, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, Eric L Brown

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: The Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI) aims to keep Texans healthy and the economy strong by preparing for the next infectious disease outbreak. TEPHI's Small Rural Healthcare Preparedness core developed, delivered, and evaluated a pilot infection prevention and control webinar series called Infection Control for rural-serving health professionals and organizations based on infection prevention and control field best practices.

Methods: Data from the first year of the Infection Control series was collected through attendee registration forms, attendance records, knowledge, and post-lecture evaluation surveys using Qualtrics. The data were analyzed using Qualtrics software. Lectures were free and open to …

Effect Of Palatoplasty Technique On Otologic Outcomes In Children With Cleft Palate, Shaina W Gong, Paul Hung, Chioma G Obinero, Jose Barrera, Zi Yang Jiang, Matthew R Greives, Zhen Huang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: In patients with cleft palate (CP), the impact of primary palatoplasty technique on otologic outcomes remains a major point of contention. While some studies report improved outcomes after certain techniques of palatal repair, there is a lack of consensus on the most effective procedure.

Objective: We sought to characterize the effects of primary palatoplasty technique on otologic outcomes in children with CP.

Methods: A single institution retrospective review of patients with CP who underwent primary palatoplasty (straight-line repair or Furlow Z-plasty) was performed. Primary outcomes of interest included time to placement of T-tubes, number of tympanostomy tube placements, tympanic …

How Different Is Invasive Coronary Physiology In The Left Anterior Descending Artery?, Nils P Johnson, K Lance Gould

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Given the large amount of myocardium supplied by the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, it understandably receives additional scrutiny during coronary angiography. However, these same features make the interpretation of pressure wire physiology more nuanced to avoid overtreatment. This review provides case examples to underpin an extensive literature review supporting the argument that a "positive" fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the LAD needs to be approached with caution. A large hyperemic gradient, or low FFR, can arise from either a severe and focal lesion in conjunction with low flow or diffuse disease coupled with intact or normal flow. Separating these …

Changes In Medication Complexity And Post-Hospitalization Outcomes In Older Adults Hospitalized For Heart Failure, Aayush Visaria, William Mcdonald, John Mancini, Andrew P Ambrosy, Min Ji Kwak, Ashkan Hashemi, Mark S Lachs, Andrew R Zullo, Monika Safford, Emily B Levitan, Parag Goyal

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Medication regimen complexity may be an important risk factor for adverse outcomes in older adults with heart failure. However, increasing complexity is often necessary when prescribing guideline-directed medical therapy at the time of a heart failure hospitalization. We sought to determine whether increased medication regimen complexity following a heart failure hospitalization was associated with worse post-hospitalization outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) participants aged at least 65 years hospitalized for heart failure between 2003 and 2014. We calculated changes between hospital admission and discharge in medication count (Δcount) and …

National Landscape Of Underrepresented In Medicine Visiting Medical Student Programs In Pediatrics, Tyler K Smith, Rebecca Blankenburg, Ann E Burke, Emma A Omoruyi, Wendla Sensing, Tiffany Ruan, David D Williams, Onyi Oligbo, Lahia Yemane

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Underrepresented in medicine visiting medical student programs (UIM-VMSPs) have gained popularity across specialties as an intervention to diversify residency programs; however, no study has explored the national landscape of these programs in pediatrics. This study aimed to characterize program components, residency rank and match outcomes, benefits, challenges, and lessons learned about UIM-VMSPs in pediatrics nationally.

Methods: From September to December 2023, the authors conducted a national, cross-sectional, mixed methods study surveying program leaders of UIM-VMSPs identified on the Association of Pediatric Program Directors website. The authors used descriptive statistics to analyze the data and conventional content analysis for free-text …

Safety Of Indocyanine Green Microdosing For Clinical Imaging Of Csf Ventricular Dynamics And Extracranial Outflow, Miriam Zamorano, Banghe Zhu, Ahmed T Massoud, Jonathan Hendricks, H Alex Choi, Pedram Peesh, Brandon A Miller, Xinhai Robert Zhang, Manish N Shah, Eva M Sevick-Muraca

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background and purpose: Intravenous administration of indocyanine green (ICG) has been approved in brain surgeries for decades, yet concerns about neurotoxicity prevent its direct administration into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Armed with prior animal studies demonstrating the feasibility of using ICG microdosing into the CSF, we sought to evaluate its nonclinical safety profile and obtain surrogate measures in adults prior to its use in human neonates.

Methods: Evaluation of ICG toxicity was conducted in mixed primary CNS cell cultures and in an extended safety study of juvenile rat pups deploying intraventricular injections of saline (as control) or ICG. Analysis of …

Vagally Mediated Heart Rate Variability Modulates The Association Between The Perceived Workload And The Stroop Effect On Behavioral Performance, Xiao Yang, Michael Gazzanigo, Fang Fang, Spencer House

Psychology Faculty Publications

Vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) reflects top-down cognitive processes involved in emotion-cognition integration. Using cognitive control can be effortful and increase negative affect. However, this intrinsic affective component of cognitive control has not been well studied, and the role of vmHRV in the association between subjective experience in using cognitive control and behavioral performance remains unknown. The current study aimed to examine the relationship of vmHRV with cognitive control and perceived workload in a cognitive task. Eighty-one participants performed the Stroop interference task. Participants rated subjective workload using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) scale for congruent and incongruent …

Parent Ptsd, Social Support And Differential Associations With Facets Of Anxiety Sensitivity, Kristen Bermingham, Christopher Latourrette, Karen G. Chartier, Spit For Science Working Group, Ananda B. Amstadter, Kaitlin Bountress

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Anxiety Sensitivity (AS), the belief that anxiety experiences have negative implications, is a prospective predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has been linked to changes in PTSD in experimental studies. AS is comprised of three sub-components: cognitive, physical, and social concerns. PTSD is moderately heritable and parental PTSD may increase risk for these AS facets both directly and through environmental influences like reduced social support.

Objective: The present study will examine whether Parent PTSD is associated with reduced social support and in turn facets of AS.

Method: Participants were recruited from an ongoing longitudinal study of college student …

Nitrate And Nitrite Bioavailability In Plasma And Saliva: Their Association With Blood Pressure - A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Raul Bescos, Laura Gallardo-Alfaro, Ammar Ashor, Lucia Rizzolo-Brime, Mario Siervo, Patricia Casas-Agustench

School of Health Professions

In this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine plasma and salivary nitrate (NO ₃ ⁻) and nitrite (NO ₂ ⁻) concentrations under resting and fasting conditions in different type of individuals and their association with blood pressure levels. A total of 77 studies, involving 1918 individuals aged 19–74 years (males = 906; females = 1012), which measured plasma and/or salivary NO ₃ ⁻ and NO ₂ ⁻ using the chemiluminescence technique, were included. Mean plasma NO ₃ ⁻ and NO ₂ ⁻ concentrations were 33.9 μmol/L and 158.3 nmol/L, respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed lower …

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 …

Obesity, Metabolic Health, And Diabetic Complications In People With Type 1 Diabetes., Yuanjie Mao, Jen-Tzer Gau, Ning Jiang

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

AIM: The concept of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) has not been studied in type 1 diabetes (T1D). By analysing datasets from the DCCT/EDIC study, we compared the development of diabetic complications by obesity and metabolic health over 30 years of follow up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Insulin resistance was calculated by estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR). The participants (n = 1127) were then divided into four groups based on time-weighted mean body mass index and mean eGDR: metabolically healthy non-obesity (MHN, n = 874), metabolically unhealthy non-obesity (MUN, n = 66), MHO (n = 146) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO, n …

Three-Dimensional Deep Learning Normal Tissue Complication Probability Model To Predict Late Xerostomia In Patients With Head And Neck Cancer, Hung Chu, Suzanne P M De Vette, Hendrike Neh, Nanna M Sijtsema, Roel J H M Steenbakkers, Amy Moreno, Johannes A Langendijk, Peter M A Van Ooijen, Clifton D Fuller, Lisanne V Van Dijk

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Conventional normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models for patients with head and neck cancer are typically based on single-value variables, which, for radiation-induced xerostomia, are baseline xerostomia and mean salivary gland doses. This study aimed to improve the prediction of late xerostomia by using 3-dimensional information from radiation dose distributions, computed tomography imaging, organ-at-risk segmentations, and clinical variables with deep learning (DL).

Methods and materials: An international cohort of 1208 patients with head and neck cancer from 2 institutes was used to train and twice validate DL models (deep convolutional neural network, EfficientNet-v2, and ResNet) with 3-dimensional dose distribution, …

Anti-Cd137 Agonist Antibody-Independent And Clinically Feasible Preparation Of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes From Soft Tissue Sarcoma And Osteosarcoma, Yining Jin, Zhiliang Jia, Xueqing Xia, Nancy B Gordon, Joseph A Ludwig, Neeta Somaiah, Shulin Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) therapy has been proved for treatment of metastatic melanoma and is under investigation for other types of solid tumors. However, these successes are threatened by discontinued supply of GMP-grade anti-CD137 agonist, a key TIL preparation reagent. Therefore, exploring a GMP-adherent method for expanding endogenous TILs without anti-CD137 agonist is urgent. Toward this end, we aimed to establish an anti-CD137-independent and clinically feasible TIL expansion protocol to prepare TILs from under investigated sarcoma tumors.

Methods: We collected resected tumors from patients and cut tissues into fragments. We used IL-2 and T-cell activator CD3/CD28 without anti-CD137 agonist …

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 …

Managing Tbsrtc Iii Thyroid Nodules: Evaluating Repeat Fna, Molecular Testing, And Surgery, Christopher Dilli, William Mi, Daniel L Miller

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid nodules are common, but most are benign. Concerning nodules undergo fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and are classified using The Bethesda System. Nodules with atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) [Bethesda III] have management options including surveillance, repeat FNA, molecular testing, and surgical evaluation. While molecular testing can reduce unnecessary surgeries, it is costly. This retrospective study assessed the feasibility of repeat FNA as a cost-effective alternative.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a multi-institutional retrospective study of AUS nodules from 5 hospitals between September 1, 2018, and March 1, 2024. Only initial FNA cases were included; pediatric cases and those lost …

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 …

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 …

Aav Gene Therapy For Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: The Embark Phase 3 Randomized Trial, Jerry R Mendell, Craig M Zaidman, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare, X-linked neuromuscular disease caused by pathogenic variants in the DMD gene that result in the absence of functional dystrophin, beginning at birth and leading to progressive impaired motor function, loss of ambulation and life-threatening cardiorespiratory complications. Delandistrogene moxeparvovec, an adeno-associated rh74-viral vector-based gene therapy, addresses absent functional dystrophin in DMD. Here the phase 3 EMBARK study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of delandistrogene moxeparvovec in patients with DMD. Ambulatory males with DMD, ≥4 years to <8 years of age, were randomized and stratified by age group and North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) score to single-administration intravenous delandistrogene moxeparvovec (1.33 × 10

Social Anxiety, Negative Affect, And Hearing Difficulties In Adults, Katrina Kate S. Mcclannahan, Sarah Mcconkey, Julia M Levitan, Thomas L Rodebaugh, Jonathan E Peelle

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Subjective ratings of communication function reflect both auditory sensitivity and the situational, social, and emotional consequences of communication difficulties. Listeners interact with people and their environment differently, have various ways of handling stressful situations, and have diverse communication needs. Therefore, understanding the relationship between auditory and mental health factors is crucial for the holistic diagnosis and treatment of communication difficulty, particularly as mental health and communication function may have bidirectional effects. The goal of this study was to evaluate the degree to which social anxiety and negative affect (encompassing generalized anxiety, depression, and anger) contributed to subjective communication function (hearing …

Cause Of Death For Heart Transplant Patients, An Autopsy Study, Justin Burk, Cory T Bernadt, Jon Ritter, Chieh-Yu Lin

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Heart transplantations are lifesaving for patients with end-stage heart failure. It is pertinent for the multidisciplinary care team to understand how heart transplant patients succumbed to death and the complications that occurred. In this study, we performed a comprehensive retrospective review of all the autopsies performed in our institute for heart transplant patients and report the trend of demographic data, cause of death, and autopsy findings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reports, photos, and slides of autopsies performed at our institute from 1990 to 2023 for heart transplant patients were reviewed. Pertinent demographic data (age, gender, pretransplant diagnosis), clinical data (clinical …

Persistent Advanced Hiv Disease In Rural Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa: Trends, Characteristics, And The Urgent Need For Targeted Interventions, Marcel K. Kitenge, Geoffrey Fatti, Ingrid Eshun-Wilson, Peter S. Nyasulu

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Advanced HIV disease (AHD) remains a persistent public health challenge. Data regarding the burden, characteristics and predictors of AHD is scarce specifically for rural settings of sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to describe trends in annual CD4 count distribution and to characterise adult persons living with HIV (PLWH) on ART who have AHD in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort design of annual CD4 count distribution was conducted among antiretroviral therapy (ART) patients aged 18 years and older. We used routinely collected data from adults receiving ART in Eshowe and Mbongolwane areas in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, between …

"I Feel Like People Would Look At Me Like I'M Dirty Or Like I'M A Thief:" A Qualitative Exploration Of Interpersonal And Intrapersonal Experiences That Influence Recovery Among Adults At Risk Of Opioid-Related Overdose, Hannah S Szlyk, Sara Jones, Jordan Michener, Zhuoran Zhang, Nina Kaiser, Heidi Holtz, Melody Rachel Konadu Frempong, Husain Lateef, William Hutson, Patricia Cavazos-Rehg

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: Due to the nature of early termination of treatment and the transient lifestyles of many people who use substances, many providers are unaware of the factors that may have contributed to their client's engagement in treatment. Treatment providers and researchers need a better understanding of intrapersonal and interpersonal factors that impact recovery from the clients' perspective. This study uses qualitative methods to explore these factors.

METHODS: Eligible participants were adults who had used opioids and/or stimulants and were receiving treatment at a consenting facility. Participants completed one-month follow-up interviews after using a mobile health intervention. Transcripts were analyzed using …

Depression And Weight Loss Trajectories During An Integrated Behavioral Intervention: Within-Treatment Analysis Of The Rainbow Trial, Bailey W. Osweiler, Daphne Lew, Nan Lv, Jun Ma, Thomas G. Kannampallil

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Depression and obesity are two of the most common chronic conditions among US adults. The Research Aimed at Improving Both Mood and Weight (RAINBOW) study was the first randomized clinical trial to demonstrate the effectiveness of an integrated behavioral treatment for depression and obesity. We aimed to characterize the trajectories of both depression symptoms and weight loss during the RAINBOW intervention.

METHODS: Participants (N = 201) randomly assigned to the RAINBOW treatment arm who provided serial data on depression symptoms (via the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ9]) and self-measured weight were included. Group-Based Multi-Trajectory Modeling is a statistical technique …

A Serum Biomarker Panel And Miniarray Detection System For Tracking Disease Activity And Flare Risk In Lupus Nephritis, Chenling Tang, Gongjun Tan, Aygun Teymur, Jiechang Guo, Arturo Haces-Garcia, Weihang Zhu, Richard Williams, Jing Ning, Ramesh Saxena, Tianfu Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Lupus nephritis (LN) leads to end stage renal disease (ESRD), and early diagnosis and disease monitoring of LN could significantly reduce the risk. however, there is not such a system clinically. In this study we aim to develop a biomarker-panel based point-of-care system for LN.

Methods: Immunoassay screening combined with genomic expression databases and machine learning techniques was used to identify a biomarker panel of LN. A quantitative biomarker-panel mini-array (BPMA) system was developed and the sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and stability of the were examined. The performance of BPMA in disease monitoring was validated with machine models using a …

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 …

Predicting Mental Health Disparities Using Machine Learning For African Americans In Southeastern Virginia, Ismail El Moudden, Michael C. Bittner, Matvey V. Karpov, Isaac O. Osunmakinde, Akosua Acheamponmaa, Breshell J. Nevels, Mamadou T. Mbaye, Tonya L. Fields, Karthiga Jordan, Messaoud Bahoura

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

This study examined mental health disparities among African Americans using AI and machine learning for outcome prediction. Analyzing data from African American adults (18–85) in Southeastern Virginia (2016–2020), we found Mood Affective Disorders were most prevalent (41.66%), followed by Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders. Females predominantly experienced mood disorders, with patient ages typically ranging from late thirties to mid-forties. Medicare coverage was notably high among schizophrenia patients, while emergency admissions and comorbidities significantly impacted total healthcare charges. Machine learning models, including gradient boosting, random forest, neural networks, logistic regression, and Naive Bayes, were validated through 100 repeated 5-fold cross-validations. …

Integrating Multi-Omics Data To Uncover Prostate Tissue Dna Methylation Biomarkers And Target Genes For Prostate Cancer Risk, Shuai Liu, Jingjing Zhu, Dylan Green, Hua Zhong, Quan Long, Chong Wu, Liang Wang, Youping Deng, Lang Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Previous studies have indicated that specific CpG sites may be linked to the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) by regulating the expression of PCa target genes. However, most existing studies aim to identify DNA methylation (DNAm) biomarkers through blood tissue genetic instruments, which impedes the identification of relevant biomarkers in prostate tissue. To identify PCa risk-associated CpG sites in prostate tissue, we established genetic prediction models of DNAm levels using data from normal prostate samples in the GTEx (N = 108) and assessed associations between genetically predicted DNAm in prostate and PCa risk by studying 122,188 cases and 604,640 controls. …