Digital Commons Network^™

Prostaglandin E2 As A Mechanistic Biomarker Of Chronic Pancreatitis, Jami L Saloman, Bahiyyah Jefferson, Samuel Han, William E Fisher, Evan L Fogel, Phil A Hart, Liang Li, Walter G Park, Santhi Swaroop Vege, Dhiraj Yadav, Mark D Topazian, Darwin L Conwell

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a disease associated with chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and pain. There is a lack of tools available that facilitate early diagnosis, when intervention could prevent irreversible damage. Pilot data suggested prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) as a candidate biomarker for early CP. PGE2 activates signaling pathways that promote inflammation, pain, and fibrosis.

Methods: We assessed PGE2, metabolites, and downstream targets in pancreatic fluid collected endoscopically 0-10 (n = 110) and 10-20 (n = 111) minutes after intravenous secretin administration. PGE2 and metabolites were measured in plasma (n = 75) and urine (n = 71) from the same subjects. …

Assessing The Accuracy And Readability Of Chatgpt 4.0'S Original And Simplified Responses To Common Patient Questions Regarding Periacetabular Osteotomy, John M. Gaddis, Elias Arellano, Blake Martin, Yossef Alsabawi, Martin Salgado-Flores, Charles South, Pablo Castaneda, Joel Wells

School of Medicine Publications

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and readability of responses generated by ChatGPT 4.0 to 30 common patient questions about the Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO).

Methods: Two fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons specializing in hip preservation selected thirty questions from a prior study identifying common PAO questions on social media. Each question was entered into ChatGPT 4.0, and the surgeons independently graded responses. Responses were evaluated using an established grading system. Accuracy and comprehensiveness were assessed based on the concordance of response content with current literature. Readability was analysed by calculating the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease. …

Social Determinants And Stage At Presentation Of Oral Cancer: Insights From The Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Taha Al Hassan, Yamama Al Sammarraie, Noah Alhassan, Michael Machiorlatti, Adam Bender-Heine, Rachel Giese

School of Medicine Publications

Background: This study aims to explore the social determinants of health and stage at presentation of oral cavity cancer in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), a region with significant socioeconomic and healthcare disparities. There has been no comprehensive research conducted to understand the oral cancer burden in the RGV. By filling this critical gap, the study seeks to shed light on regional challenges and inform targeted interventions to improve outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted using data from University of Texas RGV otolaryngology clinics between January 2019 and June 2022. Of 1,609 patient records reviewed, 64 cases met …

Stochastic Modeling Of Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Through Extreme Dust Conditions In Underground Mines Using Vector Parabolic Approach, Emmanuel Atta Antwi, Samuel Frimpong, Muhammad Azeem Raza, Sanjay Madria

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Post-disaster underground (UG) mine environments are characterized by complex and rapidly changing conditions, adding extra attenuation to propagating electromagnetic (EM) waves. One such complex condition is the extreme generation of dust and sudden rise in humidity contributing to extra attenuation effects to propagating waves, especially under varying airborne humidity and dust levels. The existing wave propagation prediction models, especially those that factor in the effect of dust particles, are deterministic in nature, limiting their ability to account for uncertainties, especially during emergency conditions. In this work, the vector parabolic equation (VPE) model is modified to include dust attenuation effects. Using …

Teachers As First Responders: Transferring Trauma-Informed Strategies Into The Classroom, Lauren A. Daley-Norris

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Research suggests that nearly two-thirds of students experience a traumatic event by the age of 16 (Elmore et al, 2023; Wall, 2021). Despite this prevalence, a standardized training module for trauma-informed care (TIC) in K-12 education remains absent. Existing studies primarily focus on school or district-wide implementations (Avery et al, 2020; Champine et al., 2022; Plumb et al., 2016). The quantitative, quasi-experimental within-subjects repeated measures research design was used to address the study’s topic. Two research questions were formally stated to address the study’s purpose. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used to analyze study data. Teachers (N = 12) …

Continuous Professional Development: A Case Study Of Foreign English Language Teachers’ Perceptions Of Professional Development In Colleges In Asia, Chance W. Phillips

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This qualitative case study investigated the experiences of college-level EFL/ESL teachers in Asia. The research sought to identify the gaps in professional development experiences influencing teachers to be better educators, meeting the needs of the English language learners in Asia. Additionally, the research identified how the professional development experiences, or lack thereof, of the college-level EFL/ESL teachers impacted their pedagogical strategies and professional practices. Despite the demand for English language education across Asia, foreign English educators often face limited institutional and administrative support, as well as unequal access to professional learning opportunities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with foreign English language …

Navigating Law And Taboo: Sexual Expression And Healthcare Access Among Tunisian Women, Serafina Sqatrito

Tunisia and Italy: Politics and Religious Integration in the Mediterranean

Women’s sexual health within Tunisia exists at an intersection between progressive legal frameworks, while also reversely experiencing modesty linked to gendered expectations, as well as enduring sexuality expression as a cultural taboo. This study aims to investigate how Tunisian women across generations understand as well as navigate intimacy, healthcare access, sexual education, sexual expression, within this complex social and legal context. Using a qualitative method, this study conducted four semi-structured interviews with women aged between 18-65 living in urban areas of Tunis and La Marsa. The interviews focused on experiences of shame and openness surrounding sexual life, societal sexual pressure …

Asymmetric Interdependence In Tunisian–Algerian Energy Relations, Samuel Harlow

Tunisia and Italy: Politics and Religious Integration in the Mediterranean

This research interprets contemporary Tunisian–Algerian relations through the

lens of asymmetric interdependence, offering a nuanced analysis of the power

dynamics embedded in their energy relationship. Employing a disciplined

configurative case study design, the study systematically applies established

theories of asymmetric interdependence, particularly relative vulnerability and

the influence effect, to energy trade data, oil and natural gas infrastructure, and

patterns of fiscal and emergency assistance. The analysis demonstrates that

Algerian energy policy and financial support have contributed to an

interdependent relationship in which Algeria is relatively less vulnerable than

Tunisia, generating latent conditions for economic influence without asserting

that coercive instruments …

Educational Mobility And Agency For Young Women In Rural Tunisia, Ruth Righi

Tunisia and Italy: Politics and Religious Integration in the Mediterranean

This paper examines the educational agency of young women in rural Tunisia, particularly in Djerba, exploring the paradox between high educational attainment and limited economic empowerment. Despite consistently outperforming male peers academically, university-educated Tunisian women face significantly higher unemployment rates and entrenched gender roles that dictate their mobility. The central question is the extent to which young women in rural Tunisia possess the agency required to realize their educational goals and how they balance traditional expectations with personal aspirations. Using a qualitative methodology, questionnaires were distributed in Arabic to a small sample of three university students in Djerba. Centering the …

The Misapplication Of Western Political Systems In Tunisia, Lina Jemila Legesse

Tunisia and Italy: Politics and Religious Integration in the Mediterranean

This paper examines how the adoption of Western political system models has contributed to democratic backsliding in Tunisia following the 2011 Jasmine Revolution. While Tunisia was internationally celebrated as a democratic success story, this research interrogates the gap between institutional performance and popular legitimacy, drawing on a student survey and a qualitative interview with a civil society organization (CSO) leader. The findings suggest that democratic backslide in Tunisia cannot be reduced to authoritarian ambition alone, but must be understood as a response to institutional systems that failed to deliver stability, economic security, or meaningful participation. Respondents consistently prioritized material conditions …

Gender, Class, And Code-Switching Among Tunisian Youth, Evie Mount-Cors

Tunisia and Italy: Politics and Religious Integration in the Mediterranean

This study investigates how gender and social class influence the frequency and motivations for code-switching among young Tunisians. Following the French Protectorate (1881) and subsequent Arabization policies in the late 20th century, Tunisian youth are faced with a complex linguistic environment. This paper posits that the enduring legacies of prestige and gender norms drive variation in the frequency and motivation behind code-switching among Tunisian men and women. Based on a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews, this research examines how these social factors shape the function and meaning of language choice in post-colonial Tunisia. The findings suggest that social class creates …

Dental Fluorosis As A Biomarker Of Environmental And Regulatory Failure In Tunisia’ S Gafsa Valley, Kenzy Aldaher

Tunisia and Italy: Politics and Religious Integration in the Mediterranean

No abstract provided.

Growth Measurements In Ugandan Children With Sickle Cell Anaemia From A Hydroxyurea (Hydroxycarbamide) Treatment Trial Relative To Unaffected Sibling Controls, Dennis Kalibbala, Vincent Mboizi, Grace Nambatya, Susan Murungi, Joan Ashaba, Catherine Nabaggala, Lynnth Turyagyenda, Deogratias Munube, Phillip Kasirye, Robert Opoka

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

No abstract provided.

Sjsu Erfa News, Fall 2025, San Jose State University, Emeritus And Retired Faculty Association

Emeritus and Retired Faculty Association (ERFA) Newsletter

Volume 39, No 1

Burdens Of Proof In Criminal Procedure, Eve Brensike Primus

Articles

The Supreme Court’s haphazard approach to allocating burdens of proof in criminal procedure has created a system in which constitutional rights can be rendered meaningless simply because defendants are required to prove things they cannot possibly know. Even though allocations of the burden of proof often drive litigation outcomes, the Court has failed to establish clear burden allocation structures for cases arising under the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments, leaving lower courts split about how to allocate the burdens. When the Supreme Court does allocate burdens, it often does so without explanation or consideration of key factors. Recent Supreme …

Morphometric Analysis Of Spina Bifida After Fetal Repair Shows New Subtypes With Associated Outcomes., L K Mann, S Pandiri, N Agarwal, H Northrup, K S Au, Elin Grundberg, E P Bergh, M T Austin, R Patel, B Miller, S Zhu, J S Feinberg, D Lai, K Tsao, S A Fletcher, R Papanna

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVES: The binary classification of spina bifida lesions as myelomeningocele (with sac) or myeloschisis (without sac) belies a spectrum of morphologies. This study aimed to characterize types of spina bifida lesion and correlate them with preoperative presentation and postoperative outcome.

METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort of patients referred for fetal spina bifida who underwent fetoscopic repair between 2020 and 2023 at a single center. We evaluated lesion morphology on high-resolution intraoperative images and videos to categorize lesions based on placode exposure and nerve root stretching. The reproducibility of lesion classification was assessed using the Kappa …

Recapitulating The Immune Microenvironment In Pediatric Brain Cancer: Preclinical Modeling Strategies., Adip G. Bhargav, Joseph S. Domino, David Akhavan, Jo Ling Goh

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Primary brain and CNS tumors comprise the most common tumors in children and are the most common cause of cancer deaths in this population. Pediatric primary malignant brain tumors including high-grade glioma and medulloblastoma account for a significant proportion of these cancer deaths. Advances in the surgical management and adjuvant treatment paradigms have improved the prognosis of many patients with these tumors, but there remains a subset of treatment-resistant tumors or tumors with unique genetics aberrations and aggressive phenotypes that confer a poor prognosis. Immunotherapeutic strategies have demonstrated promise in pre-clinical studies and early clinical trials. However, high-fidelity evaluation of …

Changes In Antiviral Prescribing For Children With Influenza In Us Emergency Departments., Tess Stopczynski, Olla Hamdan, Justin Z. Amarin, James W. Antoon, Laura S. Stewart, Haya Hayek, James Chappell, Andrew J. Spieker, Eileen J. Klein, Janet A. Englund, Geoffrey A. Weinberg, Peter G. Szilagyi, John V. Williams, Marian G. Michaels, Julie A. Boom, Leila C. Sahni, Mary Allen Staat, Elizabeth P. Schlaudecker, Jennifer E. Schuster, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Ayzsa Tannis, Heidi L. Moline, Samantha M. Olson, Natasha B. Halasa

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

IMPORTANCE: Despite national recommendations, antiviral prescribing in emergency departments (EDs) for children at higher risk of severe influenza, such as those younger than 5 years and those with specific underlying conditions, remains low.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether there were changes in antiviral prescribing for children at higher risk of severe influenza in academic pediatric EDs before the COVID-19 pandemic (2016-2020) vs the late pandemic period (2021-2023).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included influenza-positive children younger than 18 years presenting to the ED at 1 of 7 US pediatric academic hospitals participating in the Centers for Disease Control …

Gender Trends In Professional Advancement Among Academic Pediatric Neurologists., Juliet K. Knowles, Angela L. Hewitt, Prathyusha Teeyagura, Bren Botzheim, Derek Boothroyd, Ria Pal, Chrisoula Cheronis, Shermila Pia, Rebecca Macrae, Christine Shrock, Taelor Hancock, Rayann Solidum, Jaclyn Peraino, Amy Hill, Laura Owlett, Sara N. Moss, Catherine Tran, Daniel A. Castillo, Mark S. Wainwright, Renée A. Shellhaas, Nomazulu Dlamini, Mustafa Sahin, Rose N. Gelineau-Morel, Joshua L. Bonkowsky

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

No abstract provided.

Hemodynamic Characteristics Of Dilated Ascending Aorta In Patients With Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Yu Xia, Xuehuan Zhang, Shuai Zhu, Suwei Chen, Wentao Dong, Zhuo Chen, Nan Zhang, Jiafu Ou, Junming Zhu, Duanduan Chen, Tie Zheng

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of aortic diameter on hemodynamic environment characteristics in patient with the bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and dilated ascending aorta (AAo).

METHOD: In this study, an MRI of one BAV patient with 4.5 cm AAo was collected and numerical model was constructed. Based on the images, three additional anatomical models were constructed with different AAo sizes of 4.0 cm, 5.0 cm and 5.5 cm respectively, while the size and the geometry of other parts were fixed. Then hemodynamics in these four models was simulated numerically and the flow patterns and …

Real-World Dosing And Persistence Of Oral Treprostinil Initiation Strategies In Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Daniel J Lachant, Ali Ataya, H James Ford, Meredith Broderick, Scott Seaman, Benjamin Wu, Murali M Chakinala

2020-Current year OA Pubs

In patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), limited real-world data are available on persistence to oral treprostinil therapy, particularly while transitioning from parenteral prostacyclins. We compared persistence to oral treprostinil and total daily dose (TDD) achieved among patients with PAH initiating oral treprostinil de novo or while transitioning from parenteral prostacyclins using two real-world datasets: specialty pharmacy shipment records (Analysis 1) and ADAPT registry (Analysis 2). In Analysis 1, patients receiving oral treprostinil in 2017, 2020, and 2023 were included. In Analysis 2, de-identified data of patients enrolled in ADAPT from July 2017 to January 2022 were included. We conducted …

Molecular Dynamics Of The Host Response To Streptococcus Pneumoniae Pneumonia In Baboons, Bryan D Kraft, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Bacterial pneumonia remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide despite the widespread availability of antibiotics. Novel pneumonia therapies and biomarkers are urgently needed to improve outcomes and advance personalized therapy. Using an established baboon model of S. pneumoniae pneumonia, we sought to characterize the temporal dynamics of pneumonia host responses to identify novel potential diagnostic and therapeutic molecular targets.

METHODS: We performed whole blood transcriptomics, unbiased proteomics, and peripheral cytokine measurements serially in baboons inoculated with S. pneumoniae (n = 23) or saline (n = 10) and modeled the peripheral blood host response using principal components analysis …

Predicting Acute Postsurgical Pain In The Postanesthesia Care Unit: Risk Tool Development And Internal Validation, Nicholas Papadomanolakis-Pakis, Simon Haroutounian, Johan K. Sørensen, Charlotte Runge, Lone D. Brix, Christian F Christiansen, Lone Nikolajsen

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Moderate-to-severe acute postsurgical pain (APSP) is experienced by approximately 30% of surgical patients.

OBJECTIVES: To improve early APSP management, we developed 2 pragmatic and generalizable point-of-care risk tools to preoperatively predict moderate-to-severe and severe APSP in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU).

METHODS: This was a multicenter prospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing elective surgical procedures between May 2021 and May 2023. Candidate predictors were preidentified. Logistic regression was used to develop the models. Internal validation was conducted with bootstrap resampling. Model performance was assessed by discrimination and calibration. Decision curve analysis was conducted to evaluate clinical utility of …

Identification Of Surrogate Outcome Biomarkers In Lung Allograft Recipients With Bronchiolitis Obliterans: Implications For Randomized Controlled Trials, Derek E. Byers, Suresh Vedantham, Mary Clare Derfler, Paul Commean, Andrew Atkinson, Jeff Atkinson, Alexey Prokudin, John Mccarthy, George Despotis, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: We developed a prospective, multicenter "registry" to evaluate the effect of extracorporeal photopheresis for lung transplant recipients who develop chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) with the bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) phenotype (CLAD/BOS) and who are refractory to conventional standard-of-care therapy.

METHODS: Data from 258 lung transplant recipients enrolled in the Registry between April 2015 and April 2022 were included in this analysis. All recorded parameters (eg, demographics), including forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV

RESULTS: Mortality at 6 and 12 mo after CLAD/BOS diagnosis was 5% and 14%, whereas mortality at 6 and 12 mo after enrollment was …

Gut Complement System: A New Frontier In Microbiota-Host Communication And Intestinal Homeostasis, Xianbin Tian, Lan Zhang, Xinyang Qian, Yangqing Peng, Fengyixin Chen, Sarah Bengtson, Zhiqing Wang, Meng Wu

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and influencing various aspects of host physiology, including immune function. Recent advances have highlighted the emerging importance of the complement system, particularly the C3 protein, as a key player in microbiota-host interactions. Traditionally known for its role in innate immunity, the complement system is now recognized for its interactions with microbial communities within the gut, where it promotes immune tolerance and protects against enteric infections. This Review explores the gut complement system as a possibly novel frontier in microbiota-host communication and examines its role in shaping microbial diversity, modulating …

Recent Advances In The Identification And Quantification Of Xylazine And Medetomidine In Biological Specimens, Bridgit O Crews

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Xylazine is a veterinary sedative that is frequently detected in the illicit drug supply, often found mixed with illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF). It has been detected in the blood of overdose victims and patients who use illicit drugs. Xylazine is not approved for use in humans. It is an alpha-2-adrenergic receptor agonist that causes deep sedation that is non-responsive to naloxone, the antidote for opioid overdose. Chronic exposure to xylazine has been linked to severe wounds that can progress to amputation. Medetomidine is another related veterinary sedative that has more recently emerged as an adulterant in IMF. Medetomidine is also …

Chimeric Antigen Receptor Natural Killer (Car-Nk) Cells: From Preclinical Promise To Clinical Reality In Cancer Immunotherapy, Hunter Cassidy Cochran, Kevin Ashkan Ghobadi, Armin Ghobadi

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK) cell therapy represents an emerging frontier in cancer immunotherapy. CAR-NK cells offer the potential for "off-the-shelf" treatments with a favorable safety profile, due in part to their innate capacity for HLA-unrestricted tumor targeting and an absence of graft-versus-host disease. Landmark clinical studies using cord blood - derived CAR-NK cells and another employing iPSC-derived CAR-NK cells have reported impressive response rates, durable remissions, and minimal toxicity. Furthermore, a growing landscape of ongoing clinical trials is exploring innovative strategies to enhance persistence, overcome solid tumor challenges, and prevent antigen escape. These advances collectively underscore the …

A Modification To The Brand Transfer For Claw Hand: The Four-Tailed Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis To Lateral Band Transfer, Lauren E Wessel, Nirbhay S Jain, Ambika E Paulson, Carrie Bettlach, Mitchell A Pet, Amy M Moore

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Claw deformity is a devastating consequence of low ulnar nerve palsy, resulting in loss of finger function. Traditionally, the Brand transfer is a favored intervention but requires lengthy grafts and bulky tenorrhaphies, risking adhesions in the lumbrical canal. We present a modified Brand tendon transfer, which extends the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) into 4 tails for individual grafting into the lateral band, decreasing adhesion risk and graft length need.

METHODS: Nine consecutive patients with claw hand were examined in detail to confirm the diagnosis and appropriateness for claw-correction surgery by the senior author. All patients underwent our modified …

Family Income And Polygenic Scores Are Independently But Not Interactively Associated With Cognitive Performance Among Youth Genetically Similar To European Reference Populations, S E Paul, N M Elsayed, S M C Colbert, R Bogdan, A S Hatoum, D M Barch

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Cognitive abilities are heritable and influenced by socioeconomic status (SES). It is critical to understand the association between SES and cognition beyond genetic propensity to inform potential benefits of SES-based interventions and to determine if such associations vary across (i) cognitive domains, (ii) facets of SES, and/or (iii) genetic propensity for different aspects of cognition. We examined the contributions of neighborhood socioeconomic advantage, family income, and polygenic scores (PGS) for domains of cognition (i.e., general cognitive ability, executive function, learning and memory, fluid reasoning) in a sample of children (ages 9-10;

Gender Trends In Professional Advancement Among Academic Pediatric Neurologists, Juliet K Knowles, Renée A Shellhaas, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.