Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Discipline
Institution
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 92041 - 92070 of 5207302

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Nested Ecosystems Theory For Conceptualizing Brain Tumors, Lori A Forster, David H Gutmann Feb 2026

Nested Ecosystems Theory For Conceptualizing Brain Tumors, Lori A Forster, David H Gutmann

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The application of advanced multi-omic methodologies to studying brain tumors has culminated in the appreciation that these cancers function as ecosystems that depend on the interactions of a diverse collection of cell types and signals. This connectivity operates not only at the level of the cancer cell, in which variants create new growth dependencies, but also between tumor cells and the immediate tumor microenvironment, between tumor cells and cell populations residing elsewhere in the brain tissue or body, and in response to extracorporeal factors. The cellular and molecular relationships within these four interrelated strata (intracellular, extracellular, intracorporeal and extracorporeal) act …


How To Measure, Analyze, And Interpret Age-Related Changes In Caenorhabditis Elegans: Lessons For Mechanistic And Evolutionary Theories Of Aging, Zuzana Kocsisova, Brian M Egan, Andrea Scharf, Xavier Anderson, Franziska Pohl, Aaron Anderson, Kerry Kornfeld Feb 2026

How To Measure, Analyze, And Interpret Age-Related Changes In Caenorhabditis Elegans: Lessons For Mechanistic And Evolutionary Theories Of Aging, Zuzana Kocsisova, Brian M Egan, Andrea Scharf, Xavier Anderson, Franziska Pohl, Aaron Anderson, Kerry Kornfeld

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Aging is characterized by progressive degenerative changes in tissue organization and function, some of which increase the probability of mortality. Major goals of aging research are to elucidate the series of events that cause degenerative changes, and to identify environmental, pharmacological, and genetic factors that influence these changes; this information might lead to new strategies to extend health span and lifespan. Mechanistic studies of aging depend on accurate and precise descriptions of age-related changes, since these descriptions define the aging phenotype. Here, we review studies that describe age-related changes in C. elegans, including measurements of integrated functions such as behavior …


Lightweight Open-Source Large Language Models Versus Ctakes For Information Extraction From Discharge Summaries: Tobacco Smoking Status Test Case, David M Dávila-García, Matthew J Schuelke, Adam B Wilcox Feb 2026

Lightweight Open-Source Large Language Models Versus Ctakes For Information Extraction From Discharge Summaries: Tobacco Smoking Status Test Case, David M Dávila-García, Matthew J Schuelke, Adam B Wilcox

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVES: To compare lightweight open-source large language models (LLMs) with cTAKES, a state-of-the-art natural language processing (NLP) system, in an information extraction task from hospitalization discharge summaries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two readers annotated 250 randomly sampled adult discharge summaries (BJC HealthCare, 2018-2023) for tobacco smoking status as "Smoker," "Never smoker," "Unknown." Six LLMs (Llama-3 [1B-70B], gpt-oss-20B, MedGemma-27B) and cTAKES extracted smoking status from summaries. Performance was benchmarked against consensus annotations using weighted F1-score, macro F1-score, and per-class F1-scores and a noninferiority test.

RESULTS: Inter-reader agreement was excellent (κ = 0.91). LLM size (2.3-47.3 GB) and inference time (2.5-14.5 s/note) varied. …


A Female With Missing Anatomical Landmarks During Emergency Endotracheal Intubation, Matthew P Olocco, Rawan Safa, Philip A Mudd, Aaron J Lacy Feb 2026

A Female With Missing Anatomical Landmarks During Emergency Endotracheal Intubation, Matthew P Olocco, Rawan Safa, Philip A Mudd, Aaron J Lacy

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.


Risk Factors For Anticoagulant-Related Bleeding In Cancer: Traditional And Cancer-Specific Factors, Alexa Loncharich, Brian F Gage, Suhong Luo, Martin Schoen, Amber Afzal, Amir Mahmoud, Kenneth Carson, Su-Hsin Chang, Yan Yan, Kristen M Sanfilippo Feb 2026

Risk Factors For Anticoagulant-Related Bleeding In Cancer: Traditional And Cancer-Specific Factors, Alexa Loncharich, Brian F Gage, Suhong Luo, Martin Schoen, Amber Afzal, Amir Mahmoud, Kenneth Carson, Su-Hsin Chang, Yan Yan, Kristen M Sanfilippo

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Managing anticoagulant therapy in cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is challenging due to risks of recurrent VTE and anticoagulant-related bleeding. Existing clinical risk models for bleeding are limited by discriminatory ability in patients with cancer, perhaps due to the omission of cancer-specific risk factors for bleeding. This study estimated the associations of traditional and cancer-specific risk factors with bleeding requiring hospitalization in patients with cancer-associated VTE prescribed anticoagulant therapy. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Veterans Health Administration database to identify patients with cancer-associated VTE between 2012 and 2020. Cancer-associated VTE was defined by diagnostic International Classification of Diseases …


Is History Precedent?, Allison Orr Larsen Feb 2026

Is History Precedent?, Allison Orr Larsen

Faculty Publications

It has been just over three years since the Supreme Court instructed lower courts to evaluate Second Amendment challenges by examining history and tradition. And it is no secret that the courts have struggled. This Article tackles a phenomenon that is born of that struggle. Overwhelmed by the task of evaluating historical claims, lower courts instead are turning to other judges as authorities on history. They are using what I call in this Article “historical precedents”—meaning language about history from an older decision that the subsequent judge then treats as authority, not as part of a legal rule but for …


Recommended Best Practices For Construct-Centered Adaptation Of The Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol, Emily M. Briceño, Darina T. Bassil, Pranali Khobragade, Anthony Ngugi, Martine El Bejjani, Eric Ochieng, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Salima Douhou, Kazione Kulisewa Feb 2026

Recommended Best Practices For Construct-Centered Adaptation Of The Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol, Emily M. Briceño, Darina T. Bassil, Pranali Khobragade, Anthony Ngugi, Martine El Bejjani, Eric Ochieng, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Salima Douhou, Kazione Kulisewa

School of Medicine Publications

Objectives: The Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) neuropsychological assessment approach aims to support the collection of harmonizable data on cognitive function for cross-national cognitive aging and dementia research. As the measurement of cognition is sensitive to differences in contextual, cultural, educational, linguistic, social, and other factors that may influence cognitive test performance, HCAP requires adaptation to be appropriate for the contexts in which it is administered. We aim to provide methodological recommendations for the adaptation and implementation of the HCAP and other cognitive data collection tools in novel settings.

Methods: We drew from existing guidelines on cross-cultural psychological test adaptation …


Artificial Intelligence In Neurosurgical Decision-Making: Promise And Peril In The United States Practice, Tirath Patel, Hamza Yousuf Ibrahim, Sana Sohrab, Muhammad Taha Altaf, Bhumi Patel, Nikhilesh Anand Feb 2026

Artificial Intelligence In Neurosurgical Decision-Making: Promise And Peril In The United States Practice, Tirath Patel, Hamza Yousuf Ibrahim, Sana Sohrab, Muhammad Taha Altaf, Bhumi Patel, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into neurosurgical practices in the United States is transforming how diagnoses are interpreted, how surgical plans are developed, and how guidance is provided during operations as clinical needs continue to grow. Models based on radiomics and the Food and Drug Administration approved tools for tumor segmentation, aneurysm identification, and spinal navigation are showing enhanced accuracy and decreased variability among observers, highlighting AI’s potential for significant change. Nevertheless, there are major concerns about the opacity of black-box models, inaccurate outputs, and the increasing legal uncertainties arising from AI-related errors. Ethical challenges, such as the …


A Narrative Review On The Neurobiology Of Lucid Dreaming: Mechanisms And Therapeutic Potential, Tirath Patel, Ashfaq Ahmed, Kinza Irshad, Rahat Ullah, Anaya Noor, Eiman Anwar, Rai Muhammad Umar Khan, Moazzam Akhtar, Fathimathul Henna, Nikhilesh Anand Feb 2026

A Narrative Review On The Neurobiology Of Lucid Dreaming: Mechanisms And Therapeutic Potential, Tirath Patel, Ashfaq Ahmed, Kinza Irshad, Rahat Ullah, Anaya Noor, Eiman Anwar, Rai Muhammad Umar Khan, Moazzam Akhtar, Fathimathul Henna, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Lucid dreaming (LD), which involves being aware of and controlling one's dreams, is of particular interest in the study of consciousness and has potential therapeutic applications. In this narrative review, we highlight the neurobiological aspects of LD, specifically its mechanisms associated with the activation of prefrontal and parietal areas, increased gamma oscillations, and the influence of cholinergic and dopaminergic signaling, primarily during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

Objective: To evaluate human data on brain mechanisms and clinical effects, synthesizing the neurobiological foundations and therapeutic possibilities of LD, including remarkably controlled lucid dreams.

Methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed research …


Epidemiology And Outcomes Of Sporotrichosis: A Descriptive Real-World Analysis From A Global Cohort, Samantha Schapiro, Nicholas Pulciano, Julian Galindo-Ramirez, Nicholas Rau, Jose Tuells, Nelson Iván Agudelo Higuita, George R. Thompson Iii, Daniel B. Chastain, Andrés F. Henao-Martínez Feb 2026

Epidemiology And Outcomes Of Sporotrichosis: A Descriptive Real-World Analysis From A Global Cohort, Samantha Schapiro, Nicholas Pulciano, Julian Galindo-Ramirez, Nicholas Rau, Jose Tuells, Nelson Iván Agudelo Higuita, George R. Thompson Iii, Daniel B. Chastain, Andrés F. Henao-Martínez

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Sporotrichosis is a dimorphic fungal infection of increasing global relevance. Although usually cutaneous or lymphocutaneous, disseminated disease occurs in immunocompromised hosts. Large-scale data on its epidemiology, treatment and outcomes remain limited.

Objectives: To characterise the clinical features, comorbidities, antifungal prescribing patterns and one-year mortality associated with sporotrichosis, with emphasis on patients with HIV and other forms of immunosuppression.

Patients/methods: We performed a retrospective global cohort study using the TriNetX Research Network. Adults (≥ 18 years) diagnosed with sporotrichosis were identified using ICD-9/10 codes (1995-2024). Demographics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters and antifungal prescriptions were analysed. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality …


Artificial Intelligence In Cardiology: An Updated Systematic Review With Ethical Considerations And Challenges In Implementing Artificial Intelligence Models, Dev Patel, Reshmitha Kantamneni, Jabez David John, Tirath Patel, Arnesh Shukla, Ayesha Salma, Nikhilesh Anand Feb 2026

Artificial Intelligence In Cardiology: An Updated Systematic Review With Ethical Considerations And Challenges In Implementing Artificial Intelligence Models, Dev Patel, Reshmitha Kantamneni, Jabez David John, Tirath Patel, Arnesh Shukla, Ayesha Salma, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiovascular medicine presents a transformative opportunity to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve patient outcomes. This systematic review evaluates the impact of AI on cardiovascular diagnostics with a focus on its ability to surpass traditional methods in accuracy, efficiency, and predictive capabilities. Machine learning and deep learning have demonstrated significant advancements in areas such as echocardiography, electrocardiography, computed tomography angiography, and predictive analytics.

AI algorithms have demonstrated superior performance in identifying subtle patterns and anomalies. Additionally, AI has shown promise in predictive analytics, forecasting disease progression and tailoring treatment plans, thereby improving patient outcomes. …


A Narrative Review On The Therapeutic Potential Of Stem Cells In Neurodegenerative Diseases: Advances, Insights, And Challenges, Tirath Patel, Fathimathul Henna, Iman Sharif, Inaya Javed, Fatima Mustafa, Hannan Sharif, Fatima Nasir, Mirat Javaid Feb 2026

A Narrative Review On The Therapeutic Potential Of Stem Cells In Neurodegenerative Diseases: Advances, Insights, And Challenges, Tirath Patel, Fathimathul Henna, Iman Sharif, Inaya Javed, Fatima Mustafa, Hannan Sharif, Fatima Nasir, Mirat Javaid

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD) are set apart by progressive neuronal loss and concomitant functional decline. Traditional therapies are equipped with only symptomatic relief, devoid of neurorestorative properties. Stem-cell-based therapies have the potential to revolutionize neurological care by replenishing lost cells, mitigating inflammation, and fostering a neuroprotective environment.

Objectives: This narrative review aims to appraise the treatment potential of various stem cell types in managing NDs, highlighting their functional pathways, delivery methods, and current experimental validation.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was carried out based on …


Overcoming Barriers To Hpv Vaccination In Pakistan: A Critical Need For A Proactive And Culturally-Sensitive Strategy, Syed Ahtisham Halim, Tirath Patel, Syeda Ramish Zehra Kazmi, Momina Khabir, Nikhilesh Anand Feb 2026

Overcoming Barriers To Hpv Vaccination In Pakistan: A Critical Need For A Proactive And Culturally-Sensitive Strategy, Syed Ahtisham Halim, Tirath Patel, Syeda Ramish Zehra Kazmi, Momina Khabir, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

Cervical cancer continues to be one of the major causes of cancer-related mortalities among women worldwide, with a considerable share of this burden affecting developing countries like Pakistan. The addition of the HPV vaccine to the national immunization program of Pakistan had been a crucial leap toward the prevention of cervical cancer. Nevertheless, challenges that threaten the success of such a program are conspicuous. The most important ones are discussed in the letter, including the widespread dissemination of misinformation via social media on unfounded grounds, such as infertility resulting from the vaccine; deep-seated cultural taboos relating to sexual health; and …


Postscript: A Digital Inquiry Into Inherited Memory, Alexander Lee Feb 2026

Postscript: A Digital Inquiry Into Inherited Memory, Alexander Lee

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This Capstone project explores the intimate mechanics of family memory through digital interfaces and media, centering on a set of more than fifty letters my late grandmother wrote in 1947 during a four-month journey across Europe. Through a series of digital interventions — including mapping, text analysis, and interactive storytelling — Postscript captures the process of my own memory formation as I connect to my grandmother's legacy. The project specifically engages with digital technologies' unique affordances (like interactivity and nonlinearity) to interrogate how digital methods of analysis and expression can develop, as well as distort, modes of relationality and identity. …


The Effects Of Linguistic Ostracism On Job Performance. A Replication And An Extension, John Fiset, Devasheesh P. Bhave Feb 2026

The Effects Of Linguistic Ostracism On Job Performance. A Replication And An Extension, John Fiset, Devasheesh P. Bhave

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

We examined the phenomenon of linguistic ostracism—instances where a focal workgroup member perceives other members of their workgroup have rejected and/or excluded them by using a language they cannot comprehend. In a 2021 article, Fiset and Bhave observed that linguistic ostracism was related to two dimensions of job performance (interpersonal citizenship and deviance) and that disidentification served as an explanatory mechanism for the linguistic ostracism–job performance relationship. We constructively replicate and extend their work in several ways. First, we replicate prior effects on interpersonal citizenship and deviance and extend their work to focus on a third dimension of job performance: …


Presenilin L166p Mutation, A Model Of Familial Alzheimer's Disease, Leads To Early Onset Bone Loss, Vidyani Suryadevara, Connor J Krehbial, Anuradha K Valiya, Melinda Vang, Julian Balanta-Melo, Sumana Posritong, Katie Chester, Gabriel M Pagnotti, Teresita Bellido, Monte S Willis, Angela Bruzzaniti Feb 2026

Presenilin L166p Mutation, A Model Of Familial Alzheimer's Disease, Leads To Early Onset Bone Loss, Vidyani Suryadevara, Connor J Krehbial, Anuradha K Valiya, Melinda Vang, Julian Balanta-Melo, Sumana Posritong, Katie Chester, Gabriel M Pagnotti, Teresita Bellido, Monte S Willis, Angela Bruzzaniti

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Accelerated bone loss has been reported in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as indicated by reduced bone mineral density and increased fracture risk in these patients, compared to healthy individuals. In the present study, we investigated bone loss in mouse models of familial Alzheimer's disease harboring the Presenilin 1 (L166P) knock-in mutation (PSEN1 KI), with or without the human amyloid precursor protein transgene (hAPP Tg+) known to induce brain amyloid pathology by 6 months. Female and not male 12-month PSEN1/hAPP Tg+ mice exhibited reduced whole-body bone mineral density and bone mineral content, compared to sex-matched controls. Consistent with …


Quantitative Analysis Of Robustness-Based Versus Let-Based Optimization In Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy For Pediatric Brain Tumors, Fariha Kabir Torsha, Gino Lim, Hadis Moazami Goudarzi, Radhe Mohan, David Grosshans Feb 2026

Quantitative Analysis Of Robustness-Based Versus Let-Based Optimization In Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy For Pediatric Brain Tumors, Fariha Kabir Torsha, Gino Lim, Hadis Moazami Goudarzi, Radhe Mohan, David Grosshans

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: To perform a quantitative analysis of the trade-off between robustness-based and linear energy transfer (LET)-based optimization of intensity-modulated proton therapy for anatomically challenging pediatric brain tumor cases.

Methods: Three pediatric brain tumor patients were included in this study. Three plans were generated for each case based on: (1) nominal optimization, without considering uncertainties and LET; (2) robust optimization, including proton range and patient setup uncertainties; and (3) LET optimization, considering increasing LET in the target and reducing LET in normal tissues. All plans were optimized with individually fine-tuned objective weighing to obtain highest achievable target coverage and meet dose …


Retrospective Analysis Of Cutaneous Immune-Related Adverse Events Following Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy In Melanoma Patients Reveals Increased Risk Associated With The Hla-B*51:01 Allele, Mckenzie Dileo, Samantha Oglesby, Cheuk Hong Leung, Kristen E Pauken, Sahira Farooq, Shelby L Kubicki, Macartney Welborn, Sana Zahiruddin, Jun Zou, Kai Cao, Anisha B Patel Feb 2026

Retrospective Analysis Of Cutaneous Immune-Related Adverse Events Following Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy In Melanoma Patients Reveals Increased Risk Associated With The Hla-B*51:01 Allele, Mckenzie Dileo, Samantha Oglesby, Cheuk Hong Leung, Kristen E Pauken, Sahira Farooq, Shelby L Kubicki, Macartney Welborn, Sana Zahiruddin, Jun Zou, Kai Cao, Anisha B Patel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown significant efficacy, a common side effect is cutaneous immune-related adverse events (irAEs). This study focuses on exploring the association between specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and the development of cutaneous irAEs in melanoma patients undergoing ICI monotherapy and combination therapy. As certain HLA types are indicative of susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, it was hypothesized that HLA typing could serve as a potential screening tool for identifying patients at increased risk for developing irAEs.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of 515 patients with melanoma who underwent ICI therapy, either as …


Tbr2-Dependent Parallel Pathways Regulate The Development Of Distinct Iprgc Subtypes, Takae Kiyama, Ching-Kang Chen, Halit Y Altay, Yu-Jiun Chen, Leviette Sigala, Steven Eliason, Chai-An Mao Feb 2026

Tbr2-Dependent Parallel Pathways Regulate The Development Of Distinct Iprgc Subtypes, Takae Kiyama, Ching-Kang Chen, Halit Y Altay, Yu-Jiun Chen, Leviette Sigala, Steven Eliason, Chai-An Mao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGC) are the conduit between the retina and brain regions responsible for non-image-forming and image-forming vision. In mice, six ipRGC subtypes have been discovered based on morphological characteristics, functions, and molecular profiles. All ipRGCs arise from Tbr2-expressing RGCs during developmental stages and subsequently diverge and differentiate into the six mature, distinct subtypes in adult retinas. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling the formation and maturation of the six ipRGC subtypes remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that two Tbr2-dependent transcription factors, Iroquois‑related homeobox 1 (Irx1) and T-box containing factor 20 (Tbx20), are key downstream …


A Step-By-Step Guide To Performing Cancer Metabolism Research Using Custom-Made Media, Sophie Seifert, Francisco Yanqui-Rivera, Tim Kühn, Lena Elise Høyland, Toman Borteçen, Lara Elea Eckhardt, Alessa Henneberg, Verena Panitz, Faisal Hayat, Marie Migaud, Gernot Poschet, Ifat Abramovich, Eyal Gottlieb, Jeroen Krijgsveld, Mathias Ziegler, Mirja Tamara Prentzell, Christiane A Opitz Feb 2026

A Step-By-Step Guide To Performing Cancer Metabolism Research Using Custom-Made Media, Sophie Seifert, Francisco Yanqui-Rivera, Tim Kühn, Lena Elise Høyland, Toman Borteçen, Lara Elea Eckhardt, Alessa Henneberg, Verena Panitz, Faisal Hayat, Marie Migaud, Gernot Poschet, Ifat Abramovich, Eyal Gottlieb, Jeroen Krijgsveld, Mathias Ziegler, Mirja Tamara Prentzell, Christiane A Opitz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The preparation of custom-made media offers precise control over nutrient composition, enabling detailed studies of cellular metabolism. We demonstrate how self-made media formulations enable diverse assay designs and readouts to assess cancer metabolism. Self-made media can be used in Seahorse assays to measure mitochondrial respiration under defined conditions. In nutrient deprivation experiments, amino acid or vitamin removal can uncover how cancer cells adapt to metabolic stress. Using labeled amino acids enables analysis of nascent protein synthesis and translational regulation, while stable-isotope tracing reveals metabolic fluxes through key pathways. This guide presents a suite of metabolic assays using custom-made media, covering …


Investigating The Oxygen Dependence Of Flash-Rt Using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging, Trey Waldrop, Grace Murley, Brett Velasquez, Elise Konradsson, Denae Neill, Alan Lopez Hernandez, F William Schuler, Jorge De La Cerda, Ziyi Li, Mark D Pagel, Emil Schüler Feb 2026

Investigating The Oxygen Dependence Of Flash-Rt Using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging, Trey Waldrop, Grace Murley, Brett Velasquez, Elise Konradsson, Denae Neill, Alan Lopez Hernandez, F William Schuler, Jorge De La Cerda, Ziyi Li, Mark D Pagel, Emil Schüler

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: The FLASH effect occurs when radiation given at ultra-high dose rates spares healthy tissue while achieving isoeffective tumor control relative to conventional (CONV) dose rate irradiation. Limited data has implicated oxygen in the FLASH effect. This study investigated the effect of tissue oxygen tension (pO2) on gastrointestinal (GI) FLASH sparing in mice.

Methods: pO2 was quantified in vivo by electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI)- noninvasive oximetry through spin probe injection and magnetic resonance co-registration- and a phosphorescent quenching microsensor. B6(Cg)-Tyrc-2 J/J female mice were imaged while breathing 10%, 21%, and 95% oxygen. C57BL/6 mice of both sexes underwent microsensor …


Leveraging Large Language Models For Heuristic Usability Assessment Of Medical Software: Insights With The Radiation Planning Assistant, Laurence E Court, Jacobus Smit, Lourens Strauss, William Shaw, Andrea Marais, Nanette Joubert, Shona Badre, Graeme L Lazarus, Thekiso Khotle, Lauren Netherton, Wanda Van Heerden, Carlos Cardenas, Monica Serban, Jan Seuntjens, Christine V Chung, Pavel Govyadinov, Meena Khan, Saurabh Nair, Tucker Netherton, Lifei Zhang Feb 2026

Leveraging Large Language Models For Heuristic Usability Assessment Of Medical Software: Insights With The Radiation Planning Assistant, Laurence E Court, Jacobus Smit, Lourens Strauss, William Shaw, Andrea Marais, Nanette Joubert, Shona Badre, Graeme L Lazarus, Thekiso Khotle, Lauren Netherton, Wanda Van Heerden, Carlos Cardenas, Monica Serban, Jan Seuntjens, Christine V Chung, Pavel Govyadinov, Meena Khan, Saurabh Nair, Tucker Netherton, Lifei Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Usability engineering is essential for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of medical software, as design-related issues are a leading cause of use errors in clinical settings. Heuristic evaluation provides a practical approach to identifying usability problems, but its outcomes depend heavily on expert interpretation. Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, offer a potential means to augment heuristic evaluation by generating structured, context-aware usability feedback. This study explored the use of ChatGPT to support heuristic assessment of the Radiation Planning Assistant (RPA), a web-based radiotherapy planning tool designed to support clinical teams in low- and middle-income countries.

Methods: ChatGPT …


First Report Of Response To Tarlatamab In A Patient With Histologic-Transformed Sclc From Alk-Rearranged Nsclc: Case Report, Kaiwen Wang, Ceylan Altintas Taslic, Patricia De Groot, Mitchell A Parma, Alvaro Guimaraes Paula, Komal Shah, Cole Ruoff, Loukia G Karacosta, Lauren A Byers, Carl M Gay, Jianjun Zhang, John V Heymach, Bingnan Zhang Feb 2026

First Report Of Response To Tarlatamab In A Patient With Histologic-Transformed Sclc From Alk-Rearranged Nsclc: Case Report, Kaiwen Wang, Ceylan Altintas Taslic, Patricia De Groot, Mitchell A Parma, Alvaro Guimaraes Paula, Komal Shah, Cole Ruoff, Loukia G Karacosta, Lauren A Byers, Carl M Gay, Jianjun Zhang, John V Heymach, Bingnan Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Small cell transformation has been described as a resistance mechanism to targeted therapy treated in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC and less often reported with those with other actionable oncogenic alterations, including ALK-rearranged NSCLC. Given lack of standard-of-care treatments for patients with actionable oncogenic alteration NSCLC transformed to SCLC, this remains a challenge and unmet need for treating these patients.

Here, we present a case of a patient with ALK-rearranged NSCLC with transformation to SCLC, who has progressed on several lines of therapies and successfully treated with tarlatamab to elicit and maintain clinical benefit, including intracranial response.


Development And Implementation Of An Mri-Only Simulation, Planning, And Treatment Workflow For Prostate Radiotherapy Using Synthetic Ct On Mr-Linac, Reza Reiazi, Yao Ding, Sarath Vijayan, Jinzhong Yang, Ergys Subashi, Belinda M Lee, Vi T Dinh, Greg L Swiedom, Jie Deng, Mu-Han Lin, Peter Balter, Rajat J Kudchadker, Elaine E Cha, Seungtaek Choi, Yusung Kim, Eun Young Han, Surendra Prajapati Feb 2026

Development And Implementation Of An Mri-Only Simulation, Planning, And Treatment Workflow For Prostate Radiotherapy Using Synthetic Ct On Mr-Linac, Reza Reiazi, Yao Ding, Sarath Vijayan, Jinzhong Yang, Ergys Subashi, Belinda M Lee, Vi T Dinh, Greg L Swiedom, Jie Deng, Mu-Han Lin, Peter Balter, Rajat J Kudchadker, Elaine E Cha, Seungtaek Choi, Yusung Kim, Eun Young Han, Surendra Prajapati

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: We evaluated the feasibility of a magnetic resonance (MR)-only simulation, planning, and treatment (MROSPT) workflow for prostate cancer patients using synthetic computed tomography (sCT) generated from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. By validating sCT-based dose calculations, we aimed to streamline radiotherapy workflows, eliminate the need for CT simulation, and enable reliable clinical implementation of MR-based radiotherapy for MR-linac (MRL).

Methods: We developed a comprehensive workflow encompassing the entire process from initial consultation to treatment delivery. After developing the workflow, a retrospective dosimetric validation study was performed on nine men with prostate cancer. They underwent CT and MRI simulations, and …


A Comparative Study Of Statistical Methods For Identifying Differentially Expressed Genes In Spatial Transcriptomics, Yishan Wang, Chenxuan Zang, Ziyi Li, Charles C Guo, Dejian Lai Feb 2026

A Comparative Study Of Statistical Methods For Identifying Differentially Expressed Genes In Spatial Transcriptomics, Yishan Wang, Chenxuan Zang, Ziyi Li, Charles C Guo, Dejian Lai

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Spatial transcriptomics (ST) provides unprecedented insights into gene expression patterns while retaining spatial context, making it a valuable tool for understanding complex tissue architectures, such as those found in cancers. Seurat, by far the most popular tool for analyzing ST data, uses the Wilcoxon rank-sum test by default for differential expression analysis. However, as a nonparametric method that disregards spatial correlations, the Wilcoxon test can lead to inflated false positive rates and misleading findings. This limitation highlights the need for a more robust statistical approach that effectively incorporates spatial correlations. To this end, we propose a Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) …


Acta2 Pathogenic Variants Activating Heat Shock Factor 1 And Increasing Cholesterol Biosynthesis In Smooth Muscle Cells Predispose To Early Onset Atherosclerosis, Maura L Boerio, Abhijnan Chattopadhyay, Xue-Yan Duan, Aamuktha Karla, Ernesto Calderon Martinez, Andrew K Morse, Sree Dharma, Walter Velasco-Torrez, Julien Marcadier, Siddharth K Prakash, Sherene Shalhub, Julie De Backer, Richmond Jeremy, Shaine A Morris, Anji T Yetman, Alan C Braverman, Dianna M Milewicz Feb 2026

Acta2 Pathogenic Variants Activating Heat Shock Factor 1 And Increasing Cholesterol Biosynthesis In Smooth Muscle Cells Predispose To Early Onset Atherosclerosis, Maura L Boerio, Abhijnan Chattopadhyay, Xue-Yan Duan, Aamuktha Karla, Ernesto Calderon Martinez, Andrew K Morse, Sree Dharma, Walter Velasco-Torrez, Julien Marcadier, Siddharth K Prakash, Sherene Shalhub, Julie De Backer, Richmond Jeremy, Shaine A Morris, Anji T Yetman, Alan C Braverman, Dianna M Milewicz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: ACTA2 pathogenic variants predispose to thoracic aortic disease, and a subset of variants lead to early onset atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The molecular pathway linking misfolded SMA (α-smooth muscle actin) monomers to augmented atherosclerosis-associated smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation can be modeled in vitro by stably expressing the ACTA2 p.R149C variant in Acta2-/- smooth muscle cells.

Methods: The Montalcino Aortic Consortium patient registry was used to identify cases with ACTA2 pathogenic/likely pathogenic missense variants. These patients were surveyed, and medical records were reviewed, to identify cases with early onset ASCVD. The variants for these cases, as well as …


Cleavage And Polyadenylation Specificity Factor Subunit 5 Regulates Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Expansion And Hypoxic Response, Scott D Collum, Lisha Zhu, Tingting W Mills, Rene Girard, Jamie Tran, Cory Wilson, Erik E Suarez, Howard J Huang, Rahat Hussain, Bindu Akkanti, Wenjin J Zheng, Hari K Yalamanchili, Bela Patel, Eric J Wagner, Sandeep Agarwal, Harry Karmouty-Quintana Feb 2026

Cleavage And Polyadenylation Specificity Factor Subunit 5 Regulates Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Expansion And Hypoxic Response, Scott D Collum, Lisha Zhu, Tingting W Mills, Rene Girard, Jamie Tran, Cory Wilson, Erik E Suarez, Howard J Huang, Rahat Hussain, Bindu Akkanti, Wenjin J Zheng, Hari K Yalamanchili, Bela Patel, Eric J Wagner, Sandeep Agarwal, Harry Karmouty-Quintana

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a fatal condition that affects individuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a multiorgan fibrotic disease with limited treatment options. A central feature of PH is vascular remodeling, defined by the narrowing of the arteriole lumen due to cell proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition. Herein, we identify a central mechanism that can regulate multiple transcripts important for vascular remodeling. The highlight of our study is the demonstration that reduced pulmonary artery smooth muscle (PASMC) Nudt21, which codes for the RNA binding protein Cleavage and Polyadenylation Specificity Factor Subunit 5 (CPSF5) The, known to regulate alternative polyadenylation, results …


Venous Thromboembolism In Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma Patients Treated With Cd19 Car-T Therapy: Single-Institution Study, Neha Venkatesh, Kevin Milligan, Julia Parrish, Yun Qing, Ryan Sun, Jeremy Ramdial, Sairah Ahmed, Cristhiam Rojas Hernandez Feb 2026

Venous Thromboembolism In Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma Patients Treated With Cd19 Car-T Therapy: Single-Institution Study, Neha Venkatesh, Kevin Milligan, Julia Parrish, Yun Qing, Ryan Sun, Jeremy Ramdial, Sairah Ahmed, Cristhiam Rojas Hernandez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Large B-cell lymphomas (LBCLs) are a common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has revolutionized LBCL treatment, with high remission rates but also significant toxicities, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in CAR-T therapy patients is understudied.

Objective: This study aims to determine the incidence and characteristics of acute VTE in LBCL patients treated with CAR-T therapy and identify baseline clinical features associated with VTE. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 172 adult LBCL patients treated with CAR-T therapy from January 2018 to November 2019 at MD …


Cardiometabolic Indicators Of Cognitive Impairment In The Cameron County Hispanic Cohort, Fadi I Musfee, Seema Agarwal, Vahed Maroufy, Chelsea Liu, Joseph B Mccormick, Sean I Savitz Feb 2026

Cardiometabolic Indicators Of Cognitive Impairment In The Cameron County Hispanic Cohort, Fadi I Musfee, Seema Agarwal, Vahed Maroufy, Chelsea Liu, Joseph B Mccormick, Sean I Savitz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background

Cognitive impairment (CI) and its related risk factors (e.g., diabetes and stroke) are highly prevalent among Hispanic/Latinos (H/L); however, prior research in H/L focused on aging individuals (≥65 years old).

Objective

To comprehensively assess the associations between a wide-range of cardiometabolic health indicators and CI using a prospective study design in a younger cohort of H/L (majority < 65 years old) from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC).

Methods

We identified a total of 1240 CCHC subjects with complete Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) data at study baseline and at 5-year follow-up. The outcome (i.e., CI) was based on MMSE scores of less than 24. We conducted univariate associations for multiple …


Composite Mantle Cell Lymphoma And Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma: A Diagnostic And Therapeutic Challenge, Matthew T Ye, Yaling Yang, M James You Feb 2026

Composite Mantle Cell Lymphoma And Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma: A Diagnostic And Therapeutic Challenge, Matthew T Ye, Yaling Yang, M James You

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.