Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Baseline Lymphopenia Predicts Survival In Ici-Naïve Solid Tumor Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Propensity-Matched Real-World Pan-Cancer Analysis, Ahmed Ismail, Nina Balanchivadze, George R. Simon, Yanis Boumber

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Baseline lymphopenia is common among advanced solid tumors and may influence the efficacy/safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), but large real-world evidence is limited. We evaluated the association between baseline absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and clinical outcomes in adults with solid tumors treated with ICIs in routine practice. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using TriNetX. Adults with solid tumors who received pembrolizumab, nivolumab, or atezolizumab (ICI-Naïve) between January 2015 and June 2026 were included. Baseline ALC was measured within 30 days before first treatment and was classified as lymphopenic (ALC < 1.5 × 10⁹/L) or non-lymphopenic (ALC ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L). Propensity score matching (1:1) yielded 5249 patients per group. The index date was the first immunotherapy date, and outcomes were assessed at 6, 12, 24, 36 months, and 5 years. The primary outcome was 24-month overall survival (OS); secondary outcomes were OS at 6 and 12 months and 6-month risks of healthcare utilization, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), and serious infections; and exploratory outcomes included OS at 36 months and 5 years. All outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier analysis, Cox proportional hazards models, and risk ratios. Subgroup analysis included OS stratified by solid tumor subtypes and prior lines of therapy. Results: After matching, patients with baseline lymphopenia …

Occupational Human Papillomavirus Exposure Risks For Laryngeal Surgeons And Phoniatricians: A Joint European Laryngological Society (Els) And Union Of European Phoniatricians (Uep) Delphi Clinical Consensus Statement, Shiying Hey, Alberto Maria Saibene, Milan Amin, Jennifer Anderson, Christoph Arens, Simon Best, Guillermo Campos, Craig Derkay, Gauthier Desuter, Frederik G. Dikkers, Isabel Garcia-Lopez, Ahmed Geneid, Anastasios Hantzakos, Markus Hess, Yakubu Karagama, Marina Mat Baki, Napur Kapoor Nerurkar, Daniel Novakovic, Haldun Oguz, Shazia Peer, Jasmine Prasad, Carlo Robotti, David Vokes, Chi-Te Wang, Malgorzata Wierzbicka, Michal Zabrodsky, Nicolien Van Der Poel

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Purpose

Laser surgical management of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related disease, such as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), in the upper aerodigestive tract generates surgical smoke, which may represent a source of occupational viral exposure for laryngeal surgeons, phoniatricians, anesthesia providers and scrub nurses. Despite growing awareness, protective measures remain inconsistently implemented. This study aimed to develop an evidence-informed clinical consensus statement (CCS) to guide occupational HPV risk management in laryngology.

Methods

A modified Delphi consensus process was conducted under the auspices of the European Laryngological Society (ELS) and the Union of the European Phoniatricians (UEP). A panel of 26 international experts undertook …

Improving Antibiotic Prescribing For Urinary Tract Infections In Urgent Care Centers, Alexis Alastanos

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections that require antibiotic therapy. Providers working in three urgent care clinics located in Eastern West Virginia diagnosis and treat UTIs based on their clinical judgement. Variability in clinical judgement results in inappropriate antibiotic use which has implications on antibiotic resistance and the financial burden of the patients as well as the entire organization.

Evidence Review: A total of 10 articles were evaluated to support the implementation of antibiotic stewardship initiatives that provide guidance in caring for this population. Interventions include electronic health record enhancements, provider education, and tracking …

Hyperglycemia Detection From Single-Lead Ecg Using A Hybrid Cnn & Transformer Model, Adam Ayomikun Ogunjembola

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Diabetes Mellitus is known as high blood glucose. This high blood glucose level happens when the body has a problem with producing or using insulin. Insulin is a very important hormone that the pancreas makes to control how much glucose gets into the bloodstream and cells. Diabetes Mellitus has an effect on the body if it is not treated, such as damaging the blood vessels and nerves which can lead to stroke, kidney failure, heart attack and permanent loss of vision. Since people with diabetes need to measure their glucose levels in order to determine how much insulin or medicine …

Excision Followed By Standing Cone Deformity Repair Is Tissue Conservative, Henry Lim, Christian Scheufele, Marshall Hall, Stephen Weis, Dustin Wilkes

North Texas GME Research Forum 2026

Introduction Elliptical excisions are the most common method to treat benign and malignant tumors in dermatologic surgery. This standardized design is traditionally 3 to 4.5 times longer than the excisional width to prevent unsightly protrusions of skin after primary closure, known as “standing cone,” “Burow’s triangles” or “dog ear” deformities. This results in a scar significantly longer than the original tumor that may be less easily concealed.

Objective To compare the final repair length of a tissue conservative method to remove skin tumors and close resultant defects against predicted repair length of traditional elliptical excision.

Methods Eighteen cases are presented …

A Unified Automated And Explainable Ai Framework For Drug Discovery, Clinical Diagnostics, And Public Health Data Prediction, Lord Coffie

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This thesis investigates the development of automated, explainable artificial intelligence systems to improve automated scientific discovery, clinical diagnostic support, and public health decision-making. Three independent yet thematically aligned studies were conducted across cheminformatics, radiology, and population health. Study A introduces an automated and explainable machine learning pipeline for Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) modeling using RDKit-derived molecular descriptors. The pipeline performs systematic preprocessing, consensus-based feature selection (mutual information, random forest importance, RFECV), and benchmarks six supervised models—Random Forest, XGBoost, Support Vector Machine, Balanced Random Forest, EasyEnsembleClassifier, and a blended meta-ensemble, achieving AUC = 0.90 and accuracy = 0.83, while ensuring interpretability …

Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields For Extracellular Vesicle Engineering: From Electro-Exocytosis To Cargo Modulation, Art Neal, Teresa Graham, Mohamadmahdi Samandari, Arash Ghorbannia, Anca Dobrian, Stephen J. Beebe, Ruben M. L. Colunga-Biancatelli

Bioelectrics Publications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and medium/large extracellular vesicles (MVs), have emerged as promising therapeutic vectors and diagnostic biomarkers across various branches of biomedicine. However, the clinical translation of EV-based technologies remains constrained by persistent challenges in manufacturing: insufficient yield from primary cell sources, limited control over cargo composition, and the absence of scalable, standardized production platforms. Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF) represent an emerging biophysical approach that can address several of these limitations. Unlike conventional electroporation, which targets the plasma membrane using microsecond-to-millisecond pulses, nsPEF delivers ultrashort (1–300 ns), high-amplitude (10–300 kV/cm) pulses that penetrate intracellularly …

Beyond The Square Pulse: Waveform Shape, Eeg Correlates, And The Pursuit Of Natural Sensation In Tens, Jason Whitson

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study investigates the relationship between electrical stimulus characteristics of shape and charge on evoked sensations and electroencephalogram (EEG) data during multi-waveform transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) of the median nerve. Neuromodulation methods have traditionally had little control over the location and quality of their associated evoked sensation (e.g., electric, vibration, touch). This experiment utilized five unique stimulus waveforms during TENS stimulation. EEG data were collected concurrently to provide an introductory objective measure of the neural responses underlying these sensory changes. Eleven participants completed three tasks (thresholding, super-threshold stimulation, two-alternative forced choice) using a two-electrode TENS approach. Stimulus waveforms were …

A Chicken Model For Non-Invasive Diagnosis Of Infant Developmental Dysplasia Of The Hip (Ddh) Using Acoustic Transmission Measurements, Aliza Shah

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition characterized by abnormal development and stability of the hip joint. In a healthy infant, the femoral head (ball) fits securely within the acetabulum (socket of the pelvis), allowing for proper joint function. In DDH, the relationship is disrupted, ranging from mild acetabular dysplasia to partial (subluxation) or complete dislocation of the femoral head. This condition represents a range of structural abnormalities that develop during early growth. The integrity of the hip joint is essential for physical mobility, and disruption of this structure can lead to significant functional impairment. DDH may result …

Health Literacy/Numeracy-Related Factors Affecting Interpretation In Medical Laboratory Values, Rachel L. Childs

School of Medical Diagnostics & Translational Sciences Publications

Background

Health literacy and numeracy are broad terms that relate to a patient’s understanding of their health information. While there is a substantial amount of research on this topic in a general sense as well as in relation to how deficiencies in these skills impact patients’ understanding of laboratory results, little is known regarding the extent to which underlying factors, which are impacted by health literacy/numeracy, affect how patients interpret their results. This literature review attempts to shed light on the current literature on this more focused and narrow issue, including recommendations to address these barriers.

Content

To perform this …

The Myopia Epidemic: Integrating Genetic, Environmental, And Epigenetic Pathways To Define A Critical Window For Intervention, Pranavika Balaji

UROP Posters

Myopia, or nearsightedness, has increased rapidly worldwide and is now a major public health concern caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Current understanding shows that too much near work, limited time spent outdoors, and prolonged screen use contribute to abnormal eye growth in individuals who may already have a genetic predisposition. At the molecular level, epigenetic changes and shifts in DNA activity, often influenced by environmental conditions, affect the signaling pathways that regulate eye development and may help explain why myopia is increasingly common among children. This paper synthesizes recent environmental, genetic, and epigenetic research to explain how these …

The Importance Of Hippotherapy: Improving The Lives Of The Disabled Through Alternative Therapy, Jennifer N. Stapleton

UROP Posters

For centuries, horses have been suggested as “healers” and “helpers,” although it wasn’t until the 1900s that horseback riding was scientifically proven as a treatment and rehabilitation method. The exploitation of hippotherapy, the implementation of the three-dimensional pelvic movement stimulated by the oscillation and gait of the horse to combat symptoms of diseases and disorders, has since become a flourishing field of study, but one that is often overlooked. Benefits of hippotherapy often include increased motor neuron function, facilitating proper anatomical alignment, and reducing spasticity. This research analyzes the diverse and dynamic nature of treatment that hippotherapy facilitates, exploring the …

Editor's Choice - International Expert Consensus On The Management Of Acute Aortic Type B Intramural Haematoma And Penetrating Ulcer, Francesco Squizzato, Mario D'Oria, Michele Antonello, Santi Trimarchi, Kevin Mani, Andrew Holden, Tilo Kölbel, Stephan Haulon, Eric Verhoeven, Dittmar Böckler, Tim Resch, Ali Azizzadeh, Joseph Lombardi, Michele Piazza, Aaron Thomas Fargion, Alexander Zimmerman, Ali Azizzadeh, Anders Wanhainen, Andrew Holden, Antonio Freyrie, Adam W. Beck, Adi Bachar, Barend M. E. Mees, Blandine Maurel, Cristoph A. Nienaber, Christos Karkos, Daniela Branzan, Darren Schneider, Randall Demartino, Dittmar Boeckler, Domenico Angiletta, Emanuel J. R. Tenorio, Enrico Gallitto, Eric Verhoeven, Fabio Verzini, Felice Pecoraro, Filippo Benedetto, Firas F. Mussa, Francesco Squizzato, Franco Grego, Gabriele Piffaretti, Emanuele Gatta, Giovanni Pratesi, Giovanni Tinelli, Giuseppe Asciutto, Glenn Wei Leong Tan, Hence Verhagen, Giacomo Isernia, Jean-Paul P. M. De Vries, Jacob Budtz-Lilly, Jorge Fernández-Noya, Jonathan Sobocinski, Joseph Hockley, Kak Khee Yeung, Andrea Kahlberg, Kevin Mani, Joseph V. Lombardi, Luca Bertoglio, Luca Mezzetto, Ludovic Canaud, Manar Khashram, Marcelo Ferreira, Marco Virgilio Usai, Mark G. Davies, Mark Farber, Martin Czerny, Matthew R. Smeds, Mauro Gargiulo, Germano Melissano, Michel Bosiers, Michele Antonello, Michele Piazza, Miranda Witheford, Michel M.P.J. Reijnen, Marc Schermerhorn, Nikolaos Tsilimparis, Nun Dias, Jean Panneton, Kosmas Paraskevas, Gianbattista Parlani, Patrick W.H.E. Vriens, Rafael Malgor, Raffaele Pulli, Ross Milner, Salvatore T. Scali, Sani J. Laukontaus, Santi Trimarchi, Sandro Lepidi, Konstantinos Spanos, Stefano Fazzini, Theodosios Bisdas, Thomas Maldonado, Tilo Koelbel, Tim Resch, Tomasz Jakimowicz, Nicola Troisi, Isabelle Van Herzeele, Vicente Riambau, Wassim Mansour, Wouter Van Den Eynde, Yamume Tshomba

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

Objective

The aim of this study was to achieve an international expert consensus on managing acute type B penetrating aortic ulcers (PAUs) and intramural haematomas (IMHs).

Methods

A modified Delphi consensus process was employed to develop recommendations for the management of acute type B PAU and IMH. Surveys were sent to international experts practicing in high volume aortic centres worldwide. Statements were voted on using a four point Likert scale in a three round Delphi process. Statements achieving grade A (full agreement 75%) or B (overall agreement 80%, full disagreement <  5%) were included as expert recommendations. Consistency of responses was measured using Cohen's κ and the intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

Eighty three experts were included in the final analysis: …

An Analysis Of Pediatric Retinoblastoma Medical Malpractice Litigation, Victoria Miller, Alyssa D. Reese, Katherine Foote, Alejandro Navarro, Andrew Galfano, Christian Hietanen

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Retinoblastoma is a cancer of the retina that is most commonly diagnosed in the pediatric population. Unfortunately, this cancer can spread, leading to poor outcomes such as enucleation. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of medical malpractice litigation associated with a diagnosis of retinoblastoma in the pediatric population.

METHODS: A search for all available cases associated with "retinoblastoma" in the Westlaw Campus Research Legal Database was conducted. This spanned from database inception to August 2023. Cases were included if there was a complaint of medical malpractice related to retinoblastoma present in a pediatric patient. Demographic …

Prognostic Factors For Patients Under 45 Undergoing Surgery For Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Seer Population-Based Study, Gabrielle Grob, Fang Fang, Matvey Karpov, Eric Feliberti, Marybeth Hughes, Rachel Burke, Winifred Lo

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been on the rise in adults younger than 50. Surgical resection is a potentially curative treatment option for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The aim of this study was to describe patient and tumor characteristics associated with disease-specific survival in young patients (<  45 years) versus older patients (≥ 45 years) with isolated CRLM.

Methods: The SEER database was queried for patients with CRLM who underwent colon and liver resection from 2010 to 2021. Patients under age 20, with metastases beyond the liver, or who had not had surgery for liver metastases were excluded. Cox regression was used to analyze demographic factors, tumor …

Red Flags: Intraoperative Transfusion As A Predictor Of Anastomotic Failure, Alejandro De Leon Castro, Aj Schwartz, A Todd-Tharaday, A Collier, Ch Meyer, C Dente, Rn Smith, Jd Sciaretta, J Nguyen

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Duodenal Switch Vs Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass: Comparison Of Outcomes And Cost With Medical Management, Rachel E. Burke, Christian M. Simon, Husain Abbas

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Healing Times Of Mohs Defects Using Cellular, Acellular, And Matrix-Like Products Compared With Secondary Intention In A Single Patient, Benjamin R. Cooper, Anthony Concilla, Kathleen Ward, Taha Rasul, Arianne E. Chavez

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Use Of Ultrasound In The Pre-Hospital Setting To Differentiate Acute Dyspnea, Kenith D'Souza, Michael Cabebe, Taryn Hoffman, Martin Wegman, Justin Deaton, Christopher Carney

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Subanesthetic Ketamine Use For Uncontrolled Pain In Hospice Care, Tiffany Rey, Ana Sanchez

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Robotic Assisted Duodenojejunostomy In The Treatment Of Adult Annular Pancreas, Anthony Sciuva, Denise Vera Nemeth, Riley Burgon, Noaman Ali

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

First Reported Robotic-Assisted Falciform Ligament Patch Repair Of An Iatrogenic Larrey-Type Anterior Diaphragmatic Defect Following Subxiphoid Pericardial Window, Christian M. Simon, Elisabeth Barrar, Husain Abbas

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Finding Harmony: Music Therapy As An Adjunct In Acute Psychosis, Brandon Szwydky, Rebecca Low, Nelay Govan, Marcus Decarvalho

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Acute Stemi Hours After Cabg From Distal Lima–Lad Graft Occlusion Complicated By Ellis Iii Perforation During Pci Successfully Treated With A Covered Stent, Eboselumen Aigbe, Brett Sasseen `

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Breaking The Pain Cycle: Ultrasound-Guided Sciatic Nerve Blocks For Acute Sciatica In The Ed, Pranav Bommineni, Taryn Hoffman

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Utility Of Pocus In Expediting Time To Diagnosis In Two Separate Presentations Of Fournier's Gangrene, Arjavon Talebzadeh, Charles Budzyn, Taryn Hoffman, Mark Attlesey

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

7-Hydroxymitragynine Induced Perioperative Hyperalgesia In 27-Year-Old Trauma Patient, William Hickman, Katherine David, Vincent Hoffman, Ruzanna Nalbandyan

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

A Multidisciplinary Approach To Acute-On-Chronic Pain Management In The Emergency Department, Lisa Persaud, Cameron Burr, Ursula Des Bordes, Noah Novembre, Abhishek Desai, Kaitlyn Phelps, Desiree Aird

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

The Great Mimicker: Intrathecal Opioid-Induced Esophageal Dysfunction, Abhishek Desai, Lisa Persaud, Desiree Aird

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

A Rare Cause Of Pelvic Pain: Emergency Department Diagnosis Of Hematometra Using Point-Of-Care Ultrasound, Casey Wilson, Lena O'Field, Hannah Chotiner

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.