Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Comparative Analysis Of Robotic-Assisted, Laparoscopic, And Open Radical Nephrectomy: Utilization, Costs, And Clinical Outcomes, Daniel Huang, Costas D. Lallas, Raegan M. Davis, Scott W. Keith, Patrick J. Moeller, Inkyu K. Kim, Anushka Ghosh, Francisco Aguirre, Rasheed A. M. Thompson, Emmanuel F Drabo, Vittorio Maio

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive approaches, including laparoscopic (LARN) and robotic-assisted radical nephrectomy (RARN), have gained adoption over open surgery (ORN) for renal cancer, despite RARN’s higher costs. This contemporary study evaluates trends in RARN, LARN, and ORN use and compares their hospital costs, clinical complications, and mortality rates.

METHODS: Patients undergoing radical nephrectomy (2016–2019) were identified from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). Procedures were classified as RARN, LARN, or ORN using ICD-10 and Procedure Coding System codes. Patient demographics and comorbidities, hospital characteristics, length of stay (LOS), clinical complications, and hospital costs were analyzed. Trends in utilization were assessed, and regression …

Design And Refinement Of Cybercelltm, A Virtual Reality Health Education Program For Adolescents And Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease, Aimee Hildenbrand, Melanie Pitone, Benjamin Bear, Corinna L. Schultz, Sherman Finch, Danielle Morley, Stephanie Hubbard, Alyssa Decino, Melissa A. Alderfer, Lori E. Crosby, Fredric Freeman

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

For people living with sickle cell disease (SCD), the risk for disease complications and premature death rises sharply in adolescence and young adulthood, when chronic organ damage is compounded by reduced preventive care. To make informed health care decisions, adolescents and young adults (AYAs) require effective education about their health condition and treatment options. We aimed to systematically design and develop a user-centered, evidence-based virtual reality (VR) health education program to optimize the use of SCD therapies among AYAs with SCD. We engaged a diverse team including AYAs with SCD and their caregivers, multidisciplinary SCD clinicians and researchers, patient education …

Live-Cell Quantitative Monitoring Reveals Distinct, High-Affinity Gβγ Regulations Of Girk2 And Girk1/2 Channels, Reem Handklo-Jamal, Tal Keren Raifman, Boris Shalomov, Patrick Hofer, Uri Kahanovitch, Theres Friesacher, Galit Tabak, Vladimir Tsemakhovich, Haritha P Reddy, Orna Chomsky-Hecht, Debi Ranjan Tripathy, Kerstin Zuhlke, Carmen W Dessauer, Enno Klussmann, Yoni Haitin, Joel A Hirsch, Anna Stary-Weinzinger, Daniel Yakubovich, Nathan Dascal

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Gi/o protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) inhibit cardiac and neuronal excitability via G protein-activated K+ channels (GIRK), assembled by combinations of GIRK1 - GIRK4 subunits. GIRKs are activated by direct binding of the Gβγ dimer of inhibitory Gi/o proteins. However, key aspects of this textbook signaling pathway remain debated. Recent studies suggested no Gi/o-GIRK pre-coupling and low (>250 µM) Gβγ-GIRK interaction affinity, contradicting earlier sub-µM estimates and implying low signaling efficiency. We show that Gγ prenylation, which mediates Gβγ membrane attachment required for GIRK activation, also contributes to the Gβγ-GIRK interaction, explaining the poor affinity obtained with non-prenylated Gβγ. Using quantitative …

Stiefel Md Anderson Oropharynx Cancer (Mda-Opc) Cohort: A Single-Institution, Prospective Longitudinal Outcomes Study, Amy Moreno, Ariana J Sahli, Faye Johnson, Xiaowen Sun, Carly Barbon, Waree Rinsurongkawong, Wenye Song, Flavie M Luciani, Han Liang, Jun Li, Wei Liu, J Jack Lee, S J Frank, Stephen Lai, Clifton Fuller, Katherine Hutcheson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: The MD Anderson Oropharynx Cancer (MDA-OPC) cohort is a unique single-institution, prospective longitudinal cancer cohort. The cohort aims to enhance the therapeutic index of OPC management by supporting data needs for independent investigators to conduct rigorous observational studies examining exposures and factors associated with acute and late toxicities, cancer progression, recurrence, new malignancies and quality of life in OPC survivors.

Participants: A total of 1811 patients with OPC with a minimum follow-up of 6 months have been consented to our prospective registry between 18 March 2015 and 29 December 2023. Clinical and treatment (Tx) data are available on all …

Mycobacterium Chelonae Outbreak Investigation At A Quaternary Pediatric Hospital Following The Opening Of A Leed-Certified Critical Care Tower: Where Does Water Sustainability Intersect With Infection Control?, Andrea L Ankrum, Silvia M Caceres, Michael Torsell, Elaine Epperson, Vinicius Calado Nogueira De Moura, Jennifer J Gilick, Michael Strong, Qingyun Liu, Matthew J Strand, Rachel N Wilsey, Jennifer R Honda, Jane E Gross, Felicia A Scaggs-Huang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Investigate the increased incidence of Mycobacterium chelonae positive respiratory cultures in hospitalized patients.

Design: Apply the Healthcare-Associated Links in Transmission of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (HALT NTM) toolkit to an outbreak investigation of M. chelonae.

Setting: Quaternary-care pediatric hospital and medical center in the United States with a recently opened LEED-certified critical care tower.

Patients: Adult and pediatric patients with M. chelonae positive respiratory cultures between June 2022 and January 2024.

Methods: An epidemiological investigation involving clinical and laboratory practices, water management, building construction and renovation projects. Environmental sampling of air vents, water sources and endoscope reprocessing equipment was performed. M. …

Analysis Of A Deeply-Phenotyped Familial Hypercholesterolemia Cohort From Mexico Shows A Role For Both Rare And Common Alleles Across Known Dyslipidemia Genes And Reveals Structural Variation In A Novel Locus, Nicholas Katsanis, Niki Mourtzi, Consuelo D Quinto-Cortés, Alexandro J Martagon, Alexander G Ioannidis, Francisco M De La Vega, Jeff Gulcher, Ming Ta Michael Lee, Mohammad A Faghihi, Arturo Lopez-Pineda, Sonia Moreno-Grau, Daniel Mas Montserrat, Míriam Barrabés, David Bonet, Pavel Salazar Fernandez, Jeff Wall, Babak Moatamed, Roopa Mehta, Gabriela A Galan-Ramirez, Rafael Zubirán, Daniel Elias-Lopez, Teresa Tusié-Luna, Carlos A Aguilar-Salinas, Carlos D Bustamante

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder driven in part by mutations in three genes that encode components of the cholesterol pathway: LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9. However, the majority of FH genetics has been performed in individuals of European descent. Here, we leveraged a cohort of 300 patients from the Mexican FH registry to understand how rare, high liability alleles and common variants might contribute to shaping individual risk. Using a combination of whole exome and of short- and long-read whole genome sequencing, we report three key findings. First, we observed that rare pathogenic point mutations and structural variants in …

Naphthalimide-Based Type-I Nano-Photosensitizers For Enhanced Antitumor Photodynamic Therapy: H2s Synergistically Regulates Pet And Self-Assembly, Huiyu Niu, Songnan Wang, Yang Liu, Nana Ma, Shuaiwei Cheng, Beidou Feng, Hyunsun Jeong, Yonggang Yang, Ge Wang, Tony D James, Juyoung Yoon, Jonathan L Sessler, Hua Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) relies on a combination of light and photosensitizers (PSs) to achieve local control over cancerous lesions. However, it is subject to limitations, including tumor hypoxia, low tumor targeting, off‐target phototoxicity, and always‐on fluorescence. Here, we propose a design strategy for activated nano‐PSs (N‐PSs) to simultaneously overcome the limitations of PDT, wherein photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) is coupled with an endogenous H2S‐regulated self‐association process to promote Type‐I photochemical reactions. Using theoretical calculations, spectral analysis, and microscopic imaging, we verified the generation of self‐assembly and occurrence of PeT. And it was also shown that H2S could synergistically inhibit the …

Bladder Prolapse (Cystocele) Among African, Asian, And Middle Eastern Women: A Clinical And Socio-Cultural Perspective, Gayathri Delanerolle, Vindya Pathiraja, Tharanga Mudalige, Nirmala Rathnayake, Abirame Sivakumar, Wijamunige Nimesha Prashadini, Nihal Mohamed Al Riyami, Lamiya Al-Kharusi, Mohammad Haddadi, Fred Tweneboah-Koduah, Om Kurmi, George Uchenna Eleje, Peter Phiri, Lauri Romanzi, Sohier Elneil

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

Bladder prolapse, also known as cystocoele, is the most common form of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), significantly affecting women's physical, sexual, and psychosocial health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite its widespread prevalence and disabling consequences, bladder prolapse remains under-recognised and inadequately addressed in global health strategies. Prevalence estimates vary widely across regions, from 3%-64.6%, influenced by diagnostic methods and cultural reporting biases. Common risk factors include high parity, early childbirth, prolonged labour, poor postpartum care, malnutrition, obesity, and ageing. Clinical diagnosis often relies on simplified grading systems in resource-limited settings. Conservative treatments like pelvic floor muscle training …

Barriers And Facilitators To Lifestyle Behavior Change And Goal Setting In Adolescents With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome., Manasa Gadiraju, Joy Y. Kim, Erin M. Green, Alexandra Macmillan Uribe, Honghui Chang, Tania S. Burgert, Melissa D. Olfert, Heidi Vanden Brink

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

PURPOSE: To identify barriers and facilitators to lifestyle modifications and goal setting and characterize goal setting for adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS: Retrospective chart review of registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) nutrition notes from 118 adolescents with PCOS 11-21 years evaluated at a multi-specialty PCOS clinic. Goals, barriers, and facilitators were coded using open coding and a priori objectives and characterized for emerging themes using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS: Five major themes of barriers and facilitators to behavior change emerged: interest and motivation, family involvement, resources and food environment, taste preferences, and self-efficacy. RDNs set ≥3 goals with 52%, …

Geographic And Socioeconomic Predictors Of Early Follow-Up Loss In Patients Undergoing Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors (Pitnets) Resection: A Retrospective Review Of 1143 Cases, Daniel Quintana, Rithvik Ramesh, Robert C. Osorio, Wesley Shoap, Paul Mcmillan Villalobos, Philip V. Theodosopoulos, Sandeep Kunwar, Jose Gurrola, Ivan H. El Sayed, Manish K. Aghi, Ezequiel Goldschmidt

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative follow-up after PitNET resection is essential for monitoring tumor recurrence and endocrinological deficits. Despite advances in telehealth, loss to follow-up remains a persistent challenge across neurosurgical patients. This study aims to identify factors to identify patients are at higher risk of being lost to follow-up after surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,143 adult patients who underwent PitNET resection between 2012 and 2019 at a single institution. Clinical and radiological data were analyzed to assess loss to follow-up in the cohort. Multivariable logistic and negative binomial regression models were used to identify factors independently associated with …

Profiling Tumour-Infiltrating Immune Cells In A Large Paediatric Medulloblastoma Cohort: A Retrospective Analysis, Mingze Chen, Xiangjun Shi, Yi Wang, Jiao Zhang, Jirong Guo, Xiuchen Guan, Yu Sun, Wenhao Wu, Chunde Li, Yongji Tian, Yunwei Ou, Tian Li, Kai Jiang, Michael D Taylor, Xuebin Liao, Liwei Zhang, Tao Sun

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Tumour-infiltrating immune cells exert both pro-tumour and anti-tumour effects on intracranial tumours. In this study, we investigated the prognostic value of various infiltrating immune cells in medulloblastoma (MB) within a large cohort.

Methods: We employed multiplex immunofluorescent (mIF) staining of tissue microarrays to assess the densities of T cells, B cells, NK cells, macrophages, and immune checkpoints in tumour samples from 249 primary paediatric patients with primary MB. Overall survival (OS) analysis, progression-free survival (PFS), and Cox regression analyses were utilised to explore potential relationships between immune cell densities and survival outcomes. Subsequently, multivariate Cox regression was validated using …

Factfinders For Patient Safety: Minimizing Complications In Radiofrequency Neurotomy: Part I-Implantable Devices; Part Ii-Preprocedural Bvnrfn Imaging, David Hao, Gerald Yeung, Haewon Lee, Zheyan Chen, Ben Laplante, Paul Kitei, Reza Ehsanian, David Levi

Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Papers

This series of FactFinders presents a brief summary of the evidence and outlines recommendations regarding minimizing risks with radiofrequency neurotomy procedures. The evidence in support of the following facts is presented: (1) While data on the safety of radiofrequency neurotomy in patients with implanted devices are limited, the procedure can likely be performed safely with careful adherence to best practices and manufacturer recommendations. (2) Basivertebral nerve radiofrequency neurotomy can be performed safely and effectively at the L3 through S1 vertebral levels. Scrutiny of preprocedural imaging may minimize risk. Although the transpedicular approach is preferred, patient anatomy may dictate a non-transpedicular …

At1-Aa Induced Hypertension During Pregnancy Contributes To Developmental Programming Of Hypertension In Female Offspring, Nathan Campbell, James P. Lemon, Melissa Helmich, Dylan Solise, Alexandra Demesa, Ella Goolsby, Evan Lamarca, Evangeline Deer, Denise C. Cornelius, Ty Turner, Lorena M. Amaral, Baoying Zheng, Babbette Lamarca

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Preeclampsia (PE), new-onset hypertension during pregnancy, is accompanied by organ dysfunction, in addition to placental dysfunction, and is associated with chronic inflammation and fetal growth restriction. Agonistic autoantibodies against the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-AA) are produced in PE women and induce a PE-like phenotype when infused into pregnant rats. PE offspring are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and hypertension; however, AT1-AA’s role in these risks is unknown. Therefore, we hypothesized that AT1-AA exposure during pregnancy contributes to hypertension in adult offspring. We infused AT1-AA (1:40) starting on gestational day (GD) 14, allowed the dams to give birth, …

Divergent Prefrontal Cortex Circuits Regulate Cued Food Seeking Under Distinct Metabolic Or Emotional States, Xu O Zhang, Guillermo Aquino-Miranda, Claire E Cho, Yongzhe Wang, Duy Hoang Ha, Nikita Elinson-Watson, Allen Dong, Caleb Kemere, Fabricio H Do-Monte

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Flexibly adjusting food-seeking behaviour in response to food-associated cues and internal states is crucial for animals' survival. However, the neural mechanisms that modulate cued food-seeking behaviour during varying metabolic (i.e., hungry vs. satiated) and emotional (i.e., safe vs. threatened) states remain elusive. Here, we show that the encoding of metabolic or threat states in projection-defined neurons in the prelimbic cortex (PL) mediates cued food-seeking responses in rats. Using microendoscopic imaging, we demonstrate that neural population dynamics in PL consistently represent food cues, task-relevant behaviours, and internal state changes by recruiting distinct subsets of cue-responsive neurons at each state. Single-unit recording …

Bilateral Concomitant Infection Of Cytomegalovirus And Varicella-Zoster Virus Retinitis In An Immunocompromised Adult, Henry C Skrehot, Amer Alsoudi, Daniel Olson, Nhon Le, Asad Loya, Tahira Scholle

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose: To report a novel case of bilateral concomitant cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis and acute retinal necrosis (ARN) due to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in an immunocompromised adult.

Methods: A case report was evaluated.

Results: A 36-year-old immunocompromised man presented with acute painful vision loss in the left eye. On initial presentation, uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/20 in the right eye and counting fingers at 3 feet (≈1 m), which deteriorated to no light perception (NLP) in the left eye. Fundus examination showed necrotizing retinitis in both eyes, with features of both CMV retinitis and ARN. One week after initiation of …

Development Of A Non-Faradaic Impedimetric Biosensor Based On Reduced Graphene Oxide For The Detection Of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (Bdnf), Mariana N. Martins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Neurological disorders affect millions of people worldwide. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the rising number of cases significantly increases global healthcare costs. Therefore, early detection of biomarkers at the onset of the disease is essential for early diagnosis. This study presents an electrochemical biosensor designed for the detection of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in human plasma, incorporating reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to enhance signal sensitivity. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) was employed to deposit rGO flakes on the electrode surface, improving conductivity and sensor performance. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to monitor changes in impedance associated with BDNF binding events, …

Epidemiology Of Metabolic Syndrome In Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Level Cohort Study From The United States, Aakash Desai, Himsikhar Khataniar, Jana G. Hashash, Priya Sehgal, Francis A. Farraye, Gursimran S. Kochhar

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data on metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are limited.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the United States (US) Collaborative Network (TriNetX) to obtain data for patients with IBD between 2010 and 2023. The primary aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of MetS in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Prevalence was further characterized by age, sex, race, disease location, IBD medications, history of surgery, and IBD phenotype.

RESULTS: Among 100,890 patients with IBD, metabolic syndrome (MetS) affected 34.4% overall (UC 32.4%, CD 34.3%). Prevalence rose sharply …

Characterizing Global Dermatologic Engagement And Needs: A Cross-Sectional Study From 83 Countries, Alexis G. Strahan, Christine Li, Maud Guérin, Tom Allison, Gene Colón, Jehireh Peraza-Williams, Olyvia Zarchin, Morvarid Zehtab, Ann M. Pacheco, Jadesola Akinwuntan, Shivani Jain, Marlous L. Grijsen, Wendemagegn Enbiale, Wingfield Rehmus, L. Claire Fuller, Karolyn Wanat, Esther E. Freeman

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Associations Between Meniscus Tear Location And The Prevalence And Severity Of Cartilage Wear In Different Knee Compartments Using An Arthroscopic Grading System, Tara Korbal, Claudia Leonardi, Amy Bronstone, Vinod Dasa

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction: Meniscus tears are associated with progressive cartilage degeneration and worsening osteoarthritis. Although several previous studies have explored the relationship between meniscus tears and cartilage damage, few have examined the relationship between tear location and cartilage wear in all knee compartments using an arthroscopic grading system. Objectives: Evaluate the association between meniscus tear location and the prevalence and severity of high-grade cartilage wear in knee compartments. Methods: A total of 210 patients were categorized into groups based on meniscus tear location: medial meniscus tear (MMT, n = 106), lateral meniscus tear (LMT, n = 41), and medial-lateral meniscus tear (MLMT, …

Capacity, Allocation And Update Dynamics Of Human Memory Systems, Shaoying Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Information is encoded and stored in three types of memory: sensory memory (SM), short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM). SM has a large capacity but retains information for only a brief period. When information transfers to STM, only a limited amount can be stored. Information in STM can then be transferred to LTM, which has a much larger capacity and longer retention time. STM is often conceptualized as working memory (WM) to highlight its role in active information processing. Due to the limited capacity of STM, it is commonly believed that STM serves as the bottleneck for information processing. …

Integrative Profiling Strategies To Guide Personalized Therapy In Mantle Cell Lymphoma: A Pilot Study, Yang Liu, Holly A Hill, Yijing Li, Joseph Mcintosh, Vivian Jiang, Fangfang Yan, Yixin Yao, Yue Fei, Jared Zhang, Lawrence Qu, Jun Yao, Preetesh Jain, Ken Chen, Michael Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) responds to frontline therapy but is susceptible to relapse. While Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) achieve high response rates, most patients eventually experience disease progression. Predicting responses to subsequent treatments remains challenging due to the lack of an established platform. Heterogeneity in gene alterations and cellular pathways contribute to resistance, complicating treatment approaches. Here, we present a multi-modal profiling platform, targeting key pathways rather than focusing on singular DNA-associated lesions. We identified dysregulated signaling pathways by performing gene expression profiling on 20 MCL samples using a custom MCL MATCH gene set and analyzed the data with …

Shp2: A Redox-Sensitive Regulator Linking Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy To Cancer Treatment And Vascular Risk, Silvia Fernanda López Moreno, Stefania Assunto Lenz, Bernardo Casso-Chapa, Angelica Paniagua-Bojorges, Jung Hyun Kim, Nicolas L Palaskas, Kevin T Nead, Venkata S K Samanthapudi, Gilbert Mejia, Oanh Hoang, Jonghae Lee, Steven H Lin, Joerg Herrmann, Guangyu Wang, Syed Wamique Yusuf, Cezar A Iliescu, Noah I Beinart, Charlotte Manisty, Masuko Ushio-Fukai, Tohru Fukai, Pietro Ameri, Roza I Nurieva, Michelle A T Hildebrandt, Keri Schadler, Efstratios Koutroumpakis, Sivareddy Kotla, Nhat-Tu Le, Jun-Ichi Abe

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Src homology 2-domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2), encoded by the Ptpn11 gene (Tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 11), is a key downstream effector of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling and is likely important, in addition to immune modulation, in tumor development and vascular homeostasis. SHP2 conveys PD-1 mediated inhibitory signaling in T cells, and is emerging as a therapeutic target. Importantly, there is an association between immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), immune-related adverse events (irAEs), and cardiovascular complications, underscoring the need to understand SHP2’s role in these processes. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on SHP2/PTPN11 biology, its role in immune …

Risk Factors For Unexpected Death In Patients Identified By A Communication And Resolution Program, Peter Lodato, Neal D. Goldstein, Alexandra M, Mapp, Adebayo Gbadebo, David A. Paul

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Many patients experience unexpected harm while receiving healthcare, with a lasting impact on patients, families, and caregivers. Communication and Resolution Programs are being adopted with increased frequency, as a more systematic, transparent, and equitable approach to these unexpected outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify whether demographic factors played a role in identifying patients with unexpected death, as managed in our CRP. This nested case-controlled compared 236 patients who experienced an unanticipated death with 2,360 controls who died expectedly over a 10-year period. Patients with unexpected death were more likely to be Black (AOR 2.18 95% CI 1.01-4.68), …

The Effect Of Uterine Entry Technique On Chorioamniotic Membrane Separation In Fetoscopic Laser Photocoagulation For Twin-To-Twin Transfusion Syndrome: Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial, Brian A Burnett, Jessian L Munoz, Rebecca M Johnson, Christian M Parobek, Luis E Delgadillo Chabolla, Cara Buskmiller, Roopali V Donepudi, Magdalena Sanz Cortes, Michael A Belfort, Ahmed A Nassr

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Chorioamniotic membrane separation (CAS) is a recognized complication of fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), associated with increased risks of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) and preterm birth (PTB). Although CAS is well described, its incidence and relationship to specific surgical techniques, particularly the method of uterine entry, are not well defined in the published literature. No randomized trials have evaluated whether entry technique influences the risk of CAS.

Methods: We present the protocol for a randomized controlled trial comparing sharp-trocar and Seldinger uterine entry techniques for FLP in TTTS diagnosed between 16 + 0 …

Identifying Compounds To Treat Opiate Use Disorder By Leveraging Multi-Omic Data Integration And Multiple Drug Repurposing Databases, Jeran K Stratford, Megan Ulmer Carnes, Caryn Willis, Melyssa S Minto, Logain Elnimeiry, Ravi Mathur, Matthew Schu, Bryan C Quach, Javan Carter, Tracy Nolen, Nathan Vandergrift, Thomas R Kosten, Eric Otto Johnson, Bradley T Webb

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Genes influencing opioid use disorder (OUD) biology have been identified via genome-wide association studies (GWAS), gene expression, and network analyses. These discoveries provide opportunities to identifying existing compounds targeting these genes for drug repurposing studies. However, systematically integrating discovery results and identifying relevant available pharmacotherapies for OUD repurposing studies is challenging. To address this, we've constructed a framework that uses existing results and drug databases to identify candidate pharmacotherapies. For this study, two independent OUD related meta-analyses were used including a GWAS and a differential gene expression (DGE) study of post-mortem human brain. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) sub-networks enriched for GWAS …

Diras3-Derived Cyclic Peptides Disrupt Kras-Raf Interaction And Kras Nanoclustering, Suppressing Kras-Driven Pancreatic And Ovarian Tumors, Joshua P Gray, Gamze Bildik, Ha-Neul Kim, Margie N Sutton, Jing Wang, Amarachi O Osuji, Nefeli Batistatou, Hailing Yang, Weiqun Mao, Zhi Tan, Geneviève M C Gasmi-Seabrook, Junchen Liu, John F Hancock, Christopher B Marshall, Joshua A Kritzer, Mitsuhiko Ikura, Robert C Bast, Steven W Millward, Zhen Lu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Mutations in KRAS drive 88% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) and up to 40% of low-grade serous ovarian cancers (LGSOC), making KRAS a long-standing therapeutic target. We previously showed that DIRAS3 binds RAS, forming heterodimers that disrupt RAS clustering and downstream MAPK signaling. Building on this, we developed conformationally constrained DIRAS3-derived peptides using two cyclization strategies and characterized them by NMR and biolayer interferometry. These cyclic peptides attenuate the interaction between KRAS and the BRAF RAS-binding domain, penetrate cells efficiently, and inhibit KRAS nanoclustering on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. Functionally, they reduce cell viability and suppress PDAC …

Deletion Of Fibro-Adipogenic Progenitors-Specific Follistatin Impairs Muscle Function And Accelerates Skeletal Muscle Atrophy In Obese Mice, Muhammad Rahil Aslam, Muhammad Bilal, Allah Nawaz, Tomonobu Kado, Shinya Abe, Nguyen Quynh Phuong, Memoona, Sana Khalid, Le Duc Anh, Ayumi Nishimura, Yoshiyuki Watanabe, Yoshiko Igarashi, Naeem Iqbal, Maki Yokoyama, Yasuhiro Onogi, Kennichi Hirabayashi, Hiroyuki Miwa, Takumi Era, Martin M Matzuk, Seiji Yamamoto, Koichi Ikuta, Isao Usui, Kohta Kobayashi, Toshihiko Satake, Masaru Kato, Shiho Fujisaka, Kazuyuki Tobe

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Follistatin is a potent regulator of various TGF-β superfamily members, including myostatin (MSTN) and activin A. Previous studies have shown that follistatin is crucial in enhancing myogenesis during acute muscle injury. The mechanism by which fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs)-specific follistatin influences muscle homeostasis in obese mice remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated the physiological role of follistatin in PDGFRα-positive FAPs in the regulation of muscle homeostasis and exercise in obese mice.

Methods: A PDGFRα-specific follistatin knockout (follistatin KO) mouse model was generated using PDGFRα-GFP-CreERT2 (PDGFRα-GCE) and follistatinflox/flox mice. These mice were fed a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) for 20 weeks, followed …

Heart To Heart: Pediatric Cardiologists On Caring For Children With Congenital Heart Defects, Michael Smith, Jeffrey Shuler, Aseel Dabbagh

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with leading pediatric cardiologists to explore the complexities and compassion behind caring for children with congenital heart defects (CHDs). From early diagnosis and surgical planning to long-term management and family support, our guests share their insights on what it takes to guide patients and families through every stage of the journey. They also discuss the latest advancements in pediatric cardiology and the importance of coordinated, multidisciplinary care. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a parent, or simply curious about the field, this conversation offers a meaningful look into the heart of pediatric cardiac care.

Click …

Toxic Truths: Pediatric Poisonings And The Antidotes That Save Lives, Michael Smith, Michelle Dephillips

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Michelle DePhillips, a pediatric emergency medicine physician, to explore the critical topic of pediatric poisonings. From household items to medications, children are exposed to a wide range of toxic substances—and quick, informed action can make all the difference. Dr. DePhillips shares real-world cases, essential antidotes every pediatrician should know, and practical prevention strategies for families. Whether you're in primary care or the emergency department, this conversation offers valuable insights to help you respond confidently when minutes matter.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Semaglutide Use Before Single-Level Lumbar Fusion Associated With Fewer Readmissions And 90-Day Costs, Mitchell K. Ng, Paul G. Mastrokostas, Ariel N. Rodriguez, Abigail Razi, Leonidas E. Mastrokostas, Ahmed K. Emara, Brian T. Ford, Jacquelyn J. Xu, Jonathan Dalton, Rajkishen Narayanan, Christopher K. Kepler, Alan S. Hilibrand, Alex R. Vaccaro, Jad Bou Monsef, Afshin E. Razi

Rothman Institute Papers

CONTEXT: Semaglutide, a glucagon-like protein-1 receptor agonist used in diabetes and obesity management, has demonstrated perioperative benefits in other surgical populations. However, its role in spine surgery remains unclear.

AIMS: This study aims to evaluate whether patients undergoing single-level lumbar fusion demonstrate: (1) fewer medical complications; (2) surgical complications; and (3) healthcare utilization as measured by readmissions and costs.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study using a national claims database from 2010 to 2021.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing single‑level lumbar fusion were identified and matched 1:5 using propensity scores based on age, sex, body mass …