Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Astrocytes Expressing Mutant Hnrnpa1 Induce Non-Cell-Autonomous Motor Neuron Death, Qinxue Wu, Xionghao Liu, Tingting Zhang, Shiquan Cui, Bo Huang, Cao Huang, Qilin Cao, Xu-Gang Xia, Hongxia Zhou

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Pathogenic mutation of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1) is causative to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Neuron death resulting from pathogenic hnRNPA1 may not require its presence across all pertinent cells types, including neurons, glia, and muscles. Rather, the exclusive presence of pathogenic hnRNPA1 in a specific cell type, such as astrocytes, may suffice to substantially alter cellular functions. Consequently, this alteration initiates abnormal interaction within intricate neuron-glia networks, culminating in non-cell-autonomous motor neuron death. To investigate the pivotal role of non-cell-autonomous neuron death in hnRNPA1-associated ALS, we developed transgenic rats overexpressing mutant hnRNPA1 in specifically astrocytes. The confined overexpression of …

The Safety Of Abiraterone Acetate In Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: An Individual-Participant Data Meta-Analysis Based On 14 Randomized Clinical Trials, Amy L Shaver, Nikita Nikita, Swapnil Sharma, Scott W. Keith, Kevin K. Zarrabi, Wm. Kevin Kelly, Grace Lu-Yao

Kimmel Cancer Center Papers, Presentations, and Grand Rounds

Background/objectives: Multiple systemic treatments are available for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), with unclear safety profiles. This study seeks to describe the safety determined in randomized clinical trials of a systemic treatment for mCRPC and whether safety differs by age. Methods: We utilized individual patient data from industry-funded phase 2/3 trials in mCRPC on abiraterone acetate (AA). Vivli, a clinical trial repository site, was used. One investigator independently performed screening. Relative effects of treatment were assessed with frequencies and odds of serious adverse events (SAEs). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guideline was used. Subgroup analysis measured …

Temporary Intravascular Shunting Using A Carotid Shunt For Traumatic Femoral Artery And Vein Injury In A Hemodynamically Unstable Patient, Nicola Habash, Fari Fall, Jin Park, Babak Abai, Michael Nooromid

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Vascular trauma involving the peripheral arteries of the extremities can lead to limb loss and, in severe cases, death. The use of intravascular shunts can help to temporarily perfuse the limb, while allowing for resuscitation of a critically injured patient. Here we present a case of a concomitant complex injury of the common femoral artery and common femoral vein, and the complementary vascular strategies used to achieve limb salvage.

Quantifying "Medical Renal Disease": A Pediatric Pilot Study Using Ultrasound Radiomics For Differentiating Acute Kidney Injury And Chronic Kidney Disease, Laura De Leon-Benedetti, Laith Sultan, Hansel Otero, Tatiana Morales-Tisnés, Joya Sims, Kate Fitzpatrick, Julie Fitzgerald, Susan Furth, Benjamin Laskin, Bernarda Viteri

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Background: Differentiating acute kidney injury (AKI) from chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children remains a critical unmet need due to the limitations of current clinical and biochemical markers. Conventional ultrasound lacks the sensitivity to discern subtle parenchymal alterations. This study explores the application of ultrasound radiomics—a novel, non-invasive, and quantitative image analysis method—for distinguishing AKI from CKD in pediatric patients. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional pilot study, kidney ultrasound images were obtained from 31 pediatric subjects: 8 with oliguric AKI, 14 with CKD, and 9 healthy controls. Renal parenchyma was manually segmented, and 124 advanced texture features were extracted using …

Racial And Socioeconomic Disparities In Long Term Survival After Surgery And Radiation For Spinal Cord Hemangioblastoma, Abdul Karim Ghaith, Xinlan Yang, Joshua Weinberg, Shaan Bhandarkar, Taha Khalilullah, Abdel-Hameed Al-Mistarehi, Khaled Zaitoun, Meghana Bhimreddy, Arjun K. Menta, Antony A. Fuleihan, Kamel Chebaro, Jawad Khalifeh, Andrew Grossbach, Nicholas Theodore, Daniel Lubelski

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Spinal cord hemangioblastomas are rare, benign, intradural tumors that, despite their nonmalignant histopathology, can lead to substantial neurological morbidity. While disparities in outcomes based on race and socioeconomic status have been well-documented in other spinal tumor populations, their role in spinal cord hemangioblastoma remains poorly understood. In this study, we utilize the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to evaluate the influence of race, socioeconomic factors, and healthcare access on survival outcomes in patients with spinal cord hemangioblastoma. Additionally, we explore the utility of machine learning-based survival models to improve individualized risk prediction and to identify key clinical and sociodemographic determinants of …

Modeling The Importance Of Life Exposure Factors On Memory Performance In Diverse Older Adults: A Machine Learning Approach, Evan Fletcher, Marianne Chanti-Ketterl, Emily Hokett, Yi Lor, Umesh Venkatesan, Ruijia Chen, Omonigho M. Bubu, Rachel Whitmer, Paola Gilsanz, Zvinka Z. Zlatar

Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Papers

INTRODUCTION: Many health life exposure factors (LEFs) influence cognitive decline and dementia incidence, but their relative importance to episodic memory (an early indicator of cognitive decline) among diverse older adults is unclear. We used machine learning to rank LEFs for memory performance in a large and diverse US cohort.

METHODS: Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences (KHANDLE) and Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans (STAR), participants underwent neuropsychological testing and answered questionnaires about multiple LEFs. XGBoost and Shapley Additive exPlanation values ranked the importance of factors influencing cross-sectional episodic memory in the full sample and by sex and …

Fatal Facial Necrotizing Fasciitis: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnostic And Therapeutic Challenges, Muhammad Sheraz Hameed, Syed Rafay Hussain Zaidi, Ali Iqbal, Muhammad Ahsan, Austin Mitchell, Azka Asad Mirza, Joshiah Gordon, Rahmat Gul Omarzai

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Facial Necrotizing Fasciitis (FNF) is a rare but aggressive, life-threatening infection involving the face's subcutaneous tissues and underlying musculature. It can rapidly progress to septic shock and multi-organ failure if not promptly recognized and treated. The clinical course, including severe pain, disproportionate tenderness, and systemic signs, is often the most crucial factor in diagnosis. While computed tomography (CT) can aid in identifying early signs such as soft tissue swelling and gas formation, clinical suspicion remains paramount and should not be delayed by reliance on imaging alone. Without early intervention, FNF may lead to devastating outcomes, including disfigurement, blindness, or …

Current Mechanobiological Pathways And Therapies Driving Spinal Health, Rahul Kumar, Kyle Sporn, Harlene Kaur, Akshay Khanna, Phani Paladugu, Nasif Zaman, Alireza Tavakkoli

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Spinal health depends on the dynamic interplay between mechanical forces, biochemical signaling, and cellular behavior. This review explores how key molecular pathways, including integrin, yeas-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), Piezo, and Wingless/Integrated (Wnt) with β-catenin, actively shape the structural and functional integrity of spinal tissues. These signaling mechanisms respond to physical cues and interact with inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), driving changes that lead to disc degeneration, vertebral fractures, spinal cord injury, and ligament failure. New research is emerging that shows scaffold designs that can …

Unrecognized And Unreported Concussions Among Community Rugby Players, Rachael Wittmer, Thomas A. Buckley, Charles Buz Swanik, Katelyn M. Costantini, Lisa Ryan, Ed Daly, Regan E. King, Arryana J. Daniels, Katherine J. Hunzinger

Department of Exercise Science Faculty Papers

This study examined the prevalence of intentionally unreported and potentially unrecognized concussions in community rugby players and whether nondisclosure reasons vary by sex, position, or playing history. An online survey was completed by 1037 players (41.0% female; mean age 31.6 ± 11.3 years; 10.1 ± 8.1 years playing) who reported diagnosed, unreported, and unrecognized concussions. Poisson regression models estimated prevalence ratios (PRs), and Fisher's exact tests compared reasons for nondisclosure. The diagnosed, unreported, and unrecognized concussion rates were 66.5%, 32.4%, and 42.2%, respectively. Players with diagnosed concussions had a 7.2-fold higher prevalence of nondisclosure and a 2.3-fold higher prevalence of …

Post-Traumatic Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Optic Neuritis: A Case Report, Saif A. Hamdan, Jaime Nassur, Sarah E. Thornton

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

PURPOSE: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) has recently been distinguished as its own disease entity separate from other demyelinating diseases. This case report highlights the possible association of orbital trauma with the development of MOG antibody (MOG-IgG) optic neuritis.

OBSERVATIONS: A 31-year-old male with no significant ocular history presented with blurry vision in the right eye four weeks after a motorcycle crash. Right eye examination was notable for a significant decrease in visual acuity with a relative afferent pupillary defect and circumferential disc elevation on fundoscopy. An extensive workup, including imaging and serology, revealed optic neuritis with a …

The Impact Of Different Antidiabetic Drugs On Fracture Risk In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review And Network Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials With A Focus On Sglt2 Inhibitors, Bushra Admani, Fizza Z. Raza, Fatima Siddiqui, Muhammad T. Ashraf, Muhammad K. Khan, Ifra Habib, Ayesha Usman, Bareeha Mansoor, Zaira Nadeem, Rana J. Ghaffer, Muhammad Riyyan, Sawaira Sajid, Muhammad H. A. Chania, Mahnoor Saleem, Saad Javaid, Nikhil Duseja, Hussam Al Hennawi, Sunita Lakhani

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

SGLT2 inhibitors are a new class of antidiabetic drugs that have shown cardiovascular benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. However, their effects on fracture risk are unclear and may depend on the type and duration of treatment. This meta-analysis compares the fracture risk of different antidiabetic drugs, including SGLT2 inhibitors, based on data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched 4 databases for RCTs that reported fracture events in patients with T2DM who received different antidiabetic drugs. We included 117 RCTs that compared 9 types of antidiabetic drugs: SGLT2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, α-glucosidase inhibitors, …

Retrieval Of An Embolized Left Atrial Appendage Occluder From The Aortic Arch Using A Transcatheter Retrieval Device, Juan Siordia, Hussam Al Hennawi, Muhammad Sabri, Daniel Ice, Ronald Ross, Sheena Rastogi, Chunguang Chen, Richard Kovach, Muhammad Raza

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

BACKGROUND: Device embolization is a recognized complication of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedures, with outcomes depending on the location of the embolized device and patient management.

CASE SUMMARY: A 70-year-old male with atrial fibrillation underwent LAAO due to high bleeding risk. Postoperative surveillance revealed an Amplatzer Amulet device embolized in the transverse arch of the aorta. The patient remained asymptomatic, and transcatheter retrieval was planned. A percutaneous approach was used with the ONOCOR system and snare devices with successful retrieval. The patient recovered without complications and remained stable at follow-up.

DISCUSSION: Device embolization often presents challenges, with clinical outcomes …

Platelet Protease-Activated Receptor 4 Genotype And Response To Aspirin In Pregnancy, Rupsa C. Boelig, James V. Michael, Antonios Tawk, Tingting Zhan, Joanna S. Y. Chan, Walter K. Kraft, Steven E. Mckenzie

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

The platelet protease-activated receptor 4 (PAR4) threonine 120 (Thr120) allele is an activating allele associated with reduced aspirin response in vitro. Aspirin is recommended in high-risk pregnancies to prevent preeclampsia and preterm birth. We evaluated the impact of PAR4 genotype on aspirin response in pregnancy, as measured by platelet function assay 100 (PFA-100) epinephrine closure time, and perinatal outcomes. We conducted a prospective cohort study of high-risk pregnant patients who took 81-mg aspirin daily. PFA-100 was assessed at baseline, 2 to 4 weeks after aspirin initiation (follow-up 1), and 28 to 32 weeks’ gestation (follow-up 2). Primary outcome was difference …

Dissatisfaction And Residual Symptoms In Younger And Older Adult Patients After Total Knee Arthroplasty, Nicholas Pohl, Parker Brush, Adrian Santana, Sebastian Fras, Eleanor Jenkins, Arjun Saxena

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an increasingly used treatment option for younger patients with osteoarthritis. Previous research has found only 66% patients < 60 years who underwent TKA postoperatively reported that their knees felt normal. However, the prior studies did not compare underlying causes for dissatisfaction based on age. This study compared the satisfaction and residual symptom rates between patients ages < 60 and ≥60 years and identified specific reasons for their dissatisfaction between the age groups.

METHODS: Patients who underwent unilateral TKA for osteoarthritis from 2014 to 2016 were electronically sent a 15-question survey pertaining to surgery satisfaction. Following patient identification and survey completion, patient demographics, medical history, surgical time, and length of stay were collected through manual review of medical records. Patients who completed surveys were grouped by age (< 60 years or ≥60 years) for analysis.

RESULTS: In total, 1189 ≥ 60-year-old patients and 388 < 60-year-old patients were included. Most patients in both cohorts reported satisfaction with overall knee function (< 60: 68.6%; ≥60: 71.8%; P = 0.175). Fewer < 60-year patients reported normal knee function (66.5% vs. 75.2%; P < 0.001). The most common residual symptom in both cohorts was continued pain.

CONCLUSION: Patients younger than 60 years reported less satisfaction with performing normal activities …

Immunogenicity And Safety Of A Rabies-Based Highly Pathogenic Influenza A Virus H5 Vaccine In Cattle, Nir Paran, Christoph Wirblich, Catherine Olal, Alessandro Tarquinio, Kimberly H. Lohmeyer, Drishya Kurup, Stacey Schultz-Cherry, Ismaila Shittu, Gregory C. Gray, Dennis A. Bente, Pia U. Olafson, Matthias J. Schnell

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

The circulation of highly pathogenic H5 influenza A viruses in cattle, other mammals, and wildlife threatens animal and human health. To address this, we vaccinated heifer-calves with a deactivated rabies-virus-based H5 vaccine, which was well-tolerated and elicited neutralizing antibodies against both clade-1 and clade-2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses, comparable to naturally H5-infected and convalescing cows. The immune responses to the vaccine platform were durable for at least 200 days and unaffected by preexisting RABV immunity.

Gm-Csf Production By Immune Cells In Steady State And Autoimmune Neuroinflammation Mapped Using Fate Reporting Mice, Gholamreza Azizi, Javad Rasouli, Hamed Naziri, Michael V. Gonzalez, James Garifallou, Guang-Xian Zhang, Bogoljub Ciric, Abdolmohamad M. Rostami

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: GM-CSF is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that promotes an inflammatory phenotype in myeloid cells. The extent and pattern of GM-CSF expression in immune cells have not been fully elucidated. Our goal was to advance this topic using novel GM-CSF reporter/fate reporter transgenic mice.

METHODS: We tracked ongoing and past GM-CSF expression in various immune cells from multiple organs, in steady-state and autoimmune inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS).

RESULTS: The GM-CSF expression patterns varied by cell type and organ, with CD4

DISCUSSION: These findings identified distinct GM-CSF cellular sources across organs, highlighting the transient nature of GM-CSF expression and …

Conceptual Model And Design Of An Initiative To Build Nurses’ Resilience And Ethical Practice, Cynda Hylton Rushton, Sandra M. Swoboda, Nancy Reller, Laura C. Sarver, Erin M. Wright, Krysia Warren Hudson, Robie Victoria Hughes, Ginger C. Hanson, Rita D’Aoust

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Background: Healthcare faces a nursing crisis with high turnover, burnout, and faculty shortages, which requires innovative educational approaches that bridge the gap between education and practice. Purpose: To present the conceptual model and design of a statewide, trans-institutional academic-practice collaboration that holistically builds nurses' resilience and ethical practice across the education-to-practice continuum. Method: Development of the Renewal, Resilience, and Retention (R³) Initiative based on adaptation of the Mindful Ethical Practice and Resilience Academy (MEPRA), social ecological framework, and stakeholder input across eight schools of nursing and five hospitals in Maryland. Results: The R³ Initiative created a scalable …

Silvestrol Inhibits Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells And Synergizes With Cx‑5461: Insights From A Proteomics Study, Maelinda Daker, Munirah Ahmad, Alan Khoo, Lu Ping Tan, Siok-Fong Chin, Siaw San Hwang, Paul Neilsen

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a cancer arising from the epithelial cells of the nasopharynx, which is rare in Western countries but extremely prevalent in Borneo and the Southern China region. Present-day hurdles in NPC treatment that lead to poor quality of life and poor survival include distant metastasis and resistance to chemoradiotherapy. Silvestrol and its 5'''-epimer, episilvestrol, are compounds isolated from the plant Aglaia stellatopilosa, which is endemic to Borneo. Silvestrol, a protein synthesis inhibitor, preferentially inhibits the translation of cancer-associated mRNAs. CX-5461 is an inhibitor of RNA polymerase I that catalyzes rRNA synthesis. The present study sought to …

Exploring Young Adults' Experiences And Beliefs In Asthma Medication Management: Pilot Qualitative Study Comparing Human And Multiple Ai Thematic Analysis, Ruth Ndarake Jeminiwa, Caroline Popielaski, Amber King

College of Pharmacy Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Young adults take their asthma maintenance medication 67% of the time or less. Understanding the specific needs and behaviors of young adults with asthma is essential for developing targeted interventions to improve disease self-management. Artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated its utility in summarizing and identifying patterns in qualitative research and may support or augment human coding efforts. However, there is pause literature to support this assertion.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to begin to explore the medication management-related needs of young adults with asthma via a pilot feasibility study. We aim to understand how to best assist …

Highly Oligomeric Drp1 Strategic Positioning At Mitochondria-Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Contacts In Adult Murine Heart Through Actin Anchoring, Celia Fernandez-Sanz, Sergio De La Fuente, Zuzana Nichtova, Marilen Federico, Stephane Duvezin-Caubet, Sebastian Lanvermann, Hui-Ying Tsai, Yanguo Xin, György Csordás, Wang Wang, Arnaud Mourier, Shey-Shing Sheu

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Mitochondrial fission and fusion appear to be relatively infrequent in cardiac cells compared to other cell types; however, the proteins involved in these events are highly expressed in adult cardiomyocytes (ACM). Therefore, these proteins likely have additional non-canonical roles. We have previously shown that DRP1 not only participates in mitochondrial fission processes but also regulates mitochondrial bioenergetics in cardiac tissue. However, it is still unknown where the DRP1 that does not participate in mitochondrial fission is located and what its role is at those non-fission spots. Therefore, this manuscript will clarify whether oligomeric DRP1 is located at the SR–mitochondria interface, …

Beyond Smoking: A Geospatial Investigation Of Factors Associated With Lung And Bronchus Cancer Risk In Pennsylvania, Tesla D. Dubois, Daniel Wiese, Kevin A. Henry, Shannon M. Lynch

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: While smoking is the leading cause of lung and bronchus cancer (LBC), additional exposures have been implicated and may explain the rise in LBC among never-smokers. To better understand the spatial distribution of LBC incidence and associated risk factors, this study aims to identify geographic areas with significantly elevated incidence rates in Pennsylvania and investigate the potential underlying risk factors.

METHODS: Using cancer registry data aggregated to the census tract level, spatial scan statistics were applied to detect areas of higher-than-expected LBC incidence across the state. Associations were then tested between census tract inclusion in a high-incidence area and …

Operative Trends In Endovascular And Open Procedures Among Vascular Fellows, Jin Park, Nicola Habash, Dawn Salvatore, Michael Nooromid, Paul J. Dimuzio, Babak Abai

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Objective: Over the past decade, there has been a growing adoption of endovascular approaches for treating vascular pathologies. This shift toward minimally invasive techniques has raised concerns about declining open surgical case volumes for vascular surgery fellows, particularly in procedures such as aortic aneurysm repair. This study aimed to analyze trends in both open and endovascular case volumes across major vascular procedure categories, including aortic aneurysm, lower extremity arterial disease, abdominal occlusive disease, and cerebrovascular disease, among graduating vascular surgery fellows. Methods: National case log data from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education were collected for 5 + 2 …

Gastrointestinal Fistulas-What Gastroenterologists Need To Know In 2025, Monjur Ahmed

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Gastrointestinal fistulas are increasingly being encountered in our clinical practice because of the increased burden of Crohn's disease, bariatric surgeries, interventional endoscopic procedures, nonsurgical trauma, and war and disaster zones worldwide. Presentation depends on the location and specific type of the fistula. Symptomatic ones can have a tremendous impact on social life and can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, increased morbidity, and mortality. Different imaging studies and endoscopic procedures are done to establish the diagnosis. Treatment modalities to close the fistula depend on the underlying disease and the type of fistula. They include conservative treatment, medical therapy, endoscopic interventions, and …

Clinical Outcomes Following Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release With The Arthrex Nanoscopic Release System-A Single Surgeon Experience, Sina Ramtin, Asif M. Ilyas

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) is a minimally invasive alternative to open release, offering faster recovery and reduced postoperative discomfort. The Arthrex NanoScopic ECTR system, a novel single-use device using chip-on-tip digital imaging and designed for use under local anesthesia without arthroscopic equipment, may further streamline care and expand surgical access.

METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of the first 50 consecutive ECTR procedures performed using the Arthrex NanoScopic system by a single hand fellowship-trained hand surgeon. All procedures were completed under wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet technique in an outpatient surgical center. Outcomes included operative times, adverse events, …

Variability In Long Covid Definitions And Validation Of Published Prevalence Rates, Lauren E. Wisk, Michelle L'Hommedieu, Kate Diaz Roldan, Imtiaz Ebna Mannan, Erica S. Spatz, Robert A. Weinstein, Arjun K. Venkatesh, Michael Gottlieb, Ryan Huebinger, Kristin L. Rising, Juan Carlos C. Montoy, Kari A. Stephens, Robert M. Rodriguez, Mandy J. Hill, Kelli N. O'Laughlin, Nicole L. Gentile, Ahamed H. Idris, Shu-Xia Li, Michelle Santangelo, Efrat R. Kean, Samuel A. Mcdonald, Kristyn Gatling, Joann G Elmore

Jefferson Center for Connected Care Faculty Papers

IMPORTANCE: Long COVID definitions vary widely, and no consensus exists on how to accurately measure its prevalence, complicating both clinical care and research.

OBJECTIVE: To assess long COVID prevalence using various definitions from published literature.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective, multicenter cohort study used data from the longitudinal Innovative Support for Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Infections Registry (INSPIRE). Participants aged 18 years or older with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 illness at the time of their index SARS-CoV-2 test enrolled at 8 sites across the US from December 11, 2020, through August 29, 2022, with follow-up surveys collected through February 28, …

Molecular Inflammatory Expression Profiles Associated With The Frequency Of Pain In Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease, Lana Mucalo Katunaric, Shuang Jia, Ashima Singh, Mark F. Roethle, Julie A. Panepinto, David C. Brousseau, Martin J. Hessner, Amanda M. Brandow

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Pain is the most common complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). The underlying biology of SCD pain is not well understood, which is a barrier to novel, effective analgesic and preventive therapies. A wide variability in the phenotypic expression of pain exists among individuals with SCD, despite the inheritance of a similar defective hemoglobin gene. This interindividual pain variability further complicates the ability to understand the biology and effectively treat pain. We sought to discover a biological signature comprising differentially expressed genes unique to SCD that could differentiate between individuals with varied pain frequency. We conducted plasma-induced transcription analysis from …

Clinical And Demographic Predictors Of The Need For Pharmacotherapy In Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Shawana Bibi, Rachana Singh, Janis L. Breeze, Jason Nelson, Walter K. Kraft, Jonathan M. Davis

Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Development and validation of a clinical prediction model for receipt of pharmacotherapy for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).

STUDY DESIGN: Data from three cohorts included

RESULTS: Of 698 infants included, 430 received pharmacotherapy. The final model included seven predictors of receipt of pharmacotherapy: gestational age, exposure to maternal breast milk, type of maternal opioid medication, and exposure to heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and/or antipsychotic medications. The model had an AUROC of 0.68 (95% CI: 0.64-0.72; optimism corrected 0.65).

CONCLUSION: Our prediction model was parsimonious and identified seven predictors associated with the need for PT. Larger cohort studies are needed to more …

Digital-Based Nutrition Interventions Employing The Dietary Approaches To Stop Hypertension (Dash) Diet: A Systematic Scoping Review, Elizabeth Dodge, Patricia J. Kelly, Basil H. Aboul-Enein

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Background: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is an internationally recognized anti-hypertensive dietary model. This systematic scoping review examines the effectiveness of digital-based interventions utilizing the DASH dietary pattern. Methods: A search was conducted using 14 databases to include relevant studies from 1997 to January 2025 using PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews. Results: The review included 24 studies with almost 7000 participants, including randomized controlled trials and cohort studies conducted in several countries. Interventions using the DASH dietary pattern positively affected blood pressure (BP), nutrition behavior, and weight. Some studies also reported secondary outcomes such as reduced healthcare …

Spontaneous Closure Of A Patent Processus Vaginalis: A Case Report, Haley Kittle, Amber Lee Geng, Loren Berman, Erin Teeple

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Introduction: Patent process vaginalis and inguinal hernia are prolific in infants, and their repair is a common pediatric surgical procedure. However, there is a paucity of direct evidence detailing the spontaneous closure of patent processus vaginalis.

Case presentation: A 4-month-old boy born prematurely at 34-weeks with low gestational birth weight, underwent laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement for oropharyngeal dysphagia and was incidentally found to have bilateral patent processes vaginalis. Due to his lack of symptoms, he was managed under the watchful waiting approach. His parents were educated about signs and symptoms of inguinal hernia and were instructed to contact the team …

Impact Of A Multi-Strain L. Crispatus-Based Vaginal Synbiotic On The Vaginal Microbiome: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial, Jacques Ravel, Sheri Simmons, Eleni Greenwood Jaswa, Sara Gottfried, Miriam Greene, Susan Kellogg-Spadt, Dirk Gevers, Diane M. Harper

Institute of Emerging Health Professions Faculty Papers

A clinical trial of a multi-strain vaginal synbiotic (NCT05659745, registered 12/19/2022 at clinicaltrials.gov) led to an optimal vaginal microbiome dominated by L. crispatus (CST I). The synbiotic led to a significant increase in L. crispatus compared to placebo (p <  0.05), and conversion to CST I was significantly higher with the vaginal synbiotic than with placebo (90 vs 11%; p <  0.002). Mechanistically, the synbiotic reduced Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida, clinically important microbes.