Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Overcoming Radiation Resistance: Ferroptosis Induction To Sensitize Solid Tumors To Radiation Therapy, Joseph Carmicheal, Caden M. Fritson, Alexandra Seas, Heidi M. Vieira, Surinder K. Batra

Journal Articles: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Radiation therapy (RT) is a mainstay of treatment for a myriad of cancers, often utilized for tumors that are unable to be resected, as well as an adjunct to surgery and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, many cancers are resistant to RT-induced damage and subsequent cell death. This has spurred the pursuit of novel radiation sensitizers that could potentiate the effects of this widely used and important treatment modality. Since its discovery as a regulated cell death mechanism in 2012, ferroptosis has been studied for its connection to cancer and other known oxidative pathways. With this, the interplay between RT and ferroptosis in …

Effet Sur La Qualité De L'Air Et La Santé Des Travailleurs Et Travailleuses Dans Les Logements Alternatifs Des Poules Pondeuses, Magali-Wen St-Germain, Valérie Létourneau, Marc Veillette, Perrine Cruaud, Candice Lemaille, Kim Robitaille, Éloïse Denis, Araceli Dalila Larios Martínez, Sébastien Fournel, Stéphane Godbout, Geneviève Dion, Andréanne Côté, Laurianne Gratton, Martine Boulianne, Caroline Duchaine

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Les oeufs de poules en liberté et les oeufs provenant « d’élevage confort » sont maintenant des produits communs dans les marchés alimentaires du Québec. Cette nouvelle variété de produits est le résultat de l’évolution des pratiques afin de concilier le bien-être des poules pondeuses et les besoins de l’industrie. En effet, d’ici l’année 2036, les logements conventionnels pour poules pondeuses (logements grillagés pour des petits groupes de poules) seront graduellement remplacés par des logements alternatifs. Les logements alternatifs pour poules pondeuses regroupent les colonies enrichies et les logements sans cages (sur plancher ou en volière). Ils ont en commun …

Évaluation De L’Exposition Aux Microorganismes Et Appréciation Du Risque Sanitaire Des Chauffeurs De Camion Et Des Éboueurs Attitrés Au Transport Des Matières Résiduelles Et Des Déchets, Geneviève Marchand, Loïc Wingert, Maximilien Debia, Carla Viegas, Susana Viegas, Liliana Caetano, Magdalena Twarużek, Nancy Lacombe, François Gouin, Delphine Lanoie, Isabelle Valois, Robert Kosicki, Marta Dias, Ewelina Soszczyńska, Julien Trépanier, Tam Nguyen, Fabiola Salambanga, Noémie Gervais

Rapports de recherche scientifique

La gestion des déchets au Québec repose sur la collecte sélective pour revaloriser les matières résiduelles et réduire l’enfouissement. Les travailleurs du secteur sont exposés aux bioaérosols contenant microorganismes et allergènes. Les risques sanitaires sont influencés par la nature des matières manipulées et les méthodes de travail employées. La manutention des déchets a déjà été mise en lien avec des inflammations respiratoires, des troubles digestifs, et des syndromes liés aux poussières organiques toxiques. L’objectif du projet visait à évaluer l’exposition des travailleurs aux microorganismes et d’en apprécier les risques pour la santé.

Dans le cadre de ce projet, 28 camions …

Allier Les Technologies Numériques À La Prévention Des Lésions Professionnelles Pour Intervenir Auprès D'Une Population Faiblement Scolarisée Se Préparant À L'Emploi, Marie Laberge, Aurélie Tondoux, Myriam Bérubé, Céline Chatigny, Denys Denis

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Ce rapport présente les résultats d’un projet de recherche visant à améliorer la santé et la sécurité au travail (SST) des élèves du Parcours de formation axée sur l’emploi (PFAE) au Québec. Ce programme accueille chaque année entre 11 000 et 13 000 élèves de 15 ans à 21 ans qui éprouvent des difficultés scolaires et risquent de quitter l’école sans diplôme. Le PFAE offre des stages d’apprentissage en milieu de travail pour des métiers semi-spécialisés, couvrant un large éventail de secteurs d’activités. Les élèves du PFAE sont particulièrement vulnérables en matière de SST puisqu’ils sont très jeunes et ont …

Intentional Reflection Of Student Experiences During Graduate Nursing Education, Laura Gray Phd, Steven Busby, Aine O'Connor, Julie Honey

Funded Scholarship

Background: Nurse practitioners can help fill needs for primary care providers but first must successfully transition from registered nurse through graduate education, which presents challenges and opportunities for growth.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe experiences of nurses during the first semester of graduate school. Methods: Reflections of 23 students were analyzed by nursing faculty using qualitative descriptive methods.

Results: Five main concepts were identified by students: Academic performance, Challenges, Emotions, Linking coursework to future role, and Support.

Conclusion: Reflective journaling may help students process and adapt to challenges of graduate school.

“Shaking The Ladder” Reveals How Analytic Choices Can Influence Associations In Nutrition Epidemiology: Beef Intake And Coronary Heart Disease As A Case Study, Colby J Vorland, Lauren E O'Connor, Beate Henschel, Cuiqiong Huo, James M Shikany, Carlos A Serrano, Robert Henschel, Stephanie L Dickinson, Keisuke Ejima, Aurelian Bidulescu, David B Allison, Andrew W Brown

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Nutrition epidemiological models involve many analytic decisions, such as defining exposures, selecting which covariates to include, or configuring variables in different ways. We explored the impact of analytical decisions on conclusions in nutrition epidemiology using self-reported beef intake and incident coronary heart disease as a case study. We used REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) data, and selected covariates and their configurations from published literature to recapitulate common models used to assess associations between meat intake and health outcomes. Three model sets were designed: sets one and two used continuous and quintile-defined beef intakes, respectively, each with …

Examining Widely Held Propositions On Human Dietary Protein Needs And Benefits: A Critical Review Of The Science That Shapes Both The Data And Our Understanding Of An Essential Macronutrient, Mitchell M Kanter, Sally Aaron, Steven N Austad, Andrew W Brown, Nicholas A Burd, Wayne W Campbell, Mark Cope, Teresa A Davis, John W Erdman, Miguel Freitas, Kristen Hicks-Roof, Samuel Klein, Wantanee Kriengsinyos, Dudley W Lamming, Donald K Layman, Heather J Leidy, Kevin C Maki, Richard D Mattes, Shalene Mcneill, Daniel R Moore, Stefan M Pasiakos, Stuart M Phillips, David Raubenheimer, Wendy Reinhardt, Nancy R Rodriguez, Stephen Simpson, Hans H Stein, Luc J C Van Loon, Connie M Weaver, David B Allison

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

The essentiality of protein in the human diet is unequivocal. Yet researchers, clinicians, and lay people often believe numerous propositions about dietary protein despite insufficient supporting or refuting data in some instances. To address this disconnect, and to "pressure-test" current beliefs about dietary protein, the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington convened a workshop in February 2025 titled "Human Dietary Protein Needs and Benefits: A Critical Assessment of Postulated Propositions." More than 20 international experts discussed (1) methodologic issues affecting data acquisition and interpretation; (2) "optimal" dietary protein intakes and effects on muscle protein synthesis rates, muscle protein accretion, …

Cross-Sectional And Longitudinal Relationships Between Abdominal Fat Depots And Cardiometabolic Risk In A Sample Of Mexican Adolescents, Luis Ortíz-Hernández, Erica G Soltero, Miguel Camejo, Jesús Valdes

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: The relationship between abdominal fat depots and cardiometabolic risk among youth is inconclusive due to the cross-sectional nature of existing studies and limitations in assessment methods. In this study, we examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) with cardiometabolic risk indicators among Mexican adolescents.

Methods: Participants (n = 169 at baseline and 134 at follow-up) were assessed for diastolic or systolic blood pressure (DBP or SBP), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, glucose, and insulin. VAT and SAT were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Measures …

A Pragmatic Guide To Data Integration For Pediatric Researchers: The Nuts And Bolts Of Mixed Methods Analysis, Kathleen A Knafl, Janet A Deatrick, Veronica M Swallow, Yelena P Wu, Debbe Thompson

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Objective: To provide pragmatic guidance on data analysis, integration, and reporting guidance for investigators new to mixed methods research.

Methods: Three core mixed methods designs (convergent, explanatory sequential, and exploratory sequential) are described. Key decision points related to data integration-specifying intent, data selection, data preparation, integration strategies, use of analysis software, reporting-are explained, including comparison of decision points across the different mixed methods designs.

Results: Recommendations for addressing key decisions during analysis are provided and supported with published examples from mixed methods studies focused on pediatric populations.

Conclusions: Integration of qualitative and quantitative data is the defining characteristic of mixed …

Sustainable Community-Wide Model To Enhance Cancer Data Usage And Utility, Emily S Boja, Mousumi Ghosh, Ying Huang, Tung-Shing Mamie Lih, Rawan Shraim, Gregory Wheeler, Diana Thomas, Rakesh Khanna, Stephanie Sandor, Jinghui Zhang, Sapna Oberoi, Nicolas J Llosa, Aditya Suru, Fernanda Silva Michels, Eric Durbin, Anna Fernandez, Lucy Han, James Galbraith, Yin Lu, Brian Furner, James H Tanis, Michael Watkins, David Higgins, Gavriel Matt, Xin Zhou, Yang Li, Marcin Cieslik, Jamie Estill, Michael Sierk, Yanling Sun, Weiping Ma, Joseph Flores-Toro, Freddie Pruitt, Subhashini Jagu, Elmer A Fernández, Daniela Orschanski, Stephanie J Spielman, Jaclyn Taroni, Trinh Nguyen, Brian Capaldo, Erin Beck, Tanja Davidsen, Johanna Goderre Jones, Minghong Ward, Anne Sturcke, Jennifer M Torres Del Valle, Sean Hanlon, Danielle Daee, Brandon Wright, Nathaniel Boyd, Heather Basehore, Liang Liu, Ying Hu, Daoud Meerzaman, Huiqing Li, Ying Wu, Gregory H Reaman, Erin Rudzinski, Jack F Shern, Brigitte Widemann, Warren Kibbe, Jaime Guidry Auvil

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Despite vast investments in data collection, generation, and sharing from childhood cancer studies, for example, Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Program, Childhood Cancer Data Initiative, and other efforts, secondary use of data remains a challenge especially for rare diseases. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Office of Data Sharing (ODS) aimed to promote FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data sharing practices to enhance data utility, accelerate discovery, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. NCI ODS launched its inaugural Data Jamboree focusing on childhood cancer alongside its third Annual Symposium in September 2025. Over 120 participants with diverse backgrounds coalesced into 23 multidisciplinary teams …

Transvascular Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspirations (Ebus-Tbna) To Confirm Urothelial Carcinoma Metastasis To The Pulmonary Artery, Kyle Admire, Stephen Gegick

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Tumours within the pulmonary arteries provide a diagnostic challenge due to their similar appearance to pulmonary emboli. Often, the decision to sample is multidisciplinary and the best approach to take is often unknown. Here we describe a case of urothelial carcinoma which metastasised to the mediastinum with evidence of tumour burden within the pulmonary artery. Sampling of this by endovascular and thoracoscopic means was unsuccessful; however, we were able to provide a diagnosis using direct visualization with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). This report is the first of a central pulmonary artery tumour caused by urothelial carcinoma biopsied by …

Intraoperative Positioning System-Guided Antegrade In Situ Laser Fenestration In An Aortic Model, Emily Burnett, Emidio Germano, Allie Olmstead, Benjamin Samberg, Robert Meisner, Hannah Hofacker, Michael Bronez, Vikash Goel, Animesh Rathore

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objective

Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (fEVAR) is routinely being used for visceral vessel incorporation in complex aneurysmal pathology; however, it is associated with prolonged procedure times, high radiation exposure, high contrast use, and multiple staged procedures. To combat these limitations, Centerline Biomedical developed the three-dimensional surgical navigation and visualization technology: intraoperative positioning system (IOPS). We previously presented our IOPS-guided antegrade in situ laser fenestration in a standard aortic model. This case report details our experience using IOPS guidance during a fEVAR procedure in a representative thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm phantom model.

Methods

A silicone thoracoabdominal aortic segment was three-dimensional printed based …

Directional Association Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome And Dermatological Disease: A Large-Scale Retrospective Study, Alex Y. Liu, Naomi T. Matsuno, Houston Nelson, David Johnson, David Pariser

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Microbial dysbiosis is implicated with a pathogenic role in both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and several dermatological conditions. Yet, few studies have assessed a potential overlapping epidemiologic association. We aimed to assess the 1-year prevalence of common dermatologic conditions following an initial IBS diagnosis and to evaluate the reverse association using reciprocal analyses. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using TriNetX. Patients aged 18–50 with no history of inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or infectious intestinal disease were matched 1:1 to healthy controls by demographics and comorbidities. The primary outcome was the prevalence of acne vulgaris, psoriasis, …

Comparison Of Mental Illness Comorbidity Pre-Pandemic Vs. Pandemic-Era And Associations With Clinical And Demographic Characteristics For Virginia Public Hospital Inpatient Discharges With A Substance Use Disorder, Marilyn Bartholmae, Tharidu Gunawardena

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

The rise in mental illnesses after the COVID-19 pandemic is well documented. However, it is not known whether the rates of mental illness comorbidity increased. The objectives of this study were to compare mental illness comorbidity rates before and after the pandemic among inpatients with SUD and to test associations between mental illness comorbidity, physical illness, and demographics. We used a retrospective cross-sectional design in a sample of inpatient discharges (N = 233,017) at Virginia public hospitals from January 2018 to December 2022. We used Z tests to compare rates of mental illness comorbidity pre- and post-pandemic and Chi-square tests …

Trends In Hypertension Prevalance And Control In The United States Over 25 Years, Omar Saleh, Neda Rehan, Saleh Mostafa, Rehan Qayyum

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Despite sustained public health efforts, hypertension remains highly prevalent in the United States, with persistent disparities across demographic and socioeconomic groups. We examined 25-year trends in hypertension prevalence, undiagnosed hypertension, and on-treatment uncontrolled hypertension in the United States using nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from adults aged ≥18 years. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥130 mmHg, diastolic BP ≥80 mmHg, or current antihypertensive use. Undiagnosed hypertension was defined as elevated BP without prior diagnosis or treatment, while on-treatment uncontrolled hypertension was defined as diagnosed hypertension with BP ≥130/80 mmHg despite treatment. Survey-weighted generalized linear …

Physiologic Markers Of Mortality In Acute Valve Syndrome: An Ischemic Physiology Score Stratifies Patient Risk, Omar Saleh, Nicholas J. Valle, Israa Saleh, Raymond Benza, Deepak R. Talreja, Matthew R. Summers

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Acute valve syndrome (AVS) represents a high-risk phenotype of advanced valvular disease with largely uncharacterized risk heterogeneity. We aimed to validate an expanded AVS definition and develop a physiology-dependent risk stratification tool using available clinical markers.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 2380 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis and classified them as AVS (n = 1556) or progressive valvular disease (n = 824). The primary outcome was 1-year all-cause mortality. An L2-regularized logistic regression model was developed to predict 1-year mortality using admission laboratory markers and comorbidity burden. Model performance was assessed using nested cross-validation with …

A Comprehensive Review Of Bone Remodeling After Trauma And Operative Treatment In Orthopedic Surgery, Sarah E. Rabin, Ian P. Marshall, Benjamin A. Nelson, Justine N. Li, Madison M. Baldauf, Ashley B. Bozzay, Benjamin W. Hoyt

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Bone remodeling is a dynamic process involving bone resorption and formation that is regulated on a cellular level and impacted by mechanical stress. A variety of Orthopedic surgery treatment strategies can affect bone remodeling, which can in turn may have long-term impacts on skeletal stress tolerance and function. This review provides a comprehensive overview of bone remodeling involved in Orthopedic surgery. Materials related to bone remodeling principles across Orthopedic surgery domains were selected and compiled using databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, AccessMedicine, and CINAHL; case studies were not included. Relevant literature was summarized for a general review of bone remodeling and …

A Fishy Situation: Hand Infection Due To Mycobacterium Marinum Mistaken For Giant Cell Tumor, Alynna Knaub, Dylan Baker, Jennifer Hanrahan

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Mycobacterium marinum is an acid-fast bacterium (AFB) associated with exposure to water and aquatic species. When inoculated, infection can result in nodular cutaneous lesions. In the absence of detailed history or culture data, these nodular skin lesions can be mistaken for noninfectious orthopedic conditions. We present a case of M. marinum mistaken for a giant cell tumor. This case illustrates the overlap in these conditions, as well as the utility of QuantiFERON Gold testing to provide supportive evidence for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium marinum.

Cefazolin: A Rare Etiology Of Induced Coagulopathy, Ahmed Ismail, Anam Habib, Cayleigh Blumrick

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Cefazolin, a first-generation cephalosporin, is commonly used to treat methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infections. Although generally well tolerated, coagulation abnormalities have rarely been reported during therapy. We describe the case of an 81-year-old man treated with prolonged cefazolin for MSSA endocarditis who developed severe coagulopathy characterized by marked elevation of both the international normalized ratio (INR) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). The abnormalities occurred after initiation of cefazolin and worsened despite cessation of other anticoagulants. Following discontinuation of cefazolin and administration of vitamin K, coagulation parameters rapidly improved and subsequently normalized. This case highlights a rare but clinically significant …

Visit Complexity Differs Between Scarring And Nonscarring Alopecia: A 5-Year Dataderm Analysis, Ian Noel Encarnacion, Noelle Desir, Nicholas Schell, Apoorva Mehta, Temitayo Ogunleye, Susan Taylor

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

[Introduction] Accurate coding is a critical component of dermatologic practice, influencing reimbursement and documentation of clinical complexity. Although alopecia has significant psychosocial and financial burdens, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding patterns in alopecia management remain largely understudied. Our population-level study using the American Academy of Dermatology's DataDerm clinical registry¹ evaluates alopecia CPT coding trends, pre-2021 and post-2021 evaluation and management (E/M) CPT coding updates,² aiming to inform coding practices and visit complexity, which have significant reimbursement implications.

Criterion Validity Of The Functional Status And Pain Assessment Scale Versus Pain And Length Of Stay In Hospitalized Adults With Scd, Wally R. Smith, Daniel M. Sop, Yue May Zhang, Margaret S. Guy, Rehan Qayyum

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objectives

In prior research we demonstrated face, construct, discriminant, and preliminary convergent validity of the newly developed, 10-item Functional Status Pain Assessment (FSPA) scale (0-50) in adult SCD patients hospitalized with VOC. We aimed in this study to further demonstrate criterion validity of the FSPA.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of 561 daily functional and pain assessments from 91 hospitalized adults with SCD from January 2018 to June of 2019. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Partial Least Squares (PLS) models determined the relationship between LOS, pain intensity, and FSPA. A Generalized Linear Model (GLM) to quantified the impact of …

Persistent Peristomal Pain Due To An Exposed Cutaneous Nerve, Iain Noel Encarnacion, Kaylin Beiter, Natasha Hakkal, Emily Hejazi, Paul Hernandez, Melissa Laughter, Shannon Nugent, Samir Thaker, Xiaowei Xu, Misha Rosenbach

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

[Introduction]

Case description

A 25-year-old woman with a history of ulcerative colitis treated with multiple abdominal surgeries complicated by peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG) presented with severe peristomal pain and ulceration. Treatment course was complicated; disease control was achieved via combination infliximab 10 mg/kg every 4 weeks, corticosteroids (topical triamcinolone 0.1% ointment, intralesional 10 mg/ml injections, and oral prednisone 30 mg daily with a gradual taper), and cyclosporine 125 mg tapering by 25 mg every 3 weeks, ultimately tapered to infliximab monotherapy.

Persistent Hypoxemia On Home Sleep Apnea Testing Prompting Further Evaluation For Pulmonary Embolism: A Case Report, Kyle Admire, Andrew Githaiga

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition characterized by recurrent upper airway collapse during sleep, which may be associated with sleep disruption and repetitive oxygen desaturations. It is diagnosed by nocturnal in-lab polysomnography or home sleep apnea testing. We present a case of an otherwise healthy individual who had home sleep apnea testing that revealed persistent, unexplained hypoxemia which, on further investigation, was found to be due to a saddle pulmonary embolism.

Thyroid Storm At Sea: A Case Report Of Algae-Induced Thyrotoxicosis, Alynna Knaub, Amanda Cecchini, John Janousek, Laura Strojny, Jairo Noreña, Zachary Pawlikowski

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis (IIT), also known as the Jod-Basedow phenomenon, is a rare yet recognized cause of hyperthyroidism. While iodinated contrast is the most frequent trigger, iodine-rich supplements such as seaweed products or supplements can also precipitate thyrotoxicosis, particularly in individuals with prior chronic iodine deficiency or preexisting thyroid nodular disease. We present a case of thyroid storm following short-term ingestion of Irish sea moss as part of a “crash diet.” A 37-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes mellitus, well controlled on subcutaneous insulin therapy, presented with nausea and vomiting after 6 days of following a restrictive diet consisting solely of …

Educational Case: Meningioma, Ashley M. Carter, Harrison Dai, Harrison Klause, Alberto Musto, Richard M. Conran

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

The following fictional case is intended as a learning tool within the Pathology Competencies for Medical Education (PCME), a set of national standards for teaching pathology. These are divided into three basic competencies: Disease Mechanisms and Processes, Organ System Pathology, and Diagnostic Medicine and Therapeutic Pathology.

Permanent Pacemaker Implantation Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Incidence, Predictors, And Association With Reduced Ischemic Stroke Risk, Omar Saleh, Nicholas J. Valle, Shinjer Li, Saleh Mostafa, Israa Saleh, Raymond Benza, Deepak R. Talreja, Matthew R. Summers

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background

Development of conduction abnormalities requiring pacing after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is relatively common. The effects of post-TAVR permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation on mortality, ischemic stroke, and cardiovascular outcomes remain incompletely characterized. AIMS: To evaluate the incidence, predictors, and cardiovascular outcomes of post-TAVR permanent pacemaker implantation, including its association with 1-year ischemic stroke risk.

Methods

Adults undergoing TAVR (2008-2019; n = 1101) were evaluated. Patients with prior PPM (n = 104) and/or valve-in-valve or redo TAVR (n = 11) were excluded. PPM placement was identified post-indexed TAVR admission based on procedure codes, including both in-hospital and post-discharge implantations. …

Aggressive Natural Killer Cell Leukemia: A Rare And Rapidly Progressive Hematologic Malignancy—Case Report And Literature Review, Jennifer Priessnitz, Ali Hariri, Yuliya Levkiavska, Kyle E. Bonner, Stephan I. Fisher, Joshua M. Sill

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Aggressive natural killer cell leukemia (ANKL) is a rare, fulminant hematologic malignancy characterized by neoplastic proliferation of mature NK cells. It is frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, although EBV-negative cases have also been reported. While typically observed in young to middle-aged adults of East Asian descent, increasing recognition has led to identification of ANKL across diverse age groups and ethnicities. The disease is defined by a rapid clinical course and poor prognosis, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and effective treatment. We present a case of a 71-year-old Caucasian male who developed fever, altered mental status, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, …

Circulating Biomarker Results From A Phase 2 Study Of Seralutinib In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Robin Osterhout, Athénaïs Boucly, Raymond L. Benza, Richard N. Channick, Kelly M. Chin, Robert P. Frantz, Anna R. Hemnes, Luke S. Howard, Vallerie V. Mclaughlin, Olivier Sitbon, Jean-Luc Vachiéry, Rotham T. Zamanian, Richard Aranda, Matt Cravets, Zhaoqing Ding, Thao Duong-Verlé, David Mattola, Robert F. Roscigno, Ravikumar Sitapara, Lawrence S. Zisman, Jean-Marie Bruey, Hossein-Ardeschir Ghofrani

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

[Introduction] To the Editor: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterized by obstructive pulmonary arterial remodeling (1). Seralutinib, an investigational inhaled tyrosine kinase inhibitor, potently and selectively targets kinases relevant to PAH pathobiology including platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR) α and β, colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), and mast/stem cell growth factor receptor kit (c-KIT) (2). In preclinical models, seralutinib improved cardiopulmonary hemodynamics, reversed pulmonary vascular pathology and decreased right ventricular hypertrophy (3). In TORREY, a phase 2, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in PAH, seralutinib significantly reduced pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) after 24 weeks with good …

Ultra-Processed Foods And The Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Continuum: Integrating Epidemiological, Multi-Omics, And Translational Evidence, Saiful Singar, Amirhossein Ataei Kachouei, Leandro Lantigua-Somoano, David Manley, Anthony Cardinale, Muhammad Zulfiqah Sadikan, Saurabh Kadyan, Donya Shahamati, Lorena Dias, Amber Wood, Cinthia Chavarria, Sara K. Rosenkranz, Neda S. Akhavan

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome integrates excess adiposity, metabolic dysfunction, kidney impairment, subclinical cardiovascular diseases, and clinical events along a staged continuum that invites unified prevention and treatment. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are a complex, high-prevalence exposure that may influence risk across CKM stages through nutrient profiles, additives, processing-induced compounds, and packaging-related contaminants. This review synthesizes epidemiologic, mechanistic, and translational evidence with attention to exposure definition and analytic rigor. We summarize NOVA-based UPF operationalization across dietary assessment tools, highlighting misclassification of mixed dishes, brand heterogeneity, and energy under-reporting, and we propose further examination of energy-adjusted models, calibration, and harmonized metrics. Observational studies consistently …

Combined Snare And Buddy-Balloon Strategy For Failed Valve Crossing In Valve-In-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, Hira Sarfraz, Muhammad U. Javed, Parth K. Parikh, Joshua A. Cohen, Raymond L. Benza, Matthew R. Summers, Deepak R. Talreja

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background Retrograde valve crossing during valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV TAVR) may fail despite modern delivery systems. Case Summary A 67-year-old man with a degenerated 27-mm Magna Ease bioprosthesis and unfavorable aortic geometry (kinked ascending aorta at a prior surgical graft site) underwent ViV TAVR, where retrograde valve crossing failed despite multiple stiff guidewires and snare traction alone. Successful delivery of a 29-mm Evolut FX+ was ultimately achieved by combining gooseneck-snare traction for coaxial realignment with a partially inflated Tyshak buddy balloon acting as a mechanical ramp across the surgical valve frame. Discussion This case demonstrates a structured, stepwise …