Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Norovirus Gastroenteritis Presenting With Intractable Vomiting, Starvation Ketosis, And Hypertensive Emergency: A Case Highlighting Diagnostic And Infection Control Implications, Aun A. Bangash, Blake C. Martin, Stephen M. Garcia, Gesler Madhere, Jose E. Campo Maldonado

Research Colloquium

Background: Norovirus is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in adults worldwide, yet its vomiting-dominant presentation is often under-recognized, particularly outside outbreak settings. This case is significant due to both the severity of presentation—including starvation ketosis and hypertensive emergency—and the infection control implications within the healthcare environment. Norovirus’s high transmissibility and environmental resilience necessitate heightened clinical awareness, even in isolated cases.

Case Presentation: A 43-year-old male with peripheral arterial disease, uncontrolled hypertension, and alcohol use disorder presented with over 20 episodes of vomiting, right-sided abdominal pain, and shortness of breath. He denied diarrhea and had a known sick contact …

Ethical Issues Involved In Solid Organ Xenotransplantation., Daniel J Hurst, Chris Bobier, Luz A Padilla

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Xenotransplantation (specifically, genetically modified pig-to-human transplant of organs, tissues, or cells) clinical trials are set to begin in the United States after decades of pre-clinical studies and recent decedent and compassionate use investigations. This article provides a primer on the key ethical issues attendant with this emerging therapy. We explore four central areas of concern: (i) the use of animals to meet human transplant needs, as well as their welfare since they are housed in non-natural conditions, (ii) the risk of infectious disease transfer from the porcine graft to the human recipient, known as xenozoonosis, (iii) patient selection criteria for …

Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, And Drug Interactions Of Remimazolam, Derek E. Murrell, Sam Harirforoosh

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Remimazolam, an ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine, has emerged as a promising sedative agent for procedural sedation and general anesthesia. It combines the favorable properties of traditional benzodiazepines with a rapid onset and offset of action, largely due to its unique metabolism via hepatic carboxylesterases rather than cytochrome P450 enzymes. This metabolism allows for predictable pharmacokinetics, reducing the risk of prolonged sedation and drug accumulation, particularly in patients with hepatic or renal impairment. Clinically, remimazolam demonstrates non-inferiority to midazolam and propofol, with advantages including a lower incidence of hypotension and respiratory depression. Multiple randomized controlled trials have shown its efficacy in various procedural …

A Case Study Of Long-Term Disease Burden In A Rural Community Near An Open Burn Facility, Arundhati Bakshi, Liana Baconguis, Md Abdullah Al-Mamun, Qingzhao Yu, Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, Stephania A. Cormier

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Open burning and open detonation (OB/OD) of explosive and hazardous wastes creates various toxic waste products, including particulate matter, that is released into the atmosphere and capable of generating significant health impacts upon exposure. The last commercially run OB/OD thermal treatment facility in operation in the United States is located near the rural community of Colfax in central Louisiana. To evaluate the community’s concerns about the potential health impacts from air pollution due to the facility’s regular open burning of explosive and hazardous wastes, we examined the disease burden in Colfax compared to the surrounding parish and state. In a …

Can Handoffs Bridge The Interprofessional Divide To Build A Team?, Aubrey Samost-Williams, Eric J Thomas

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Disparities In Liver Transplantation For Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma, David W Victor, Sudha Kodali, Mazen Noureddin, Elizabeth W Brombosz, Analisa Lopez, Tamneet Basra, Edward A Graviss, Duc T Nguyen, Ashish Saharia, Ashton A Connor, Maen Abdelrahim, Yee Lee Cheah, Caroline J Simon, Mark J Hobeika, Constance M Mobley, R Mark Ghobrial

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is increasingly common, as is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the background of MASH. Liver transplantation (LT) provides superior long-term survival for patients with unresectable MASH-HCC, but not all patients have equal access to transplant. MASH-HCC disproportionately affects Hispanic patients, but minorities are less likely to undergo LT for HCC. Additionally, females also undergo LT at lower rates than males.

Aim: To investigate whether race/ethnicity and sex affect LT waitlist outcomes.

Methods: Records of adults with MASH-HCC in the United States Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database listed for LT between 1/2015 and 12/2021 were analyzed. …

The Impact Of Foraminotomy On Patient-Reported Outcomes Following 3+ Level Posterior Cervical Decompression And Fusion For Myeloradiculopathy, Robert J. Oris, Jonathan Dalton, Joydeep Baidya, Tariq Z. Issa, Tyler D. Alexander, Jarod Olson, Rachel Huang, Chloe Herczeg, Omar Tarawneh, Rajkishen Narayanan, Michael Carter, Jonah Hammerstedt, Sebastian Quiana, Mark Kurd, Barrett I. Woods, I David Kaye, Thomas Cha, Jose A Canseco, Alan S. Hilibrand, Alex R. Vaccaro, Christopher K. Kepler, Gregory D. Schroeder

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether patients with myeloradiculopathy experience better improvement in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) from the addition of foraminotomy in the setting of posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF).

METHODS: Adult patients who underwent ≥≥ 3-level PCDF (2017-2022) at a single tertiary center were retrospectively identified. Patients were included if their indication was myeloradiculopathy - patients were excluded if they had a combined anterior/posterior approach, an indication of infection/tumor/trauma, or incomplete 1-year PROMs. Operative notes were evaluated to identify the patients who had a foraminotomy specifically for neuro-decompression. Patients with or without foraminotomy were evaluated for demographic/surgical variables, surgical …

Allosteric Control Overcomes Steric Limitations For Neutralizing Antibodies Targeting Conserved Binding Epitopes Of The Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein: Exploring The Intersection Of Binding, Allostery, And Immune Escape With A Multimodal Computational Approach, Mohammed Alshahrani, Vedant Parikh, Brandon Foley, Gennady M. Verkhivker

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Understanding the atomistic basis of multi-layer mechanisms employed by broadly reactive neutralizing antibodies of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein without directly blocking receptor engagement remains an important challenge in coronavirus immunology. Class 4 antibodies represent an intriguing case: they target a deeply conserved, cryptic epitope on the receptor-binding domain yet exhibit variable neutralization potency across subgroups F1 (CR3022, EY6A, COVA1-16), F2 (DH1047), and F3 (S2X259). The molecular basis for this variability is not fully understood. Here, we employed a multi-modal computational approach integrating atomistic and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, binding free energy calculations, mutational scanning, and dynamic network analysis to elucidate …

Integrated Mirna-Mrna Analyses Of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer In Black And White Patients With Or Without Obesity, Fokhrul Hossain, Martha I. Gonzalez-Ramirez, Jone Garai, Diana Polania-Villanueva, Li Li, Farzeen Nafees, Md Manirujjaman, Bolin Liu, Samarpan Majumder, Xiao Cheng Wu, Chindo Hicks, Luis Del Valle, Denise Danos, Augusto Ochoa, Lucio Miele, Jovanny Zabaleta

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive, heterogeneous subtype of breast cancer. miRNAs play an essential role in TNBC pathogenesis and prognosis. Obesity is linked with an increased risk for several cancers, including breast cancer. Obesity is also related to the dysregulation of miRNA expression in adipose tissues. However, there is limited knowledge about race- and obesity-specific differential miRNA expression in TNBC. We performed miRNA sequencing of 48 samples (24 tumor and 24 adjacent non-tumor tissues) and RNA sequencing of 24 tumors samples from Black (AA) and White (EA) TNBC patients with or without obesity. We identified 55 miRNAs exclusively …

Rapid Mapping Of Spinal And Supraspinal Connectome Via Self-Targeting Glucose-Based Carbon Dots, Yasin B. Seven, Elif S. Seven, Emel Kirbas Cilingir, Komal Parikh, Mehmet Aydin, Edward K. Luca, Jayakrishnan Nair, Roger M. Leblanc

Department of Physical Therapy Faculty Papers

The spinal cord is a highly dynamic network, playing significant roles in the vital functions of the brain. Disorders of the spinal cord, such as spinal cord injury and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are associated with neurodegeneration, often resulting in morbidity and mortality. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses a major challenge to imaging and therapeutic agents because less than 2% of small-molecule drugs and almost no large-molecule drugs can cross the BBB. Furthermore, spatial spectroscopy studies have shown highly heterogeneous BBB crossing with significant accumulation at the unintended brain regions. Thus, targeting systems that can cross the BBB at the …

Early Blood Pressure Targets In Acute Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Ruba Sajdeya, N. David Yanez, Michael Kampp, Michael D. Goodman, David Zonies, Brandon Togioka, Andrew Nunn, Robert D. Winfield, Niels D. Martin, Anirudh Kohli, Toan T. Huynh, David O. Okonkwo, Roy A. Poblete, Emily J. Gilmore, Randall M. Chesnut, Aaron E. Bunnell, Tetsu Ohnuma, Mona Hashemaghaie, Miriam M. Treggiari

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

IMPORTANCE: Early blood pressure management is central to neurologic resuscitation of spinal cord injury; however, the role of augmented blood pressure is unclear.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of augmented vs conventional blood pressure on 6-month neurologic outcomes after acute spinal cord injury.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This multicenter randomized clinical trial took place from October 3, 2017, to July 26, 2023, and assessed patients 18 years or older with spinal cord injury followed up for 6 months at 13 large US trauma centers.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients were equally randomized to augmented (>85-90 mm Hg) or conventional ( …

The Impact Of Cage Position, Radiographic Parameters, And Hounsfield Units On Subsidence Rate After One To Three Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion, Jarod Olson, Jonathan Dalton, Omar H. Tarawneh, Rajkishen Narayanan, Alec Giakas, Rachel Huang, Joydeep Baidya, Robert J. Oris, Joshua Mathew, William A. Green, Nicholas B. Pohl, Anthony Labarbiera, Benjamin Crain, Nathaniel Pineda, Joseph Rajasekaran, Gordon Hua, Mark F. Kurd, Jeffrey A. Rihn, Jose A. Canseco, Alan S. Hilibrand, Alex R. Vaccaro, Christopher K Kepler, Gregory D. Schroeder

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

STUDY DESIGN: The study design was a retrospective cohort.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to validate the relationship between Hounsfield units (HU) and subsidence, including multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Cage/graft subsidence commonly occurs after ACDF. Prior work on 1-level ACDF found increased subsidence rates in patients with lower HUs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adults who underwent 1-3 level ACDF at a tertiary center and had preoperative computed tomography scans were included (2018-2022). HUs were assessed ~5 mm caudal to the superior endplate. Six-month postoperative radiographs were evaluated for cage/graft positioning, screw loosening, and subsidence. Receiver operating …

Dementia As A Critical Lens On The Role Of Narrative In Medical Training And Practice, Erin Gentry Lamb

Faculty Scholarship

Narrative holds an important place within medicine and medical education, but an uncritical use of narrative can have troubling consequences for the care of patients who have limited or no capacity for self-narration, such as those living with dementia. We argue that the guiding principles in the use of narrative within medicine and medical education must be inclusivity and opportunity. We illustrate how medical training can benefit from a more inclusive definition of narrative, and we present a selection of innovative approaches to narrative coming out of literary studies, narrative gerontology, and medical and health humanities that focus on metaphor, …

Semilunar Valve Replacement With A Telescoping Arterial Trunk Valve, Edo Bedzra, Herra Javed, James E. O'Brien, Taufiek Konrad Rajab

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

A bicuspid aortic valve, from autologous tissue, with growth potential can be constructed using the simple, and reproducible telescoping arterial trunk technique.

Legends, Lies, & Rewritten Lives: After The Little Bighorn: Forgotten Struggles Of Those Who Walked Away, Thomas B. Davidson

DU Textbooks

This Narrative is about an event that occurred on June 25, 1876, on the banks of the Little Bighorn River in what is now the state of Montana. Seen from a 21st century perch, it tells a story of a contest between the armed representatives of two different civilizations, each of which fought in the manner of its society. The narrative will attempt to balance the truth of what happened while also relating an engaging story, but without drifting into sensationalism. The narrative will go beyond a focus on the meeting of the soldiers from either group to explore the …

Cetuximab Increases Lgr5 Expression And Augments Lgr5-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate Efficacy In Patient-Derived Colorectal Cancer Models, Peyton C High, Zhengdong Liang, Cara Guernsey-Biddle, Shraddha Subramanian, Yueh-Ming Shyu, Adela M Aldana, Yukimatsu Toh, Kendra S Carmon

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second-leading cause of cancer-associated deaths, indicating an urgent need for improved therapeutic options. We previously generated antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting the cancer stem-like cell marker leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5). However, tumor relapse due to LGR5 downregulation and suboptimal payload selection warrants strategies to improve ADC efficacy. Here, we report that cetuximab, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting monoclonal antibody indicated for RASWT metastatic CRC, augments LGR5 expression independent of RAS/PIK3CA mutation status and promotes EGFR-LGR5 interactions. Furthermore, we describe the development of LGR5 ADCs incorporating a camptothecin-derived payload that is well tolerated …

Connecting Innovation And Trust Through Translational Sciences – A Need For A Community Focus And Effective Education Strategiess, Filipa Godoy-Vitorino, Michelle Borrero, Josué Pérez-Santiago, Rubén García-García, Candelaria Gomez-Manzano

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Report of a conference held in Puerto Rico, this article highlights how interdisciplinary translational science-anchored in education, public trust, and equity-can accelerate innovation in cancer therapy while empowering underserved communities through inclusive training, collaboration, and research participation.

Development Of A Novel Algorithm For Tip Fold-Over Detection In Cochlear Implants And Evaluation On Bench And Multiple Clinical Data Bases, Mehrangiz Ashiri, Tony Spahr, Azret Botash, Ashish Mehta, Jordan J Varghese, Craig A Buchman, Andrea J Defreese, Patrick Boyle, Matthew Miller, Syed F Ahsan, Christopher Danner, Kyle P Allen, Loren Bartels, Kanthaiah Koka

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Editorial: Wearable Technology: The New Ornament Of Network Physiology, Ankita Srivastava, Santosh Kumar Yadav

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Introduction: The landscape of personal health monitoring is rapidly transforming, driven by advances in wearable technology. These devices, designed to be worn comfortably on the body, can capture real-time physiological data often difficult to obtain in traditional clinical settings. What began as a simple device for activity trackers for walking steps, heart rate, and blood oxygen saturation has evolved to play a crucial role in monitoring more complex physiological parameters critical for chronic disease management and preventative health.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is further expanding the potential of wearable devices, enabling deeper analysis and predictive modeling of the …

Perceived Knowledge And Confidence Of Beta-Lactam Allergy Management Among Pharmacy Students On Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences., Jamie L Wagner, David R Oliver, Bruce M Jones, Kayla R Stover, Misha T Watts, Wesley D Kufel, Lena Mcdowell, Edo-Abasi U. Mcgee, T Lynn Stevenson, Christopher M Bland

PCOM Scholarly Works

Pharmacist engagement in allergy clarification has demonstrated increased appropriate antibiotic use. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and confidence of pharmacy students in their final professional year regarding beta-lactam (BL) allergies. Students from 5 schools of pharmacy participated in a 22-question survey pertaining to experience with drug allergies, knowledge of BL allergies, and confidence regarding BL allergy management. Data were summarized among all respondents and further analyzed by infectious disease (ID) interest. A total of 160/521 students responded to the survey (31%). Most students (73%) had no course dedicated to drug allergies; however, 84% indicated the …

Efficacy And Safety Of Rigosertib In Patients With Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa-Associated Advanced/Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Martin Laimer, Andrew P. South, Elisabeth Mayr, Sophie Kitzmueller, Lauren Banner, Michael Alexander, Linda Hosler, Henry Yang, Matthew Parris, Meena Arora, Georg Zimmermann, Gregor Schweighofer-Zwink, Johann Bauer, Neda Nikbakht

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is an epithelial fragility disease primarily affecting the skin and is caused by variants in the COL7A1 gene. Individuals with RDEB are predisposed to develop highly aggressive cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) which are the most common cause of premature death. There is a lack of effective prevention or treatment options for patients with RDEB-SCC.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the antitumour activity and safety of the polo-like kinase-1 (PLK1) inhibitor, rigosertib, two investigator-initiated open-label, single-arm phase II studies were opened in Europe and the USA and enrolled five patients with RDEB diagnosed with locally advanced …

A Delicate Balance: Antibiotic Allergy, Renal Infection, And Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Aun Ali Bangash, Muhammad Ali Bangash, Ruben Meza Martinez

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Acute pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection of the renal parenchyma and is most commonly caused by Escherichia coli. It presents with systemic and genitourinary symptoms such as fever, flank pain, and urinary abnormalities, which include increased urinary frequency and burning sensation upon urination. Timely antibiotic therapy is necessary to avoid complications like renal abscesses or urosepsis. Empiric treatment often involves third-generation cephalosporins such as ceftriaxone because of their efficacy and renal penetration. However, in patients allergic to ceftriaxone, an allergy seen in approximately 1–2% of cases, alternative regimens need to be brought into the picture. Levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, is …

Assessing The Use Of Marker-Less Motion Capture Systems For Neurological Disorders In Indoor Vs Outdoor Settings., Anjana Ganesh, Kelsey Baker

Research Colloquium

Background: Marker-less motion capture systems have improved the assessment of human movement by allowing for a non-invasive, affordable, quantitative data collection useful in clinical settings. However, their use in real-world community care settings is largely underexplored, presenting a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between controlled laboratory environments and the complexity of providing care in diverse, everyday contexts. This systematic review examines the differential use of MMC systems across real-world indoor environments (clinics, homes, living labs) and outdoor settings (public walkways, community spaces), with a focus on their application to neurological disorders such as stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods: …

Clinical Considerations For Spinal Fusion In Adolescents On Puberty Blockers: Hormonal And Surgical Implications, Anesu K. Murambadoro, Rebekah Julie Park, Sonya Bhatia, Shaunte Hadnot, Model Zerfu, Kathryn Horton

Research Colloquium

Background: Spinal fusion is a common intervention for adolescent scoliosis, particularly during periods of rapid skeletal growth in patients with progressive curves or those who do not meet criteria for non-operative management. Adolescents receiving puberty suppression with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs as part of gender-affirming care present unique clinical challenges due to altered bone metabolism and delayed physeal (growth plate) maturation.

Methods: We conducted a narrative review of the current literature evaluating the effects of puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on bone metabolism, skeletal development, and outcomes related to spinal fusion in adolescents.

Results: GnRH analogs are associated …

Examining Domain-Specific Neuropsychological Differences Across Cognitive Status Groups In Utrgv South Texas Alzheimer’S Disease Research Center Cohort, Andrea Ramirez, Estrella Palomo, Rosa Pirela, Hector Rodriguez, Roberto Reyes, Eron Manusov, Ney Alliey-Rodriguez, Jesus D. Melgarejo, Gladys E. Maestre, Silvia Mejia-Arango

Research Colloquium

Background: The Uniform Data Set 3.0 Neuropsychological Battery (UDS3NB) is a standardized tool for assessing cognitive function in aging populations. Factor analytic studies on the UDS 3 have shown that performance across cognitive domains, such as memory, attention, executive function, language, and visuospatial abilities, can differentiate between cognitive status groups, cognitively normal (CN), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Understanding how specific cognitive domains relate to diagnostic categories, CN, MCI, and dementia, is essential for early identification. Additionally, socioeconomic and health factors may influence cognitive outcomes and should be considered alongside cognitive performance. The aims of this study are to: …

Systemic Vascular Dysregulation And Retinal Microvascular Alterations In Glaucoma, Amin Ibrahim, Tori Sayers, Alexa Nichols, Igor Zwir, Andrew Tsin, Lorena Flores-Hernandez, Gladys E. Maestre, Jesus D. Melgarejo

Research Colloquium

Background: Glaucoma is a multifactorial, progressive optic neuropathy, for which both mechanical and vascular mechanisms of pathogenesis have been proposed. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) enables noninvasive visualization of the choroidal and retinal vasculature and may be used to quantify vascular changes associated with glaucoma. Systemic risk factors, including variations in blood pressure (BP), whether low or elevated, have been associated with the vascular pathogenesis of glaucoma. This systematic review aims to synthesize the current evidence on the relationship between systemic vascular dysregulation and OCTA-derived retinal vascular markers in glaucomatous eyes.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search …

Treatment Evolution In Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria: A Case Series Of Sequential Treatment Versus Early Iptacopan Use, Alyssa L. Sepulveda, Ronald Shaju, Yolanda Gutierrez, Francisco Arias Reyes, Daniela Hernandez

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired hematopoietic stem cell disorder characterized by complement-mediated intravascular hemolysis, bone marrow failure, and a heightened risk of thrombosis. Prior to targeted therapies, management of PNH was largely supportive, focusing on transfusions, anticoagulation, and bone marrow transplantation. Thromboembolic events were the leading cause of mortality, accounting for approximately 40-67% of deaths prior to the introduction of complement inhibitors such as eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting terminal complement protein C5. In December 2023, iptacopan, an oral factor B inhibitor that targets the alternative complement pathway, was approved for PNH, offering improved patient compliance …

Efficacy Of Psychedelics Therapy Across Psychiatric Disorders: An Umbrella Review Of Meta-Analyses, Alissa A. Lopez, Ihsan Salloum, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga

Research Colloquium

Background: Psychedelics are gaining renewed scientific interest as a treatment for mental health conditions such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and addiction. Numerous clinical trials and meta-analyses suggest these substances may produce significant therapeutic effects. However, there is currently no high-level synthesis comparing how different psychedelic compounds perform across a range of psychiatric conditions. A quantitative umbrella review is needed to clarify whether psychedelics broadly improve mental health outcomes, and whether certain compounds are more effective for specific diagnoses.

Methods: The aim of this study is to conduct an umbrella review (meta-analysis of meta-analyses) to assess the …

Anemia Is Never The Diagnosis: Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia As A Herald Of Late-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Alhasan Asaad, Dixie Duran, Cristina Duran-Nesovic, Jose E. Campo Maldonado

Research Colloquium

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by multisystem involvement and a highly variable clinical presentation. It predominantly affects women of childbearing age and arises from complex interactions between genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors, resulting in immune dysregulation and widespread inflammation. The disease can manifest in nearly any organ system, with common presentations including skin rashes, arthritis, renal dysfunction, and hematologic abnormalities. Despite advances in understanding its pathogenesis and management, SLE remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to its heterogeneous nature and potential for severe complications. This case report highlights a unique presentation of SLE, …

Retinal Vessel Density And Diameter Changes In Alzheimer’S Disease: A Systematic Review, Alexa E. Nichols, Tori Sayers, Amin Ibrahim, Jorge Zwir, Andrew Tsin, Lorena Flores-Hernandez, Gladys Maestre, Jesus Melgarejo

Research Colloquium

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by cerebral microvascular dysfunction, which may be mirrored in the retina due to shared embryological origins and common risk factors such as hypertension.1 Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) offers a noninvasive approach to quantify retinal microvascular changes associated with AD.2 This systematic review evaluated retinal vessel density and diameter changes in relation to AD and related disorders, including mild cognitive impairment.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus was conducted following PRISMA guidelines.3 Eligible studies included peer-reviewed human research using OCTA to assess retinal vessel density and/or diameter in mild cognitive impairment, AD, …