Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Proactive Strategies For Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (Cauti) Reduction: Leveraging Audit Tools And Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Mica Blauw

Posters

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a known cause of harm to patients. Policies enforcing infection prevention measures may help minimize the risk of harm to patients, but written policies do not always translate to bedside practice. We implemented a proactive daily audit to increase awareness of, and compliance with, CAUTI prevention tactics.

Code Wet: Navigating Water Leak Mitigation And Remediation Behind The Red Line, Mica Blauw

Posters

Water leaks in the hospital setting are concerning because of the possibility of mold growthon porous materials such asdrywallthatmaylead toinfections. Water leaksbehind the line of demarcation in the surgical services suiterequire extra care during the remediation processdue to the high-risk nature of surgical patients. We navigated water leakmitigation and remediation in a surgical suite while keeping surgical operations funning safely.

Using Social Return On Investment To Evaluate Services That Support The Health Of People Experiencing Homelessness In Australia: A Scoping Review, Cate Mckenna, Christopher Rouen, Mary O'Loughlin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The increasing demand for homelessness services in Australia highlights the need for robust evaluation methodologies to assess their social impact. Traditional economic evaluation methods often struggle to capture the intangible social and health outcomes associated with homelessness. Social return on investment (SROI), an outcomes-based framework driven by stakeholders, offers a flexible and comprehensive approach to measuring social, economic and environmental impacts. This scoping review examines the application of SROI in evaluating services that support the health of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Australia. A total of 25 reports from grey literature (2010-2023) were reviewed. The findings reveal …

Autophagic Flux Blockade Under Hypocapnia Reveals Co2-Sensitive Regulation Of Autophagy-Lysosome Homeostasis, Naghmana Ashraf, Zhen Sun, Jeanine L Van Nostrand

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Hypocapnia, a reduction in partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO2), commonly occurs in clinical contexts such as mechanical ventilation, panic disorder, and brain injury, yet its impact on cellular homeostasis remains poorly understood. Given the central role of autophagy in stress adaptation, we investigated how low CO2 influences autophagic flux and lysosomal function. We found that hypocapnia induces autophagosome accumulation while impairing cargo degradation, indicating a blockade in autophagic flux. This response was accompanied by increased lysosome biogenesis but, paradoxically, reduced autophagosome-lysosome fusion and lysosomal proteolytic activity. Mechanistically, hypocapnia promoted TFE3 dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation, driving transcriptional activation of lysosomal …

Guideline On Stress Echocardiography - 2026, Ana Cristina Camarozano, Salvador Vicente Spina, José Roberto Matos Souza, Marcelo Dantas Tavares De Melo, Daniela Do Carmo Rassi Frota, Silvio Henrique Barberato, Fabio Villaça Guimarães Filho, Harry Acquatella, Vera Márcia Lopes Gimenes, Jorge Alfredo Lowenstein, Ricardo H Pignatelli, José Maria Del Castillo, Joselina Luiza Menezes Oliveira, José Sebastião De Abreu, José Luis De Castro E Silva Pretto, Issam Shehadeh, Alex Dos Santos Felix, Mercedes Maldonado Andrade, Antônio Carlos Sobral Sousa, Maria Estefânia Bosco Otto, Andrea De Andrade Vilela, Pedro Gutierrez Fajardo, Liz Andréa Villela Baroncini, Cristiano Vieira Machado, Fábio Cañellas Moreira, José María Hernández Hernández, Marco Stephan Lofrano Alves, Samira Saady Morhy, Márcio Silva Miguel Lima, Miguel Osman Dias Aguiar, Wilson Mathias Junior, Letícia Dos Santos De Oliveira Rocha, João César Nunes Sbano, Barbara Athayde Linhares Martins Vrandecic, Fabio Roston, Arnaldo Rabischoffsky, Juliana Paixão Etto Rolim, Raphael Aparecido Barreto Da Silva, Guilherme De Rossi, Kamila Fernanda Staszko, Jolie Britt, Marcelo Luiz Campos Vieira

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Ultrasound-Enabled Refreshable Electrochemical Sensors For Cardiac Biomarker Monitoring, Mayank Garg, Heng Guo, Myeong Namkoong, Elizabeth Zhanov, Connor Malone, Md Saifur Rahman, Ayse Akcan-Arikan, Limei Tian

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is the gold-standard biomarker for acute myocardial infarction, yet current laboratory-based high-sensitivity assays require centralized infrastructure, trained personnel, and serial testing, limiting their suitability for real-time or continuous monitoring in resource-limited settings. Point-of-care electrochemical sensors have shown promise for rapid cTnI detection, but their reliance on antibodies as biorecognition elements and redox mediator solutions, and single-use operation restricts practical translation. Here, we report an ultrasound-enabled refreshable electrochemical biosensor for sensitive, stable, and repeatable cTnI monitoring. The device employs a cTnI-specific peptide as the biorecognition element, providing enhanced stability during storage, transport, and operation. Label-free electrochemical impedance …

Macropinocytosis Inhibition Attenuates Profibrotic Responses In Lung Fibroblasts And Pulmonary Fibrosis Models, Ivan O Rosas, Aaron K Mcdowell-Sanchez, Santiago Sanchez, Juan D Cala-Garcia, Alan R Waich Cohen, Elisa Ruiz-Echartea, Scott A Ochsner, Daniel C Kraushaar, Lindsay J Celada, Dandan Sun, Francesca Polverino, Cristian Coarfa, Neil J Mckenna, Konstantin Tsoyi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating chronic lung disorder with limited treatment options. Macropinocytosis is one of the key cellular processes involved in nutrient consumption from the extracellular environment under stress conditions. Here, we studied the role of macropinocytosis in experimental pulmonary fibrosis models. We found that macropinocytosis is increased in human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) derived from patients with IPF. The inhibition of macropinocytosis with 5-(n-ethyl-n-isopropyl)-amiloride (EIPA) inhibited profibrotic responses in IPF-derived and TGF-β1-stimulated HLFs and reduced pulmonary fibrosis in bleomycin-injured (Bleo-injured) mice. EIPA exerted its antifibrotic effects by regulating amino acid uptake, mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 …

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

Oncology Articles

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

Why Student Research Matters: A Graduate Student’S Perspective, Jessica L. Hensley

The Journal of Integrative Physiology

Research fundamentally changes how students engage with knowledge. Rather than memorizing established facts, students learn to question, analyze, and contribute to the body of knowledge within their field (1). This shift supports deeper understanding and promotes critical thinking skills by encouraging active construction of knowledge (1). It also exposes students to the process of engaging with scientific literature and integrating information within the context of their research (2).

In my experience, research requires individuals to confront uncertainty. Experiments do not always produce exact results, and methods can require modification. Through this process, students develop adaptability, persistence, and the ability to …

Antimicrobial Susceptibility And Targeted Molecular Detection Of Methicillin Resistance Determinants In Staphylococcus Spp. Isolated From Broiler Bco Lesions, Woro Wulandari Kalanjati, Chrystalee Ailani Alvarez, Anh Dang Trieu Do, Adnan Ali Khalaf Alrubaye

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Staphylococcus spp. associated with poultry production is an emerging concern with implications for animal and public health. This study aimed to characterize antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and detect targeted methicillin resistance determinants in Staphylococcus isolates recovered from broiler chickens affected by bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO). Methods: A total of 200 bacterial isolates were evaluated, of which 167 were confirmed as Staphylococcus spp. Species identification was performed using presumptive phenotypic characterization followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using disk diffusion, while presumptive methicillin-resistant phenotypes were evaluated using oxacillin screening and CHROMagar MRSA. …

The Neuroprotective Effect Of Cdc42 Inhibition In The G93a Mutant Hsod1 Mouse Model Of Als, Andrea Koly

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the selective loss of upper and lower motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, neuromuscular junction (NMJ) degeneration, paralysis, and eventual death due to respiratory failure. Despite extensive research, effective disease-modifying therapies remain limited, underscoring the need to identify novel molecular targets involved in ALS pathogenesis. Dysregulation of Rho family GTPases has been implicated in neurodegeneration, with Rac and Rho exerting opposing effects on neuronal survival; however, the role of the closely related GTPase Cdc42 remains poorly understood in ALS. In this study, the therapeutic potential of inhibiting …

Explaining Variation In Medical Aid In Dying Policy Across U.S. States, Abigail Hopper

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

This paper asks why Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) policy in the United States does not follow a simple partisan pattern between states. Existing scholarship on morality policy emphasizes ideological conflict and partisan alignment, but this framework cannot fully explain why states with similar political compositions have adopted different MAiD policy outcomes, indicating that some key mechanisms shaping the variation have been overlooked. To address this, this paper combines a national dataset of MAiD policies across all fifty states with a comparative case study of Montana, Colorado, and West Virginia, focusing on differences in institutional venues, framing strategies, and coalition …

Differential Roles Of Moesin And Vasp In Β-Catenin-Associated Networks During Zebrafish Heart Regeneration, Allen Rutman

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

With cardiovascular disease remaining as the leading cause of mortality worldwide, it is largely due to the limited regenerative capacity of the human heart. However, zebrafish (Danio rerio) can fully regenerate cardiac tissue following injury, providing a valuable model for studying the mechanisms of heart repair. To investigate these mechanisms, we used proteomics methods in the past. Proximity labeling is a technique that identifies proteins based on their physical proximity to a protein of interest. It can be applied in organisms and in living cells (Roux et al., 2012; Cho et al., 2020). We used proximity labeling to characterize protein …

Healthcare Experiences And Needs Of Patients With Pregnancy Of Unknown Location: A Qualitative Study, Kavita Vinekar, Zahava Shimshi, Amanda Doty, Samantha Kolowrat, Rebecca Mercier, Agatha Berger, Kristin L. Rising

Jefferson Center for Connected Care Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Patients presenting with bleeding or pelvic pain in early pregnancy are commonly found to have pregnancies of unknown location (PUL), with no sonographic findings of intrauterine nor ectopic pregnancy. We aimed to explore healthcare experiences and needs of patients presenting with PUL.

METHODS: This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to explore healthcare experiences among patients with PUL. Patients were eligible if they presented with bleeding or abdominopelvic pain to the OB/GYN office or emergency department and were found to have a PUL followed in an electronic health record tracking list; had an initial human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) …

Esophageal Innominate Artery Fistula After Delayed Recognition Of Esophageal Foreign Body., Arianne J Abreu, Rahul Sinha, Robert T Sataloff

Otolaryngology (ENT) Resident Research

Esophageal innominate artery fistula (EIF) is a rare cause of life-threatening gastrointestinal hemorrhage. This condition occurs most often secondary to an aneurysm, tumor, or esophageal foreign body. After stabilization of airway and circulation, the management options vary from open to endoscopic and endovascular repair. The initial presentation, diagnosis and management of EIF in the literature focuses on adults primarily. In this case report, the clinical presentation of EIF in a pediatric patient, secondary to delayed recognition of a foreign body, highlights management considerations in this population.

Deciphering Small Sequence Differences In T Cell Receptor-Antigen Pairing, Yi Han, Yuqiu Yang, James Zhu, Farjana J Fattah, Mitchell S Von Itzstein, Minying Zhang, Casey Bermack, Peixin Jiang, Shailbala Singh, Yanhua Tian, Yifei Hu, Yafang Deng, Xiongbin Kang, Donghan M Yang, Jialiang Liu, Yaming Xue, Chaoying Liang, Indu Raman, Chengsong Zhu, Olivia Xiao, Jonathan E Dowell, Jade Homsi, Sawsan Rashdan, Ke Pan, Shengjie Yang, Mary E Gwin, David Hsiehchen, Yvonne Gloria-Mccutchen, Fangjiang Wu, John V Heymach, Don Gibbons, Junzhou Huang, Chao Cheng, Jianjun Zhang, Cassian Yee, Alexandre Reuben, David E Gerber, Tao Wang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

T cells have important functions in development and disease processes through T cell receptor (TCR)-dependent activities. Many tools were developed to predict the binding between TCRs and antigens. However, one of the uncertainties is whether such tools can decipher how small changes in the TCRs or antigenic peptides contribute to binding. We develop a deep learning model, pMTnet-omni, which not only predicts the binding vs. non-binding of TCRs towards pMHCs, but also distinguishes the stronger vs. weaker binding of TCRs similar in sequence. We leverage this capability to interpret the biological rules that govern TCR-antigen pairing. This also enables pMTnet-omni …

Bridging Interprofessional Gaps: A Pilot Study On Aac And Asl Training For Allied Health Profession Students, Angela M. Riccelli, Danielle Osmelak, Leslie Guca, Keith Werosh, Valerie Coolman, Rebecca Kvasnicka

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Interprofessional education (IPE) is recognized as a critical component of health professions training, equipping future clinicians with the skills necessary for collaborative practice and patient-centered care. However, students in speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy programs often have limited exposure to individuals who rely on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) or American Sign Language (ASL). This study evaluated the impact of a grant-funded, AAC- and ASL-focused IPE event at Governors State University on students’ self-reported interprofessional competencies. Using the Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies Attainment Survey (ICCAS-R) developed by Archibald, D., Trumpower, D., and MacDonald, C.J., in 2009 and revised in …

2nd National Research Day Lebanese Medical Schools

MEAMS Middle East Annals of Medical Sciences - Saint Joseph University of Beirut

No abstract provided.

Neuromuscular Responses During Vigorous Intensity Heart Rate-Clamp Cycling Exercise, Clara J. Mitchinson, Pasquale J. Succi, Brian Benitez, Djadmann Gustave, Minyoung Kwak, Erik Snell, Haley C. Bergstrom

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Introduction: Electromyography (EMG) and mechanomyography (MMG) provide non-invasive assessments of neuromuscular function and fatigue during dynamic exercise. This study examined neuromuscular fatigue and cycling performance through changes in power output (PO), total work (TW), EMG and MMG, amplitude (AMP) and mean power frequency (MPF) during three, heart rate (HR)-Clamp trials in the vigorous range (77-95% HR_max). Methods: Ten men (mean±SD, 25.9±5.0yr, 74.9±15.0kg, HR_max=178±12b×min^-1) performed a cycle ergometer graded exercise test, followed by three separate HR-Clamp trials at 77%HR_max (HR_L, time to exhaustion [T_Lim]=58.5±4.6 min, range=45.3-60.0min), 86%HR_max (HR_{M …}

Impact Of Insurance On In-Hospital Mortality And Other Outcomes Among Patients With Acs And Cardiogenic Shock: A Nationwide Analysis From 2022., Renzo Aller, Aura Calderon

Research Symposium

Introduction: Insurance coverage may significantly affect access to timely and advanced cardiovascular therapeutic interventions within the United States. Among individuals experiencing acute myocardial infarction (AMI) accompanied by cardiogenic shock (CS), variations based on the primary payer may play a role in subsequent in-hospital outcomes. We conducted a retrospective analysis to determine whether insurance status correlates with in-hospital mortality and other outcomes among patients with AMI and CS, utilizing the NIS database.

Methods: ACS patients in the 2022 NIS were categorized as STEMI or NSTE-ACS using appropriate ICD‐10 codes. Patients with both types of ACS and cardiogenic shock were included in …

The Triple Threat: Hiv, Nonadherence, And Substance Use Driving Premature Coronary Events, Jose J. Loayza Pintado, Taiwo Ajani, Angelica Lopez Jesus, Aura Calderon, Jose Pena

Research Symposium

Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) experience nearly double the risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and often present with acute coronary syndromes at younger ages [1]. Chronic inflammation, immune activation, and drug–drug interactions between antiretrovirals and antiplatelet agents further contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis and poor outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) [2,3]. Importantly, in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains disproportionately frequent in PLWH despite modern drug-eluting stents, with medication nonadherence compounding risk [4]. We present a young woman with HIV and recurrent myocardial infarction due to rapid ISR, underscoring the impact of inflammation, adherence, and pharmacologic interactions on secondary prevention.

Case …

Survival Outcomes And Tumor Site Distribution By Molecular Subtype In Breast Cancer Patients Under 40, Muhammad Noorani, Shubhank Goyal, Sierra Viduarri, Aura Calderon, Christine Pham, Shweta Singh, Mutaaz Ahmed, Anupam Dhasmana, Swati Dhasmana, Murali Yallapu, Shubash Chauhan, Diane Nguyen, Sidketa Fofana, Sheema Khan

Research Symposium

Background: Screening guidelines for breast cancer typically begin at age 40, leaving younger women at risk for delayed detection. The survival outcomes and tumor site patterns by subtype in this younger population remain underexplored. Our analysis leverages comprehensive national data to fill this critical knowledge gap, offering one of the most detailed evaluations to date of molecular subtype distribution, prognostic disparities, and anatomical presentation in women under 40.

Methods: Using the SEER 18 registry, we identified 5,026 female patients diagnosed under age 40 with invasive breast cancer in 2018. This year was selected for the most recent data available on …

Severe Cold Agglutinin Hemolytic Anemia Secondary To Mycoplasma Pneumoniae And Epstein-Barr Virus Co-Infection In An Elderly Patient, Aura Mc Calderon, Jose Loayza, Luis Salcedo, Ivan Mogollon, Asmik Asatrian

Research Symposium

Introduction: Cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is an uncommon, complement-mediated hemolysis typically driven by IgM autoantibodies; secondary forms are often infection-related. Severe, transfusion-refractory presentations are rare in older adults. We present an elderly patient with Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Epstein–Barr virus co-infection complicated by life-threatening cold agglutinin hemolysis.

Case report: Upon admission, a 79-year-old male patient presented with a one-week history of fatigue, pyrexia, nasal congestion, and dyspnea; examination findings revealed pallor, bibasilar crackles, and mild splenomegaly. Laboratory investigations indicated the presence of severe hemolytic anemia accompanied by compensatory reticulocytosis and thrombocytosis (hemoglobin 5.5 g/dL, hematocrit 17.2%, MCV 100 fL, reticulocytes …

Iptacopan-Responsive Pnh With Pancytopenia: Hematologic Normalization And Dose Adjustment For Transaminitis, Aura Mc Calderon, Jose Loayza, Francisco Arias, Catherine Matos, Bharat Peddinani, Diane Nguyen

Research Symposium

Introduction: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a clonal hematopoietic stem-cell disorder driven by loss of GPI-anchored complement regulators (CD55, CD59), leading to complement-mediated intravascular hemolysis, cytopenias, and thrombosis. We report a new PNH diagnosis in a young woman with severe pancytopenia who achieved hematologic improvement on oral iptacopan, requiring dose adjustments for mild liver enzyme elevation.

Case Report: On February 27, 2025, a 38-year-old female patient exhibited symptoms of progressive fatigue, dyspnea, and jaundice. Initial laboratory assessments indicated the presence of severe hemolytic anemia accompanied by pancytopenia, hemoglobin level recorded at 4.7 g/dL, white blood cell count at 1.6×10³/µL (absolute …

Expression And Functional Significance Of The G Protein–Coupled Estrogen Receptor (Gper) In Breast Cancer Subtypes, Sierra E. Vidaurri, Shweta Singh, Valerie E. Ledezma, Rajasekhar Baru, Emma Garza, Francisco Flores, Muhammad Noorani, Shubhank Goyal, Aura Calderon, Alexander Lim, Anupam Dhasmana, Swati Dhasmana, Murali Yallapu, Subhash Chauhan, Diane Nguyen, Sheema Khan

Research Symposium

Background: The G protein–coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) mediates rapid non-genomic estrogen signaling and has been implicated in breast cancer progression and aggressiveness. However, its expression patterns across molecular subtypes and its direct functional contribution to tumor behavior remain incompletely defined. The objective of this study was to comprehensively characterize GPER expression in breast cancer tissues and to functionally validate its role in regulating tumor cell proliferation and migration using genetic modulation approaches.

Methods: GPER expression was evaluated in breast cancer cell lines and patient tumor tissues using immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting, and RT-PCR. Tumors were classified into Luminal A, Luminal …

Clinical Outcomes In Neutropenic Fever At A South Texas Community Hospital In Hispanic Patients., Bharat K. Peddinani, Aura Calderon, Ramon Elizondo-Romo, Elizabeth Mills-Reyes, Everardo Cobos

Research Symposium

Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) remains a high-acuity complication of myelosuppressive chemotherapy, yet outcomes in Hispanic patients—particularly in South Texas—are underrepresented. We compared outcomes of FN admissions among Hispanic adults with solid tumors versus hematologic malignancies at a community hospital in the Rio Grande Valley.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult hospital admissions for FN from January 2022 through January 2025. Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years, FN documented in the emergency department, active chemotherapy for a solid or hematologic malignancy, and Hispanic ethnicity. Of 139 charts screened, 97 met criteria (46 solid tumors; 51 hematologic malignancies). Primary …

From Risk Factor To Cause Of Death: Hypertensive Heart Disease And The Changing Composition Of Heart Disease Mortality In Texas Compared With The United States, 1999–2020, Jose J. Loayza Pintado, Angelica Lopez Jesus, Aura Calderon, Jorge Aboytes Trevino, Daniela Hernandez

Research Symposium

Background: Heart disease mortality has declined nationwide, but Texas continues to experience higher rates than the United States overall. At the same time, hypertensive heart disease (HHD) has become more prominent within cardiovascular mortality statistics. Whether this shift reflects a growing hypertension-driven contribution to the Texas–U.S. gap has not been well quantified. We compared long-term trends in HHD mortality and the presence of HHD on death certificates among heart disease deaths in Texas versus the United States.

Methods: We analyzed CDC WONDER Underlying Cause of Death and Multiple Cause of Death files, 1999–2020, restricted to decedents aged ≥25 years. HHD …

Gper As A Therapeutic Target In Breast Cancer: Pharmacologic Inhibition And Microbiome Associations, Sierra E. Vidaurri, Shweta Singh, Valerie E. Ledezma, Rajesekhar Baru, Emma Garza, Francisco Flores, Muhammad Noorani, Shubhank Goyal, Aura Calderon, Alexander Lim, Anupam Dhasmana, Swati Dhasmana, Murali Yallapu, Subhash Chauhan, Diane Nguyen, Sheema Khan

Research Symposium

Background: The G protein–coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) mediates rapid estrogen signaling that promotes proliferation, migration, and therapeutic resistance in breast cancer, including in hormone receptor–negative subtypes. Notably, standard endocrine therapies may inadvertently activate GPER, highlighting the need for direct targeting of this pathway. The objectives of this study were to evaluate GPER as a therapeutic target using pharmacologic modulators and to determine how GPER-driven tumor behavior relates to tumor microbiome composition across breast cancer subtypes.

Methods: Breast cancer cell lines representing Luminal A (MCF7), Luminal B (BT474), HER2-enriched (SKBR3), and triple-negative (HCC38, MDA-MB-453, MDA-MB-231) subtypes were treated with Ormeloxifene (ORM). …

When A Pain Crisis Isn’T Only A Crisis: Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction With Hyperhemolysis In Adult Sickle Cell Disease., Bharat K. Peddinani, Conrad Chouinard, Aura Calderon, Maria I. Lopez, Diane Nguyen

Research Symposium

Introduction: Delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) is frequently mistaken for vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) or evolving acute chest syndrome (ACS). New alloantibodies may be absent or delayed, so reflex transfusion can worsen hemolysis. Programs now emphasize routine post-transfusion surveillance and a protocolized, transfusion-sparing response when DHTR is suspected.

Case Presentation: A 35-year-old man with hemoglobin SS SCD, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and recurrent priapism presented with severe left-leg pain two weeks after receiving two units of packed red blood cells for pre-operative optimization. Baseline hemoglobin (Hb) was ~6 g/dL; he was off disease-modifying therapy. …

Seeing The Pattern: Optic Neuritis, Multifocal Mri Lesions, And The Early Diagnosis Of Multiple Sclerosis, Jose J. Loayza Pintado, William Reckley, Aura Calderon, Luis Gaitan

Research Symposium

Background: Optic neuritis is a common neuro-ophthalmic emergency and may be the first clinical manifestation of inflammatory demyelinating disease. In the acute setting, clinicians must rapidly distinguish multiple sclerosis (MS) from important mimics, particularly when optic nerve involvement is accompanied by spinal cord lesions. A structured approach integrating phenotype, MRI lesion distribution and activity, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers can support timely diagnosis and guide counseling regarding long-term management. We report a young man presenting with unilateral optic neuritis and prior transient neurologic episodes, highlighting a practical diagnostic framework applicable to emergency and inpatient care.

Case Presentation: A 27-year-old man …