Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Body Mass Index And Survival In Children Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, Pilar Anton-Martin, Keith Baxelbaum, Shilpa Vellore, Erika O'Neil, Vinai Modem, Sameer Thadani

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Importance: Underweight and obesity represent opposite ends of the nutritional risk spectrum that negatively affect children's health worldwide. Both conditions have been associated with increased mortality in pediatric patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support.

Objective: To investigate the association of underweight and obesity status with pediatric ECMO outcomes using body mass index (BMI) z scores.

Design, setting, and participants: This retrospective cohort analysis used data from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) database from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023. Participants included all pediatric patients from international ECMO centers aged 29 days to 18 years who received ECMO …

Platelet Rich Plasma Injection Treatment Outcomes In Patellar Tendinopathy, Hunter M. Butler, Aamir Ahmad

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Platelet rich plasma (PRP) refers to the processed product of autologous peripheral blood with a concentration of platelets higher than baseline. This product has garnered interest for 30 years as a potential method of regenerative medicine. PRP injections have shown to be an effective treatment for patellar tendinopathy. However, some concerns remain with regards to empiric treatment of tendinopathy with PRP injections.

Objective: This article aims to investigate the outcomes of platelet rich plasma injections in patients with patellar tendonitis.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) online database. The …

Deviation From Ai-Predicted Implant Sizes In Total Hip Arthroplasty Is Associated With Increased Complication Risk, Michael P Murphy, Andrew M Schneider, Cameron J Killen, Daniel R Schmitt, Nicholas M Brown

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Patient characteristics may predict implant sizes in total hip arthroplasty (THA), but the clinical value and generalizability of such models remain uncertain. This study evaluated the accuracy and relevance of an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven prediction tool for THA sizing in a diverse population.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 2410 primary THAs at 2 academic hospitals (2007-2021). Data included patient characteristics, surgical approach, surgeon fellowship training, and complications (periprosthetic femur fracture [PPF], aseptic loosening within 1 year). An AI model predicted femoral stem and acetabular cup sizes using age, sex, height, weight, and race/ethnicity, and these predictions were compared with implanted …

Two-Year Outcomes Following Delandistrogene Moxeparvovec Treatment In Ambulatory Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Phase 3 Embark Trial, Jerry R Mendell, Craig M Zaidman, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Delandistrogene moxeparvovec is a recombinant adeno-associated virus rhesus isolate serotype 74 vector-based gene therapy that addresses the absence of functional dystrophin in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). EMBARK is a phase 3, two-part, crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessing the safety and efficacy of delandistrogene moxeparvovec (single intravenous dose 1.33 × 10

METHODS: As a result of the crossover study design, 2-year functional outcomes of patients receiving delandistrogene moxeparvovec in part 1 of EMBARK were compared, by pre-specified analysis, with a matched propensity score-weighted external control (EC).

RESULTS: At 2 years, EMBARK patients showed statistically significant benefit versus the EC cohort …

Dna Methylation Of Slc6a4 And Nr3c1 In Term And Preterm Infants: A Pilot Study Of Nicu-Associated Stress, Kathryn J. Malin, Yvette P. Conley, Aleigha Barry, Rosemary White-Traut

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Preterm infants requiring prolonged hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are often exposed to early-life stress, which may contribute to long-term health consequences. Epigenetic markers, particularly DNA methylation (DNAm) of stress-related genes such as SLC6A4 and NR3C1, have been identified as potential biomarkers of early-life stress. Limited research has compared DNAm patterns between term and preterm infants or examined associations between NICU-related stress and DNAm in preterm populations. Objectives: This pilot study aimed to (1) compare DNAm patterns between preterm and term infants, (2) examine relationships between NICU-related stress and DNAm alterations in preterm infants, and …

Technology-Assisted Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Contemporary Analysis Of Regional Trends, National Trends, And 90-Day Outcomes In A Nationwide Cohort, Amy Y Zhao, Alex Gu, Gireesh Reddy, Bryant M Song, Ilya Bendich, Andrew M Schneider

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Technology-assisted total hip arthroplasty (THA)-including computer-navigated and robotic-assisted techniques-has emerged as a strategy to enhance component alignment and potentially improve postoperative outcomes. Although prior studies have described increasing utilization, contemporary trends and associated complication rates remain underexplored.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a large national database to identify patients who underwent primary elective THA between 2010 and 2023. Patients were stratified into conventional vs technology-assisted THA groups, with the latter defined by the use of computer navigation or robotic assistance. Annual utilization trends were evaluated using linear regression, and 90-day postoperative complications were compared using multivariate …

Relationship Between Clostridioides Difficile Stool Concentration, Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Results, And Environmental Contamination, Mary Morgan Lee, Kimberly A Reske, Tiffany Hink, Skye R S Fishbein, Erin P Newcomer, Candice Cass, Margaret A Olsen, Gautam Dantas, Carey-Ann D Burnham, Erik R Dubberke

2020-Current year OA Pubs

We compared rectal swab nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) with stool culture to detect

Exploring Nurses' Documentation Prioritization Strategies To Alleviate Ehr Documentation Burden: A Phenomenological Study, Rosemary Mugoya, Jennifer Thate, Fan Hao, Sarah C Rossetti, Po-Yin Yen

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to understand how inpatient nurses determine and prioritize necessary documentation within the context of the Excessive Documentation Burden (ExDocBurden) in Electronic Health Records (EHRs).

METHODOLOGY: A phenomenological approach was used to explore inpatient nurses' lived experiences of prioritizing EHR documentation. Interpretive phenomenology guided the study design, focusing on how nurses prioritize documentation. Purposive sampling recruited 14 registered nurses (RNs) from acute and critical care settings. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's 7-step and Smith's Interpretive Phenomenology Analysis.

RESULTS: Five themes emerged: (1) Advocating for Quality Patient Care Environment and Patient Needs, (2) …

Automating Evaluation Of Llm-Generated Responses To Patient Questions About Rare Diseases, Min Zhao, Inez Y Oh, Aditi Gupta, Sally Cohen-Cutler, Kathryn M Harmoney, Albert M Lai, Bryan A Sisk

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVES: Patients with rare diseases often struggle to find accurate medical information, and large language model (LLM)-based chatbots may help meet this need. However, evaluating LLM-generated free-text answers typically requires physician review, which is time-consuming and difficult to scale. This study compared traditional natural language processing (NLP) metrics to emerging LLM-based evaluation approaches for assessing answer quality in the context of Complex Lymphatic Anomalies (CLAs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compiled 25 common patients' questions about CLAs and generated 175 responses to these questions from seven LLMs. Three expert physicians scored these responses for accuracy. We compared these physician-assigned scores with …

Alterations In Ascending Aortic Hemodynamics And Aortic Length Correlate With Sex-Specific Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Dilation And Lifespan In A Mouse Model Of Severe Marfan Syndrome, Krashn Kr Dwivedi, Yufan Wu, Marisa S Bazzi, Hadi Wiputra, Jacob Rother, James D Quirk, Victor H Barocas, Jessica E Wagenseil

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a dilation of the aorta that may eventually dissect and/or rupture. It is associated with genetic disorders such as Marfan syndrome (MFS) and is a life-threatening cardiovascular condition if left untreated. Current clinical guidelines for TAA management are primarily based on maximum diameter thresholds that are often inadequate, particularly in MFS patients. Moreover, the diameter thresholds are not sex-specific, despite growing evidence that TAA outcomes in MFS are influenced by sex. The aim of this study was to identify non-invasive biomarkers for better management of TAA using male and female mice that are a genetic …

Influence Of Gut Microbiota On Response To Immune Check Point Inhibitors In Masld Patients With Hcc: Unraveling The Connection, Mazen Elsheikh, Mohamad Ali Ibrahim, Sherry Fares, Megha Bhongade, Karim Adhem, Ximena I Ramirez-Morales, Ahmed O Kaseb, Joseph Petrosino, Manal M Hassan, Prasun K Jalal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as a promising treatment for various cancers, including advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, a significant proportion of patients with HCC, particularly those with metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease (MASLD), exhibit resistance to ICI therapy. Studies have revealed that the presence of specific gut bacteria, such as Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Lachnoclostridium, is associated with improved outcomes with ICI-treated HCC patients. Conversely, the overgrowth of bacteria like Enterobacteriaceae is linked to resistance to therapy. This review investigates the role of gut microbiota in shaping immune checkpoint inhibitor responses in MASLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma, focusing on how dysbiosis may …

Leveraging Untargeted Metabolomics In Combination With Machine Learning To Uncover Novel Insights Into Bladder Cancer, Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, Vasanta Putluri, Tanmay Gandhi, Chandra Shekar R Ambati, Chandra Sekhar Amara, Karthik Reddy Kami Reddy, Meredith Lauren Spradlin, Amrit Koirala, Sachin B Jorvekar, Sandra L Grimm, Dexue Fu, Krishna Parsawar, Felice De Jong, Chris Beecher, Subrata Sen, Seth P Lerner, M Minhaj Siddiqui, Yair Lotan, Livia S Eberlin, Arun Sreekumar, Cristian Coarfa, Nagireddy Putluri

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background

Untargeted metabolomics has emerged as a powerful approach to uncover metabolic dysregulation associated with cancer progression. When integrated with a machine learning strategy it facilitates the discovery of key metabolic pathways and predictive biomarkers with high diagnostic and prognostic value.

Methods

In this study, we employed liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution Tribrid Orbitrap mass spectrometry to perform comprehensive metabolic profiling of bladder cancer (BLCA) as well as predict invasiveness of the disease.

Results

By leveraging both in-house retention time-based MS/MS spectral libraries and commercial databases, we robustly identify over 2000 metabolites. In addition, this platform allows identification of novel …

Predictors Of Total Hip Arthroplasty Among Patients With Chronic Comorbidities: A Multivariate Analysis Of A Medically Underserved Region, Blake C. Martin, Manoj Peiris

School of Medicine Publications

Background

THA is a common orthopedic procedure that is expected to increase in the coming years. Obesity and osteoarthritis are major factors that increase the risk of individuals requiring THA. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is a distinctive health professional shortage area with high rates of obesity, arthritis, and diabetes. This study aims to examine the relationship between chronic medical conditions and the need for THA in this at-risk, medically underserved population.

Methods

This investigation employed a retrospective chart review encompassing patient records from January 1, 2018, through January 1, 2025, using the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley electronic …

Trends In Meningioma-Related Mortality Among U.S. Adults: A Cdc Wonder Analysis From 2000 To 2023, Tirath Patel, Rai Muhammad Umar Khan, Fatima Hussain, Meer Murtaza, Muhammad Shayan Tariq, Abuzar Khan, Sara Aleem, Maryam Athar, Sharoz Shahid, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors in the United States, comprising nearly 41% of central nervous system tumors. While the majority are benign, atypical (World Health Organization Grade II) and malignant (Grade III) subtypes are clinically significant due to their aggressive biology, higher recurrence, and increased mortality risk. Despite their burden, national mortality trends and demographic disparities in meningioma-related deaths remain underexplored.

Methods: We conducted a population-based analysis of meningioma-related mortality among U.S. adults aged ≥65 years from 1999 to 2023 using the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) wide-ranging online data for epidemiologic research (WONDER) …

Deep Learning In Fetal, Infant, And Toddler Neuroimaging Research, Jenna H Chin, Madeleine K Wyburd, Vladislav Ayzenberg, Laurie Bayet, Berkin Bilgic, Emily M Chen, Yuting Chen, Áine Dineen, Shohei Fujita, Janelle Liu, Yohan Jun, M Catalina Camacho, Lilla Zöllei

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into everyday tasks and work environments. However, its adoption in medical image analysis has progressed more slowly due to high clinical stakes, limited availability of labeled data, and substantial variability in imaging protocols and population. These challenges are further pronounced in the field of fetal, infant, and toddler (FIT) neuroimaging, where datasets are especially scarce and subject to large amounts of anatomical variability. However, deep learning (DL), a specific method within machine learning, which is itself a subfield of AI, has emerged as a powerful framework to adapt to the challenges of medical …

Serological Evidence Of Borrelia Turicatae In Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) From An Endemic Focus Of Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever In Mexico, Jose A Hernández Martínez, Valeria Leal-Sepúlveda, Alan A Zavala-Norzagaray, Emilio Rendón-Franco, César P Ley-Quiñonez, Patricio Pellegrini-Hernández, Job E Lopez, J Antonio Ibarra

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Tick-borne relapsing fever is a neglected and overlooked disease. In Mexico, numerous historical reports document the distribution of Ornithodoros turicata, the vector of Borrelia turicatae, as well as human cases of infection. However, the enzootic cycle and reservoir hosts in Mexico remain unknown. Here, to detect previous infections with relapsing fever Borreliae in wild fauna a retrospective serological analysis was conducted with serum samples collected from raccoons trapped from 2022 to 2025 in the Navachiste region of Sinaloa, Mexico. Using a species-specific antigen, BipA from B. turicatae, and bacterial lysates of this spirochete, we found high exposure among this cohort …

Effect Of Different Management Strategies On Outcomes In Subarachnoid Neurocysticercosis: A Descriptive, Multicentre, Retrospective Cohort Study In The Usa, Janitzio J Guzmán, Megan M Duffey, Jill Weatherhead, Eva H Clark, Jesica Herrick, Senate Amusu, Felicia C Chow, Paul R Allyn, Noah Wald-Dickler, J Martin Rodriguez, Natalie M Bowman, Timothy J Hatlen, Dannae Martin, Travis Larsen, Anna M Cervantes-Arslanian, Christina Coyle, A Clinton White, Elliott Welford, Annie N Cowell, Jeffrey D Jenks, Andrés F Henao-Martinez, Carlos Franco-Paredes, Glenn Mathisen, Paola Lichtenberger, Jose A Serpa, Rory Bouzigard, Laila M Castellino, Elise M O'Connell

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Subarachnoid neurocysticercosis (SANCC) is an uncommon but severe form of Taenia solium infection. There is limited evidence to guide clinical management. We aimed to describe the clinical and laboratory features of a cohort of patients with SANCC, and assess the impact of different management strategies on their clinical course.

Methods: We performed a multicentre retrospective cohort study with patients from 15 medical centres across nine states in the USA. SANCC was defined based on histopathology; the presence of cysts in the basilar subarachnoid spaces/sylvian fissures/spine with antibody positivity to T. solium/meeting Del Brutto criteria; or inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid …

Fronto-Cerebellar Features Associate With Cognitive Dysfunction In Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Hanne Van Der Heijden, Gabrielle Alonzi, Amanda Cao, Raquel Van Gool, Merve Koç Yekedüz, Lise Vrolix, Itamar Ronen, Vanessa Rameh, Kyle Mcbrearty, Aditi Deokar, Robert P Sundel, Eyal Muscal, Joseph Gonzalez-Heydrich, Andrea Knight, Joyce C Chang, Jaymin Upadhyay

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: Cognitive dysfunction (CD) is a prevalent symptom in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). This study aimed to investigate the neurobehavioral basis of CD in cSLE.

Methods: Patients with cSLE (N=20) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs, N=20) completed questionnaires and multiple neurocognitive tests. The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 and laboratory markers were used to monitor patients' clinical status. Neuroimaging assessments included functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and structural MRI.

Results: cSLE patients demonstrated moderate disease activity with high inflammation and immune dysregulation, alongside low medication adherence. Relative to HCs, cSLE patients …

Trauma-Related Compulsions In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Functional Insights From Factor Analysis, Caitlin M Pinciotti, Max Thorsson, Gregor Horvath, Matti Cervin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Resisting obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) compulsions is a key predictor of exposure and response prevention (ERP) effectiveness, yet trauma-exposed individuals with OCD endorse more severe compulsions and are more likely to be labelled 'treatment resistant.' Among trauma-exposed individuals, compulsions are theorised to function to prevent future trauma and cope with trauma-related responses. Recent findings suggest that certain compulsions in the context of trauma exposure differentially impact treatment outcomes, yet missing from extant literature is a larger empirically derived conceptualisation for how trauma may impact the underlying function of compulsions. In a sample of 662 adult patients enroled in intensive OCD treatment …

Black Equality In Ocd Neurogenomics (Belong): Study Protocol, Iasha J Williams, Dalia Y Marquez, Kara E Lopez-Lengowski, Malini Bommiasamy, Ogechi Cynthia Onyeka, Slayton J Underwood, Juliana E Avery, Jacob Gluckman, Thariana Pichardo, Rhea Chandler, Yulu Brown, Katie Mangen, Emma Grace Choplin, Black Equality In Ocd Neurogenomics (Belong) Study Team, Sonyia C Richardson, Joseph D Buxbaum, Eric A Storch, James J Crowley, Sidney H Hankerson, Dorothy E Grice

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic, serious psychiatric disorder that affects 2%-3% of the population and is associated with high personal and societal costs. Genetic factors are estimated to explain roughly half the risk of developing OCD, and genomic studies are just beginning to identify common and rare genetic variants mediating this risk. A major goal of genomic studies is to yield insights into the etiology of OCD and identify molecular targets for the development of novel therapeutics. However, the overwhelming majority of subjects in existing genetic studies are of European ancestry, limiting the generalizability of these findings. To address …

Sialidosis Type I: How To Alleviate Disabling Myoclonic Seizures? - A Multicenter Analysis Of Eight Cases And Review Of The Literature, Janina Gburek-Augustat, Shao Ching Tu, Marwan Shinawi, Isabel Alfradique-Dunham, Manouela Valtcheva, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: Sialidosis type I (ST-1) is an autosomal-recessive, very rare, progressive lysosomal storage disorder caused by pathogenic variants in NEU1. It is clinically characterized by progressive ataxia, myoclonic seizures (MS), bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (BTCS), and distinctive ophthalmological findings. Given the lack of curative options, in this study, we investigated symptomatic treatment strategies, with a particular focus on the efficacy of antiseizure medications (ASMs).

METHODS: We describe the clinical course of a patient followed from diagnosis to 18 years of age, and review seven additional cases from our cohort. In parallel, we conducted a narrative review of the literature (PubMed, January …

Sensitivity And Concordance Study Of An Open Source Epid-Based Linear Accelerator Test Suite, Lana C Critchfield, Cory S Knill, Ellie Durussel, Justin K Mikell, Michael Barnes, Michael Pillainayagam, William P Donahue, Seng Boh Lim, John J Demarco, Mario Perez, Nilendu Gupta, Hania Al-Hallaq, Richard A Popple, Jim Irrer, Jean M Moran

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) enhance linear accelerator (linac) quality assurance (QA) efficiency but are not universally used beyond patient-specific IMRT QA. A multi-institutional Consortium seeks to standardize linac QA utilizing an EPID-based test suite.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the sensitivity of a test suite to intentional linac and plan errors and the concordance with linac fluctuations over time.

METHODS: Baseline and error-introduced tests were performed on a Varian TrueBeam and Clinac. Evaluated parameters included enhanced dynamic wedge factors (EDW) (6MV), central axis dose (6MV, 6MV FFF, 16MV), focal spot alignment and beam symmetry (6MV, 16MV), dose rate-gantry speed …

Leadless Pacing And The Emerging Era Of Combined Procedures In Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Srikant Das, Brock A Karolcik, Taylor S Howard

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

When Birth Control Turns Biliary: A Rare Case Of Profound Hyperbilirubinemia From Oral Contraceptives, Taiwo Ajani, Aura Calderon, Jose J. Loayza Pintado, Nayiri Derian, Catherine Matos, Ivan Mogollon, Andres Suarez Parraga

School of Medicine Publications

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are extensively utilized and generally considered safe (reference); nonetheless, infrequent hepatobiliary complications such as cholestasis and hyperbilirubinemia have been documented, particularly among individuals with a genetic predisposition. We present a case involving a 19-year-old female who exhibited significant conjugated hyperbilirubinemia shortly after the commencement of OC therapy. Comprehensive investigations ruled out alternative causes, and the findings from liver biopsy, in conjunction with the clinical context, indicated an estrogen-induced cholestatic injury, likely revealing an underlying Dubin–Johnson syndrome. This case underscores the critical necessity of acknowledging hepatic adverse effects associated with estrogen as well as the influence of genetic …

X-Linked Cancer-Associated Polypeptide (Xcp) From Lncrna1456 Modulates Phf8 Histone Demethylase Activity To Regulate The Epigenome, Gene Expression, And Cellular Pathways In Breast Cancer, Shrikanth S. Gadad, Cristel V. Camacho, Xuan Gong, Micah Thornton, Venkat S. Malladi, Anusha Nagari, Aishwarya Sundaresan, Tulip Nandu, Sneh Koul, Yan Peng, W. Lee Kraus

School of Medicine Publications

Recent studies have demonstrated that a subset of long “noncoding” RNAs (lncRNAs) produce functional polypeptides and proteins. In this study, we discovered a 132 amino acid protein in human breast cancer cells named XCP (X-linked Cancer-associated Polypeptide), which is encoded by lncRNA1456 (a.k.a. RHOXF1P3), a transcript previously thought to be noncoding. lncRNA1456 is a pancreas- and testis-specific RNA whose gene is located on chromosome X. We found that the expression of lncRNA1456 and XCP is highly upregulated in the luminal A, luminal B, and HER2 molecular subtypes of breast cancer. XCP modulates both estrogen-dependent and estrogen-independent growth of breast …

Development And Internal Validation Of A Pretransplant Biomarker Panel For Mortality Prediction Following Liver Transplant, Guergana G Panayotova, Sopio Simonishvili, Lianhua Jin, Duc T Nguyen, Edward A Graviss, Yong Qin, Anastasia Xynogala, Tumininu Ayorinde, Laurie J Minze, Alexander Lemenze, Krupa R Mysore, Julie M Corkrean, Linda W Moore, Flavio Paterno, Ashish Saharia, Constance M Mobley, Arpit Amin, Mark J Hobeika, Xian C Li, Paul J Gaglio, R Mark Ghobrial, James V Guarrera, Keri E Lunsford

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Importance: Current pretransplant clinical scoring systems fail to accurately estimate post-liver transplant (LT) survival, making recipient selection challenging. Persistent immune dysfunction contributes to early LT recipient mortality but is not captured by existing models.

Objective: To identify plasma biomarkers of pretransplant immune dysfunction and to develop a biomarker-based pre-LT risk stratification tool to predict post-LT mortality.

Design, setting, and participants: Prospective biomarker analysis of consecutively enrolled adult LT recipients was conducted. Healthy controls were included for baseline comparison. Patients undergoing LT at Houston Methodist Hospital (October 1, 2013, to December 31, 2017) and Rutgers/University Hospital (January 1, 2019, to March …

Physiological Peristaltic-Like Reactions Of The Tracheobronchial Tree Move Pulmonary Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Bacilli Into The Gastrointestinal Tract, Andrew R Dinardo, George W Kasule, Alberto L Garcia-Basteiro, Stool4tb Global Partnership

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Complement Anaphylatoxin C5a-Induced Mouse Lymphatic Functions Modulate Interactions Between Endothelial Cells And T Lymphocytes, Haydn E Rich, Yi-Dong Li, Kathryn D Hok, Stacey L Mueller-Ortiz, Aleksey Y Domozhirov, Anthony Shadid, Rajarajan A Thandavarayan, Hari Krishna Yalamanchili, Marie-Francoise Doursout, Tingting Weng-Mills, Faraz Bishehsari, Nirmal K Banda, Kristin L Eckel-Mahan, Marcos I Restrepo, Pooja Shivshankar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The lymphatic system is a highly branched endothelial tubular network that facilitates the migration of immune cells from the peripheral tissues to lymph nodes (LNs) and other lymphoid organs. Complement factors are essential for innate and adaptive immune functions. Complement anaphylatoxin C5a is crucial in vascular endothelial cell activation and lymphocyte polarization. Understanding the impact of C5a and its cognate receptor C5ar1 signaling on lymphatic function could provide new insights into the mechanisms of immune dysregulation observed in chronic inflammatory diseases. We demonstrate that acute C5a challenge in wildtype C57B6/J mice significantly reduced lymph propulsion compared to their C5ar1-deficient counterparts. …

Tfeb Degradation Is Regulated By An Ikk/Β-Trcp2 Phosphorylation-Ubiquitination Cascade, Yan Xiong, Jaiprakash Sharma, Meggie N Young, Wen Xiong, Ali Jazayeri, Karl F Poncha, Ma Xenia G Ilagan, Qing Wang, Bei Gao, Hui Zheng, Nicolas L Young, Marco Sardiello

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a master regulator of lysosomal biogenesis and cellular clearance pathways. TFEB activity is tightly controlled by multiple post-translational mechanisms, but the exact molecular mechanism controlling its stability has remained elusive. Here, we identify the IκB kinase (IKK) complex as a key regulator of TFEB protein stability through a phosphorylation-ubiquitination cascade. A high-content kinase inhibitor screen reveals that IKK inhibition increases TFEB protein levels, and genetic ablation of IKK components increases TFEB stability, upregulates lysosomal genes, and enhances lysosomal biogenesis and degradative capacity. Mechanistically, we show that IKK phosphorylates TFEB on a cluster of serine residues …

Mental Health Symptom Screening Among Adult Emergency Department Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study, Jacob Langkiet, Rachel M Ancona, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVES: Mental health symptoms profoundly influence healthcare outcomes and utilization. Although mental health conditions are common in emergency department (ED) patients, routine, noncrisis screening is not consistently implemented; thus, problems may go unrecognized outside of psychiatric crisis presentations. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of current symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among ED patients using validated screening tools.

METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from 1305 randomly selected, adult patients from 3 urban, academic EDs. Validated survey instruments included (i) Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety Short Form 8a, (ii) Emotional Distress …