Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Anesthetic Considerations For Cardiac Tamponade After Internal Jugular Central Line Placement During Trauma Resuscitation: A Case Report, Kevin M Chen, Jamal Hasoon, Anvinh Nguyen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Numerous complications are associated with central venous catheters. Among them, cardiac tamponade is a rare but well-documented catastrophic complication. A 22-year-old healthy male presented with Code 1 trauma resulting from gunshot wounds in the abdomen. Upon examination, he was found to have a large pericardial fluid collection, a large right supraclavicular hematoma, and significant amount of bilateral pleural effusions secondary to extraluminal placement of the right internal jugular central line during resuscitation. After repairing the internal jugular injury and draining the pericardial fluid, the patient was transferred from the intensive care unit to the regular hospital floor. However, 15 days …

A Systematic Review Of Interventions To Promote Hpv Vaccination Globally, Cam Escoffery, Courtney Petagna, Christine Agnone, Stephen Perez, Lindsay B Saber, Grace Ryan, Meena Dhir, Swathi Sekar, Katherine A Yeager, Caitlin B Biddell, Purnima Madhivanan, Stephanie Lee, Amanda S English, Lara Savas, Eliza Daly, Thuy Vu, Maria E Fernandez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Despite the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine being a safe, effective cancer prevention method, its uptake is suboptimal in the United States (U.S.). Previous research has found a variety of intervention strategies (environmental and behavioral) to increase its uptake. The purpose of the study is to systematically review the literature on interventions that promote HPV vaccination from 2015 to 2020.

METHODS: We updated a systematic review of interventions to promote HPV vaccine uptake globally. We ran keyword searches in six bibliographic databases. Target audience, design, level of intervention, components and outcomes were abstracted from the full-text articles in Excel databases. …

Association Between Intraoperative Steroid And Postoperative Mortality In Patients Undergoing Craniotomy For Brain Tumor, Jialing He, Shuanghong He, Yu Zhang, Yixin Tian, Pengfei Hao, Tiangui Li, Yangchun Xiao, Liyuan Peng, Yuning Feng, Xin Cheng, Haidong Deng, Peng Wang, Weelic Chong, Yang Hai, Lvlin Chen, Chao You, Lu Jia, Dengkui Chen, Fang Fang

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of intraoperative steroids in various neurological surgeries to reduce cerebral edema and other adverse symptoms, there is sparse evidence in the literature for the optimal and safe usage of intraoperative steroid administration in patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumors. We aimed to investigate the effects of intraoperative steroid administration on postoperative 30-day mortality in patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumors.

METHODS: Adult patients who underwent craniotomy for brain tumors between January 2011 to January 2020 were included at West China Hospital, Sichuan University in this retrospective cohort study. Stratified analysis based on the type of …

Withaferin A And Immune Checkpoint Blocker Therapy For The Treatment Of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Roukiah Khalil

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Lung cancer is the first cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women with an overall five-year survival rate of 28%. Although immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) are currently FDA-approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), only 17-20% of patients achieve durable responses by the induction of immunologic memory. The lack of response in most patients can be attributed to the tumor-intrinsic or tumor-extrinsic immune resistance mechanisms. A biomarker of importance is the Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1), as higher PD-L1 expression is usually associated with a better response to ICBs. Although studies have attempted to combine ICBs …

A Phase I Study Of Milademetan (Ds3032b) In Combination With Low Dose Cytarabine With Or Without Venetoclax In Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Clinical Safety, Efficacy, And Correlative Analysis, Jayastu Senapati, Muharrem Muftuoglu, Jo Ishizawa, Hussein A Abbas, Sanam Loghavi, Gautam Borthakur, Musa Yilmaz, Ghayas C Issa, Samuel I Dara, Mahesh Basyal, Li Li, Kiran Naqvi, Rasoul Pourebrahim, Elias J Jabbour, Steven M Kornblau, Nicholas J Short, Naveen Pemmaraju, Guillermo Garcia-Manero, Farhad Ravandi, Joseph Khoury, Naval Daver, Hagop M Kantarjian, Michael Andreeff, Courtney D Dinardo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In TP53 wild-type acute myeloid leukemia (AML), inhibition of MDM2 can enhance p53 protein expression and potentiate leukemic cell apoptosis. MDM2 inhibitor (MDM2i) monotherapy in AML has shown modest responses in clinical trials but combining options of MDM2i with other potent AML-directed agents like cytarabine and venetoclax could improve its efficacy. We conducted a phase I clinical trial (NCT03634228) to study the safety and efficacy of milademetan (an MDM2i) with low-dose cytarabine (LDAC)±venetoclax in adult patients with relapsed refractory (R/R) or newly diagnosed (ND; unfit) TP53 wild-type AML and performed comprehensive CyTOF analyses to interrogate multiple signaling pathways, …

Impact Of Dual-Energy Computed Tomography (Dect) Postprocessing Protocols On Detection Of Monosodium Urate (Msu) Deposits In Foot Tendons Of Cadavers, Andrea Sabine Klauser, Sylvia Strobl, Christoph Schwabl, Christian Kremser, Werner Klotz, Violeta Vasilevska Nikodinovska, Hannes Stofferin, Yannick Scharll, Ethan Halpern

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

Objective: To evaluate two different dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) post-processing protocols for the detection of MSU deposits in foot tendons of cadavers with verification by polarizing light microscopy as the gold standard. Material and Methods: A total of 40 embalmed cadavers (15 male; 25 female; median age, 82 years; mean, 80 years; range, 52–99; SD ± 10.9) underwent DECT to assess MSU deposits in foot tendons. Two postprocessing DECT protocols with different Hounsfield unit (HU) thresholds, 150/500 (=established) versus 120/500 (=modified). HU were applied to dual source acquisition with 80 kV for tube A and 140 kV for tube B. …

Benefits Of A 12-Week Non-Drug "Brain Fitness Program" For Patients With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder, Post-Concussion Syndrome, Or Memory Loss, Majid Fotuhi, Noah D Khorrami, Cyrus A Raji

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Non-pharmacologic interventions can potentially improve cognitive function, sleep, and/or mood in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD), post-concussion syndrome (PCS), or memory loss.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the benefits of a brain rehabilitation program in an outpatient neurology practice that consists of targeted cognitive training, lifestyle coaching, and electroencephalography (EEG)-based neurofeedback, twice weekly (90 minutes each), for 12 weeks.

METHODS: 223 child and adult patients were included: 71 patients with ADHD, 88 with PCS, and 64 with memory loss (mild cognitive impairment or subjective cognitive decline). Patients underwent a complete neurocognitive evaluation, including tests for Verbal Memory, Complex Attention, Processing Speed, …

Use Of Electronic Ecological Momentary Assessment Methodologies In Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, And Sleep Research In Young Adults: Systematic Review, Kimberly R. Hartson, Luz Huntington-Moskos, Clara G. Sears, Gina Genova, Cara Mathis, Wessly Ford, Ryan E. Rhodes

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Background: Recent technological advances allow for the repeated sampling of real-time data in natural settings using electronic ecological momentary assessment (eEMA). These advances are particularly meaningful for investigating physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep in young adults who are in a critical life stage for the development of healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Objective: This study aims to describe the use of eEMA methodologies in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep research in young adults.

Methods: The PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, and Web of Science electronic databases were searched through August 2022. Inclusion criteria were use of eEMA; sample of young adults …

Esophageal Secondary Peristalsis Following Acid Infusion And Chemical Clearance Correlate With Mucosal Integrity And Acid Sensitivity In Gerd Patients, Ming-Wun Wong, Jui-Sheng Hung, Wei-Yi Lei, Tso-Tsai Liu, Chih-Hsun Yi, Shu-Wei Liang, Chandra Prakash Gyawali, Jen-Hung Wang, Chien-Lin Chen

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Acid sensitivity can be altered in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Secondary peristalsis helps clear gastro-esophageal refluxate and residual ingested food bolus.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations among acid sensitivity, esophageal mucosal integrity, chemical clearance, and secondary peristalsis before and after esophageal acid infusion.

DESIGN: This was an investigator-initiated, prospective, cross-sectional study.

METHODS: Adult reflux patients underwent high resolution manometry and 24 h impedance-pH monitoring off acid suppression to identify GERD phenotypes, including non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), reflux hypersensitivity (RH), and functional heartburn (FH). Secondary peristalsis was assessed using five rapid 20 …

Cancerhervdb: Human Endogenous Retrovirus (Herv) Expression Database For Human Cancer Accelerates Studies Of The Retrovirome And Predictions For Herv-Based Therapies, Erik Stricker, Erin C Peckham-Gregory, Michael E Scheurer

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

In this study, we sought to create a database summarizing the expression of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in various human cancers. HERVs are suitable therapeutic targets due to their abundance in the human genome, overexpression in various malignancies, and involvement in various cancer pathways. We identified articles on HERVs from PubMed and then prescreened and automatically categorized them using the portable document format (PDF) data extractor (PDE) R package. We discovered 196 primary research articles with HERV expression data from cancer tissues or cancer cell lines. HERV RNA and protein expression was reported in brain, breast, cervical, colorectal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, …

Cardioembolic Stroke Secondary To Massive Stress-Induced Apical Thrombosis: A Clinical Conundrum Relating To Anticoagulation Initiation, Siva Naga S. Yarrarapu, Parth Shah, Vikramaditya Samala Venkata, Jayasree Ravilla, Gaurav Mohan, Poorva Bhide, David Anwar

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or stress cardiomyopathy is a condition characterized by acute and transient left ventricular systolic dysfunction in the absence of coronary heart disease, occurring after an acute emotional or physical stressful event. Cardiac dysfunction in these patients is suspected to be secondary to catecholamine induced cardiac myocyte injury via cyclic AMP-mediated calcium overload or due to endothelial dysfunction. Even though left ventricular dysfunction in takotsubo cardiomyopathy is transient, it can lead to acute complications. Left ventricular thrombus formation is a widely reported complication and has an incidence of around 5-14% in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy patients and can lead to thromboembolic …

The Utility Of Fecal Calprotectin In The Diagnosis And Management Of Microscopic Colitis, Busara Songtanin, Abbie Evans, Kenneth Nugent, Vanessa Costilla

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Background: The incidence of microscopic colitis has increased over time. To date, there is no specific biomarker for microscopic colitis, and the diagnosis relies on histopathological tissue obtained during colonoscopy which is an invasive and costly procedure. Unlike Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the utility of fecal calprotectin in diagnosing or monitoring microscopic colitis has not been established, and studies on the role of fecal calprotectin in microscopic colitis are limited. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the utility of this biomarker in the diagnosis of microscopic colitis. Methods: The medical records of patients who have been diagnosed with collagenous …

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Associated With Oxybutynin Use; A Brief Review Of Pathophysiology, Wahab J Khan, Muhammad Asif, Sadia Aslam, Ifrah Nadeem, William Rossing

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by reversible vasospasm of the central nervous system vasculature. It usually presents as a classic thunderclap headache, but complications like a stroke, seizure, or intracranial hemorrhage may occur at the onset. Most cases are linked temporally to secondary agents. The most common suggested mechanism underlying the RCVS is vascular tone dysregulation. Our report describes the RCVS incidence associated with oxybutynin use in a young female. We aim to describe the potential pathophysiology linking oxybutynin use and RCVS.

Arrhythmogenic Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy Associated With A Phospholamban Gene Mutation In A Young Female: A Case Report And Literature Review, Wahab J Khan, Muhammad Asif, Hammad S Chaudhry, Sadia Aslam, Ifrah Nadeem, Mohammed A. Chowdhury

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a myocardium disease characterized by phenotypic features of myocardial scarring due to fibrofatty myocardial replacement often associated with global or regional ventricular dysfunction. For years after arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) was first described, the left ventricle (LV) was generally considered normal or minimally involved. In recent years, however, LV involvement has been recognized. It usually presents with early-on arrhythmias more than heart failure symptoms compared to dilated cardiomyopathy. It can be right ventricular, biventricular, or left ventricular. The underlying pathophysiology involves either desmosomal or non-desmosomal mutations. Phospholamban (PLN) mutation is one of those and is …

Timing Of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation And Death In Critically Ill Adults With Covid-19: A Multicenter Cohort Study., Adam Green, Jean-Sebastien Rachoin, Christa Schorr, Phil Dellinger, Jonathan D Casey, Isabel Park, Shruti Gupta, Rebecca M Baron, Shahzad Shaefi, Krystal Hunter, David E Leaf

Cooper Medical School of Rowan University Departmental Research

PURPOSE: To investigate if the timing of initiation of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) for critically ill patients with COVID-19 is associated with mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data for this study were derived from a multicenter cohort study of critically ill adults with COVID-19 admitted to ICUs at 68 hospitals across the US from March 1 to July 1, 2020. We examined the association between early (ICU days 1-2) versus late (ICU days 3-7) initiation of IMV and time-to-death. Patients were followed until the first of hospital discharge, death, or 90 days. We adjusted for confounding using a multivariable Cox …

Instrument Building For Detection Of Triplet Signal From Quinolinone Molecules, Brooke Weitzel

DePaul Discoveries

Conjugated organic molecules such as the 2-quinolinone family can be used as energy-donor molecules in photocatalysis because of their light absorbing and energy transmitting qualities. Good donor molecules have triplet excited states that are useful for photocatalysis due to their long lifetimes. The goal of this research was to build a near-infrared emission spectroscopy instrument to observe a triplet signal in a set of five previously synthesized 2-quinolinone molecules. A near-infrared absorbance instrument was built successfully with accurate measurements; however, there was no detection of the desired triplet emission signal.

Investigation Of Permanent Tattoos To Increase Myoelectric Signal Connectivity In Prosthetics, Guy Pugh

Master of Science in Kinesiology

Myoelectric prosthetics offer users increased functionality in many facits of their lives. However, maintaining reliable connectivity between sEMG sensors and targeted muscle locations can be problematic. Volume fluctuation of the residual limb, dirt, sweat, and movement of the socket and sensor over the limb can all because of signal disruption leading some users to find the myoelectric prostheses, costing thousands of dollars, to be unreliable, and stop using it. To increase connectivity between the optimal myoelectric sites and sEMG sensors, this paper proposes the use of permanent ink tattoos to create a stable location which a sensor can move over …

Integrating 4ms Assessment Through Medicare Annual Wellness Visits: Comparison Of Quality Improvement Strategies In Primary Care Clinics., Sweta Tewary, Nicole Cook, Desiree Simon, Elizabeth Philippe, Oksana Shnayder, Naushira Pandya

HPD Articles

The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), which includes comprehensive preventative assessments and screenings, is associated with improved preventative services, including vaccination and cancer screenings. However, the AWV alone does not promote whole-person care. Integrating the AWV within an Age-Friendly Health System (AFHS) contextualizes AWV services within a comprehensive geriatric care framework that integrates the "4Ms" (mentation, medication, mobility, and what matters). This study describes and evaluates quality improvement initiatives to improve the completion of AWV within two different AFHS-recognized health systems (an academic university clinic and a Federally Qualified Health Center). The results from this evaluation present opportunities that other …

Adenocarcinoma Of An Unknown Primary Site: Presentation, Diagnosis, And Management, Jaafar Abou-Ghaida, Adya A. Ali, Sheela Anasseri, Leslie Walker, Tye Barber

HPD Articles

Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is a rare metastatic disease in which a primary tumor site cannot be identified. CUP is a diagnosis of exclusion requiring prior workup to identify a primary site. We present a case of a 64-year-old male with vague abdominal pain, a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, esophagitis, hepatitis C, alcoholic pancreatitis, liver hemangioma, and Warthin tumor, and family history of cancer that was found to have CUP. The diagnosis was made after an extensive workup was done including serum tumor markers, computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) imaging, flow cytometry, and an array …

Reliability And Validity Of Hand-Held Dynamometer And Hand-Held Sphygmomanometer For Testing Shoulder Isometric External And Internal Rotator Muscles Strength, Francesco Bettariga, Nicola F. Lopomo, Fabio Civera, Stefano G. Lazzarini, Lisa Mantovani, Luca Maestroni

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Shoulder strength evaluation is a recommended procedure in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Aim: To examine hand-held sphygmomanometer (HHS) and hand-held dynamometer (HHD) intra- and inter-rater reliability during isometric shoulder external and internal rotation strength testing in prone rotation position in asymptomatic participants, and to compare these two testing modalities. Design: Reliability study. Methods: A total of 20 asymptomatic participants (27.7 ± 7.4 years; 77.1 ± 10.1 kg) attended a strength assessment consisting of HHS and HHD tests. Reliability was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), coefficient of variation (CV) with 95%CI, and standard error of …

Intertextuality And Narrativization Of Multiple Perspectives: Covid-19 Pandemic In Popular Songs In Tanzania, Spemba E. Spemba

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Close to the end of 2019, COVID-19, an infectious disease that still wreaks havoc, was discovered in Wuhan – China. The pandemic has become a major worldwide health problem to date. Its socioeconomic and cultural aftermaths have dominated the world’s public discourse. Media and literary artefacts reflect the ongoing debate, education, and communication regarding the pandemic. This paper examines how popular songs represent multiple (social-cultural, economic, and political) perspectives regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania. The article focuses on secular and religious song lyrics to ascertain how they convey multiple perspectives regarding an understanding of COVID-19, and whether such views …

Hiv/Aids-Related Knowledge, Attitude And Sexual Behaviours Among Undergraduate Students At The Dar Es Salaam University College Of Education, Tanzania, Stephen O. Maluka

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is among the major public health problems facing the world today. While studies have assessed HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours among college students, evidence shows that HIV prevalence among the youth has been growing at an alarming rate in the past five years. Thus, there is need for more studies to assess young people’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviours on HIV/AIDS in higher learning institutions. This study aimed to assess HIV-related knowledge, sexual attitudes and behaviours, as well as the use of HIV prevention services among students at the Dar es Salaam College of Education (DUCE), in …

Monitoring Personal Exposure To Air Quality Gradients While Biking On An Elevated Urban Trail, Gavin D. Salas

DePaul Discoveries

Air pollution is a major global health concern, specifically as it relates to the human exposome. The EPA criteria pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and NO_x can have severe impacts on respiratory and cardiovascular health, particularly in populations with chronic illnesses such as asthma, those facing economic hardships and individuals who frequently spend time outdoors, such as bicyclists and runners. To understand the impact of air pollution on human health, it is essential to assess personal exposure. This study aimed to investigate personal exposure to air pollution levels while biking along …

The Influence Of Vehicular Traffic And Land Use Typology On The Spatial Patterns And Concentrations Of Soil Lead (Pb) In The Uptown Community Area Of Chicago, Andreas 'Dre' Harris

DePaul Discoveries

Lead (Pb) is a harmful element whose presence threatens the well-being of living organisms and their environments. There are higher concentrations and an increased risk of Pb exposure in areas that provide fewer natural pathways for Pb to accumulate into. In urban areas, the soil is one of the most common and available environmental sinks for Pb accumulation. This study examines the total soil Pb concentrations in relation to land-use types and average daily traffic volumes (cars/day) in each census tract in the Uptown Community Area of Chicago. This study provides insight into how land use and traffic volume may …

Depaul Discoveries Volume 12 Cover Art, Katherine Petralia

DePaul Discoveries

No abstract provided.

Lifelong Fitness In Ambulatory Children And Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy I: Key Ingredients For Bone And Muscle Health, Noelle G. Moreau, Kathleen M. Friel, Robyn K. Fuchs, Sudarshan Dayanidhi, Theresa Sukal-Moulton, Marybeth Grant-Beuttler, Mark D. Peterson, Richard D. Stevenson, Susan V. Duff

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Physical activity of a sufficient amount and intensity is essential to health and the prevention of a sedentary lifestyle in all children as they transition into adolescence and adulthood. While fostering a fit lifestyle in all children can be challenging, it may be even more so for those with cerebral palsy (CP). Evidence suggests that bone and muscle health can improve with targeted exercise programs for children with CP. Yet, it is not clear how musculoskeletal improvements are sustained into adulthood. In this perspective, we introduce key ingredients and guidelines to promote bone and muscle health in ambulatory children with …

Rethinking Resilience Using The R-Factor: Neurobiological Mechanisms Of Static And Dynamic Components Of Resilience Following Trauma, Sanne Van Rooij, Justin Santos, Cecilia A. Hinojosa, Timothy Ely, Nathaniel Harnett, Vishnu P. Murty, Lauren Lebois, Tanja Jovanovic, Stacey House, Robert A. Swor

Articles

Resilience is a dynamic process of recovery after trauma, but in most studies it is conceptualized as the absence of specific psychopathology following trauma. Using the large emergency department AURORA study (n=1,865, 63% women), we took a longitudinal, dynamic and transdiagnostic approach to define a static resilience (r) factor, that could explain >50% of variance in mental wellbeing 6-months following trauma, and a dynamic r-factor, which represented recovery from initial symptoms. We assessed its neurobiological profile across threat, inhibition, and reward processes using fMRI collected 2-weeks post-trauma. Our neuroimaging results suggest that resilience is promoted by activation of higher-level cognitive …

Identifying Opportunities For Improved Postoperative Orthopedic Patient Care In Dickson City, Victoria Libretti, Carissa Hrichak Mba, Bsn, Rn, Kathryn Paone

Research Scholars

No abstract provided.

Increased Glucose Availability Sensitizes Pancreatic Cancer To Chemotherapy, Ali Vaziri-Gohar, Jonathan J. Hue, Ata Abbas, Hallie J. Graor, Omid Hajihassani, Mehrdad Zarei, George Titomihelakis, John Feczko, Moeez Rathore, Sylwia Chelstowska, Alexander W. Loftus, Rui Wang, Mahsa Zarei, Maryam Goudarzi, Renliang Zhang, Belinda Willard, Li Zhang, Adam Kresak, Joseph E. Willis, Gi-Ming Wang, Curtis Tatsuoka, Joseph M. Salvino, Ilya Bederman, Henri Brunengraber, Costas A. Lyssiotis, Jonathan R. Brody, Jordan M. Winter

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly resistant to chemotherapy. Effective alternative therapies have yet to emerge, as chemotherapy remains the best available systemic treatment. However, the discovery of safe and available adjuncts to enhance chemotherapeutic efficacy can still improve survival outcomes. We show that a hyperglycemic state substantially enhances the efficacy of conventional single- and multi-agent chemotherapy regimens against PDAC. Molecular analyses of tumors exposed to high glucose levels reveal that the expression of GCLC (glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit), a key component of glutathione biosynthesis, is diminished, which in turn augments oxidative anti-tumor damage by chemotherapy. Inhibition of GCLC phenocopies …

Validation Of A New Species For Studying Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation: Swine Sterile Pericarditis Model, Seungyup Lee, Celeen Khrestian, Daniel Laurita, Dragan Juzbasich, Don Wallick, Albert Waldo

Faculty Scholarship

Background: The canine sterile pericarditis model associated with atrial inflammation is an experimental counterpart of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). However, the use of canines for research is restricted by ethics committees in many countries, and social acceptance is declining. Objective: To validate the feasibility of the swine sterile pericarditis model as an experimental counterpart to study POAF. Methods: Seven domestic pigs (35–60 kg) underwent initial pericarditis surgery. On two or more postoperative days in the closed‐chest state, we performed electrophysiological measurements of pacing threshold and atrial effective refractory period (AERP) while pacing from the right atrial appendage (RAA) and the …