Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Commons^™

Effects Of Exercise On Inflammation, Circulating Tumor Cells, And Circulating Tumor Dna In Colorectal Cancer, Justin C. Brown, Stephanie L. Compton, Andrew Kang, Anjana Jayaraman, L Anne Gilmore, Brian J. Kirby, Frank L. Greenway, Shengping Yang, Guillaume Spielmann

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The biological mechanisms by which postdiagnosis physical activity improves disease-free survival in colorectal cancer survivors remain incompletely understood. This trial tested the hypothesis that 12 wk of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, when compared with a control group, would change inflammation, CTCs, and ctDNA in a manner consistent with an improved cancer prognosis. METHODS: This trial randomized Stages I-III colorectal cancer survivors to 12 wk of home-based moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or a waitlist control group. The co-primary endpoints were high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), secondary endpoints were soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor 2 (sTNFαR2) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), …

Female Patients Report Comparable Results To Males After The Implantation Of An Aragonite-Based Scaffold For The Treatment Of Knee Chondral And Osteochondral Defects: A Gender-Based Analysis Of A Rct At 4 Years' Follow-Up., Elizaveta Kon, Francesca De Caro, Vinod Dasa, Jason M Scopp, Berardo Di Matteo, David Flanigan, Nogah Shabshin, Sabrina Strickland, Nir Altschuler

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

High Rate Of Complications With Exchange Nailing For Femoral Nonunions, Benjamin Averkamp, Ziqing Yu, Julia C. Mastracci, Matthew J. Braswell, Andrew T. Chen, Luke A. Lopas, Ishani Sharma, Hassan Farooq, Hassan Mir, Jessica Rivera, Rachel B. Seymour, Joseph R. Hsu, Evidence-Based Musculoskeletal Injury & Trauma Collaborative, Robert D. Zura, Marc Schatz, Et Al

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objectives: To evaluate rates of nonunion repair, osseous healing, and outcomes in femoral nonunions with contemporary healing. Design: Retrospective review. Setting: Five academic level 1 trauma centers. Patients/Participants: This study includes adult patients (age older than 18) seen at one of the participating institutions between 2012 and 2019 who sustained a femur fracture (OTA/AO 31, 32, 33) initially treated with intramedullary fixation that developed nonunion and were treated with exchange nailing for the index nonunion surgery. Seventy-nine patients with femoral nonunion met inclusion criteria. Intervention: Exchange nailing for treatment of femoral nonunion. Main Outcome Measurements: The primary outcome measure was …

The Impact Of Testosterone Therapy On The Vaginal Microbiota Of Transgender Men And Non-Binary People: A Prospective Study, Olivia T. Van Gerwen, Kristal J. Aaron, Emma Sophia Kay, Krishmita Siwakoti, Angela Pontius, Saralyn Richter, Z Alex Sherman, Keonte J. Graves, Ashutosh Tamhane, Jacob H. Elnaggar, Meng Luo, Evelyn Toh, David E. Nelson, Nicholas J. Van Wagoner, Christopher M. Taylor, Christina A. Muzny

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Understanding the impact of testosterone on the vaginal microbiota of transgender men (TGM) and non-binary people assigned female sex at birth over time is imperative as vaginal dysbiosis and incident bacterial vaginosis (iBV) may cause bothersome genital symptoms and increase HIV/STI acquisition risk. We investigated shifts in the composition of the vaginal microbiota over time in TGM initiating testosterone for gender-affirming hormone therapy, including development of vaginal dysbiosis and iBV.

METHODS: Participants ages ≥18 years, assigned female sex at birth and reporting TGM or non-binary identity, interested in starting injectable testosterone, demonstrating optimal vaginal microbiota, with no current STI(s) …

Rates Of Minimally Invasive Surgery After Introduction Of Robotic-Assisted Surgery For Common General Surgery Operations, Zhi Ven Fong, Elizabeth Wall-Wieler, Shaneeta Johnson, Richard Culbertson, Brian Mitzman

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Importance: Many patients who would benefit from minimally invasive surgery (MIS) have open surgery; robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) addresses some of the limitations of laparoscopic surgery and could increase rates of MIS across different patient populations. Objective: To determine whether the introduction of RAS increases MIS rates and whether increases are seen across different patient populations undergoing common general surgery procedures. Design: A retrospective cohort study was performed to compare rates of MIS in the year before and after the index date for hospitals that did and did not introduce RAS. Generalized estimating equation regression models were used to compare rates …

Going Green In Dermatology, Rahib K. Islam, Victoria T. Tong, Shari R. Lipner

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Reducing Medical Waste, George M. Jeha, Stanislav N. Tolkachjov

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Lungs Of The Finch: Three-Dimensional Pulmonary Anatomy Of The Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia Castanotis), Aracely Martinez, Raul E. Diaz, Clinton A. Grand Pre, Brandon P. Hedrick, Emma R. Schachner

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

The avian respiratory system has been an area of biological interest for centuries, with zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanotis) emerging in recent decades as a primary avian model organism popularized across numerous disciplines. The pulmonary system of birds is unique in that air moves unidirectionally through the gas-exchanging lung, and previous works have suggested anatomical constraints within the bronchial network that may be coupled to the inspiratory valving mechanism in Aves. We used µCT-based segmented models to visualize and describe the morphology of the zebra finch lower respiratory system and to examine intra- and interspecific differences of the bronchial tree with …

Association Of Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment Types, Patient Characteristics, And Medical History With Subsequent Risk For Total Knee Arthroplasty: Data From A New Real-World Registry, Andrew L. Concoff, Jennifer H. Lin, Andrew I. Spitzer, Vinod Dasa, Adam Rivadeneyra, David Rogenmoser, Mitchell K. Ng, Mary Digiorgi, Stan Dysart, Joshua Urban, William M. Mihalko, Michael A. Mont

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: This article examines predictors of subsequent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) within 6 months of nonoperative intervention based on (1) patient demographics; (2) knee osteoarthritis (OA) severity; and (3) various nonoperative treatments (cryoneurolysis with superficial or deep genicular nerve block, intra-articular [IA] hyaluronic acid injections, nonsteroidal inflammatory drug injections, IA-corticosteroids injections, or IA-triamcinolone extended-release [IA-TA-ER] injections). METHODS: Patients who had unilateral knee OA and received nonoperative intervention were identified in the Innovations in Genicular Outcomes Research registry between September 2021 and February 2024, identifying 505 patients. Baseline patient demographics were tabulated by knee OA severity as graded by Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) …

Summary From The Nci Clinical Trials Planning Meeting On Next Generation Of Clinical Trials In Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, Andrea Apolo, Brian C. Baumann, Hikmat Al-Ahmadie, Leslie Ballas, Rick Bangs, Kenneth Brothers, Stephanie Cooper Greenberg, Scott Delacroix, James J. Dignam, Jason A. Efstathiou, Adam S. Feldman, Jared C. Foster, Noah M. Hahn, Emma Hall, Donna E. Hansel, Jean Hoffman-Censits, Ashish M. Kamat, Sophia C. Kamran, Francesca Khani, Seth P. Lerner, Robert Lipman, Bhupinder Mann, David Mcconkey, James Mckiernan, Tracy L. Rose, Angela B. Smith, Catherine Tangen, Abdul Tawab Amiri, Chana Weinstock, Et Al

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The National Cancer Institute organized a virtual Clinical Trials Planning Meeting (CTPM) on 'Defining the next generation of clinical trials with combination therapies in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)' led by the Bladder Cancer Task Force of the NCI Genitourinary Cancers Steering Committee. The purpose of this meeting was to accelerate advances in clinical trials for patients with high-risk NMIBC. The meeting delivered a multidisciplinary expert consensus on optimal strategies for next-generation clinical trial designs in NMIBC with prioritization of combination therapies. Two clinical trial concepts were developed for potential implementation within the National Clinical Trials Network.

Effect Of Steroids On The Progression Of Alzheimer's Dementia: A Retrospective Chart Review., Julijana Zoran Conic, Alexandra Chetty, Lily Chen, Audrey Marsh, Sean Barry, Rodney Pattabhi, Thomas Reske, Erwin Aguilar, Lobna Ali

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent age‐related neurodegenerative disease that affects millions of individuals in the United States. Neuroinflammation is a driver of the neurodegenerative changes that characterize AD, prompting interest in how inflammation can be modulated for treatment and prevention. Methods: ICD‐10 codes were quarried from electronic medical records to identify patients diagnosed with AD from 2012 to 2020. The patients were then divided into those who used systemic steroids and those who did not before the progression of their disease. Data on medication prescribed was used to measure the disease's progression. Clinical findings and laboratory results were …

The First International Experience With Histotripsy: A Safety Analysis Of 230 Cases, Chase J. Wehrle, Kevin Burns, Evan Ong, Allison Couillard, Neehar D. Parikh, Elaine Caoili, Jaekeun Kim, Federico Aucejo, Andrea Schlegel, Emily Knott, Paul Laeseke, J Philip Boudreaux, Philipp Von Breitenbuch, Mikhail Silk, Mohamed Alassas, Andrew Guzowski, Brian Fuller, Erica Knavel Koepsel, Brock Hewitt, Mishal Mendiratta-Lala, David C. Kwon

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Histotripsy is a novel, noninvasive, nonionizing, and nonthermal approach that uses focused ultrasound waves to treat liver tumors. This technology received a de novo Food and Drug Administration grant in late 2023. This study aimed to provide the first report on post-trial real-world clinical safety data. METHODS: Safety outcomes within 30 days of histotripsy were collected after obtaining Food and Drug Administration clearance (December 22, 2023 to July 26, 2024). All centers that performed histotripsy were invited to participate in this study. Complications requiring treatment were graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification and Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI). RESULTS: A total …

Longitudinal Changes In Positive Airway Pressure Device Use After Metabolic Surgery: A 3-Year Matched Cohort Study Of National Claims Data, Michael Kachmar, Elizabeth Wall-Wieler, Yuki Liu, Feibi Zheng, Prachi Singh, Vance L. Albaugh

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Metabolic surgery (MS) is the most durable treatment of obesity and can treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OBJECTIVES: To compare trajectories of positive airway pressure (PAP) device use between individuals who had MS and similar individuals who did not have MS (non-MS). SETTING: Merative MarketScan Research Databases - a US-based commercial claims database. METHODS: Those who underwent MS were matched 1:1 with nonoperative controls on baseline demographic and health characteristics. PAP use trajectories were examined in the 3years after the index dates and stratified by baseline PAP use. RESULTS: A total of 8772 adults who had MS were matched …

Trichosporon Asahii And Candida Guilliermondii As A Source Of Orbital Infection In An Immunocompromised Individual, David Morcos, Kevin Hardy, Anthony Makovec, Morgan Schill, John Foxworth

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

A 47-year-old male with a history of immunosuppression and recent intensive care unit admission presented with progressive orbital swelling and pain. Blood cultures grew Trichosporon asahii and Candida guilliermondii, with matching positive cultures from peripheral and central venous samples. Given his fungemia and worsening orbital involvement, induction therapy with amphotericin B and isavuconazole was initiated. Within weeks, clinical improvement was noted, prompting a transition to long-term consolidation therapy with oral posaconazole and isavuconazole. At follow-up, the patient demonstrated sustained clinical stability with no recurrence of infection. Orbital involvement from fungemia due to T. asahii and C. guilliermondii is rare, and …

Exploring Mental Health In Veterinary Students: Common Stressors And Effective Coping Strategies: A Narrative Review, Rahib K. Islam, Emily K. Cobb, Hannah K. Mccowan, Kylie Watson, Kaustuv Bhattacharya, Anjali Chandra, Warda Mohiuddin, Karen Gruszynski, Amanda H. Wilkerson, John J. Dascanio, Robert E. Davis, Vinayak K. Nahar

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Veterinary students face significant challenges impacting their mental health and wellbeing. The rigorous academic curriculum, high expectations, and demanding clinical training create an environment of intense pressure and constant stress. This review explores the demographic and psychosocial variables influencing mental health outcomes, highlighting common stressors and coping strategies. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, CAB Abstracts, and Google Scholar. Studies published up to 2021 involving veterinary students were included. Twenty-one peer-reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria. Demographic data, stressors, mental health measures, and coping strategies were extracted and analyzed. Studies focused on various mental health aspects, …

Editorial: Review Of Hyperbaric Therapy & Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy In The Treatment Of Neurological Disorders According To Dose Of Pressure And Hyperoxia, Paul G. Harch, George Mychaskiw, John H. Zhang, Dominic P. D'Agostino, Keith Van Meter, Enrico M. Camporesi

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Trends Of Opioid Use Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study Of The Veterans Health Administration, Andrew M. Gabig, Paymon G. Rezaii, Sean C. Clark, Bela P. Delvadia, Olivia C. Lee, William F. Sherman, Mathew Cyriac

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The United States Veteran Health Administration (VHA) cares for a substantial group of patients who are at higher risk of substance abuse in comparison to the general population. The purpose of this study was to (1) examine opioid consumption in the veteran population both pre- and postoperatively to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and (2) understand the risk factors that are associated with sustained postoperative opioid use. METHODS: A retrospective database study was conducted using the Veterans Affairs Informatics and Computing Infrastructure database. Patients who underwent ACDF between 2010 and 2020 were identified and stratified into 3 groups …

Rectus Abdominis Repair Compared To Posterior Wall Mesh Reinforcement In Athletes With Sportsman's Hernia: A Systematic Review, Jonathan Mckeeman, Benjamin Johnson, Jessica C. Rivera

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Athletic pubalgia is a relatively uncommon injury that is not fully understood. There are few high-level studies comparing treatments of athletic pubalgia, and this investigation seeks to utilize original articles to compare two common techniques for treatment of athletic pubalgia. The purpose of this study is to compare two prominent procedures, i.e., rectus abdominus repair and posterior wall reinforcement, through a systematic review. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were identified and then applied to search strategies in PubMed and MEDLINE. Two reviewers screened articles based on the agreed-upon criteria in a primary screen of titles and abstracts and a secondary screen of full-text …

Celebrating World Cancer Day: Innovative Biological Approaches To Cancer And Their Alignment With Sustainable Development Goals (Sdgs), Hamed Kioumarsi, Bolin Liu

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Guide To Diagnosis And Management Of Hypertrichosis, Rahib K. Islam, Victoria T. Tong, Shari R. Lipner

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Hypertrichosis is a phenotype characterized by excessive hair growth in areas not typically prone to dense hair coverage. It may be congenital or acquired, and has significant clinical and psychosocial implications, often leading to psychological distress and social stigmatization. Diagnostic approaches emphasize the importance of thorough clinical evaluation and differentiation from hirsutism. Treatment options include topical and systemic treatments, as well as mechanical methods and laser therapies. Special considerations are given to pediatric patients regarding the psychosocial aspects of the phenotype. This review aims to provide physicians and researchers with a thorough understanding of hypertrichosis to facilitate better diagnosis, treatment, …

Management Of Hip Fracture Patients On Direct Oral Anticoagulants: A Survey Of Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeons, Systematic Review, And Meta-Analysis, Clay Spitler, Robert Rutz, Nigel Blackwood, Meghan Wally, Joseph Johnson, Peter Krause, Jaimo Ahn, Zuhair Mohammed, Mark Mcclure, Rebecca Billings, Ziqing Yu, Matthew Yeager

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review examined the literature regarding management of fracture patients who take direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) medications, with a focus on delay in surgical treatment, and need for transfusions. In addition, a survey of orthopaedic trauma surgeons was conducted to gain insight on current practices. DATA SOURCES: A review of PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Scopus databases was performed from inception through March 2024, including English language publications. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if they reported time to surgery and transfusion rates among fracture patents who were taking DOAC medications. Additional data points were collected on an "if-reported" basis, …

Clinical Outcomes In Patients With Cystic Fibrosis Receiving Cftr Modulators: A Comparison Of Childhood Versus Adolescent Initiation, Eman A. Toraih, Hassan A. Malik, Rahib K. Islam, Humza A. Pirzadah, Ahmed Abdelmaksoud, Rami M. Elshazli, Paul Antwi Boasiako, Shehab Ahmed Alenazi, Angelique Dabel, Jessan A. Jishu, Bandar T. Alenezi, Hani Aiash, Manal S. Fawzy

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-limiting genetic disorder affecting multiple organ systems. This study compared clinical outcomes, hospitalization rates, and survival between children and adolescents with CF who received CFTR modulator therapies (ivacaftor, lumacaftor, tezacaftor, and elexacaftor). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the TriNetX global collaborative network. Patients with CF aged 2-12 years (children) and 13-18 years (adolescents) who received CFTR modulator therapies were included. The propensity score matching balanced baseline characteristics between the two age groups. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, 946 patients per group were analyzed. The incidence of respiratory failure (3.81% …

Beyond Checkpoint Inhibitors: The Three Generations Of Immunotherapy, John Schaub, Shou-Ching Tang

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Anti-tumor immunotherapy was rediscovered and rejuvenated in the last two decades with the discovery of CTLA-4, PD-1 and PD-L1 and the roles in inhibiting immune function and tumor evasion of anti-tumor immune response. Following the approval of the first checkpoint inhibitor ipilimumab against CTLA-4 in melanoma in 2011, there has been a rapid development of tumor immunotherapy. Furthermore, additional positive and negative molecules among the T-cell regulatory systems have been identified that that function to fine tune the stimulatory or inhibitory immune cells and modulate their functions (checkpoint modulators). Many strategies are being explored to target macrophages, NK-cells, cytotoxic T-cells, …

Associations Of Time To The Operating Room On Outcomes In Odontogenic Infection, Jeffrey N. James, Ryan Bloomquist, Kiara Brown, Stephen Looney, Dylan Walker, Tyler Day

School of Dentistry Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were correlations between the length of time from hospital admission to surgical intervention and the frequency of complications in patients with odontogenic infections. While odontogenic infection is well studied in terms of interventions and outcomes, less is known about hospital utilization and resource burden of odontogenic infection with respect to timeliness to intervention. A retrospective cohort analysis was used to examine correlations between time from admission to surgical intervention and clinical outcomes. Patients included in this study were divided into three categories of length of time to the operating room: …

Intravaginal Cooling Provides Symptom Relief In Women With Vulvovaginal Candidiasis And Reduces Immunopathology In An Accompanying Mouse Model, Junko Yano, Kimberly Langdon, Michael Swor, Mairi C. Noverr, Paul L. Fidel

School of Dentistry Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), caused primarily by Candida albicans, is currently treated with either prescription or over-the-counter antifungal drugs, often with variable efficacy and relapses. New and improved therapeutic strategies, including drug-free treatment alternatives, are needed. Upon overgrowth or environmental triggers, C. albicans yeast transitions into hyphae that results in an aberrant immunopathologic response by neutrophils, contributing to the characteristic vulvovaginal symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a patented intravaginal cooling device (Vlisse®) to provide symptom relief in women with VVC via putative reversal of C. albicans hyphae to the commensal yeast form, with …

A Non-Toxic Analgesic Elicits Cell-Specific Genomic And Epigenomic Modulation By Targeting The Pag Brain Region, Hernan A. Bazan, Brian L. Giles, Surjyadipta Bhattacharjee, Scott Edwards, Nicolas G. Bazan

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Acetaminophen (ApAP) is widely used for pain management, but overuse or overdose leads to hepatotoxicity, making it the leading cause of acute liver failure globally. There is an urgent need for safer pain medications, as other non-opioid analgesics like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are nephrotoxic. We have identified SRP-001 as a safer, non-hepatotoxic, novel analgesic that overcomes ApAP's limitations by avoiding NAPQI formation and preserving hepatic tight junctions. Using coupled RNA and ATAC sequencing, from the periaqueductal gray (PAG) midbrain region, we compared the genetic and epigenetic signatures of SRP-001 and ApAP treatments following complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain …

Multi-Level Factors Associated With Low Dose Computed Tomography Lung Cancer Screening In The United States, Tung Sung Tseng, Chien Ching Li, Hui Yi Lin, Kelsey N. Witmeier, Chaoyi Zeng, Yu Wen Chiu, Michael D. Celestin, Edward J. Trapido

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening is recommended for high-risk smokers to decrease lung cancer-related mortality and increase prognosis. In the U.S., the uptake of LDCT screening among eligible smokers is suboptimal. The impacts of social-environmental and individual factors on LDCT screening uptake using nationally representative dataset recommendations are understudied. The current study investigated multi-level factors associated with LDCT screening using national data. Methods: The 2017-2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, social determinants of health (SDOH) and other state-level variables (Medicaid expansion status and the number of screening facilities using American Lung Association (ALA) 's State of Lung Cancer) …

Multi-Modal Neo-Adjuvant Anti-Obesity Medications May Be More Effective Than Medically Supervised Weight Loss Or Glp-1 Therapy Alone In Preparing Bmi ≥ 70 Patients For Metabolic Surgery, Michael Kachmar, Florina Corpodean, Iryna Popiv, Kyle B. Lapenna, Denise M. Danos, Michael W. Cook, Brian A. Saunders, Jean J. Domercant, Vance L. Albaugh, Philip R. Schauer

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background/objectives: Optimizing patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 70 kg/m² for metabolic surgery (MS) is challenging. However, pre-operative weight loss may be important for improving the safety of MS for these high-risk patients. Multi-modal anti-obesity medications (mmAOM) may enhance preoperative weight loss compared to non-pharmacologic medically supervised weight loss (NP-MSWL) or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist monotherapy (Mono-GLP-1) alone. Subjects/methods: This retrospective study analyzed 113 patients with BMI ≥ 70 kg/m² at a single metabolic disease treatment institute. Interventions/methods: Patients were categorized into NP-MSWL (n = 13), Mono-GLP-1 (n = 54), and mmAOM (n = 46) groups. The primary …

Impact Of Bundled Care: Optimizing Pain Management Outcomes In Acute Care, Mary Kelly, Denise Danna, Marsha Bennett, Karen Rice, Helen Calmes, Paige Fisher, Mary Dioise Ramos

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Purpose: Despite therapeutic advances, inadequate pain management in hospitalized patients often leads to chronic pain and opioid dependency. Nonpharmacologic strategies offer potential benefits, especially when integrated into a bundled care approach that enhances pain management and patient engagement. This research aimed to test the effect of a standardized bundle of evidence-based pain care strategies on medical-surgical patients' perceived pain quality outcomes. Design & Methods: This study employed a 2-group, quasi-experimental design to assess the impact of a unit-based intervention, PAIN-X Therapy, on pain care quality outcomes compared to usual pain care. Results: There were 365 participants included in the study …

Alcohol-Induced Gut Microbial Reorganization And Associated Overproduction Of Phenylacetylglutamine Promotes Cardiovascular Disease, Zhen Li, Min Gu, Aline Zaparte, Xiaoming Fu, Kala Mahen, Marko Mrdjen, Xinmin S. Li, Zhihong Yang, Jing Ma, Themis Thoudam, Kristina Chandler, Maggie Hesler, Laura Heathers, Kiersten Gorse, Thanh Trung Van, David Wong, Aaron M. Gibson, Zeneng Wang, Christopher M. Taylor, Pearl Quijada, Catherine A. Makarewich, Stanley L. Hazen, Suthat Liangpunsakul, J Mark Brown, David J. Lefer, David A. Welsh, Thomas E. Sharp

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The mechanism(s) underlying gut microbial metabolite (GMM) contribution towards alcohol-mediated cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unknown. Herein we observe elevation in circulating phenylacetylglutamine (PAGln), a known CVD-associated GMM, in individuals living with alcohol use disorder. In a male murine binge-on-chronic alcohol model, we confirm gut microbial reorganization, elevation in PAGln levels, and the presence of cardiovascular pathophysiology. Fecal microbiota transplantation from pair-/alcohol-fed mice into naïve male mice demonstrates the transmissibility of PAGln production and the CVD phenotype. Independent of alcohol exposure, pharmacological-mediated increases in PAGln elicits direct cardiac and vascular dysfunction. PAGln induced hypercontractility and altered calcium cycling in isolated cardiomyocytes …