Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Commons^™

Advancing Novel Contrast Agents For Applications In Fluorescence-Guided Neurosurgery Using Fluorescence Cryotomography, Augustino Vittorio Scorzo

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Fluorescence guided surgery (FGS) is an emerging surgical technique that aims to help surgeons identify tissue types to assist in surgical decision making - ideally providing “cut-by-color” guidance. A primary application for this approach is the identification of tumor tissue to achieve more accurate and complete tumor removal while simultaneously minimizing damage to surrounding normal tissue. The cornerstone of tumor visualization for FGS is the administration of fluorescent contrast agents, or in some cases metabolic precursors, designed to accumulate specifically in tumor tissue, and a wide range of agents that use different targeting mechanisms are currently under investigation. Although these …

The Dubr/Mir-210-5p/Retsat Axis In Cholesterol-Associated Steatohepatitis: Clinical Signatures And Molecular Mechanisms, Hana Mahmoud Abdelzaher

Theses and Dissertations

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) represents an increasing global health challenge, with cholesterol-associated steatohepatitis (CASH) emerging as a distinct pathological entity warranting investigation. While CASH demonstrates unique features compared to traditional triglyceride-driven steatohepatitis, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates a novel regulatory axis involving DPPA2 Upstream Binding RNA (DUBR), miR-210-5p, and retinol saturase (RETSAT). 170 patient samples revealed progressive axis dysregulation in disease states, with RETSAT emerging as a highly accurate diagnostic marker (AUC=1.000). Using novel in vitro models of MASH and CASH, we demonstrated that miR-210-5p modulation significantly affects lipid accumulation and cellular phenotype, with …

24-Month Patient-Reported Outcomes For A Novel Lumbar Total Joint Replacement, Ahilan Sivaganesan, Marissa Koscielski, Ashmal Sami, J. Alex Sielatycki, Jeffrey Goldstein, Brady Riesgraf, Craig Humphreys, Scott Hodges

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Lumbar fusion remains a prevalent treatment for degenerative conditions; however, its limitations have sparked interest in alternative motion-sparing procedures. Our study evaluates 24-month postoperative patient-reported outcomes from an OUS pilot clinical study on a novel lumbar total joint replacement (TJR) for degenerative conditions.

METHODS: Data was collected from 63 patients, of which 56 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Self-reported measures collected for this study are Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Minimal Symptom State (MSS), Minimal Clinical Important Difference (MCID), Substantial Clinical Benefit (SCB). This retrospective analysis of prospective, IRB-approved collected data reports 24 month patient-reported outcomes …

Attitudes Toward Pig Islet Xenotransplantation For Type 1 Diabetes: A Scoping Review, Daniel J Hurst, Daniel Rodger, Luz A Padilla, Fernando Ovalle

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: Over 8 million people globally have type 1 diabetes. Islet allotransplantation offers an alternative to insulin therapy but is constrained by donor availability. Genetically modified pig islet transplantation presents a potential solution, yet understanding stakeholder attitudes is crucial before clinical adoption.

METHODS: This scoping review followed Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA guidelines. CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, PsychINFO, and SCOPUS were searched for studies examining attitudes toward pig islet xenotransplantation among patients, healthcare workers, and other stakeholders.

RESULTS: From 199 sources, 16 met eligibility criteria, spanning ten countries from 2003 to 2023. The 23,780 participants included 1,535 (6.5%) patients/family members, …

Revising And Consolidating The Dsm-5 And Icd-11 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders Into A Dimensional Spectrum-Based Disorder: A Literature Review, Samuel Milton Shatsky

University Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the clinical, cultural, and theoretical implications of replacing the current DSM-5 and ICD-11 categorical diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) with a unified dimensional framework: trauma spectrum disorder (TSD). The proposed TSD model addresses ongoing concerns around diagnostic inflation, treatment misalignment, and clinical confusion stemming from binary trauma categorizations. This thesis explores whether adopting a dimensional diagnostic model to replace DSM-5 and ICD-11's current PTSD and CPTSD designations could lead to improved treatment outcomes and diagnostic clarity.

Methodology consisted of an extensive literature review of the field's current research. Using the …

Evaluation Of Aav Vectors With Tissue-Specific Or Ubiquitous Promoters In A Mouse Model Of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type Iva, Shaukat A. Khan, Jose Victor Álvarez, F. N. U. Nidhi, Eliana Benincore-Florez, Shunji Tomatsu

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA) is caused by a deficiency of N-acetyl-galactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS), leading to the accumulation of keratan sulfate and chondroitin-6-sulfate and development of severe skeletal dysplasia. Enzyme replacement therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are current treatment options but have limited impact on bone lesions. In this study, we investigated adeno-associated virus (AAV)8 or AAV9 vectors with liver-specific thyroxine-binding globulin or liver-specific promoter-a modification of hAAT (LSPX), liver-muscle tandem (LMTP), liver-bone tandem (LBTP), and ubiquitous cytomegalovirus early enhancer/chicken β-actin (CAG) promoters in MPS IVA mice to compare therapeutic efficacy on biochemical markers and bone pathology. All vectors …

Plug And Coil Procedure For Management Of Large Postinfarct Ventricular Septal Defect, Hussam Al Hennawi, Sergio Flores, Michael Little, Lacy Harville, Ahmad Almomani, Muhammad Hammadah

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

Acute surgical mortality for postinfarction ventricular septal rupture remains alarmingly high at approximately 50%. In comparison, medical mortality is nearly 100% and likely exceeds historical levels because of the declining frequency of these acute surgeries, with many surgeons now performing fewer than 1 or 2 annually. Percutaneous device closure has become a feasible option for managing postinfarction ventricular septal defects in carefully selected patients. However, this technique may be associated with challenges such as significant residual shunting, delayed endothelialization, hemolysis, and extended hospital stays. Here, we present a novel approach using coil packing to enhance closure and reduce shunting.

Childhood Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Comprehensive Review Of Disease, Diagnosis, And Therapeutic Management, Daniyal Raza, Farhan Mohiuddin, Muhammad Haris Khan, Maheen Fawad, Syed Musa Raza

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects both adults and children, although the symptoms differ significantly between these groups. While adults typically experience heartburn and regurgitation, children may present with more subtle signs, such as failure to thrive, chronic cough, wheezing, and Sandifer syndrome. Diagnosing GERD in children necessitates a multifaceted approach due to the diverse symptomatology and challenges in communication. Clinical assessment serves as the cornerstone of diagnosis, supported by tools like pH monitoring, esophageal impedance testing, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Imaging studies, such as barium swallow, can also provide valuable insights into anatomical abnormalities and the extent of reflux. Treatment …

Supra Inguinal Fascia Iliac Versus Peng Block For Post-Operative Pain Management Of Hip Arthroplasty: A Narrative Review, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Megan S. Walker, Mary O'Dell Duplechin, Drake P. Duplechin, Charles J. Fox, Sahar Shekoohi, Alan D. Kaye

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Effective post-operative pain management following hip arthroplasty is critical to improving recovery, reducing opioid consumption, enhancing mobility, and reducing the risk of complications for patients. Multimodal anesthesia strategies, including the supra inguinal fascia iliac block (SIFIB) and the periarticular nerve group (PENG) block have become the new point of focus as opposed to traditional methods previously used. This narrative review compares the SIFIB and the PENG block in their efficacy to treat post-operative pain management. Mechanism of action, safety, patient outcomes, and clinical applications are compared between the two blocks for evaluation. Clinical studies have indicated that both blocks reduce …

Advances In Molecular Imaging Of Vegfrs: Innovations In Imaging And Therapeutics, Hanieh Karimi, Sarah Lee, Wenqi Xu, Sigrid A. Langhans, David K. Johnson, Erik Stauff, Heidi H. Kecskemethy, Lauren W. Averill, Xuyi Yue

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) are key regulators of angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and vascular permeability, playing essential roles in both physiological and pathological processes. The VEGFR family, including VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3, interacts with structurally related VEGF ligands (VEGFA, VEGFB, VEGFC, VEGFD, and placental growth factor [PlGF]), activating downstream signaling pathways that mediate critical cellular processes, including proliferation, migration, and survival. Dysregulation of VEGFR signaling has been implicated in numerous diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and inflammatory disorders. Targeting VEGFRs with radiopharmaceuticals, such as radiolabeled peptides, antibodies, and specific tracers like 64Cu-bevacizumab and 89Zr-ramucirumab, has emerged as a powerful …

Quality Over Quantity-Current Challenges Of Robotic Surgery In Poland, Marcin Kubiak, Jacek Doniec, S Vincent Grasso, Andrew Gumbs, Amir Nour Mohammadi, Katarzyna Sędłak, Zuzanna Pelc, Stanisław Góźdź, Wojciech Załuska, Artur Bachta, Paweł Rybojad, Kamil Torres, Timothy M Pawlik, Marek Zawadzki, Andrzej Budzyński, Karol Rawicz-Pruszyński

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Since its introduction in 2010, a dynamic growth of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) has been observed in Poland. The number of healthcare institutions implementing RAS has tripled in the last 36 months, with 80 surgical robots currently utilized on a national scale. While urological procedures dominate RAS utilization (73%), adoption in gynecology (12.2%) and gastrointestinal surgery (8.5%) is rising, driven by recent National Health Fund reimbursement policies. However, significant fragmentation and alarmingly low numbers of individual RAS procedures were identified: 47.7% of surgeons perform less than 40 cases annually. Parallel to expanding the robotic surgery reimbursement program, several standardized actions are …

Biomarker-Guided Imaging And Ai-Augmented Diagnosis Of Degenerative Joint Disease, Rahul Kumar, Kyle Sporn, Aryan Borole, Akshay Khanna, Chirag Gowda, Phani Paladugu, Alex Ngo, Ram Jagadeesan, Nasif Zaman, Alireza Tavakkoli

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Degenerative joint disease remains a leading cause of global disability, with early diagnosis posing a significant clinical challenge due to its gradual onset and symptom overlap with other musculoskeletal disorders. This review focuses on emerging diagnostic strategies by synthesizing evidence specifically from studies that integrate biochemical biomarkers, advanced imaging techniques, and machine learning models relevant to osteoarthritis. We evaluate the diagnostic utility of cartilage degradation markers (e.g., CTX-II, COMP), inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α), and synovial fluid microRNA profiles, and how they correlate with quantitative imaging readouts from T2-mapping MRI, ultrasound elastography, and dual-energy CT. Furthermore, we highlight recent developments …

Tumor Microenvironment Governs The Prognostic Landscape Of Immunotherapy For Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Computational Model-Guided Analysis, Priyan Bhattacharya, Alban J Linnenbach, Andrew P. South, Ubaldo E. Martinez-Outshoorn, Joseph M. Curry, Jennifer M. Johnson, Larry A. Harshyne, Mỹ G. Mahoney, Adam J. Luginbuhl, Rajanikanth Vadigepalli

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has emerged as a critical treatment strategy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) that halts the immune escape of the tumor cells. Increasing evidence suggests that the onset, progression, and lack of/no response of HNSCC to ICI are emergent properties arising from the interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Deciphering how the diversity of cellular and molecular interactions leads to distinct HNSCC TME subtypes subsequently governing the ICI response remains largely unexplored. We developed a cellular-molecular model of the HNSCC TME that incorporates multiple cell types, cellular states, and transitions, and molecularly …

Effect Of Access Cavity Preparation And Cement On The Fracture Load Of Translucent Zirconia Crowns, Andrea Fenton, Amir H. Nejat, Edwin Kee, Xiaoming Xu, Albert F. Mcmullen Iii

School of Dentistry Faculty Publications

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of endodontic access hole preparation and choice of luting cement on the fracture resistance of translucent zirconia (5Y) crowns. Materials and Methods: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) dies, representing a prepared maxillary molar tooth, were milled. Translucent zirconia crowns were milled from 5Y (Cercon XTML) zirconia discs and sintered. Forty crowns were divided into four groups (n = 10 per group) based on access hole preparation (accessed, non-accessed) and type of luting cement (resin cement, resin modified glass ionomer (RMGI) cement). Crowns were cemented on the PMMA dies with either resin cement (Panavia SA Cement Universal, Kuraray Noritake …

Comparison Between Pipeline Embolization Device (Ped) Versus Flow Redirection Endoluminal Device (Fred) For Intracranial Aneurysms: A Comprehensive Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Seyed Maroufi, Mohammad Fallahi, Muhammad Waqas, Othman Bin-Alamer, Manisha Koneru, Joanna Roy, Jane Khalife, Hamza Shaikh, Daniel Tonetti

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: The performance of the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) and relatively newer double-layered Flow Re-Direction Endoluminal Device (FRED) have been studied for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, but direct comparisons between PED and FRED are limited. The current systematic review aims at comparing the efficacy and safety of PED and FRED.

METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched, and related records were identified. A meta-analysis of double-arm studies comparing PED and FRED was conducted on angiographic and clinical outcomes, retreatment rates, and …

Comparison Of Open And Laparo-Endoscopic Repair Techniques For Patients With Bilateral Inguinal Hernias, Divyansh Agarwal, Tina Bharani, Nora Fullington, Lauren Ott, Kortney Hodgson, Daelyn Mcclain, Kaela Blake, Michael Reinhorn

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: For primary bilateral inguinal hernias, international guidelines favor a laparoscopic posterior mesh repair due to relatively lower risk of acute and chronic pain, faster recovery, and favorable biomechanical properties compared to open anterior approaches (Lichtenstein, plug and patch, etc.). However, studies comparing open mesh-based bilateral inguinal hernia repairs to bilateral laparoscopic and robotic mesh-based approaches are limited. The Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC) registry includes longitudinal data on bilateral inguinal hernia repairs performed via open as well as laparo-endoscopic approaches. We hypothesize that outcomes for bilateral inguinal hernia repair are similar between open and laparo-endoscopic approaches in the …

Association Of Estimated Plasma Volume Status With Invasive Hemodynamics And All-Cause Mortality In Patients With Liver Cirrhosis, Esteban Kosak Lopez, Phuuwadith Wattanachayakul, Jose Manuel Martinez Manzano, Andrew Geller, Simone Jarrett, John Malin, Raul Leguizamon, Tara John, Rasha Khan, Ian Mclaren, Alexander Prendergast, Kevin Lo, Zurab Azmaiparashvili

Einstein Health Papers

BACKGROUND: Estimated plasma volume status (ePVS) correlates with intravascular congestion and prognosis in patients with heart failure. The ePVS relationship with invasive hemodynamic profiling and clinical outcomes in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) remains unclear.

METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study included LC patients who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) between 2018 and 2023. Estimated plasma volume status (ePVS) was calculated using the Strauss-derived Duarte formula, with patients classified into high (> 5.5%) and low-ePVS (≤ 5.5%) groups. Cox-multivariable analysis was used to determine if ePVS was associated with all-cause mortality within 1 year post-RHC among transplant-free patients.

RESULTS: Of …

The Evolvement Of The 100 Most Cited Articles In Spine Surgery In The Last Decade Compared To All-Time, Mark Miller, Matthew Meade, Ruchir Nanavati, William T Diciurcio, Maneesha Palakurthi, Adam Kohring, Justin Le, Christopher Giuditta, Christopher Kepler, Barrett Woods

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: Decision-making in spine surgery is continuously shaped by advancements in the field through evidence-based medicine. This is demonstrated through the evolution of the quality and impact of scientific research within the field of spine surgery. To date, there is limited literature investigating interval changes in methodological rigor of scientific investigation within the field of spine surgery.

METHODS: The top 100 cited articles were recorded for manuscripts from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2023, and the top 100 most cited manuscripts of all time for spine surgery, via the Scopus abstract and citation database. Data collected included year of …

Acoustic And Hemodynamic Analysis Of Phantoms: Roughness And Flow Dynamics, Ethan Erik Olof Sundberg

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether different vascular phantoms, with and without a surrogate arm, could serve as effective analogs to the human brachial artery for assessing endothelial dysfunction, an early indicator of cardiovascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is characterized by plaque buildup and endothelial damage, which precede more severe clinical events and are often detectable through changes in vascular function. A 40” water tower was used to simulate diastolic pressure, enabling water flow through each phantom. Strain gauge pressure transducers were placed at both ends of the phantoms to measure pressure drop, while a microphone captured …

Multiple Myeloma Presenting As An Ill-Defined Osteolytic Lesion Of The Mandibular Condyle: A Case Report And Literature Review, Connor Capobianco, Mariella Padilla, Jungsuk Cho, Lauren Levi

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Faculty Papers

Osteolytic lesions of the mandibular condyle can represent a diverse range of differential diagnoses, including malignancies such as metastatic disease, Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and multiple myeloma. This case report details a 40-year-old male with a 3-year history of right temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, initially misdiagnosed as temporomandibular disorder. Comprehensive imaging studies, including cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), maxillofacial computed tomography (CT), and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), revealed extensive osteolytic lesions in the mandible, frontal bone, and cervical spine. A CT-guided biopsy confirmed the presence of a plasma cell neoplasm, leading to the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. …

Best Practices For A Competency-Based Curriculum In Critical Care Ultrasonography For Fellows, Paru Patrawalla, Frances West, Navitha Ramesh, Paul Mayo, Amik Sodhi

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Faculty Papers

New guidelines from the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education for critical care ultrasound (CCUS) training went into effect on July 1, 2024, for critical care medicine and combined pulmonary and critical care medicine fellows. Fellowship programs will need to ensure that their fellows demonstrate competence in skills that are essential to CCUS, which currently encompasses applications in basic cardiac, lung/pleural, abdominal, and vascular ultrasonography (US). This may be a challenge for fellowship programs that have nascent CCUS curricula and limited faculty expertise. In this Perspective, we share expert and evidence-based recommendations on how to implement a competency-based curriculum in …

Long-Term Non-Conditional And Conditional Metastasis Of Uveal Melanoma By Tumor Size Category In 8034 Patients, Rolika Bansal, Hidayet Sener, Jerry A. Shields, Carol L. Shields

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

PURPOSE: To estimate metastasis of patients with uveal melanoma (UM) based on tumor size categories classified by ultrasonographic thickness as small (0.0-3.0 mm), medium (3.1-8.0 mm), or large (≥8.1 mm) using both non-conditional and conditional analyses.

DESIGN: Retrospective analysis.

METHODS: A retrospective study of 8034 cases over 35-years at a single ocular oncology referral center evaluated the primary endpoint of cumulative incidence of metastasis at 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25- and 30-years using non-conditional and conditional analysis at 3-years, 5-years, and 10-years of metastasis-free survival.

RESULTS: The mean thicknesses for small, medium, and large UMs were 2.5 mm, 5.0 mm, …

Cervical, Breast, And Colorectal Cancer Screening Outcomes Among Refugees In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Colleen Payton, Nina Kvaratskhelia, Melanie Chalfin, Jessica Deffler, Marc Altshuler

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Cancer screening can detect cancer at an early stage and decrease cancer morbidity and mortality. Refugee populations may have had limited access to cancer screening before arrival in the United States. A cross-sectional analysis of cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening was conducted among refugees with primary care visits between 2018 and 2022 at a refugee health clinic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cancer screening outcomes included the number and type of screenings; the number of normal, inconclusive, and abnormal screening results; completion of follow-up tests for inconclusive and abnormal results; and the number of cancer diagnoses. Among 149 refugee women aged …

Irnet: Immunotherapy Response Prediction Using Pathway Knowledge-Informed Graph Neural Network, Yuexu Jiang, Manish Sridhar Immadia, Duolin Wang, Shuai Zeng, Yen On Chan, Jing Zhou, Dong Xu, Trupti Joshi

Biomedical Sciences

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are potent and precise therapies for various cancer types, significantly improving survival rates in patients who respond positively to them. However, only a minority of patients benefit from ICI treatments.

Objectives: Identifying ICI responders before treatment could greatly conserve medical resources, minimize potential drug side effects, and expedite the search for alternative therapies. Our goal is to introduce a novel deep-learning method to predict ICI treatment responses in cancer patients.

Methods: The proposed deep-learning framework leverages graph neural network and biological pathway knowledge. We trained and tested our method using ICI-treated patients’ data from several …

Whole-Exome Sequencing Identified Molecular Variants Linked To The Progression Of Gastric Precancerous Lesions In Patients From Southwestern Colombia—An Exploratory Approach., Lizeth Mejia-Ortiz, Jovanny Zabaleta, Jone Garai, Luis Eduardo Bravo, Andres Castillo

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Scoping Review On The Integration Of Artificial Intelligence In Point-Of-Care Ultrasound: Current Clinical Applications, Junu Kim, Sandhya Maranna, Caterina Watson, Nayana Parange

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is used increasingly in point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). However, the true role, utility, advantages, and limitations of AI tools in POCUS have been poorly understood. Aim: to conduct a scoping review on the current literature of AI in POCUS to identify (1) how AI is being applied in POCUS, and (2) how AI in POCUS could be utilized in clinical settings. Methods: The review followed the JBI scoping review methodology. A search strategy was conducted in Medline, Embase, Emcare, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and AI POCUS manufacturer websites. Selection criteria, evidence screening, and selection were …

Pre-Amplification Of Cell-Free Dna: Balancing Amplification Errors With Enhanced Sensitivity, Wei Yen Chan, Ashleigh Stewart, Russell J. Diefenbach, Elin S. Gray, Jenny H. Lee, Richard A. Scolyer, Georgina V. Long, Helen Rizos

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is a promising biomarker for personalised oncology. However, its clinical utility is limited by detection sensitivity, particularly in early-stage disease. T-Oligo Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (TOP-PCR) is a commercial amplification approach utilising an efficient “half-adapter” ligation design and a single-primer-based PCR strategy. This study evaluated the clinical value and application of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) pre-amplification. cfDNA amplification with TOP-PCR preserved DNA size profiles and resulted in a 22 bp size increase due to the half-adaptor ligation. Gene target amplification rates varied, showing lower efficiency for the GC-rich TERT promoter amplicon and higher efficiency for the BRAF …

Surveying Management Strategies For Pediatric Autoimmune Hepatitis, Lillie Baca

University Honors Theses

Pediatric autoimmune hepatitis (PAIH) is a long-term condition that requires ongoing treatment and regular monitoring. It is characterized by its elevation of liver enzymes, interface hepatitis, and the specific presence of circulating autoantibodies. There is a general lack of consensus on appropriate measures of diagnostic criteria, treatment medication, and beneficial practices for monitoring the disease. The existing literature contains several subtle discrepancies that challenge a practitioner's judgement for care management of children with autoimmune hepatitis. This study is a retrospective chart review aimed at understanding the current diagnostics, treatment, and long-term management strategies of PAIH at a single center. Also, …

Quantitative Analysis Using Mri Of Patients That Are High Risk For Pancreatic Cancer, Aqsa Tarik

University Honors Theses

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a cancer that is detected in its later stages, causing its five-year survival rate of 2-9% (3). The majority of patients who develop PDAC unfortunately deal with a low survival rate due to the progression of the tumor in the body. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can assess the structure of the tissue within organs in the body. These scans can also be used in order to detect and diagnose tumors, allowing them to be a generator of cancer biomarkers. PDAC isn’t distinguishable on conventional images, as the pancreas will appear normal, allowing the tumor progress …

Barriers To Clinical Cosmetic And Laser Dermatology Research In The Academic Setting By Source Of Funding: A Systematic Review, Bianca Y. Kang, Saranya P. Wyles, Yakir Levin, Rawaa Almukhtar, Stephanie R. Jackson Cullison, Jayne S. Joo, Sami K. Saikaly, Shalinie Mahadeo, Michael Ong, Sophia Salingaros, Maria Hordinsky, Sarah A. Ibrahim, Devina Mehta, Shoko Mori, Edit B. Olasz Harken, Diana Bolotin, Kira Minkis, Murad Alam

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

Clinical research is a cornerstone of academic dermatology, including research in cosmetic and laser procedures. However, numerous barriers exist to conducting clinical research in an academic setting as compared to private practice. The objective of this study was to describe the barriers to clinical research in cosmetic and laser dermatology in the academic setting under three common funding scenarios: (1) industry sponsored, (2) unfunded, investigator-initiated, and (3) publicly funded, investigator-initiated. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify 17 publications regarding funding of clinical dermatology research. Inductive content analysis was used to extract, categorize, and understand the barriers …