Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Commons^™

Controlled Antibiotic Release From Emulsion-Loaded Alginate And Fibrin Hydrogels Using Ultrasound, Ziba Ghareh Nazi Fam, Asia Winslow, Mario Fabiilli, Sam Varghese, Brian Oeffinger, Flemming Forsberg, Noreen Hickok, Lauren Delaney

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

Postoperative infections remain a major complication after spinal fusion surgery, often caused by biofilm-forming bacteria that resist short-term antibiotic prophylaxis. Vancomycin (VAN) is sometimes delivered locally during surgery; however, levels diminish rapidly, leaving patients vulnerable to late-onset infections. We developed a composite hydrogel integrating perfluorohexane-based emulsions within alginate or fibrin matrices to enable both sustained and ultrasound-triggered VAN release. Water-in-oil-in-water emulsions were prepared using fluorosurfactant-stabilized perfluorohexane as the volatile oil phase, then embedded in hydrogels and exposed to ultrasound (2.5 MHz, 5.5 MPa peak negative pressure) to initiate acoustic droplet vaporization for triggered release. Drug release was quantified spectrophotometrically and …

Pediatric Pqct-Derived Tibial Bone Mineral Density Estimates: A Systematic Review And Meta-Regression, Anna Maria Markarian, Dennis R. Taaffe, Daniel A. Galvão, Jodie Cochrane Wilkie, Carolyn J. Peddle-Mcintyre, Mark Markarian, Daniel J. Schiferl, Robert U. Newton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Assessing bone mineral density (BMD) in children and adolescents is essential for detecting skeletal deficits and fracture risk. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) has gained increasing attention as a valuable imaging tool due to its ability to assess bone quality. Unlike dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, pQCT provides volumetric BMD measurements and distinguishes between cortical and trabecular compartments. Despite these advantages, its clinical adoption remains limited due to the lack of reference data and standardized protocols. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science from inception to November 2024. Studies reporting pQCT-derived tibial BMD …

Dual Tyk2/Jak1 Inhibition By Brepocitinib Reprograms Synoviocyte Pathobiology: Mechanistic Insights Into Targeted Therapy For Rheumatoid Arthritis, Umar Saeed, Zahra Zahid Piracha, Andromeda M. Nauli, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by synovial hyperplasia, persistent inflammation, and joint destruction. Targeted inhibition of intracellular signaling pathways, such as JAK-STAT, has improved RA treatment outcomes, though safety and selectivity remain as concerns. Brepocitinib, a dual TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor, has shown clinical efficacy in the management of autoimmune diseases, yet its mechanistic impact on synoviocytes remains underexplored.

Objectives:

To investigate the molecular and functional effects of brepocitinib on MH7A and RA-FLS synoviocytes, a key effector cell type in RA pathogenesis.

Methods:

MH7A and RA-FLS cells were treated with brepocitinib (0.5 µM, 1 µM, and 5 …

Humanity Is Evolving Its Consciousness: The Role Of Archetypal Energies As Guides During An Unfolding Weeding Out And Alignment Process, Carroy U. Ferguson

Psychology Faculty Publication Series

Humanity is evolving its consciousness at individual and collective levels.  Given these seemingly tumultuous times, as of this writing (January 2026), to make such a statement may sound like a strange thing to say.  However, I suggest that if you are alive today and if you are reading these words, these are the very times for which you were born—to assist Humanity as it evolves its consciousness with your unique gifts, whatever they may be.  That is, this period of our individual and collective human being-ness may be characterized as an unfolding period of weeding out and alignment with the …

Factors Associated With Upstaging In Patients With Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Modern Institutional Sample, Sneha Alaparthi, Hamza Rshaidat, Luke Meredith, Scott H. Koeneman, Christina Grindley, Jacob Heilizer, Purab Kothari, Prarthna Chandar, Tyler Grenda, Nathaniel R. Evans Iii, Olugbenga T. Okusanya

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: There is significant value in predicting and better assessing patients who are at risk of post-surgery upstaging in lung cancer. The objective of this study is to review patients who were upstaged following resection and evaluate their clinical and demographic data to elucidate which factors portend an increased risk of pathologic upstaging at our institution (the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital).

METHODS: A retrospective review of institutional data was performed between 2011 and 2023. Patients with stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were included. Patients were excluded if they received neoadjuvant systemic therapy, including chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy, and were …

Unlocking Hope: Mirtazapine's Promise In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment, Rebecca K. Hicks, Iram Kingson, Jordan Gaal, Suzanne Holroyd

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are first-line treatments for OCD, a significant proportion of patients remain refractory to these interventions. Mirtazapine, an atypical antidepressant with unique pharmacological properties, has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant OCD. This review synthesizes existing evidence regarding the efficacy and safety profile of mirtazapine in OCD management. We analyze clinical trials, observational studies, and case reports, distinguishing high- vs. low-quality evidence, and discuss mechanisms underlying mirtazapine's therapeutic effects. Additionally, …

Novel R Shiny Tool For Survival Analysis With Time-Varying Covariate In Oncology Studies: Overcoming Biases And Enhancing Collaboration, Yimei Li, Yang Qiao, Fei Gao, Jordan Gauthier, Qiang Ed Zhang, Jenna Voutsinas, Wendy Leisenring, Ted Gooley, Corinne Summers, Alexandre Hirayama, Cameron Turtle, Rebecca Gardner, Jarcy Zee, Qian Vicky Wu

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

PURPOSE: Our study is motivated by evaluating the role of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy for ALL, a debated topic. Because patients may receive HCT at different times after CAR-T infusion or never, HCT post-CAR-T should be considered as a time-varying covariate (TVC).

METHODS: Standard Cox models and Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves (naïve method) assume that TVC status is known and fixed at baseline, which can yield biased estimates. Landmark analysis is a popular alternative but depends on a chosen landmark time. Time-dependent (TD) Cox model is better suited for TVC although visualizing survival curves …

Use Of Electrocardiograms To Identify Coronary Artery Disease: Cross-Validation Of An Artificial Intelligence Model, Michael Leasure, Indu Poornima, Adam Butchy, Utkars Jain, Devin Vasoya, Michael Warnick, Brent Williams, John Rehder, Prahlad Menon, Veronica A. Covalesky, Gary S. Mintz

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: The current gold standard for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) is invasive angiography; however, it is an invasive procedure. Therefore, we developed an artificial intelligence model designed to predict significant CAD from a resting digital 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG).

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study assessed the model's ability to predict clinically significant CAD in a patient population presenting for coronary angiography.

METHODS: From 2019 to 2021, 16,476 patients had a resting 12-lead digital ECG recorded within 90 days prior to coronary angiography. The artificial intelligence model was developed using 10-fold cross-validation methodology. Clinically significant disease was defined as angiographic …

Spatially Distinct Cellular And Molecular Landscapes Define Prognosis In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Kavitha Mukund, Darya Veraksa, David Frankhouser, Lixin Yang, Jerneja Tomsic, Raju Pillai, Srijan Atti, Zahra Mesrizadeh, Daniel Schmolze, Jovanny Zabaleta, Xiao-Cheng Wu, Mary-Anne Leblanc, Lucio Miele, Augusto Ochoa, Victoria Seewaldt, Shankar Subramaniam

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a prevalent breast cancer subtype with the lowest 5-year survival. Several factors influence outcomes, but their inherent molecular and cellular heterogeneity are increasingly acknowledged as crucial determinants. Here, we report on the spatio-molecular heterogeneity underlying TNBC tumors in a retrospective, treatment-naive cohort with differential prognoses (17 good prognoses [GPx] >15-year survival and 15 poor prognoses [PPx] < 3-year survival]) profiled using GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler. Analyses reveal that epithelial and microenvironment (TME) states are transcriptionally distinct between groups. Invasive GPx epithelia show an increase in immune transcripts, with a more immune-rich TME (via IF). PPx epithelia, in contrast, are more metabolically and translationally active, with a mesenchymal/fibrotic TME. Pre-cancerous epithelia in PPx exhibit a presence of aggressiveness, marked by increased EMT signaling and complement activity. We identify distinct epithelial gene signatures for PPx and GPx that can accurately classify diagnostic samples and likely inform therapy.

Stat-Independent Functions Of Janus Kinases 1 And 2 Are Obligatory For The Postnatal Development Of Mammary Epithelial Ducts, Rayane Dennaoui, Madison N. Wicker, Carson Moen, Michaela Schlederer, Kerry Vistisen, Aleata A. Triplett, Thomas Rülicke, Hallgeir Rui, Lukas Kenner, Emilio Casanova, Kay-Uwe Wagner

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Janus kinases 1 and 2 and STAT transcription factors are critical signaling nodes for numerous growth factors. In the mammary gland, JAK2 and STAT5a/b are essential for alveolar cell differentiation and lactation, but little is known about the cooperative roles of JAKs and STATs before pregnancy. We examined female mice conditionally deficient in JAK1/2 and discovered that both kinases jointly regulate epithelial cell proliferation and ductal morphogenesis. To assess the role of downstream STATs, we generated genetic models co-deficient in STAT3/5a/5b with or without STAT1 or JAK1. Although loss of STAT3/5a/5b leads to a JAK1-dependent upregulation of STAT1, the formation …

Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction And Repair: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Biomechanical Studies, Austin Looney, Adeeb Hanna, Carlo Coadonato, John Sonnier, Blake Bodendorfer, Christopher Anderson, Neil Sarna, Kevin Freedman, Michael G. Ciccotti, Michael C. Ciccotti, Brandon Erickson, Steven Cohen

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Technical variations in elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) include graft source, graft/tunnel configuration, and humeral and ulnar fixation. While the biomechanical performance of various constructs has been reported, these studies have small sample sizes and compare at most a few technical variations.

PURPOSE: To quantitatively synthesize the results of biomechanical investigations of UCLR and repair.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses); included articles were published between 1998 and 2020. Biomechanical metrics were utilized to compute effect sizes (standardized mean difference [SMD]) …

Intralabyrinthine Mri Flair As A Predictive Marker For Hearing Loss In Vestibular Schwannomas In Neurofibromatosis Type 2, Robert L. Walker, Maxwell T. Laws, H. Jeffrey Kim, Christopher Zalewski, Ashok Asthagiri, Sruthi Ranganathan, Christina Hayes, John D. Heiss, John A. Butman, Prashant Chittiboina

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The onset of hearing loss due to vestibular schwannomas (VS) is inevitable but does not correlate with the size of the tumor. In patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) and VS, we previously found an association between pre-contrast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (FLAIR MRI) signal in the labyrinth and hearing loss. Here, we asked whether FLAIR hyper-intensity could serve as a predictive biomarker for hearing loss in NF2 patients with VS.

METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study (NCT00598351) of NF2 enrolled 168 subjects between 2008 and 2013. This study included 34 patients with small VS (total …

Women With Moderate Anaemia Prior To Conception Benefited Most From Nutrition Interventions: A Secondary Analysis Of The Women First Preconception Maternal Nutrition Trial, Sumera Aziz Ali, Ka Kahe, Jeanine Genkinger, Linda Valeri, Sarah Saleem, Saleem Jessani, Robert Goldenberg, Jamie Westcott, Jennifer Kemp, Ana Garces, Lester Figueroa, Shivaprasad Goudar, Sangappa Dhaded, Richard Derman, Antoinette Tshefu Kitoto, Adrien Lokangaka, Melissa Bauserman, Elizabeth Mcclure, Marion Koso-Thomas, Louise Kuhn, Nancy Krebs

Global Health Articles

INTRODUCTION: The Women First (WF) Preconception Maternal Nutrition trial found greater benefits of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) for intrauterine growth among anaemic versus non-anaemic women at preconception. We investigated whether the benefits of SQ-LNS in improving markers of intrauterine growth occurred evenly across the mild to moderate spectrum of pre-pregnancy anaemia.

METHODS: We analysed WF data (n=2443 maternal-newborn dyads) from Pakistan, India, Guatemala and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Women received SQ-LNS either ≥3 months preconception through pregnancy (Arm 1); starting in the late first trimester (Arm 2); or not at all (Arm 3: control), with all supplementations discontinued …

Phase 1b/2 Study Of Bms-813160, A Ccr2/5 Dual Antagonist, In Combination With Chemotherapy Or Nivolumab In Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Or Colorectal Cancer, Dung T. Le, Gunnar Folprecht, Anna M. Varghese, Martin Gutierrez, Marcus Noel, Nikolaos A. Trikalinos, Eric Chen, Farshid Dayyani, S. Lindsey Davis, Wen Wee Ma, Atrayee Basu Mallick, Ignacio Garrido-Laguna, Mayu Osawa, Shaun O'Brien, Ruslan D. Novosiadly, Ke Xu, Danielle M. Greenawalt, Santanu Dutta, Christina Twyman Saint Victor, Heinz-Josef Lenz

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Cysteine-cysteine chemokine receptors 2 (CCR2) and 5 (CCR5) contribute to immune suppression in tumor microenvironments. CCR2 and CCR5 antagonists have demonstrated antitumor activity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and colorectal cancer (CRC), respectively. This phase 1b/2, open-label study evaluated BMS-813160, a CCR2/5 dual antagonist, in combination with chemotherapy±nivolumab in advanced PDAC or metastatic CRC.

METHODS: Part 1 included patients with metastatic untreated (first-line (1L)) PDAC, 1L CRC, or previously treated (second or third line (2/3L)) microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC. Patients received 2 weeks of BMS-813160 monotherapy (300 mg two times a day, 600 mg once daily, 300 mg once …

Nature-Based Approaches To Dementia, Cognitive Impairment, And Caregiver Well-Being: A Scoping Review Of Gardening And Therapeutic Strategies, Mary Dioise Ramos, Marcy Purnell, Jolie Harris, Gloria Giarratano

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Dementia is a growing global health concern, with behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD) contributing significantly to diminished quality of life and caregiver burden. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as gardening and nature-based therapies, are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential. Objectives: This scoping review aimed to: (1) map existing evidence on gardening and garden-based interventions for individuals with dementia; (2) assess impacts on caregivers; (3) identify mechanisms of benefit; and (4) summarize effective design and implementation strategies. Methods: Following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across five databases. Studies were screened using Covidence. Inclusion criteria …

Synergistic Anti-Tumor Activity Of Ciclopirox Olamine And Metformin In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Yakun Wu, Hui Lyu, Congcong Tan, Margaret E. Larsen, Shou Ching Tang, Shile Huang, Bolin Liu

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Accuracy Of Frozen Section For Hpv-Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of Unknown Primary, Sindhura Sridhar, Annie Moroco, Shravan Gowrishankar, Mitra Mehrad, Kim Ely, James Lewis, Madalina Tuluc, Stacey Gargano, Melanie Hicks, Kyle Mannion, Arielle Thal, Adam Luginbuhl, Joseph Curry, David Cognetti, Michael Topf

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Current guidelines for the management of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (SCCUP) recommend submission of suspicious primary sites for frozen section analysis (FSA). This study aims to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of FSA for identification of HPV-associated SCCUP.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients with biopsy-proven p16-positive SCCUP who underwent diagnostic operation at two tertiary care institutions was performed. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of diagnostic FSA were assessed.

RESULTS: 77 patients were included in analysis. 66 patients underwent definitive TORS (diagnostic TORS operation with subsequent neck dissection after identification of the occult primary tumor), 7 …

Plans4care, A Web Application Providing Caregivers Personalized Solutions To Manage Dementia-Related Care Challenges: Proof Of Concept And Efficacy Trial, Laura N. Gitlin, Eric Jutkowitz, Catherine V. Piersol, Sokha Koeuth, Taylor Sivori, Melinda J. Webster, Rachel N. Barnett, David L. Roth

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Few dementia caregivers have access to evidence-based support programs. Web applications (app) may address this gap. Plans4Care, a web app, provides caregivers with on-demand personalized solutions to address care challenges. We present results of a proof-of-concept study and describe a trial protocol to test efficacy.

METHODS: To use Plans4Care, caregivers respond to brief onboarding questions, assess dementia patients' cognitive function, identify care challenges, and generate "action plans" (personalized strategies). Telehealth sessions with dementia-trained care advisors are available. A proof-of-concept study evaluated a clickable prototype using standardized technology scales to determine if >75 % scored positively on four criteria (acceptability, …

Development Of The Self-Administered Health Complexity Screening Instrument, Sheila Specker, Rachel Andrew, Emily Drexler, Emily Koithan, Steven Thurber, Steven Frankel

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to develop a self-administered screening tool to assist case managers, primary care physicians, and other clinicians in quickly and accurately identifying patients with complex health needs who require a definitive and detailed case management evaluation. In addition to medical and psychiatric items, this tool incorporates multiple social determinants of health (SDOH), known to add to clinical complexity. PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTING: This instrument is most appropriate for identifying patients with high complexity in the primary care sector. Due to the abundance of such patients with high biopsychosocial complexity and costs of treating these patients, …

Safety And Effectiveness Of Bolt-Mounted Versus Tunnelled External Ventricular Drains: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis And Trial-Sequential Analysis, Shaan Patel, Shiva A. Nischal, Ayush Sinha, Kush Kale, Pious D. Patel, Jack Jallo, Srinivas K. Prasad

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: External ventricular drains (EVDs) are fundamental to neurocritical care, yet substantial procedural heterogeneity persists, particularly regarding bolt-mounted versus tunnelled catheter fixation. The relative safety and effectiveness of these approaches remain unclear, with conflicting data from observational studies and a lack of trial-level evidence.

OBJECTIVE: To compare bolt-mounted and tunnelled EVDs across accuracy, reoperation, and key safety outcomes using systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial-sequential analysis.

METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were searched (November 2025) for randomised or observational studies comparing bolt-mounted with tunnelled EVDs in adults. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk …

Perioperative Fluid Management In Pancreaticoduodenectomy In The Era Of Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy: A Review Of The Literature, Meghan D Grim, Richard Zheng, Nader Hanna, Harish Lavu, Charles J. Yeo, Avinoam Nevler

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the only curative option for localized pancreatic head and periampullary malignancies. However, PD is associated with significant perioperative morbidity. Perioperative fluid management has emerged as an important modifiable factor influencing surgical outcomes in PD.

METHODS: In this qualitative review, PubMed/Medline searches were performed between March and August 2025 to review the terms "pancreaticoduodenectomy," "fluid management," "Enhanced Recovery After Surgery," "complications," and related terms.

RESULTS: Historically, liberal fluid administration was favored to compensate for third-space losses, but contemporary evidence has linked excessive fluid volumes to complications, such as postoperative pancreatic fistula, anastomotic edema, and increased inflammatory responses. …

686. Antibiotic Prescribing For Urinary Tract Infections In Outpatient Settings: A Multicenter Assessment Based On The Five Ds Of Stewardship, Amy Y. Kang, Oliver Tan, Sunwoo Oh, Nikki Derleth, Megan Shieh, Helen Vu, Inna Tagarino, Audrey Harrington, Deborah Kupferwasser, Loren G. Miller

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background   Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a leading cause of outpatient antibiotic use. Prior studies have documented inappropriate prescribing during outpatient UTI visits, but few have assessed intervention opportunities using a structured stewardship framework. We evaluated UTI prescribing practices in a healthcare system using the Five Ds framework: Diagnosis, Drug, Dose, Duration, and De-escalation.   Methods

We conducted a retrospective study across 4 medical centers and > 20 outpatient clinics within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the second largest U.S. safety net healthcare system. To ensure adequate representation across sites while maintaining feasibility for manual chart review, we reviewed …

Broad Laboratory Testing Does Not Show Utility For Telogen Effluvium: A Retrospective Analysis Of 22-Million Laboratory Results Using Trinetx, Zachary J.K. Neubauer, Shari R. Lipner

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

No abstract provided.

Repair Techniques For Acute Rupture Of The Patellar Tendon: A Systematic Review, Gaston Davis, Harrison S. Fellheimer, Christian Mccormick, Kevin B. Freedman

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Multiple techniques exist to repair acute tears of the patellar tendon. Surgical repair is required to reestablish full function of the extensor mechanism of the knee, and optimal results typically occur when the tear is repaired acutely.

PURPOSE: To systematically review the literature to evaluate treatment outcomes and complication rates after acute surgical repair of patellar tendon ruptures using suture anchor repair, transosseous repair, and end-to-end repair.

STUDY DESIGN: Scoping review; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS: A systematic review was performed to analyze outcomes after patellar tendon repair in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews …

Prognostic Value Of Baseline Qfr In Single-Vessel Intermediate Coronary Stenosis, Yanfeng Lu, Abdulrahman Alqazzaz, Jasmine Bao, Gary S. Mintz, Jiahao Feng, Yong Zhang, Shanshan Gao, Qiang Song, Feifei Ning, Xin Huang, Ning Guo

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prognostic value of baseline Quantitative Flow Ratio (QFR) in real-world patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of baseline QFR and its three-tier model-low, grey-zone, and high QFR-in patients with single-vessel intermediate stenosis.

METHODS: This retrospective study included 478 patients with QFR between 0.70 and 0.90 who underwent coronary angiography between May and June 2023. Patients were stratified into Low (0.70-0.74), Grey-Zone (0.75-0.85), and High (0.86-0.90) QFR groups. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE); the key secondary endpoint was target vessel failure (TVF). Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models …

Zoliflodacin Versus Ceftriaxone Plus Azithromycin For Treatment Of Uncomplicated Urogenital Gonorrhoea: An International, Randomised, Controlled, Open-Label, Phase 3, Non-Inferiority Clinical Trial, Alison Luckey, Manica Balasegaram, Lindley A. Barbee, Teresa A. Batteiger, Helen Broadhurst, Stephanie E. Cohen, Sinead Delany-Moretlwe, Henry J.C. De Vries, Jodie A. Dionne, Katherine Gill, Chris Kenyon, Rossaphorn Kittiyaowamarn, Drew Lewis, John P. Mueller, Vimla Naicker, Seamus O'Brien, John P. O'Donnell, Nittaya Phanuphak, Elizabeth Spooner, Subasree Srinivasan, Stephanie N. Taylor, Magnus Unemo, Zinhle Zwane, Edward W. Hook, Zoliflodacin Phase 3 Study Group

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background Development of new treatments for gonorrhoea is a global public health priority. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zoliflodacin versus ceftriaxone plus azithromycin in patients with uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea. Methods In this phase 3, multinational, randomised, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority clinical trial, participants aged 12 years and older with clinical suspicion of uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea were eligible for inclusion. The trial was done in 17 outpatient clinics in Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, Thailand, and the USA. Participating countries with high disease prevalence were identified for participation in the study. Sites selected for participation were led by …

The Role Of Extracellular Vesicles As Diagnostic Tools In Gut-Brain Axis Disorders, Patricia Marçal Da Costa, Paulo Iury Gomes Nunes, Gabriella Cunha Vieira Ciurleo, José Wagner Leonel Tavares Junior, Pedro Braga Neto, Ludmila Belayev, Reinaldo Barreto Oriá

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

The gut–brain axis represents a dynamic two-way signaling network whose dysregulation has been implicated in a wide range of neurogastrointestinal disorders. In this context, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as critical mediators of intercellular signaling and as promising non-invasive biomarkers. Derived from host and microbial cells, EVs carry bioactive cargo—including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites—that reflect the physiological or pathological state of their cells of origin. Their ability to cross biological barriers, such as the blood–brain barrier, underscores their potential for diagnosing and monitoring gut–brain axis dysfunctions. In this mini-review, we integrate microbial and brain-derived EVs within the framework …

Does Adding An Interbody Cage In L4–L5 Posterolateral Fusion For Degenerative Spondylolisthesis And Stenosis Improve Clinical Outcome?, Enrico Aimar, Lucrezia Di Stefano, Federico Longhitano, Alberto Bona, Marco Meloni, Tommaso Alfiero, Federica Valente, Roberta Bonomo, Giulio Bonomo, Flavio Tancioni, Guglielmo Iess

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: As the population ages, L4-L5 degenerative spondylolisthesis is increasingly common. Posterolateral fusion was long standard; interbody cages are widely used for perceived higher fusion rates.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Does adding an interbody cage to posterolateral fusion improve outcomes or reduce complications in elderly patients with grade I spondylolisthesis and severe stenosis?

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 319 adults aged 60-85 who underwent single-level L4-L5 fusion (2011-2018) after failed conservative care. Patients received posterior lumbar fusion (PLIF, n = 155) or posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF, n = 164). Primary outcomes were Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) change and complications over a …

Clinical Performance Of A Novel Point-Of-Care High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I Assay, Alan H. B. Wu, Simon A. Mahler, Stacey L. House, Saeed A. Jortani, Michael H. Creer, Kristin L. Rising, Jason J. Bischof, Chad Crystal, Gary F. Headden, Fred S. Apple, Nicholas E. Harrison, Andrew C. Meltzer, Justin T. Baca, Brian Tiffany, Mark Sochor, Grace U. Pentecostes, Katrina P. Di Tullio, Manish S. Gupta, Adam J. Singer, James L. Januzzi

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays performed in the central laboratory have long turnaround times. This study evaluates the clinical performance of a novel bedside point-of-care (POC) hs-cTnI assay (i-STAT® hs-TnI) to aid in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS: A prospective multisite cohort study involving emergency department (ED) patients with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome was conducted at 28 sites across the United States. Serial whole blood samples were collected at 0-1 h and >1-3 h from ED presentation. Primary outcome was MI or non-MI. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value (NPV) for MI were calculated with …

Task-Optimized Brain Parcellations Reveal Latent Functional Organization For Enhanced Connectivity-Based Neuroimaging Classification, Andrew Hannum, Mario A. Lopez

Computer Science: Faculty Scholarship

Brain parcellation schemes are fundamental to neuroimaging, yet general-purpose atlases may obscure the specific functional architecture relevant to a given cognitive task or clinical condition. This reflects a growing consensus that the “optimal” brain map is context-dependent. Here, we introduce a novel framework that validates this principle by generating task-optimized human brain parcellation maps directly from supervised learning objectives. Our method defines functional parcels by grouping brain regions based on the similarity of their contributions to a classifier's decision boundary for a specific goal (e.g., cognitive state decoding or clinical group separation). This approach prioritizes a region's discriminative role over …