Diseases Commons^™

Femoral Structure And Biomechanical Characteristics In Sanfilippo Syndrome Type-B Mice, Frederick J. Ashby, Evelyn J. Castillo, Yan Ludwig, Natalia K. Andraka, Cong Chen, Julia C. Jamieson, Nadia Kabbej, John D. Summerville, Jose I. Aquirre, Coy D. Heldermon, University Of Florida

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Sanfilippo syndrome Type-B, also known as mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB (MPS IIIB), accounts for approximately one-third of all Sanfilippo syndrome patients and is characterized by a similar natural history as Type-A. Patients suffer from developmental regression, bone malformation, organomegaly, GI distress, and profound neurological deficits. Despite human trials of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) (SBC-103, AX250) in MPS IIIB, there is currently no FDA approved treatment and a few palliative options. The major concerns of ERT and gene therapy for the treatment of bone malformation are the inadequate biodistribution of the missing enzyme, N-acetyl-α-glucosaminidase (NAGLU), and that the skeleton is a poorly hit …

Craniofacial Differences And Safe Sleep Practices: Findings From A Caregiver Survey At A Children’S Hospital, Cait Vuturo-Brady, Aracelia S. Aldrete, Jesus Gil Inciong, Miccah Seaman, Rianna Leazer

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Purpose

Many infants with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) have airway issues that make supine, flat-surface sleep challenging.¹ Prior studies indicate that alternative positioning may reduce obstructive events,² and early sleep-disordered breathing can affect later development.³  Despite this, caregivers of infants with craniofacial differences rarely receive tailored sleep guidance, and no evidence-based, condition-specific recommendations currently exist.^4,5

Methods

This single-site, cross-sectional study evaluated sleep practices, caregiver education, and barriers to adherence among parents of children (< 3 years) with CL/P treated at CHKD’s Craniofacial Program. Eligible caregivers (n=117) were identified via query of the electronic medical record by CHKD Data Governance and invited to complete an anonymous REDCap survey assessing demographics, sleep environment, counseling, and understanding of safe-sleep recommendations.

Results & Conclusions

Of the 11 caregivers who completed the survey, 91% reported crib sleep, though several also used beds, couches, …

Optimizing Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (Crrt) In The Icu: A Qsen-Based Framework For Nursing Decision-Making Support, Leslie Okhirkhian

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Nurses in critical care environments must exercise precise clinical judgement to recognize patient destabilization cues while managing the complex biomedical technologies that support failing physiological systems. Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is a modality for hemodynamically unstable patients requiring fluid overload management and waste removal; however, it is a complex technology that demands nurses navigate a “tightrope” between renal perfusion and hemodynamic stability. Despite its prevalence, there is no concise decision-making support for nursing care in the current literature based on the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) strategies. This presentation addresses this gap by proposing a QSEN-based, standardized …

Severe Maternal Morbidity According To Sickle Cell Disease Genotype, Tetsuya Kawakita, Natsume Furukawa, Sora A. Jones, Salimah Navaz Gangji

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic hemoglobinopathy that disproportionately affects individuals of African descent and is associated with elevated risks of maternal complications. However, the contribution of specific SCD genotypes to severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and postpartum readmission remains poorly characterized at the population level.

Objective

We sought to examine the association between SCD genotypes-hemoglobin SS (HbSS) disease, hemoglobin SC (HbSC) disease, sickle thalassemia, and sickle cell trait-and SMM, hospital readmission, and related adverse maternal outcomes.

Study design

This was a retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2016 through 2022, representing over 20 million weighted …

Sleepiness In Pregnancy And Adverse Perinatal Outcomes, Rachel Friedlander, Xiaoning Huang, Phyllis Zee, Sadiya S. Khan, Philip Greenland, Francesca L. Facco, Judith Chung, William A. Grobman, Shalini Manchanda, Uma M. Reddy, George R. Saade, Robert M. Silver, Lynn M. Yee

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Sleep disorders in pregnancy have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes mellitus, yet these findings are largely from retrospective studies. Using data from a prospective study that used validated tools to assess sleepiness in pregnancy, we aimed to assess the association of sleepiness in pregnancy with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

In this secondary analysis of data from a large, diverse prospective cohort of nulliparous individuals conducted at eight United States medical centers, those with self-reported sleep data were included. Sleepiness was evaluated in early (6-13 weeks) and mid-pregnancy (22-29 …

Mechanism-Driven Therapy For Diabetic Cardiovascular Disease, Fabian Sanchis-Gomar, Carl J. Lavie, Salvatore Carbone, Ian J. Neeland

EVMS School of Health Professions Faculty Publications

[Introduction] Diabetic cardiovascular disease is a network disorder, not a glucose-only complication

Diabetes accelerates cardiovascular (CV) target-organ damage through multiple interacting biological modules that amplify risk even when glycemia is modestly controlled^[1]. These modules include (i) adipose tissue dysfunction with altered adipokine secretion and immune-cell infiltration; (ii) ectopic lipid deposition in liver, myocardium, and perivascular/epicardial fat (iii) endothelial dysfunction with impaired nitric oxide bioavailability and heightened oxidative stress (iv) chronic kidney disease (CKD)-mediated volume, pressure, and uremic-toxin stress, and (v) autonomic and neurohormonal activation that promotes hypertension, arrhythmias, and remodeling^[1]. The clinical spectrum includes macrovascular disease …

Acute Lower Leg Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Increases Leg Blood Flow And Exercise Capacity In Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease, Thomas K. Pellinger, Catherine B. Neighbors, Joshua C. Hefta, Patrick H. Luo, Carl B. Suarez, Erotokritos T. Varlas, Grant H. Simmons, Brett J. Wong

EVMS School of Health Professions Faculty Publications

We tested the hypothesis that two different durations of lower leg transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) increase post-TENS popliteal artery blood flow (PABF), popliteal vascular conductance (PVC), and 6-min walk distance (6MWD) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Seven subjects (5 male, 2 female) with PAD (67.9 ± 7.4 years; claudication: ankle-brachial index (ABI) < 0.90) participated in three randomized treatment sessions: control or bilateral TENS (3.0 Hz burst mode, 250 µs) for either 15 or 45 min. PABF (Doppler ultrasound) was measured before and after treatment. 6MWD and time/distance to claudication onset were measured 25 min post-treatment during each session. PABF, PVC and 6MWD increased after both 15 and 45 min of TENS (P < 0.05, post-TENS vs. pre-TENS baseline/control). Our preliminary results suggest that as little as 15 min of lower leg TENS increases leg blood flow and exercise capacity in individuals with PAD.

Early And Sustained Improvements In Sense Of Smell With Tezepelumab Treatment In Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps (Waypoint), Joaquim Mullol, Joseph K. Han, Tanya M. Laidlaw, Claire Hopkins, Anju T. Peters, Oliver Pfaar, Martin Desrosiers, Stella E. Lee, Andrew P. Lane, Claudia Chen, Yun Chon, Sandhia S. Ponnarambil, Andrews Foster, Andrew W. Lindsley, Christopher S. Ambrose

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Background

Loss of smell is a principal symptom of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), affecting health-related quality of life and posing a safety hazard.

Methods

WAYPOINT (NCT04851964), a phase 3, multicenter trial in adults with uncontrolled CRSwNP, randomized patients 1:1 to receive tezepelumab 210 mg or placebo subcutaneously every 4 weeks for 52 weeks. Changes from baseline in biweekly mean Nasal Polyposis Symptom Diary (NPSD) loss of smell item, University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), and 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) loss of smell/taste item scores, as well as anosmia (UPSIT score ≤18) prevalence, were assessed over 52 …

Progression Of Mild Sleep-Disordered Breathing In Children Managed With Watchful Waiting, Erin M. Kirkham, Stacey Ishman, Susan Garetz, Cristina M. Baldassari, Ron B. Mitchell, Christopher Liu, Ignacio E. Tapia, Lisa M. Elden, Fauziya Hassan, Sally Ibrahim, Kristie Ross, Mengqi Cen, Rui Wang, Susan Redline, Ronald D. Chervin

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Purpose

To identify clinical characteristics that may be associated with persistence or progression of mild sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children who are observed without surgery.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of the control arm of the Pediatric Adenotonsillectomy Trial for Snoring (PATS), which randomized 458 children aged 3.0 to 12.9 years with mild SDB (snoring with obstructive apnea-hypopnea index [oAHI] <  3 events/hour) to early adenotonsillectomy (eAT) versus watchful waiting with supportive care (WWSC). Participants were assessed at baseline and 12 months with the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire-Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder (PSQ-SRBD) scale and polysomnography (PSG). We tested for factors predictive of either (1) PSG progression defined by a 12-month oAHI ≥ 3 or (2) symptom persistence or progression defined by a 12-month PSQ-SRBD score ≥ 0.33.

Results

A total of 234 participants were observed (mean age 6.2 years, 111 [47%] female, 65 [28%] Black or African American, 37 [16%] Hispanic). Overall, only 13% (n = 20/150) progressed to an oAHI ≥ 3 on repeat PSG, …

Use Of Tezepelumab For Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps By Eosinophilic Endotype: Waypoint Post-Hoc Analysis, Shigeharu Fujieda, Nobuyoshi Otori, Joseph K. Han, Tadataka Yabuta, Claudia Chen, Claudio Marchese, Andrews Foster, Sandhia S. Ponnarambil, Yun Chan, Brian J. Lipworth

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Background

The phase 3 WAYPOINT study (NCT04851964) reported that tezepelumab improved outcomes in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), including nasal polyp size, nasal congestion, and sinonasal symptoms, and reduced the need for surgery and systemic corticosteroids (SCS).

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tezepelumab across Japanese Epidemiological Survey of Refractory Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis-defined eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) subgroups.

Methods

Adults with severe CRSwNP were randomized to tezepelumab 210 mg or placebo every 4 weeks. Coprimary end points were the change from baseline to week 52 in total Nasal Polyp Score and the biweekly mean Nasal …

The Psychiatric Burden Of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Trinetx Analysis Of Sex-Specific Disparities In Mental Health And Medication Use, Emily Sheetz, Julia Feord, Collette Sholi, Parker Adams, Tamas Gal, Susan G. Kornstein, Arturo Saavedra

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background:

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition associated with physical and psychological burden. Prior research has shown increased rates of depression and anxiety among individuals with HS; however, sex-based disparities in the prevalence of these mental health conditions in patients with HS remain underexplored.

Objective:

To evaluate sex-based differences in the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and the prescribing of antidepressants and anxiolytics among patients with HS.

Methods:

Using the TriNetX database, we identified patients over the age of 18 who had a recorded diagnosis of HS. Propensity score matching based on …

Association Of Valvular Disease Progression Using Echocardiographic Findings In A Large U.S. Cohort, Abes A. Bautista Neughebauer, Amin Yehya, Raymond L. Benza, Deepak Talreja

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background

The prevalence of valvular disease in the US is approximately 2.5%. Given that over 5 million Americans are affected, it is crucial to find those at higher risk of progression. The goal of this paper is to uncover which patients are more likely to have valvular disease progression using demographic factors, EKG and echocardiogram (ECHO) findings.

Methods

This paper utilized the EchoNext Database, which pairs 100,000 electrocardiograms and echocardiograms based on specific structural heart disease labels. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to find risk factors for progression for aortic stenosis (AS), aortic regurgitation (AR), mitral regurgitation (MR), …

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease And Circadian Rhythm: Current Understanding And Implications For Future Therapeutic Interventions, William K. Slover, Ashley V. Huang, Steve M. D'Souza, Edward C. Oldfield, David A. Johnson

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), defined by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases as hepatic steatosis with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor, affects approximately 30-40% of adults worldwide. This condition may progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The rising prevalence, alongside obesity and type 2 diabetes, underscores the need for early risk stratification and integrated therapeutic strategies. Circadian homeostasis, orchestrated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus and core clock gene feedback loops, synchronizes hepatic metabolic pathways with environmental light-dark cycles. The objective of this review is to evaluate the role of circadian disruption and metabolic dysfunction …

Real-World Anti-Amyloid Therapy Beyond Traditional Symptomatic Populations: A Longitudinal Case Series, Jayoung Han, Yuan Fang, Darlingtina Esiaka, Olufunmilola Abraham

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Introduction: Anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies are approved as disease-modifying therapies for early Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but real-world evidence remains limited, particularly among individuals treated during preclinical or minimally symptomatic stages. This study characterized clinical and biomarker trajectories among anti-amyloid therapy recipients across disease stages.

Method: We conducted a longitudinal retrospective case series of three biomarker-positive individuals from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative who received lecanemab or donanemab. Clinical, cognitive, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma biomarker, and amyloid PET data were examined.

Results: In all three cases, most of the observation period preceded anti-amyloid therapy initiation. Clinical trajectories varied by biomarker profile and treatment …

Integrating Genetic Modifier Genotype With Serum Proteomics In Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Clinical Trials Links Ltbp4 Genetic Modifier To Il-23/Cd93 Pathways In Muscle, Utkarsh J. Dang, Yuan Fang, Daniele Sabbatini, Elena Pegoraro, Luca Bello, Paula R. Clemens, Michela Guglieri, John Van Den Anker, Jesse Damsker, Laura Hagerty, Yetrib Hathout, Michael Ziemba, Lauren Morgenroth, Surajit Bhattacharya, Kanneboyina Nagaraju, Jyoti K. Jaiswal, Eric P. Hoffman

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Genetic modifiers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) that alter disease severity or response to therapy have been reported using natural history or registry data sets of older corticosteroid-treated patients. We tested associations of genetic modifiers on motor function outcomes in young (4 to <  7 years) steroid naïve clinical trial participants. Participants in clinical trials (VBP15-002/003 [n = 48]; VBP15-004 [n = 121]; DNA available for n = 110) were genotyped for eight published genetic modifier loci, and associations of genotypes with baseline motor function defined via an age-adjusted linear model. Corticosteroid drug response was modeled by genotype-stratified placebo vs. steroid treatment at 12- and 24-weeks posttreatment (mixed model for repeated measures). …

Decreased Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Capillary Recruitment In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, David Langleben, Stylianos E. Orfanos, Benjamin D. Fox, Michele Giovinazzo, Magali Kaddis, John D. Catravas

Bioelectrics Publications

The human lung normally accommodates exercise-induced cardiac output increases mainly via recruitment of non-concomitantly perfused pulmonary capillaries. Recruitment is detectable by measuring the first-pass transpulmonary metabolism of ³H-benzoyl-Phe-Ala-Pro, providing an estimate of functional capillary surface area (FCSA). Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) results from luminal narrowing of small precapillary arterioles, reducing downstream perfused FCSA. We hypothesized that exercising PAH patients would not be able to recruit FCSA normally. We studied two patients with severe PAH. Despite exercising to maximal dyspnea, neither could recruit FCSA. These limited data are the first direct measurements of FCSA in exercising PAH patients.

A Scalable Paper-Based Electrochemical Sensor Employing Mwcnts For Isoniazid Detection, Sri Ramulu Torati, Gymama Slaughter

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

Isoniazid (INZ) is an antimicrobial agent that treats tuberculosis by inhibiting the InhA enzyme in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, making sensitive and reliable methods for routine monitoring essential to ensure safe and effective therapy. We report the development of a novel paper-based electrochemical sensor for the sensitive and selective detection of isoniazid. The sensor is constructed using a gold inkjet-printed electrode (GIPE) modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), chitosan (CH), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), forming a GIPE/AuNPs/CH/MWCNTs sensor. Electrochemical deposition of AuNPs effectively addressed insulating gaps generated during the sintering of the gold ink, enhancing electrical conductivity and surface uniformity. The …

Modern Potentiostat Architectures For Electrochemical Sensing: Design, Integration, And Future Directions, Reagan Aviha, Gymama Slaughter

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

Potentiostats are essential to electrochemical sensing, enabling precise control of electrode potentials and measurement of current responses. As demand grows for portable, wearable, and point-of-care systems, potentiostat design has evolved from benchtop instruments to compact, low-power, and wirelessly connected platforms. This review provides a comprehensive, system-level perspective on modern potentiostat architectures, covering operational principles, analog front-end design, signal generation and acquisition, communication protocols, and software integration. Unlike prior reviews that treat these aspects independently, this work integrates electrochemical theory with electronic design and data communication frameworks. Key components, including operational amplifiers, transimpedance amplifiers, DAC/ADC subsystems, and microcontroller-based control, are examined …

Cocaine Upregulates Microglial Lipid Droplet Formation Through Increasing Lipid Synthesis Activity In Vitro And In Vivo, Yan Cheng, Brooke Russell, Liam Liyang Guo, Aryan Patel, Yan Y. Sanders, Ming-Lei Guo

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

A novel subtype of microglia, lipid droplet accumulation microglia (LDAMs), has been identified in the aged brain, which is characterized by sustained inflammation and senescent-like phenotypes. LDAMs are deeply involved in promoting brain aging as well as the pathogenesis of multiple neurodegenerative diseases. Cocaine can alter brain lipidomic profiles, induce microglial activation, and accelerate brain aging. This suggests that cocaine might affect microglial lipid metabolism, which ultimately aggravates aging-related neurological disorders in people with addictions. In this study, we explored the effects of cocaine on microglial lipid metabolism. Our results showed that chronic cocaine administration altered brain lipid profiles and …

Off-Label Uses Of Deucravacitinib For Inflammatory Skin Conditions: Cases And Literature Review, Alexandra Nigro, Isabel C. Silva, Benjamin Gerstein, Jasper Dayanan, Saakshi Khattri

Department Dermatology Faculty Publications

Deucravacitinib is an oral, selective, allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Deucravacitinib may offer a more selective approach compared to traditional Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Emerging data support the use of deucravacitinib in inflammatory dermatoses beyond psoriatic disease. We present our clinical experience using deucravacitinib off-label in patients with challenging inflammatory skin disease and contextualize our findings within the current literature. We report three female patients aged 31–63 years with refractory inflammatory skin conditions, including two with dermatomyositis and one with pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP). All patients had persistent …

Expert Consensus On Osteoporosis Risk Management In Patients With Sleep Disorders, Siqi Leng, Jinming Yang, Yuming Jin, Jie Shi, Ye Zhang, Junying Zhou, Lusi Tan, Taomei Li, Peiyan Ni, Kejia Hu, Yuan Shi, Jiamin Liao, Yun Li, Pei Xue, Christian Benedict, Alexandros N. Vgontzas, Michael Furian, Talant Sooronbaev, Naima Covassin, Virend K. Somers, Zhoulong Yu, Hongqiang Sun, Xiao Tan, Jihui Zhang, Yun Kwok Wing, Yue Leng, Larry D. Sanford, Michael V. Vitiello, Katie L. Stone, Rong Ren, Lin Lu, Xiangdong Tang

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

A rate-limiting step in the prevention and early intervention of osteoporosis is identifying its asymptomatic onset. Accumulating evidence shows that sleep disorders are associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. Given their early detectable and modifiable nature, integrating sleep disorder management into osteoporosis prevention and care pathways offers a novel approach for enhancing skeletal health. This expert consensus represents a collaborative effort by specialists in sleep medicine and orthopedics from across the world, integrating epidemiological, mechanistic, and interventional evidence to provide general guidance for prevention and clinical practice, and to foster multidisciplinary collaboration in the management of sleep disorders and …

The Taper Sign: Sonographic Representation Of Uterine Dehiscence In Severe Cases Of Placenta Accreta Spectrum, Uma Deshmukh, Anna M. Modest, Alfred Abuhamad, Alireza A. Shamshirsaz, Jonathan L. Hecht, Scott A. Shainker

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Introduction: Prenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) depends on reliable ultrasound markers and skilled image interpretation. Existing PAS markers emphasize placental features suggestive of abnormal adherence and require advanced image optimization. However, emerging hypotheses suggest that uterine dehiscence—not placental invasion—is the central mechanism underlying PAS, particularly in severe (Grade 3) disease. Despite this, few established ultrasound markers address this uterine dehiscence. We describe a novel ultrasound marker, the taper sign, which uniquely represents the uterine dehiscence in severe PAS with anterior placenta previa, and outline a standardized technique for image acquisition and interpretation.

Methods: This descriptive report details the …

Procedural-Based Contemporary Management Of Bell's Palsy Long-Term Sequelae: A Narrative Review, Robert M. Frederick, Rhorie Kerr, Eric Dobratz, William Dougherty

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Objective

To describe the long-term sequelae of Bell's palsy and summarize available treatment options, including recent advances, so that general otolaryngologists and other practitioners are aware of the clinical findings and available interventions.

Data Sources

PubMed.

Review Methods

A literature search was performed on December 18, 2024, via PubMed using keywords such as "synkinesis," "selective myectomy," "selective neurectomy," "botulinum toxin," "intervention" in the context of "Bell's palsy" with preference for articles published within the last 5 to 10 years but inclusion of select older articles that provided necessary context for the current topic. Articles included in the review were written …

Differences In Biologic Clinical Trials For Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps—Are We Comparing Apples With Oranges?, Marjolein Cornet, Peter W. Hellings, Martin Desrosiers, Martin Wagenmann, Richard Follows, Laura Walrave, Luz Adriana Jimenez, Lee Tombs, Dawn Edwards, Peter Howarth, Joseph K. Han

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

In recent years, several biologics targeting Type 2 inflammation have been developed for treating chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). These have been studied in registrational randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which vary in their patient populations, trial design, endpoints, geography, timing, or data-handling processes. While (in)direct treatment comparisons and meta-analyses have been carried out to compare efficacy results from RCTs, often these fail to properly account for these between-study differences. Here, we summarize the key between-study differences that can influence trial outcomes and highlight the resulting challenges faced when comparing outcomes from different Phase III RCTs of biologics in CRSwNP.

Longitudinal Changes In Plasma Biomarkers Of Immune Activation, Neuronal Inflammation And Injury In Persons With Hiv Initiating Art, Merle Henderson, Peter Dutey-Magni, Carolina Herrera, Wolfgang Stöhr, Alejandro Arenas-Pinto, Owen Swann, Amanda Heslegrave, Henrik Zetterberg, John Tregoning, Sarah Fidler, François Raffi, Andrea Calcagno, Ab Babiker, Alan Winston

CONRAD Publications

Background

Data on changes in biomarkers of brain health, and their associations with cognitive function in adults commencing either dual- or triple-antiretroviral therapy (ART) are sparse.

Methods

Plasma biomarkers (neurofilament light [NfL], glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], sCD14, CXCL10, neopterin and IL-6) were measured at baseline and after 96 weeks on ART in individuals randomized to darunavir/ritonavir and either tenofovir-DF/emtricitabine (triple-ART, n = 119) or raltegravir (dual-ART, n = 119) in NEAT-001/ANRS143. Regression models examined associations of baseline and week-96 biomarker concentrations with HIV clinical parameters, composite cognitive test scores (Standardized neuropsychological test [NPZ], 7-domains) and treatment arm.

Results

In …

A Painful Diffuse Rash, Bruce M. Lo, Melanie Shoemaker, Kiersten Potter, Katherine Schaffer

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

[Patient presentation]

A 41-year-old male with no past medical history presented with 1 week of ulcers to the left side of his face, followed by several days of a painful rash to the trunk and back after a sexual encounter. The patient denies any fever or previous rash and any illicit drug use. Initial vital signs included a temperature of 97 °F, a heart rate of 89 beats per minute, and blood pressure of 135/79 mm Hg. Physical examination revealed a macular papular rash across his trunk and back (Fig 1) and facial ulcerations with eschar (Fig 2) at the …

Comparative Mass Spectrometry Analysis Of High And Low Centrifugation Extracellular Vesicle (Ev) Pellets From Healthy Urine Following Tamm-Horsfall Protein Removal, Dana Bielopolski, Luca Musante, Henrik Molina, Douglas Barrows, Samantha Upson, Lifang Yang, Thomas Carrol, Jonathan N. Tobin, Rhonda G. Kost, U. Erdbrügger

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Objectives

Urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) are potential biomarkers for renal physiology and disease. Their isolation is challenged by Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) contamination, particularly in high-speed ultracentrifugation (P100) fractions. Low-speed (P20) fractions contain biologically relevant uEVs, yet their proteomic composition is underexplored. This study evaluates strategies for THP removal to optimize mass spectrometry analysis and characterizes P20 and P100 uEV proteomes and its combination in healthy urine.

Methods

Urine from a healthy volunteer was processed via sequential centrifugation at 21,200 g (P20) and 164,244 g (P100). THP removal was performed using low ionic strength buffer (P20) and size-exclusion chromatography (P100). Western …

Partial Post-Exposure Protection By Topical Inserts Containing Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate/Elvitegravir In A Macaque Model Of Rectal Simian Hiv (Shiv) Infection, Natalia Makarova, Tyana Singletary, M. Melissa Peet, Kristen Kelley, Ryan Johnson, Vivek Agrahari, Maria Mendoza, Yi Pan, Walid Heneine, Meredith R. Clark, J. Gerardo García Lerma, Gustavo F. Doncel, James W. Smith

CONRAD Publications

On-demand topical inserts for HIV prevention may be a good option for people who have a low frequency of sexual activity. We recently demonstrated in a preclinical macaque model that rectal application of inserts containing tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) and elvitegravir (EVG) conferred protection against SHIV infection (93% efficacy) when applied as pre-exposure prophylaxis 4 hours before SHIV exposure. Here, we show that the same inserts provide significant postexposure protection (82.9% efficacy) when applied 4 hours after SHIV exposure. Our findings further support the ongoing clinical development of TAF/EVG inserts for on-demand HIV prevention.

Shaping The Future Of Respiratory Care: A Look Into The Next Decade And Strategic Recommendations By The European Forum For Research And Education In Allergy And Airways Diseases, Xander Bertels, Glenis K. Scadding, Vibeke Backer, Susanne Lou, Wytske J. Fokkens, Peter J. Barnes, Manuel Bernal Sprekelsen, Leif Bjermer, Michael Blaiss, Elena Borzova, Marie-Charlotte Brüggen, Guy G. Brusselle, Lars Olaf Cardell, Diego M. Conti, Marjolein Cornet, Eugenio De Corso, Bernard De Groeve, Ratko Djukanovic, Adam T. Fox, Mina Gaga, Philippe Gevaert, Peter Gibson, Claudia L. Gray, Joseph Han, Liam Heaney, Enrico Heffler, Hans Jürgen Hoffmann, Claire Hopkins, Daniel Jackson, Outi Jauhola, Milos Jesenak, Pål Johansen, Ekaterina Khaleva, Basile Landis, Stella Lee, Valerie Lund, Mika Mäkelä, Marinda Mcdonald, Erik Melén, Joaquim Mullol, Antonio Nieto-García, Ian Pavord, Anju Peters, David Price, Santiago Quirce, Dermot Ryan, Pernilla Sahlstrand-Johnson, Sophie Scheire, Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier, Sven Schneider, Brent A. Senior, Catherine M.E. Shire, Peter K. Smith, Zsolt Szépfalusi, M. Thijs A. Teeling, Michael E. Wechsler, Philippe Houssiau, Klaus F. Rabe, Peter W. Hellings, José Luis Castro

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) remain 1 of the leading causes of preventable morbidity and disability worldwide, affecting up to one-third of the total Western population in 2025. Recognizing the substantial burden of inflammatory airway diseases such as asthma, COPD, chronic rhinosinusitis, and respiratory allergy, the European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway Diseases (EUFOREA) organized the symposium “Shaping the Future of Respiratory Care” in April 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, at the occasion of the 10-year jubilee. Featuring keynote speakers from the World Health Organization and EUFOREA, this initiative had the following aims: (1) promoting dialogue on translating …

A Comparison Of F/Taf And F/Tdf As Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis In A Predominantly Cisgender Women Population In East And South Africa: A Randomised, Factorial, Non-Inferiority Trial, Sheena Mccormack, David Dunn, Sylvia Kusemererwa, Patricia Munseri, Nishanta Singh, Wiston William, Gertrude Mutonyi, Henry Bern, Lauriane Goldwirt, Cherry Kingsley, Arne Kkroidl, Christian Holm Hansen, Song Ding, Rachel Kawuma, Mary Amondi, Ubaldo Bahemuka, Deus Buma, Daniel Clutterbuck, Zakir Gaffoor, Angus Jennings, Agricola Joachim, Ayoub Kakande, Berna Kalanzi, Abisai Kisinda, Mabela Matsoso, Thomas Miller, Neetha Mmedsci Morar, Jacqueline Musau, Jane Nabbuto, Ayanda Nzuza, Doreen Pamba, Simona Salomone, Thandiwe Sithole, Edith Tarimo, Kubashni Woeber, Kundai Chinyenze, Glenda Gray, Eligius Lyamuya, Muhammad Bakari, Said Aboud, Lucas Maganga, Gustavo Doncel, Janet Seeley, Jonathan Weber, Pontiano Kaleebu, Julie Fox, Eugene Ruzagira, On Behalf Of The Prepvacc Study Group

CONRAD Publications

Background:

F/TAF was shown to be non-inferior to F/TDF as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in men, but approval was not extended to cisgender women. We report the results of PrEPVacc, in which a predominantly female population was randomly allocated to receive daily oral F/TDF or F/TAF for ∼6 months within a HIV-1 prophylactic vaccine trial.

Setting:

Five study sites in three African countries (Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa).

Methods:

The two regimens were compared by the averted infections ratio (AIR) - the proportion of infections averted by F/TAF relative to F/TDF. The counterfactual HIV incidence, an essential component of this metric, was …