Diseases Commons^™

Complications Of Ovarian Metastases From Well-Differentiated Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Focus On Bowel And Ureteral Obstruction, Sydney J. Wellens, Nicholas J. Skill, Kevin M. Sullivan, Mary A. Maluccio, Kristen E. Limbach

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Ovarian metastasis from small bowel neuroendocrine neoplasms (SBNENs) was traditionally considered rare, but more recent series have suggested a higher prevalence. This case series seeks to examine the features and outcomes of patients with neuroendocrine ovarian metastases (NOM). Female patients with histologically confirmed well-differentiated SBNENs were identified using a prospectively maintained database (2014–2024). The electronic medical record was reviewed for details of diagnosis, histopathology, biomarkers, and outcomes among patients with and without NOM. 175 patients met inclusion criteria. 35 patients (20 %) had ovarian metastasis; for this group, 31.4 % had small bowel obstruction only, 5.7 % had ureteral obstruction …

Comparison Of Anterior And Posterior Surgical Approaches For Cervical Ossification Of The Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Stratified By Spinal Levels: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Seyed Danial Alizadeh, Sepehr Khosravi, Farzin Farahbakhsh, Vali Baigi, Moein Khormali, Mohsen Hajiqasemi, Zahra Eskandari, Mahgol Sadat Hassan Zadeh Tabatabaei, Amirmahdi Khayyamfar, Mohammad-Rasoul Jalalifar, Sepehr Armaghan, Masoud Pourghahramani Koltapeh, Zahra Ghodsi, Michael G. Fehlings, Alex R. Vaccaro, Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar

Rothman Institute Papers

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of anterior and posterior surgical approaches for treating cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament across multiple spinal levels, including 1-2 spinal levels, ≥ 3 levels, or studies that operated on both spinal levels, called mixed spinal levels.

METHODS: A search strategy using pertinent keywords was employed in the MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Data on Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scores, radiographic outcomes, and complications were extracted. A random-effects meta-analysis, subgroup meta-analysis, and sensitivity analysis were performed.

RESULTS: Among 13 included studies, the anterior approach was statistically associated with improved C2-C7 …

A Case Of Granuloma Annulare Mimicking Candidal Intertrigo In The Groin, Scotty Smith, Patrice Perche, Leonard Gately

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign, non-infectious granulomatous skin condition of uncertain etiology, often presenting as annular erythematous plaques. While commonly localized to the hands and feet, GA has multiple clinical variants and can mimic other dermatologic conditions, leading to diagnostic challenges. We report a rare case of GA localized to the inguinal region in a 55-year-old female initially treated empirically for candidal intertrigo without improvement. Biopsy demonstrated interstitial histiocytic infiltrates dissecting between collagen bundles with increased dermal mucin, confirming a diagnosis of interstitial GA. The patient was subsequently treated with triamcinolone 0.1% ointment and hydroxychloroquine 200 mg twice daily …

Neighborhood Social Cohesion Associated With Chronic Liver Disease Prevalence And All-Cause Mortality, Tiange P. Zhang, Jennifer L. Dodge, Divya Ayyala-Somayajula, Norah A. Terrault

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Background and Aims: Neighborhood social cohesion (NSC)—the degree of trust and solidarity within a community—may influence health through multiple pathways including shaping healthy norms, perception of safety, and stress. Whether NSC influences chronic liver disease (CLD) prevalence and associated mortality in the United States is unknown. Methods: Using 172,047 adults from the 2013–2018 National Health Interview Survey with linkage to National Death Index mortality data, NSC was measured using questions on help availability, accountability, trustworthiness, and connectedness among neighbors, with composite scores (4–16) categorized as minimal (4–7), low (8–10), moderate (11–13), and high (14–16). Logistic and Cox regression tested the …

Multimodal Reprogramming Of The Tumor Microenvironment By Mmr And Dual Checkpoint Blockade In Hepatocellular Carcinoma Models, Mulu Z. Tesfay, Aleksandra Cios, Khandoker Usran Ferdous, Randal S. Shelton, Bahaa Mustafa, Camila C. Simoes, Murat Gokden, Isabelle R. Miousse, Kimberly J. Krager, Marjan Boerma, Alicja Urbaniak, Anuradha Kunthur, Sri Obulareddy, Joshua M. Eichhorn, Steven R. Post, Jean Christopher Chamcheu, Omeed Moaven, Chiswili Y. Chabu, Dan G. Duda, Matteo Conti, Bruno Nardo, Rang Govindarajan, Martin E. Fernandez-Zapico, Lewis R. Roberts, Mitesh J. Borad, Martin J. Cannon, Alexei G. Basnakian, Bolni M. Nagalo

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, thus, there is an urgent need to develop more effective therapeutic options for this dismal condition. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are associated with improved response to immune checkpoint blockade in HCC, but their low abundance in most cases limits their therapeutic efficacy. Here, we demonstrate, in mice, that low-dose intratumoral immunovirotherapy with the trivalent measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) induces superior tumor-growth delay and extended host survival compared to individually administered vaccines for measles, mumps, or rubella viruses. Further, our results show that MMR therapy synergizes with PD-1 and …

Clinical Utility Of Diffusion Tensor Imaging In Sport-Related Concussion: A Systematic Review, Shiv Patil, Rithvik Kata, Serhat Aydin, Mert Karabacak, Konstantinos Margetis, Sotirios Bisdas

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

OBJECTIVE: Sport-related concussion (SRC) is a prevalent form of traumatic brain injury that is associated with long-term neurological and psychiatric impairment, particularly among athletes with a history of repetitive concussions. The biological variability of SRC's impact on the brain, as well as a lack of objective biomarkers to diagnose and prognosticate concussion, has prompted interest in advanced neuroimaging methods such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). By measuring disruptions in water diffusivity due to head trauma, DTI can detect alterations in white matter integrity that are not visualized by conventional imaging methods. This systematic review aims to synthesize major trends and …

Failure To Rescue After Surgery For Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review And Narrative Synthesis Of Risk Factors And Safety Strategies, Masashi Uramatsu, Yoshikazu Fujisawa, Paul Barach, Hiroaki Osakabe, Moe Matsumoto, Yuichi Nagakawa

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

Background: Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as death after major postoperative complications, is a critical quality indicator in pancreatic cancer surgery. Despite advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care, FTR rates remain high and vary across institutions. Methods: This systematic review uses a narrative synthesis followed by PRISMA 2020. A PubMed search (1992-2025) identified 83 studies; after screening, 52 studies (2010-2025) were included. Eligible designs were registry-based, multicenter, single-center, or prospective audits. Given substantial heterogeneity in study designs, FTR definitions, and outcome measures, a narrative synthesis was performed; no formal risk-of-bias assessment or meta-analysis was conducted. Results: …

Treatment Of Biopsy-Proven Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Situ, Praneet C. Kaki, Aman M. Patel, Lily Huang, Gavin Turner, Afash Haleem, Jason A. Brant, Robert M. Brody, Ryan M. Carey

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of clinical surveillance, primary radiotherapy, and primary surgery on overall survival (OS) in laryngeal carcinoma in situ (Cis).

METHODS: The 2006-2020 National Cancer Database was queried for adults with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of laryngeal Cis. Multivariable binary logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models were implemented.

RESULTS: Of 3567 unique patients satisfying inclusion criteria, 514 (14.4%) underwent clinical surveillance, 1074 (30.1%) underwent primary radiotherapy, and 1979 (55.5%) underwent primary surgery. Receiving treatment at an academic/research facility was associated with higher odds of undergoing primary surgery compared to primary radiotherapy. Among 646 patients undergoing primary surgery …

Methemoglobinemia-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction In A Pediatric Patient, Brian Drury, Chelsea Boyd, Kelsey Van Housen, Siraj Amanullah

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Methemoglobinemia is a rare congenital or acquired cause of functional anemia resulting from oxidation of hemoglobin. Prompt recognition and treatment are critical to prevent tissue hypoxia and end-organ injury. While other complications are well described, cardiac dysfunction is rarely reported—especially in children. We present what, to our knowledge, is the first known case of methemoglobinemia-induced transient cardiac dysfunction—or “myocardial stunning— in a pediatric patient. This case underscores the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion and assessing cardiac involvement in such patients. Early intervention can lead to full recovery and prevent long-term sequelae, even in the presence of multiorgan …

Infective Endocarditis And Meningitis In A Healthy Newborn Without Underlying Heart Disease, Due To Streptococcus Agalactiae - A Case Report., Dalal Siddig Idris, Muath Mohammed Al Ghamdi, Maria Laura Bellovalls, Mohammed Fararjeh

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Streptococcus Agalactiae endocarditis is a rare clinical entity in newborns with a normal structured heart. It is generally characterized by acute onset, the presence of large vegetations, rapid valvular destruction and frequent complications, particularly embolization. Mortality is high with medical therapy alone. We are reporting a rare case of infective endocarditis (IE) with mitral valve vegetation in a 9-day old healthy newborn following Streptococcus Agalactiae sepsis, complicated by meningitis and micro-abscesses. Mitral valve (MV) vegetation was removed surgically; the patient received intravenous antibiotics for six weeks. Transthoracic echocardiography after surgery showed severe MV regurgitation and severe pulmonary hypertension which was …

A Supplement, Not A Substitute: Accuracy And Completeness Of Chatgpt Responses For Common Elbow Pathology, Benjamin Fiedler, Umar Ghilzai, Abdullah Ghali, Phillip Goldman, Pablo Coello, Michael B Gottschalk, Eric R Wagner, Adil Shahzad Ahmed

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Hypothesis: Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT have increasingly been used as online resources for patients with orthopedic conditions. Yet there is a paucity of information assessing the ability of LLMs to accurately and completely answer patient questions. The present study comparatively assessed both ChatGPT 3.5 and GPT-4 responses to frequently asked questions on common elbow pathologies, scoring for accuracy and completeness. It was hypothesized that ChatGPT 3.5 and GPT-4 would demonstrate high levels of accuracy for the specific query asked, but some responses would lack completeness, and GPT-4 would yield more accurate and complete responses than ChatGPT 3.5.

Methods: …

Robotic Ureteral Reconstruction For Endometriosis-Induced Strictures: Insights From A Multi-Institutional Experience, Matthew Lee, Sonam Saxena, Kelley Zhao, Cameron Dodd, Randall Lee, Michael Stifelman, Lee Zhao, Daniel D. Eun

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: To investigate outcomes of robotic ureteral reconstruction (RUR) in female patients with ureteral strictures caused by peri-ureteral endometriosis lesions.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our multi-institutional Collaborative of Reconstructive Robotic Ureteral Surgery (CORRUS) database to identify all consecutive patients undergoing RUR for surgical management of endometriosis-induced ureteral strictures between 2017 and 2022. Indications for surgery included female patients with radiographic evidence of ureteral strictures and/or decreasing renal function on renal scan. We performed a descriptives analysis of perioperative outcomes in patients who met inclusion criteria. Surgical success was defined as freedom from additional interventions for recurrent ureteral stenosis.

RESULTS: Overall, …

Expansion Of Hand Trauma Transfers At A Level 1 Trauma Center Following Integration With The Assh Hand Trauma Center Network, William Delahoussaye, Madeline Gautreaux, Patrick A. Palines, Ramin Shekouhi, Kelly L. Babineaux

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Purpose: This study sought to evaluate how joining the National Hand Trauma Center Network (NHTCN) affected the volume, demographics, and severity of hand trauma transfers to our institution. Methods: Data for this study were collected retrospectively over a 6-year period from 2016 to 2021 from our institutional trauma registry. Patients were selected based on the criterion of being transferred to our facility because of isolated hand trauma. Analyses of transfer rates, transfer distance, sending facilities, injury patterns, insurance type, path of care, and hospital charges prior to and after joining the NHTCN were performed. Results: There was a total of …

Dual Membrane Receptor Degradation Via Folate Receptor Targeting Chimera, Zhen Wang, Zhixin Li, Jenny Högström, Hiroyuki Inuzuka, Rui Jing, Peiqiang Yan, Tao Hou, Yihang Qi, Daoyuan Huang, Jingchao Wang, Ting Wu, Xiaoying Shi, Bolin Liu, Taru Muranen, Dingpeng Zhang, Wenyi Wei

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Cancer drug resistance poses a significant challenge in oncology, often driven by intricate cross-talk among membrane-bound receptors that compromise mono-targeted therapies. We develop a dual membrane receptor degradation strategy leveraging Folate Receptor α (FRα) to address this issue. Folate Receptor α Targeting Chimeras-dual (FolTAC-dual) are engineered degraders designed to selectively and simultaneously degrade distinct receptor pairs: (1) EGFR/HER2 and (2) PD-L1/VISTA. Through modular optimization of modality configurations and geometries, we identify the “string” format as the most effective construct. Mechanistic studies demonstrate an ~85% increase in EGFR-binding affinity compared to the conventional knob-into-hole design, likely contributing to the improved efficiency …

High Occurrence Of Long Bone Nonunion : Assessing Significant Biological Risk Factors And Management Results, Bimo Sasono, Aldy Dion

Journal of Health Research

Background: A comprehensive study evaluated the risk of nonunion per fracture in a population of over four million adults and determined that rates vary depending on patients' risk factors, nonunion rates can reach in excess of 10%. This study aims to address the issue by scrutinizing the demographic characteristics of patients, pinpointing the biological risk factors for long bone nonunion and evaluating the nonunion management effectiveness.

Methods: This analytical, observational retrospective cohort study used medical record data from a regional hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia (2020–2023), involving 147 eligible patients. Data were analyzed using logistic regression with a significance level of …

Two-Staged Lateral Based Thenar Flap For Fingertip Injuries Of Index And Middle Fingers –A Functional Outcome, Srinivas Pamarthi, Pooja Mannela, Saiphanindra Malladhi

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Introduction:

Fingertip injuries, particularly of the index and middle fingers, account for major accidents which occur in industrial regions due to machinery usage, causing sharp cuts or crush injuries of the tips. The treatment of these fingertip injuries previously was amputation and stump closure. As the advancement of flaps occurred, there came many flaps mentioned to treat these tip injuries. Many of these flaps had failed to provide the same functional and aesthetic outcome following surgery. This study aims at assessing laterally-based thenar flap for tip injuries of index and middle fingers for its aesthetic and functional outcome.

Methods:

This …

International Headache Society Evidence-Based Guidelines On The Use Of Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Devices For The Acute And Preventive Treatment Of Migraine, Hsiangkuo Yuan, Serena L. Orr, Mohammad A. M. Al-Karagholi, Messoud Ashina, Fred Cohen, Hans-Christoph Diener, David W. Dodick, Rigmor Højland Jensen, Michael J. Marmura, Daniele Martinelli, Manjit S. Matharu, Anja S. Petersen, Patricia Pozo-Rosich, Simona Sacco, Lucy Simmonds, Cristina Tassorelli, Stewart J. Tepper, Gisela M. Terwindt, Shuu-Jiun Wang, Jiunn-Tyng Yeh, Stephen D. Silberstein

Department of Jefferson Headache Center Papers and Presentations

ObjectiveTo develop evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for non-invasive neuromodulation devices in acute and preventive migraine treatment.MethodsA systematic review was conducted across six databases from 1946 to April 2025. Randomized controlled trials evaluating Food and Drug Administration-cleared or Conformité Européenne (CE)-marked non-invasive neuromodulation devices were included. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, and recommendations were developed through consensus following GRADE Evidence-to-Decision frameworks. The working group comprised 15 senior members and six junior members.ResultsFrom 1536 initial records, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria and were finally used to develop evidence-based recommendations. …

Neuronal Activity-Dependent Gene Dysregulation In C9orf72 I3neuronal Models Of Als/Ftd Pathogenesis, Layla T. Ghaffari, Emily A. Welebob, Sarah E. Bond Newton, Ashley V. Boehringer, Kelly L. Cyliax, Piera Pasinelli, Davide Trotti, Aaron R. Haeusler

Farber Institute for Neuroscience Faculty Papers

The GGGGCC nucleotide repeat expansion (NRE) mutation in the C9ORF72 (C9) gene is the most common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Neuronal activity plays an essential role in shaping biological processes within both healthy and neurodegenerative disease scenarios. Here, we show that at baseline conditions, C9-NRE-induced pluripotent stem cell-cortical neurons display aberrations in several pathways, including synaptic signaling and transcriptional machinery, potentially priming diseased neurons for an altered response to neuronal stimulation. Indeed, exposure to two pathophysiologically relevant stimulation modes, prolonged membrane depolarization or a blockade of K⁺ channels, followed by RNA sequencing, induces …

Migraine-Related Disability According To Headache Frequency Subclassifications: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Manjit Singh Matharu, Stephen Silberstein, Hsiangkuo Yuan, Deborah Edgar, Roos Colman, Todd Schwedt, Michel Lanteri-Minet, Mark Obermann

Department of Jefferson Headache Center Papers and Presentations

BackgroundThis systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized migraine-related disability outcomes according to headache frequency subclassifications, including low-frequency episodic migraine (LFEM), high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) and chronic migraine (CM).MethodsWe searched the PubMed and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) up to 16 October 2024 for peer-reviewed non-interventional studies reporting migraine-related disability outcomes in CM and subclassifications of episodic migraine (e.g. LFEM and HFEM). Eligible studies with an HFEM subgroup were grouped by headache frequency measure (monthly migraine days [MMD] or monthly headache days [MHD]), HFEM subgroup, disability parameter and study setting. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted on groups with three or more studies, with the results …

What Community Members With Chronic Illness Teach Future Healthcare Professionals In A Longitudinal Interprofessional Education Program: A Focus Group Study, Rachel White, Maria Brucato, Amber King, Anne B. Mitchell, Nethra S. Ankam

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Nearly 50% of Americans have at least one chronic illness. Preparing future healthcare providers for interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) and person-centred care through community-based interprofessional education (IPE) can improve outcomes for this growing population. Partial programme theories predict that patients' participation as teachers in health professions education contributes to students' development of patient-centredness. Role theory asserts that behaviours are shaped by assigned roles; therefore, community members with chronic illness who assume roles of health mentors in an IPE curriculum are predicted to teach students about their patient experiences. Yet, this teaching outcome and the lessons health mentors teach in …

Progress In Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis, Jesse Roman

Rothman Institute Papers

No abstract provided.

Concurrent Local Therapy Extends Clinical Benefit Of Tebentafusp In Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Patients, Tristan L. Lim, Kamaneh Montazeri, Eric Wehrenberg-Klee, Antoine Desilets, Rino S. Seedor, Marlana Orloff, Takami Sato, Michael Caplan, Mariam El-Ashmawy, Benjamin Izar, Shaheer Khan, Inderjit Mehmi, Aleigha Lawless, Theodore S. Hong, Omid Hamid, Richard D. Carvajal, Alexander Shoushtari, Ryan J. Sullivan

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Tebentafusp has significantly improved overall survival in HLA-A*02:01+ metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) patients even in those with a best objective response of progressive disease. Thus, strategies to maintain tebentafusp therapy are critical. Here, we examine the efficacy and safety of adding concurrent local therapy (CLT) to tebentafusp upon radiological progression with tebentafusp alone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included mUM patients treated with tebentafusp and CLT, consisting of extrahepatic soft tissue irradiation and liver-directed therapies (LDTs). Efficacy of target and nontarget sites were assessed per RECIST version 1.1. PFS with tebentafusp alone (PFS1) was compared to that …

Escape Of Kdm6a From X Chromosome Is Detrimental To Ischemic Brains Via Irf5 Signaling, Conelius Ngwa, Afzal Misrani, Kanaka Valli Manyam, Yan Xu, Shaohua Qi, Romana Sharmeen, Juneyoung Lee, Long-Jun Wu, Louise Mccullough, Fudong Liu

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

The role of chromatin biology and epigenetics in disease progression is gaining increasing recognition. Genes that escape X chromosome inactivation (XCI) can impact neuroinflammation through epigenetic mechanisms. Our previous study has suggested that the X escapee genes Kdm6a and Kdm5c are involved in microglial activation after stroke in aged mice. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that Kdm6a/5c demethylate H3K27Me3/H3K4Me3 in microglia, respectively, and mediate the transcription of interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) and IRF4, leading to microglial pro-inflammatory responses and exacerbated stroke injury. Aged (17–20 months) Kdm6a/5c microglial conditional knockout (CKO) female mice (one allele of the …

Diabetes-Related Foot Complications And Socioeconomic Influences Among Hispanic Males In South Texas: A Scoping Review, Mariana J. Rodriguez, Demian Rodriguez, Amanda Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. and 6th in Texas. South Texas counties have higher diabetes rates than state and national averages. This complex, progressive disease affects multiple body systems and can lead to serious complications, especially in the lower extremities. Uncontrolled diabetes is often associated with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), foot infections, and lower extremity amputations (LEA). South Texas, predominantly Hispanic American, is disproportionately affected. This demographic faces clinical barriers due to a lack of cultural understanding, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive healthcare workers such as promotoras. This study aimed to …

Implementing A Sepsis Questionnaire To Reduce Readmissions…A Health Plan’S Experience, Vernita L. Kelley

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition with high readmission risk, threatening patient recovery and survival. In the managed care organization (MCO) where this DNP project was implemented, sepsis ranks among the top five readmission diagnoses. The organization's 30-day readmission rate of 15.5% is substantially higher than the benchmark of 9.29%, highlighting a clinical quality issue, a strain on patient outcomes, and a strain on healthcare resources.

Aim of the Project: This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to reduce sepsis readmissions by embedding a sepsis questionnaire into case management workflows to identify clinical risks and social determinants of health, improve transitions, …

Therapeutic Silencing Of Integrin Α11 Attenuates Myofibroblast Activation In Vocal Fold Fibrosis, Linh P. Schiffer, Ryan M. Friedman, Yashna Gupta, Riccardo Gottardi

Annual Student Research Poster Session

Vocal fold scarring (VFS), a fibrotic condition of the lamina propria, commonly results from prolonged intubation or laryngeal trauma and leads to impaired vocal function and often irreversible dysphonia. Following injury, fibroblasts are activated by proinflammatory cytokines—particularly transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1)—which induces their differentiation into contractile, ECM-producing myofibroblasts. A key marker of this activation is alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA). Among the drivers of this fibrotic response is integrin α11β1, a collagen-binding transmembrane protein encoded by the ITGA11 gene. ITGA11 has been implicated in multiple fibrotic diseases due to its role in enhancing TGFβ1 signaling and promoting myofibroblast activation. …

Diabetes-Related Foot Complications And Socioeconomic Influences Among Hispanic Males In South Texas: A Scoping Review, Mariana J. Rodriguez, Demian Rodriguez, Amanda L. Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is the 7^th leading cause of death in the United States and is 6^th in the state of Texas. Counties from South Texas are primarily affected with higher rates of diabetes than both the state and national average. Diabetes mellitus is a complex and progressive disease which can affect multiple systems of the body, leading to serious complications if untreated, especially in the lower extremities. Uncontrolled diabetes is often associated with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), foot infections, and lower extremity amputations (LEA). South Texas is a region predominantly populated by Hispanic Americans who are disproportionally …

A Case-Based Video Review Of Arteriovenous Fistulae, Jonathan J. Russin, Stavropoula Tjoumakaris, Mika Niemela, Erez Nossek, Jeffrey Steinberg, Sepideh Amin-Hanjani

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Corneal Sensory Nerve Regulation Of Tear Production Through Stimulation Of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 8 (Trpm8) Channel: A Potential New Approach For Treating Dry Eye Disease, Juana Gallar, Stephen Pflugfelder, Anat Galor, Preeya K Gupta, Pedram Hamrah

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The lacrimal functional unit (LFU) tightly controls the secretion of all tear components, thus playing a critical role in maintaining ocular surface homeostasis. Forming an exquisitely sensitive neural network across the ocular surface, corneal sensory nerves detect environmental stimuli (e.g., temperature, chemicals, and mechanical pressure) through transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels. Among these, TRP melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is a key regulator of basal tear production. Stimulated by the small temperature reductions and tear film osmolarity increases that arise due to evaporative cooling, TRPM8 activates the LFU, leading to increased basal tear production. Here, we focus on reviewing the topical …

Aging Affects Lipid Homeostasis In Lacrimal Glands By Upregulating Lipogenesis And Changing Its Specificity, Seher Yuksel, Prashant Kumar, Sydney E Krenz, Kaitlin K Scholand, Zhiyuan Yu, Anastasiia Ivanova, Helen P Makarenkova, Sarah F Hamm-Alvarez, Igor A Butovich, Cintia S De Paiva

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose: The lacrimal gland (LG) develops age-related alterations. This study investigated the lipid content of the accumulated secretions within the murine aged LG.

Methods: C57BL/6J animals of different ages (3 months, 12 months, and 20-26 months) were used. Published data of bulk RNA sequencing of aged LGs were used to investigate lipid pathways. Exorbital LGs were excised for histology or PCR. Histologic sections were stained with standard histochemical stains or immunostained using anti-adiponectin, anti-perilipin 2 antibodies, and BODIPY dye. LG lipidomes were investigated using unbiased, untargeted high-resolution liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), and the data were processed using unbiased, untargeted principal …