Medical Specialties Commons^™

Colchicine, Covid-19 And Hematological Parameters: A Meta-Analysis, Musharraf Sarwar, Zahid Ali, Mahnoor Fatima, Zouina Sarfraz, Azza Sarfraz, Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Introduction: Colchicine has the potential in reducing patient morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 infection owing to its anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to determine the efficacy of colchicine in optimizing inflammatory hematological biomarker levels among COVID-19 patients.
Methods: In accordance to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement guidelines, a systematic search was conducted using the following keywords: Colchicine, covid*, SARS-CoV-2, anti-inflammatory, trials, clinical, hematological, laboratory. Databases were searched from December 2019 until August 26, 2021: MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus, and EMBASE. Other sources were located through ClinicalTrials.Gov, manually searching SAGE, Science Direct, Elsevier, …

Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia: Current Management Options, Burden And Unmet Needs, Terry G J Derks, David F Rodriguez-Buritica, Ayesha Ahmad, Foekje De Boer, María L Couce, Sarah C Grünert, Philippe Labrune, Nerea López Maldonado, Carolina Fischinger Moura De Souza, Rebecca Riba-Wolman, Alessandro Rossi, Heather Saavedra, Rupal Naik Gupta, Vassili Valayannopoulos, John Mitchell

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSDIa) is caused by defective glucose-6-phosphatase, a key enzyme in carbohydrate metabolism. Affected individuals cannot release glucose during fasting and accumulate excess glycogen and fat in the liver and kidney, putting them at risk of severe hypoglycaemia and secondary metabolic perturbations. Good glycaemic/metabolic control through strict dietary treatment and regular doses of uncooked cornstarch (UCCS) is essential for preventing hypoglycaemia and long-term complications. Dietary treatment has improved the prognosis for patients with GSDIa; however, the disease itself, its management and monitoring have significant physical, psychological and psychosocial burden on individuals and parents/caregivers. Hypoglycaemia risk persists …

Replication Stress Response Defects Are Associated With Response To Immune Checkpoint Blockade In Nonhypermutated Cancers, Daniel J Mcgrail, Patrick G Pilié, Hui Dai, Truong Nguyen Anh Lam, Yulong Liang, Leonie Voorwerk, Marleen Kok, Xiang H-F Zhang, Jeffrey M Rosen, Amy B Heimberger, Christine B Peterson, Eric Jonasch, Shiaw-Yih Lin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Treatment with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has resulted in durable responses for a subset of patients with cancer, with predictive biomarkers for ICB response originally identified largely in the context of hypermutated cancers. Although recent clinical data have demonstrated clinical responses to ICB in certain patients with nonhypermutated cancers, previously established ICB response biomarkers have failed to accurately identify which of these patients may benefit from ICB. Here, we demonstrated that a replication stress response (RSR) defect gene expression signature, but not other proposed biomarkers, is associated with ICB response in 12 independent cohorts of patients with nonhypermutated cancer across …

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 92), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

The Factors Influencing Cesarean-Section Rates-A Narrative Review From Pakistan, Bakhtawar M H. Khowaja, Farida Bibi Mughal, Komal Valliani

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

The significant increase in the rate of cesarean section is a major public health issue. The World Health Organization recommends C-section rates not to be greater than 10% and not lower than 5% as both the indicated limits can adversely affect maternal and newborn health. The rate of C-section deliveries is 22% according to recent Pakistan demographics and Health Survey of 2017-2018. This study contributes to the existing literature by examining the factors influencing high C-section rates in Pakistan. A narrative review of published literature between 2000 to 2020, on “factors influencing C-section rates in Pakistan” was done. The findings …

Stroke Care In Pakistan, Anjum Farooq, Narayanaswamy Venketasubramanian, Mohammad Wasay

Section of Neurology

Increasing incidence of stroke and lack of infrastructure in both urban and rural areas needs immediate attention in Pakistan. There is a high proportion of young stroke with poor stroke outcomes. Acute stroke care is scarce in Pakistan due to the small number of neurologists (1 neurologist per 1 million population), few stroke units, and limited availability of alteplase (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator) in the country.

Metastatic Choriocarcinoma In A Young Woman Presenting As Thyroid Storm: A Case Report, Muhammad Saleem, Sher Sethi, Abrar Ali, Zareen Kiran,

Department of Medicine

Background: Thyroid storm is an endocrine emergency and life-threatening condition discovered in 1926. There is no specific laboratory parameter that can differentiate or distinguish between thyroid storm and primary hyperthyroidism. Diagnosis is made on a clinical scoring system, including the Burch-Wartofsky point scale and Japanese Thyroid Association scoring system. The management is early diagnosis, immediate initiation of anti-thyroid medications, intensive care monitoring, and prevention of multiorgan failure.
Case presentation: A 30-year-old Pakistani female presented with complaint of headache, vomiting, and generalized weakness for 3 weeks. She had an episode of seizure-like activity at home, and so was rushed to the …

Pharmacy Students As Volunteer Medical Staff For American Diabetes Association Summer Camp, Emily Harvath

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

For children living with a diagnosis of diabetes, com-munity support and education about proper disease management are critical for the mental and physical health of the child and their family. The experiences offered at summer camps hosted by the American Diabetes Association address both of these needs for the pediatric diabetes community. These camps provide children with the opportunity to participate in a traditional camp experience—swimming, rock climbing, tubing, and more—while giving parents peace of mind in the knowledge that their child’s diabetes will be closely monitored by a team of health care professionals. During my time as volunteer medical …

Super-Resolution Microscopy Reveals Photoreceptor-Specific Subciliary Location And Function Of Ciliopathy-Associated Protein Cep290, Valencia L Potter, Abigail R Moye, Michael A Robichaux, Theodore G Wensel

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Mutations in the cilium-associated protein CEP290 cause retinal degeneration as part of multiorgan ciliopathies or as retina-specific diseases. The precise location and the functional roles of CEP290 within cilia and, specifically, the connecting cilia (CC) of photoreceptors, remain unclear. We used super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy to localize CEP290 in the CC and in the primary cilia of cultured cells with subdiffraction resolution and to determine effects of CEP290 deficiency in 3 mutant models. Radially, CEP290 localizes in close proximity to the microtubule doublets in the region between the doublets and the ciliary membrane. Longitudinally, it is distributed throughout …

Evaluation The Effectiveness Of Abridged Imnci (7-Day) Course V Standard (11-Day) Course In Pakistan, Shabina Ariff, Kamran Sadiq, Uswa Jiwani, Khalil Ahmad, Khadija N Humayun, Shakeel Ahmed, Shaikh Qamaruddin Nizami, Iqtidar Khan, Nabeela Ali, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: The conventional IMCI training for healthcare providers is delivered in 11 days, which can be expensive and disruptive to the normal clinical routines of the providers. An equally effective, shorter training course may address these challenges.
Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study in two provinces (Sindh and Punjab) of Pakistan. 104 healthcare providers were conveniently selected to receive either the abridged (7-day) or the standard (11-day) training. Knowledge and clinical skills of the participants were assessed before, immediately on conclusion of, and six months after the training.
Results: The improvement in mean knowledge scores of the 7-day and 11-day …

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 91), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Health And Economic Benefits Of Achieving Hepatitis C Virus Elimination In Pakistan: A Modelling Study And Economic Analysis, Aaron G. Lim, Nick Scott, Josephine G. Walker, Saeed Hamid, Margaret Hellard, Peter Vickerman

Section of Gastroenterology

Background: Modelling suggests that achieving the WHO incidence target for hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination in Pakistan could cost US$3.87 billion over 2018 to 2030. However, the economic benefits from integrating services or improving productivity were not included.
Methods and findings: We adapt a HCV transmission model for Pakistan to estimate the impact, costs, and cost-effectiveness of achieving HCV elimination (reducing annual HCV incidence by 80% by 2030) with stand-alone service delivery, or partially integrating one-third of initial HCV testing into existing healthcare services. We estimate the net economic benefits by comparing the required investment in screening, treatment, and healthcare …

Refining A Postpandemic Approach To Cancer Screening, Michael A. Thompson

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

In introducing Volume 8, Issue 4 of Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews — a specially themed issue comprised of several works focused on improving cancer screening processes in clinical practice — JPCRR editor and hematologist/oncologist Michael Thompson reflects on the current state of various screening modalities and how the pandemic has already begun to shape ongoing research in this area. A delicate balance must be struck between avoiding overtesting or overdiagnosis and identifying the presence of malignant tumors early enough to allow for successful treatment.

Improving Cancer Screening Rates In Primary Care Via Practice Facilitation And Academic Detailing: A Multi-Pbrn Quality Improvement Project, Christopher P. Morley, Laura A. Schad, Laurene M. Tumiel-Berhalter, Laura A. Brady, Alexandrea Bentham, Karen Vitale, Amanda Norton, Gary Noronha, Carlos Swanger

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: In the United States, cancer screening rates are often below national targets. This project implemented practice facilitation and academic detailing aimed at increasing breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening rates in safety-net primary care practices.

Methods: Three practice-based research networks across western and central New York State partnered to provide quality improvement strategies on breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. Pre/postintervention screening rates for all participating practices were collected annually, as were means across all practices over 7 years. Simple ordinary least squares linear regression was used to calculate the trend for each cancer type and test for statistical …

Patient-Centered Home Cancer Screening Attitudes During Covid-19 Pandemic, Christelle El Khoury, Elizabeth Haro, Martha Alves, Marie Claire O'Dwyer, Kate Meixner, Laura Crespo Albiac, J Nicoll Capizzano, Manasi Ramakrishnan, Cullen Salada, Sherri Sheinfeld Gorin, Masahito Jimbo, Ananda Sen, Diane M. Harper

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health care delivery of cancer screenings. The primary aim of our work was to evaluate the degree to which populations were accepting of home-based screenings for colorectal cancer (CRC) and cervical cancer (ie, primary human papillomavirus [HPV] testing). Three groups of adults having distinct health burdens that may affect acceptance of home-based cancer screening were identified through outpatient electronic medical records: those having survived a COVID-19 hospitalization; those having been positive for a non-COVID-19 respiratory illness; or those having type 2 diabetes. A total of 132 respondents (58% female) completed an online survey with hypothetical cases …

A Novel Code Team Leader Card To Improve Leader Identification, Palak Shah, Vinod Havalad

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Prompt and clear code team leader identification is vital in effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and pediatric trainees often have limited experience in these scenarios. This project sought to develop a tangible object that provided clear leader identification and assisted in code team management and simulated team training. A Code Team Leader Card (CTLC) was designed to provide clear leader identification while simultaneously providing a cognitive aid via integration of pediatric advanced life support (PALS) algorithms. Additionally, CTLC served to occupy the leader’s hands to limit their ability to intervene on procedural tasks. The CTLC was incorporated into pediatric resident simulation …

In Pursuit: A Mother’S Account Of Her Son’S Rare Disease Diagnosis Journey, Anne M. Jones

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

A personal account from a mother’s perspective on her undiagnosed son’s medical journey over almost 6 years toward a diagnosis of a rare genetic variant in mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 interacting protein 3 (MAPK8IP3) resulting in neurodevelopment disorder.

Conference Proceedings: Select Abstracts Presented At 2021 Advocate Aurora Health Scientific Day

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Abstracts published within this supplement were presented at the 47th annual Advocate Aurora Health Scientific Day, held virtually on May 26, 2021. This research symposium provides a forum for disseminating results from studies conducted by faculty, fellows, residents, and other allied health professionals associated with Midwest-based health system Advocate Aurora Health, which publishes the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews.

Strategic Priorities For Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation In The Emro Region, Syed Osman Ahmed, Riad El Fakih, Alaa Elhaddad, Amir Ali Hamidieh, Abdulghani Altbakhi, Qamar-Un-Nisa Chaudhry, Ali Bazarbachi, Salman Adil, Murtadha Al-Khabori, Tarek Ben Othman

Section of Haematology/Oncology

The World Health Organization-designated Eastern Mediterranean region (EMRO) consists of 22 countries in North Africa and Western Asia with a collective population of over 679 million. The area comprises some of the wealthiest countries per capita income and some of the poorest. The population structure is also unique and contrasts with western countries, with a much younger population. The region sits in the heart of the thalassemia belt. Many countries have a significant prevalence of sickle cell disease, and cancer is on the rise in the region. Therefore, the strategic priorities for the growth and development of hematopoietic stem cell …

Patient And Clinician Characteristics That Predict Breast Cancer Screening Behavior In 40–49-Year-Old Women, Sarina Schrager, Claudia Evaristo, Terry Little, Lori Dubenske, Elizabeth S. Burnside

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Guidelines recommend that clinicians practice shared decision-making (SDM) with women in their 40s to discuss breast cancer screening. Traditionally, SDM includes discussion of values and preferences to help determine a decision that is congruent with what the patient desires. We analyzed 54 women’s breast cancer screening decisions after a SDM conversation with their clinician. We looked at both patient and clinician characteristics that predicted whether or not a woman would get a screening mammogram. Women with a family history of breast cancer or who had a previous abnormal mammogram had higher rates of screening. Screening rates also varied widely between …

Integrating Patient-Reported Outcomes Into Clinical Genetic Testing For Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Rachele M. Hendricks-Sturrup, Robert Block, Christine Y. Lu

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and PRO measures (PROMs) are often used to help clinicians and researchers understand patients’ personal concerns, feelings, experiences, and perspectives following the implementation of an intervention. Notably, PROs and PROMs can inform health systems, health policy, and payers on the utility of clinical genetic testing based on each patient’s personal values, perspectives, and potential health behaviors subsequent to testing. In this topic synopsis, we discuss the underexplored role of and implications for PROs and PROMs following genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), an autosomal dominant genetic disorder of cholesterol metabolism that can lead to highly premature fatal …

Computer-Assisted Analysis Of Oral Antifungal Therapy In Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Airway Mycosis: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis, Evan Li, Michael Scheurer, Farrah Kheradmand, Amber U Luong, David B Corry

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Environmental fungi are etiologically related to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with airway mycosis, but their infectious role remains uncertain, in part because of potentially inadequate methods of disease quantitation. Our objective was to determine objective radiographic and symptomatic outcomes of oral antifungal therapy in adult patients with CRS and airway mycosis by using computer-assisted analysis. We conducted a retrospective study of 65 patients with CRS and culture-proven airway mycosis in a single-center referral-based academic practice, comparing paired sinus computed tomography (CT) scans and symptom scores prior to and during chronic oral antifungal therapy using computer-assisted analysis of sino-mucosal area (CAASMA). A …

Assessment Of Macronutrients Consumption In The Diet Of Adolescent School Children In Four Seasons: A Longitudinal Study From An Urban City In Pakistan, Syed Hasan Raza Abidi, Aysha Almas, Abdul Ghani, Sania Sabir, Romaina Iqbal

Medical College Documents

Background: A healthy diet in the adolescence period is essential for physical, mental, and immunological development. We aimed to assess macronutrient consumption in the diet of adolescent school children using 24 h recalls in four seasons of the year.
Method: This was a longitudinal study conducted from February 2014 to June 2015. The study population included 155 school children aged 7-14 years from an urban school in Karachi. 24HR recall was conducted on 4 random days of the 4 main seasons. A food composition table was developed where the weight, calories, carbohydrate, fat, and protein content of the food items …

Covid-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis: A Case Report From The Covid-19 Surveillance Program., Mohamad Belal Aldaas, Dylan Goldsmith, Forest W. Arnold

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

A 72-year-old male was brought to the hospital following a motorcycle crash and was admitted for multiple trauma management. His initial course of hospitalization was complicated by mild hypoxemia and altered mental status. Respiratory workup and imaging were consistent with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. He completed a five-day course of remdesivir and a ten-day course of dexamethasone. Twenty days later, he developed a low-grade fever. His chest computerized tomography (CT) showed gas and fluid containing parenchymal collection in the anteromedial right middle lobe measuring up to 4.8 cm, most consistent with a pulmonary abscess. Antimicrobial treatment was started.

The patient became hypoxic …

Role Of Gut Microbiome In Covid-19: An Insight Into Pathogenesis And Therapeutic Potential, Ikram Hussain, Gabriel Liu Yuan Cher, Muhammad Abbas Abid, Muhammad Bilal Abid

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), resulted in an unprecedented global crisis. Although primarily a respiratory illness, dysregulated immune responses may lead to multi-organ dysfunction. Prior data showed that the resident microbial communities of gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts act as modulators of local and systemic inflammatory activity (the gut-lung axis). Evolving evidence now signals an alteration in the gut microbiome, brought upon either by cytokines from the infected respiratory tract or from direct infection of the gut, or both. Dysbiosis leads to a "leaky gut". The intestinal permeability then allows access to …

Neuroimaging Referral For Reassurance In Evaluation Of Headache With Low-Risk Features, Omar E. Fernandez

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A clinical decision report using:

Howard L, Wessely S, Leese M, et al. Are investigations anxiolytic or anxiogenic? A randomised controlled trial of neuroimaging to provide reassurance in chronic daily headache. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2005;76(11):1558-1564. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.2004.057851

for a patient with daily headache.

Complications And Dosing Frequency Of 5% Imiquimod For Genital Warts In A Young Man, Sebastian A. Hoak

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A clinical decision report using:

Fife KH, Ferenczy A, Douglas JM Jr, et al. Treatment of external genital warts in men using 5% imiquimod cream applied three times a week, once daily, twice daily, or three times a day. Sex Transm Dis. 2001;28(4):226-231. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007435-200104000-00007

for a patient with genital warts and an unstable social support network.

Implementation Of High Intensity Interval Training Offers Opportunity To Enhance Glycemic Control In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Emily Lau

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A clinical decision report using

Alvarez C, Ramirez-Campillo R, Martinez-Salazar C, et al. Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training as a Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes. Int J Sports Med. 2016;37(9):723-729. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-104935

for a patient with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus type 2.

Using A Single Tablet Regimen Of Darunavir, Cobicistat, Emcitrabine, And Tenofovir Alafenamide In Virally Suppressed Hiv-1 Patients Is An Adequate Treatment Option For Controlling Hiv, Priya Kathuria

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A clinical decision report using:

Orkin C, Molina JM, Negredo E, et al. Efficacy and safety of switching from boosted protease inhibitors plus emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate regimens to single-tablet darunavir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide at 48 weeks in adults with virologically suppressed HIV-1 (EMERALD): a phase 3, randomised, non-inferiority trial. Lancet HIV. 2018;5(1):e23-e34. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3018(17)30179-0

for a patient with viriologically suppressed HIV-1.

Remdesivir Has Questionable Efficacy In Patients With Severe Covid-19 Receiving High-Flow Oxygen, Gabriel Burdick

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A clinical decision report using:

Beigel JH, Tomashek KM, Dodd LE, et al. Remdesivir for the Treatment of Covid-19 — Final Report. N Engl J Med. 2020;383:1813-1826. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2007764

for a patient with severe COVID-19.