Medical Specialties Commons^™

Interventions For Treating Hyperemesis Gravidarum., Rupsa Boelig, Samantha J Barton, Gabriele Saccone, Anthony J Kelly, Steve J Edwards, Vincenzo Berghella

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy affecting 0.3% to 1.0% of pregnancies, and is one of the most common indications for hospitalization during pregnancy. While a previous Cochrane review examined interventions for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, there has not yet been a review examining the interventions for the more severe condition of hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety, of all interventions for hyperemesis gravidarum in pregnancy up to 20 weeks' gestation.

SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register and the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field's …

Parental And Staff Perspectives Of Nicu Research Procedures., Christina Freibott, Ursula Guillen, Amy Mackley, Robert Locke

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on parental perception of infant participation in minimal risk and minor increase above minimal risk research focusing on the NICU population. The study objective was to assess parental and NICU staff perceptions concerning minimal risk and minor increase above minimal risk in the NICU setting.

METHODS: Parents of infants and NICU staff were presented with a combination of 4 infant scenarios and 5 hypothetical research procedures. These assessed participants' willingness to allow their infant to participate in research and their attitude towards obligation to assist future children. Linear and hierarchal linear models analyzed the association …

Pharmacological Interventions For Painful Sickle Cell Vaso-Occlusive Crises In Adults, Tess E. Cooper, Ian R. Hambleton, Samir K. Ballas, Philip J. Wiffen

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To assess the analgesic efficacy, and adverse events, of pharmacological interventions used to treat acute painful sickle cell vaso-occlusive crises in adults, aged 18 and over, in any setting.

Estrogen Regulates Mirna Expression: Implication Of Estrogen Receptor And Mir-124/Akt2 In Tumor Growth And Angiogenesis., Cheng-Fei Jiang, Dong-Mei Li, Zhu-Mei Shi, Lin Wang, Min-Min Liu, Xin Ge, Xue Liu, Ying-Chen Qian, Yi-Yang Wen, Lin-Lin Zhen, Jie Lin, Ling-Zhi Liu, Bing-Hua Jiang

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

It is currently known that estrogen plays an important role in breast cancer (BC) development, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. Accumulating evidence has revealed important roles of microRNAs in various kinds of human cancers, including BC. In this study, we found that among the microRNAs regulated by estrogen, miR-124 was the most prominent downregulated miRNA. miR-124 was downregulated by estradiol (E2) treatment in estrogen receptor (ER) positive BC cells, miR-124 overexpression suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion in BC cells; while the suppression of miR-124 using Anti-miR-124 inhibitor had opposite cellular functions. Under the E2 treatment, …

Establishing The Feasibility Of The Dosimetric Compliance Criteria Of Rtog 1308: Phase Iii Randomized Trial Comparing Overall Survival After Photon Versus Proton Radiochemotherapy For Inoperable Stage Ii-Iiib Nsclc., Tawfik Giaddui, Wenzhou Chen, Jialu Yu, Liyong Lin, Charles B. Simone, Lulin Yuan, Yutao U.T. Gong, Q. Jackie Wu, Radhe Mohan, Xiaodong Zhang, Jaques B. Bluett, Michael Gillin, Kevin Moore, Elizabeth O'Meara, Jennifer Presley, Jeffrey D Bradley, Zhongxing Liao, James Galvin, Ying Xiao

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: To establish the feasibility of the dosimetric compliance criteria of the RTOG 1308 trial through testing against Intensity Modulation Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Passive Scattering Proton Therapy (PSPT) plans.

METHODS: Twenty-six lung IMRT and 26 proton PSPT plans were included in the study. Dose Volume Histograms (DVHs) for targets and normal structures were analyzed. The quality of IMRT plans was assessed using a knowledge-based engineering tool.

RESULTS: Most of the RTOG 1308 dosimetric criteria were achieved. The deviation unacceptable rates were less than 10 % for most criteria; however, a deviation unacceptable rate of more than 20 % was …

Utilization Of Hiv-1 Envelope V3 To Identify X4- And R5-Specific Tat And Ltr Sequence Signatures., Gregory C Antell, Will Dampier, Benjamas Aiamkitsumrit, Michael R Nonnemacher, Jeffrey M Jacobson, Vanessa Pirrone, Wen Zhong, Katherine Kercher, Shendra Passic, Jean W Williams, Gregory Schwartz, Uri Hershberg, Fred C Krebs, Brian Wigdahl

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: HIV-1 entry is a receptor-mediated process directed by the interaction of the viral envelope with the host cell CD4 molecule and one of two co-receptors, CCR5 or CXCR4. The amino acid sequence of the third variable (V3) loop of the HIV-1 envelope is highly predictive of co-receptor utilization preference during entry, and machine learning predictive algorithms have been developed to characterize sequences as CCR5-utilizing (R5) or CXCR4-utilizing (X4). It was hypothesized that while the V3 loop is predominantly responsible for determining co-receptor binding, additional components of the HIV-1 genome may contribute to overall viral tropism and display sequence signatures …

Lasers In Tattoo And Pigmentation Control: Role Of The Picosure(®) Laser System., Richard Torbeck, Richard Bankowski, Sarah Henize, Nazanin Saedi

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The use of picosecond lasers to remove tattoos has greatly improved due to the long-standing outcomes of nanosecond lasers, both clinically and histologically. The first aesthetic picosecond laser available for this use was the PicoSure(®) laser system (755/532 nm). Now that a vast amount of research on its use has been conducted, we performed a comprehensive review of the literature to validate the continued application of the PicoSure(®) laser system for tattoo removal.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A PubMed search was conducted using the term "picosecond" combined with "laser", "dermatology", and "laser tattoo removal".

RESULTS: A total …

Pessary Versus Cerclage Versus Expectant Management For Cervical Dilation With Visible Membranes In The Second Trimester., Alexis C. Gimovsky, Anju Suhag, Amanda Roman, Burton L. Rochelson, Vincenzo Berghella

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated pessary for dilated cervix and exposed membranes for prolonging pregnancy compared to cerclage or expectant management.

METHODS: Multicenter retrospective cohort study of women, 15-24 weeks, singleton pregnancies, dilated cervix ≥2 cm and exposed membranes. Women received pessary, cerclage or expectant management. Primary outcome was gestational age (GA) at delivery. Secondary outcomes were time until delivery, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and neonatal survival.

RESULTS: About 112 women met study criteria; 9 - pessary, 85 - cerclage and 18 - expectant management. Mean GA at delivery was 22.9 ± 4.5 weeks with pessary, 29.2 ± 7.5 weeks …

Ips Cell Transplantation For Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury., Miguel Goulao, Angelo C Lepore

Farber Institute for Neuroscience Faculty Papers

A large body of work has been published on transplantation of a wide range of neural stem and progenitor cell types derived from the developing and adult CNS, as well as from pluripotent embryonic stem cells, in models of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). However, many of these cell-based approaches present practical issues for clinical translation such as ethical cell derivation, generation of potentially large numbers of homogenously prepared cells, and immune rejection. With the advent of induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cell technology, many of these issues may potentially be overcome. To date, a number of studies have demonstrated integration, …

The Impact Of Vascular Complications On Survival Of Patients On Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation., Daizo Tanaka, Hitoshi Hirose, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, John W.C. Entwistle

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: There are various factors that can influence the survival of patients receiving venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO). Vascular complications from femoral cannulation are common and are potentially serious. We analyzed the impact of vascular complications on survival of patients receiving VA ECMO.

METHODS: Patients supported with VA ECMO by means of femoral cannulation from October 2010 to November 2014 were enrolled in this study. Data were gathered retrospectively by reviewing our institutional database. Patients were separated into two groups depending on the presence of major vascular complications, defined as patients who required surgical intervention. We evaluated predisposing factors …

Childhood Psychosocial Determinants Of Cardiovascular Health, Samuel S. Gidding, Erica D. Sood

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Understanding risk and protective factors that impact cardiovascular health is of utmost importance. There is ample evidence that cardiovascular health begins in childhood, tracks over time, and is subject to adverse social influences. This paper reviews key studies examining the relations of psychosocial factors in childhood to cardiovascular health in adulthood. The existing literature provides evidence for both individual and cumulative effects of childhood psychosocial factors on adult cardiovascular health across the population, although the specific mechanisms underlying these relationships are not yet fully understood. This paper also includes a discussion of evidence-based strategies for prevention and treatment of childhood …

Hospitalized Patients At High Risk For Obstructive Sleep Apnea Have More Rapid Response System Events And Intervention Is Associated With Reduced Events., Sunil Sharma, Md, Anindita Chowdhury, Lili Tang, Leslee Willes, Brian Glynn, Stuart F Quan

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Rapid response system (RRS) is a safety tool designed for early detection and intervention of a deteriorating patient on the general floor in the hospital. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been associated with significant cardiovascular complications. We hypothesized that patients with high-risk of OSA have higher rate of RRS events and intervention with positive airway pressure therapy in these patients can mitigate the RRS events.

METHODS: As part of a clinical pathway, during a 15 month period, patients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 in select medical services were screened with a validated sleep questionnaire. Patients were characterized as high …

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Pancreaticobiliary Intervention In Patients With Surgically Altered Anatomy And Inaccessible Papillae: A Review Of Current Literature., Aaron Martin, Charles Andrew Kistler, Piotr Wrobel, Juliana F. Yang, Ali A. Siddiqui

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

The management of pancreaticobiliary disease in patients with surgically altered anatomy is a growing problem for gastroenterologists today. Over the years, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has emerged as an important diagnostic and therapeutic modality in the treatment of pancreaticobiliary disease. Patient anatomy has become increasingly complex due to advances in surgical resection of pancreaticobiliary disease and EUS has emerged as the therapy of choice when endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography failed cannulation or when the papilla is inaccessible such as in gastric obstruction or duodenal obstruction. The current article gives a comprehensive review of the current literature for EUS-guided intervention of the pancreaticobiliary …

Long-Term Effect Of Antiepileptic Drug Switch On Serum Lipids And C-Reactive Protein., Scott Mintzer, Rachael Miller, Krunal Shah, Inna Chervoneva, Maromi Nei, Christopher T. Skidmore, Michael R. Sperling

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have shown that switching patients from inducing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to lamotrigine, levetiracetam, or topiramate reduces serum lipids and C-reactive protein (CRP). These studies were all of short duration, and some drugs, such as zonisamide, have not been investigated.

METHODS: We recruited 41 patients taking phenytoin or carbamazepine who were being switched to zonisamide, lamotrigine, or levetiracetam. We measured serum lipids and CRP before the switch, >6weeks after, and >6months after. An untreated control group (n=14) underwent similar measurement. We combined these data with those of our previous investigation (n=34 patients and 16 controls) of a very …

Induced Stem Cells As A Novel Multiple Sclerosis Therapy., Chong Xie, Yan-Qun Liu, Yang-Tai Guan, Guang-Xian Zhang

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Stem cell replacement is providing hope for many degenerative diseases that lack effective therapeutic methods including multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Transplantation of neural stem cells or mesenchymal stem cells is a potential therapy for MS thanks to their capacity for cell repopulation as well as for their immunomodulatory and neurotrophic properties. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC), an emerging cell source in regenerative medicine, is also being tested for the treatment of MS. Remarkable improvement in mobility and robust remyelination have been observed after transplantation of iPSC-derived neural cells into demyelinated models. Direct …

Gray Matter Abnormalities In Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Relationships With Resting-State Functional Connectivity And Episodic Memory Performance., Gaelle Eve Doucet, Xiaosong He, Michael R Sperling, Ashwini Sharan Md, Joseph I Tracy

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) affects multiple brain regions through evidence from both structural (gray matter; GM) and functional connectivity (FC) studies. We tested whether these structural abnormalities were associated with FC abnormalities, and assessed the ability of these measures to explain episodic memory impairments in this population. A resting-state and T1 sequences were acquired on 94 (45 with mesial temporal pathology) TLE patients and 50 controls, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique. A voxel-based morphometry analysis was computed to determine the GM volume differences between groups (right, left TLE, controls). Resting-state FC between the abnormal GM volume regions was computed, …

Circadian Factors Bmal1 And Rorα Control Hif-1Α Transcriptional Activity In Nucleus Pulposus Cells: Implications In Maintenance Of Intervertebral Disc Health., Kaori Suyama, Elizabeth S Silagi, Hyowon Choi, Kou Sakabe, Joji Mochida, Irving M Shapiro, Makarand V Risbud

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

BMAL1 and RORα are major regulators of the circadian molecular oscillator. Since previous work in other cell types has shown cross talk between circadian rhythm genes and hypoxic signaling, we investigated the role of BMAL1 and RORα in controlling HIF-1-dependent transcriptional responses in NP cells that exist in the physiologically hypoxic intervertebral disc. HIF-1-dependent HRE reporter activity was further promoted by co-transfection with either BMAL1 or RORα. In addition, stable silencing of BMAL1 or inhibition of RORα activity resulted in decreased HRE activation. Inhibition of RORα also modulated HIF1α-TAD activity. Interestingly, immunoprecipitation studies showed no evidence of BMAL1, CLOCK or …

Treatment Of Dental Complications In Sickle Cell Disease., Priti Mulimani, Samir K. Ballas, Adinegara B L Abas, Laxminarayan Karanth

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease is the most common single gene disorder and the commonest haemoglobinopathy found with high prevalence in many populations across the world. Management of dental complications in people with sickle cell disease requires special consideration for three main reasons. Firstly, dental and oral tissues are affected by the blood disorder resulting in several oro-facial abnormalities. Secondly, living with a haemoglobinopathy and coping with its associated serious consequences may result in individuals neglecting their oral health care. Finally, the treatment of these oral complications must be adapted to the systemic condition and special needs of these individuals, in …

Interventions For Improving Pregnancy Outcomes In Antenatally Diagnosed Or Suspected Morbidly Adherent Placenta, Rinku Sengupta, Alexis C. Gimovsky, Shuqin Wei, Anthony Akinloye Bamigboye, Vincenzo Berghella, Amanda R. Amorim Adegboye, William Donald Fraser

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows:

To assess the benefits and harms associated with clinical interventions for improving outcomes in women with antenatally diagnosed or suspected MAP. We will compare conventional caesarean hysterectomy with uterine conservation treatments (together with adjunct measures) in women who have been diagnosed antenatally with, or suspected to have, MAP.

A Direct Quantification Method For Measuring Plasma Micrornas Identified Potential Biomarkers For Detecting Metastatic Breast Cancer., Qian Zhao, Shengqiong Deng, Guangxue Wang, Cuicui Liu, Lingyu Meng, Shanshan Qiao, Lei Shen, Yue Zhang, Jinhui Lü, Yuzhen Zhang, Min Wang, Richard Pestell, Chunli Liang, Zuoren Yu, Wenshu Li

Department of Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Circulating miRNAs are protected from ribonuclease degradation by assembly into microvesicles and exosomes. Releasing miRNAs completely from these particles is the key step to quantify the circulating miRNAs. Currently purified RNA-based quantitative analysis is widely used while it is time and cost consuming with high risk for those circulating miRNAs with low abundance due to partial loss of RNA during the steps of total RNA extraction and small RNA enrichment. Herein, we optimized a simple, effective and time-saving method to directly measure plasma miRNAs without RNA isolation. It is based on complete miRNA release from the protein complexes, followed by …

Ictal Asystole In A Patient With Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (Pres) And Seizures: A Case Report, Joanna Suski, Md, Reginald T. Ho, Md, Maromi Nei, Md

Department of Neurology Posters

BACKGROUND

• Ictal asystole is rare, seen in less than 1% of patients with epilepsy, and typically seen in patients with temporal or frontal lobe seizures, rarely in occipital lobe seizures, and has never been described in a patient with PRES .
• PRES is a clinical-radiologic diagnosis in which there is a breakdown of the blood brain barrier caused by abrupt changes of blood pressure, or cytokines causing endothelial damage and this creates brain edema.
• The typical neurological symptoms of PRES include encephalopathy (50-80%), seizure (60-75%), headache (50%), and visual disturbance (35%).
• Brain imaging in PRES usually reveals vasogenic edema in …

Sonographic Findings Of A Semi-Professional Football Player With 1st Mtp Joint Pain: Gout Or Turf Toe?, David Jeong, Md, Caqsm, Cep, Rmsk, Danielle Snyderman, Md, Lauren Hersh, Md, Jeremy Close, Md

Department of Family & Community Medicine Posters

Purpose

Aim : To review the applications and indications of sonography for forefoot disorders, especially gout and plantar plate injury of 1^st MTP joint.

Introduction

• Forefoot disorders are common but forefoot ultrasound is underutilized.
• Point-of-Care Ultrasound was utilized in initial workup evaluating acute on chronic 1^st MTP joint pain in our case study.

Nitrilase 1 Modulates Lung Tumor Progression In Vitro And In Vivo., Yong Antican Wang, Yunguang Sun, Justin M Le Blanc, Charalambos C. Solomides, Md, Tingting Zhan, Bo Lu, Md

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

Uncovering novel growth modulators for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may lead to new therapies for these patients. Previous studies suggest Nit1 suppresses chemically induced carcinogenesis of the foregut in a mouse model. In this study we aimed to determine the role of Nit1 in a transgenic mouse lung cancer model driven by a G12D Kras mutation. Nit1 knockout mice (Nit1-/-) were crossed with KrasG12D/+ mice to investigate whether a G12D Kras mutation and Nit1 inactivation interact to promote or inhibit the development of NSCLC. We found that lung tumorigenesis was suppressed in the Nit1-null background (Nit1-/-:KrasG12D/+). Micro-CT scans and …

Insights From Hur Biology Point To Potential Improvement For Second-Line Ovarian Cancer Therapy., Yu-Hung Huang, Weidan Peng, Narumi Furuuchi, James B Duhadaway, Masaya Jimbo, Andrea Pirritano, Charles J Dunton, Gary S Daum, Benjamin E Leiby, Jonathan Brody, Md, Janet A Sawicki

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the role that an RNA-binding protein, HuR, plays in the response of high-grade serous ovarian tumors to chemotherapeutics. We immunohistochemically stained sections of 31 surgically-debulked chemo-naïve ovarian tumors for HuR and scored the degree of HuR cytoplasmic staining. We found no correlation between HuR intracellular localization in tumor sections and progression free survival (PFS) of these patients, 29 of whom underwent second-line gemcitabine/platin combination therapy for recurrent disease. Ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation (RNP-IP) analysis of ovarian cancer cells in culture showed that cytoplasmic HuR increases deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), a metabolic enzyme that activates gemcitabine. The effects …

Detection Of Circulating Tumor Cells In Uveal Melanoma By The Photoacoustic Method, Ryan M. Weight, Shingo Sato, Masahiro Ohara, Mizue Terai, Michael Mastrangelo, Marlana Orloff, Benjamin Goldschmidt, John Viator, Takami Sato

Department of Medical Oncology Posters

Abstract

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been shown to be a prognostic marker in breast cancer¹. We hypothesize that circulating melanoma cell (CMC) detection could be utilized in the management of uveal melanoma, including early intervention. Prior methodologies for circulating uveal melanoma cell (CUMC) detection have been fraught with poor sensitivity, limiting their clinical utility². Development of an improved method is necessary to establish the clinical utility of CUMC monitoring. Photoacoustics, also referred to as laser-induced ultrasound, is a novel platform for the detection and capture of CMCs. Photoacoustics uses short duration pulsed light to create …

Molecular Treatment Effects Of Alemtuzumab In Skeletal Muscles Of Patients With Ibm., Karsten Schmidt, Konstanze Kleinschnitz, Goran Rakocevic, Marinos Dalakas, Jens Schmidt

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Mechanisms of inflammation and protein accumulation are crucial in inclusion body myositis (IBM). Recent evidence demonstrated that intravenous immunoglobulin failed to suppress cell-stress mediators in IBM. Here we studied the molecular changes in skeletal muscle biopsies from patients with IBM before and after treatment with alemtuzumab.

METHODS: Relevant inflammatory and degeneration-associated markers were assessed by quantitative-PCR and immunohistochemistry in repeated muscle biopsy specimens from patients with IBM, which had been treated in a previously published uncontrolled proof-of-concept trial with alemtuzumab.

RESULTS: There were no significant changes of the mRNA expression levels of the pro-inflammatory chemokines CXCL-9, CCL-4, and the …

Development Of A Temperature Sensitive Face Mask For Identification And Triage Of Febrile Patients, Annemarie Daecher, Flemming Forsberg, John R. Eisenbrey

Department of Radiology Posters

Abstract:

Many infectious diseases are most transmittable when the carrier is presenting with fever. We propose a disposable face mask that changes color as an indicator of fever to provide hospitals with a quick and inexpensive method for triaging infected patients while limiting exposure to others. Two blue thermochromatic dyes which transition to white at 89°F and 92°F were mixed with white paint and applied to 5 types of disposable face masks. During trials, a wearer either sat at rest or ran on a treadmill for 20 minutes and images were obtained every 5 minutes with a thermal camera to …

Dsg2 Increases Exosome Release And Enhances Egfr/C-Src Content: A Mechanism For Intercellular Mitogenic Effect, Andrew M. Overmiller, Jennifer A. Pierluissi, Peter J Wermuth, Ubaldo E. Martinez-Outshoorn, Md, Madalina Tuluc, Adam J. Luginbuhl, Joseph Curry, Larry A. Harshyne, James K. Wahl, Iii, Andrew P. South, M G Mahoney

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Posters

Abstract:

Exosomes are nanoscale membrane-derived vesicles that are secreted by cancer cells and play a critical role in modulating the tumor microenvironment and disease pathogenesis. Dsg2, a desmosomal cadherin often overexpressed in skin malignancies including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), can activate EGFR/c-Src signaling and promote oncogenesis. We sought to address the potential role of Dsg2 in exosome biogenesis and intercellular signaling in SCC. Here, purified exosomes from SCC cells and head/neck SCC patient sera were enriched with a processed 65 kDa membrane-associated C-terminal fragment of Dsg2. Cells overexpressing Dsg2 had increased exosome release and protein content and produced particles enriched …

Healthy Living An In-Depth Look, Nina Radcliff, Md, Kristin Detterline

Jefferson Sleep Disorders Center in the News

Features Dr. Ritu Grewal, pulmonologist and attending physician at Jefferson Sleep Disorder Center Women's Program.

Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition (Endomt) In The Pathogenesis Of Human Fibrotic Diseases., Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez, Fabian A. Mendoza, Sergio A. Jimenez

Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine Papers and Presentations

Fibrotic diseases encompass a wide spectrum of clinical entities including systemic fibrotic diseases such as systemic sclerosis, sclerodermatous graft versus host disease, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, and IgG₄-associated sclerosing disease, as well as numerous organ-specific disorders including radiation-induced fibrosis, and cardiac, pulmonary, liver, and kidney fibrosis. Although their causative mechanisms are quite diverse, these diseases share the common feature of an uncontrolled and progressive accumulation of fibrous tissue macromolecules in affected organs leading to their dysfunction and ultimate failure. The pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases is complex and despite extensive investigation has remained elusive. Numerous studies have identified myofibroblasts as the cells …