Medical Specialties Commons^™

Centralizing Communication Intake To Improve Workflow Visibility And Engagement: A Quality Improvement Project In A Cancer Center's Education Division, Menatalla El-Sharkawi, Mohamed Ait Aiss

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: In large or complex organizations, multiple teams may be charged with managing different components of a project, initiative, or administrative assignment. When these teams have overlapping needs for information, the absence of a structured intake and tracking process can limit transparency, reduce efficiency, and hinder coordination across communication channels.

Methods: Drawing on principles of strategic communications and project management, we created a structured and centralized information sharing process for teams within the education division of a comprehensive cancer center. The intervention included workflow redesign, development of a standardized intake system, and use of real-time dashboard analytics to support operation …

Icu Decision Tool Impact On Rebound Hyperglycemia, Daniel J. Donovan, Emily Highsmith, Sonya Khan, Michelle Horng

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Hyperglycemia, defined as a blood glucose level ≥180 mg/dL in the hospitalized patient, is linked to negative outcomes including longer hospital stays, increased infection risk, and higher morbidity and mortality rates. In addition to critically ill patients with diabetes, hyperglycemia can develop in individuals without diabetes due to factors such as steroid use, continuous tube feedings, and an elevated stress response. Patients who have uncontrolled hyperglycemia are often placed on continuous insulin infusions (CII), but rebound hyperglycemia frequently occurs after CII discontinuation if the maintenance insulin regimen (MIR) is insufficient. Implementation of a MIR decision support tool integrated within an …

Pharmacologic Interventions To Reduce Cardiopulmonary Bypass Induced Inflammation In Cardiac Surgery: A Scoping Review, Wyatt Anderson

Student Works

ABSTRACT

1. Structured summary

Background

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is essential in cardiac surgery but can trigger a systemic inflammatory response that contributes to postoperative complications. The scoping review conducted has a purpose to map the existing literature on pharmacologic interventions to mitigate CPB related inflammation. While several interventions demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory effects, findings were inconsistent, and no standardized pharmacologic approach is currently agreed upon.

Methods

This scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines.Both PubMed, and CINAHL were screened for studies published between 2000 and 2024 that evaluated pharmacologic interventions aimed at reducing CPB related inflammation. After screening and duplicate removal, 10 studies met …

Genetic Predispositions To Cancer: What Pediatricians Need To Know, Sarah Gubara, Nicole Wood

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

Pediatric hematology/oncology physician Nikki Wood, DO, explains how pediatricians can recognize genetic cancer risk, refer to genetics appropriately, and support families through long‑term surveillance.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Deep Learning And Experimental Validation Of Brca1-Associated Protein-1 Missense Variant Pathogenicity In Uveal Melanoma, Nikhil Davé, David J. Taylor Gonzalez, Mak B. Djulbegovic, Linda A. Cernichiaro-Espinosa, Benjamin A. King, Carol L. Shields, Matthew W. Wilson

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

OBJECTIVE: To benchmark the pathogenicity predictions of AlphaMissense, a deep learning model, against high-throughput functional scores from saturation genome editing (SGE) for all experimentally tested BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1) missense variants in uveal melanoma (UM).

DESIGN: Cross-sectional analytical study comparing computational predictions with experimentally derived functional classifications and clinical annotations.

SUBJECTS PARTICIPANTS AND/OR CONTROLS:  ClusteredAll 4619 BAP1 single amino acid substitutions profiled in a published Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-Cas9 SGE viability assay. No separate control cohort was required. Clinical Variant Database (ClinVar)-annotated variants within this set served as an independent reference.

METHODS: Saturation genome editing log₂-fitness …

Biomechanical Effects Of Bilateral Torsion And Skeletal Fusion: A Case Study, Linnéa Forbes

Honors Projects

As part of both a personal endeavor and an academic project, I have investigated the aetiology and treatment of seemingly idiopathic and debilitating leg pain in a patient over the past 10 years. Via collaboration with medical professionals at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Premier Physical Therapy, and Cincinnati Women’s TriHealth, I have identified sources of pain at the anatomical level. The combination of internal femoral torsion, external tibial torsion, pes planus, and bony fusions appear to be major perpetuators of the pain. An effective treatment continues to be evasive. To date, I have attempted to find answers through genetic approaches, …

Rhesus Macaques With An Opa1 Mutation Demonstrate Features Of Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy, Brett D Story, Jun Wang, Rui Chen, Lucy G Moore, Leandro B C Teixeira, Jaeho Shim, Ana C Raposo, Maria Isabel Casanova, Sophie M Le, Sangwan Park, Laura J Young, Soohyun Kim, Karolina P Roszak, Vanessa Ureno, Paige M Karpinen, Nayeli Echeverria, Monica Ardon, Brian C Leonard, Marguerite Knipe, Eliza Bliss-Moreau, Brad Fortune, J Timothy Stout, Jeffrey Rogers, Nicholas Marsh-Armstrong, Sara M Thomasy

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) is an inherited optic neuropathy primarily caused by mutations in OPA1. We identified and defined a spontaneous nonhuman primate (NHP) model of ADOA using rhesus macaques heterozygous for a missense mutation (OPA1A8S). With ocular examinations, ophthalmic imaging, electroretinography, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we documented retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss and dysfunction, OPA1 mislocalization, and reduced axonal mitochondrial density in affected macaques. Our investigation revealed substantial phenotypic variability among affected macaques, shedding light on the pathogenesis of ADOA. The retinas were evaluated using techniques …

Quantifying Sleep Wake Rhythms In The Hospital Environment With Digital Technologies, Carsten Skarke, Nadim El Jamal, Michael V. Genuardi, Thomas G. Brooks, Antonijo Mrčela, Nicholas F. Lahens, Makayla Cordoza, Sean Sarles, Amarachi Mbadugha, Dineth R. Karunamuni, Shikhar Gupta, Charles J. Bae, Amita Sehgal, Thomas P. Cappola, Jacob T. Gutsche, Pavan Atluri, Nimesh D. Desai, Michael A. Acker, Gregory R. Grant, Richard J. Schwab, Ilene M. Rosen, Garret A. Fitzgerald

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Postoperative clinical care is prone to circadian desynchronization that may influence health outcomes. In an exploratory, feasibility-oriented and signal-exploration effort, we collected 1.8 million data points using 11 remote sensors during preoperative, in-hospital and post-discharge settings in 13 elective cardiac surgery patients (5.2% enrolled from 252 screened). We found that room traffic continued during nighttime with ≥1 visit/h. Sound levels exceeded the recommended 45 dBA threshold (51.9 ± 3.3 vs. 48.3 ± 4.2 dBA during nighttime). Brightness dropped at night (89.9 ± 87.7 to 3.7 ± 9.8 lux), but bright light exposures occurred. Ambient room temperature lacked sleep-inducing diurnal variability. …

Out-Of-Pocket Costs And Antihypertensive Medication Use Among Veterans: A Natural Experiment, Alexander R. Zheutlin, Alexander Chaitoff, Daniel Addo, Joshua A. Jacobs, Catherine G. Derington, Eric L. Stulberg, Peter A. Glynn, Bernardo Modenesi, Jordana B. Cohen, Adam P. Bress

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure (BP) control remains suboptimal in the United States despite available low-cost antihypertensive medications. Even small out-of-pocket medication costs may contribute to adherence. We determined whether $0 versus >$0 out-of-pocket costs for antihypertensive medications is associated with differences in adherence, discontinuation, BP control, and cardiovascular outcomes.

METHODS: We included veterans with newly diagnosed hypertension who initiated antihypertensive medication in the Veterans Health Administration from 2004 to 2022. A fuzzy regression discontinuity design with 2-stage residual inclusion leveraged differences in medication copay policy at a 50% service-connected disability threshold (≥50% service-connected disability: $0 out-of-pocket cost versus < 50%: $8 monthly cost). Outcomes included 1-year medication nonadherence (proportion of days covered < 80%), 1-year medication discontinuation (no medication in the final 90 days of the study year), 1-year BP control (systolic BP/diastolic BP < 140/90 mm Hg and < 130/80 mm Hg) and cardiovascular disease events (myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, peripheral artery disease, or stroke).

RESULTS: Among 417 …

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment Modifies The Effectiveness Of Catheter Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation: Post Hoc Analysis Of The Cabana Trial, Joshua R Hirsch, Abdi Rasekh, Mehdi Razavi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Designing Next-Generation Cardiometabolic Outcome Trials For Obesity Medicines, Bart Van Der Schueren, Javed Butler, Ildiko Lingvay, Darren K Mcguire, Faiez Zannad, Naveed Sattar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The prevalence of obesity has reached pandemic proportions and is having enormous public health effects. Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular (CV) disease including coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke. Although initial randomized clinical trials of weight-loss strategies through diet and exercise or early medical therapies did not lead to improved CV outcomes, more recent trials using glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in individuals with obesity have demonstrated CV benefits. At present, there are multiple cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) of novel GLP-1 receptor agonists and investigational products targeting multiple …

Prodromal Lewy Body Disorder Features In Rem Sleep Behavior Disorder With Biomarker-Defined Synucleinopathy, Anuprita R Nair, Ryan Kurth, David-Erick Lafontant, Chelsea Caspell-Garcia, Roy N Alcalay, Ethan G Brown, Lana M Chahine, Christopher Coffey, Tatiana Foroud, Douglas Galasko, Karl Kieburtz, Kenneth Marek, Kalpana Merchant, Brit Mollenhauer, Kathleen L Poston, Andrew Siderowf, Cristina Simonet, Tanya Simuni, Caroline M Tanner, Thomas F Tropea, Aleksandar Videnovic, Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: Isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is a prodromal state for Lewy body disorders and exhibits biological heterogeneity that may influence clinical expression and progression. We examined clinical features in individuals with iRBD and biomarker-defined synucleinopathy.

Methods: Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) is a longitudinal, multi-center observational study. Participants included polysomnogram (PSG)-confirmed iRBD individuals who were cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) α-synuclein seed amplification assay positive with no clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or dementia with Lewy bodies, along with robust healthy controls (HCs). Clinical and biological features of prodromal PD and DLB, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI), subthreshold …

Cardiovascular Disease And Dyslipidemia In Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose of review

Despite advances in type 1 diabetes (T1D) management, mortality is still increased, with cardiovascular disease (CVD) as the leading cause. Dyslipidemia is a highly prevalent modifiable CVD risk factor. We reviewed the existing literature on CVD mortality in T1D to highlight CVD risk in pediatric patients with T1D.

Recent findings

Pathophysiology of T1D and premature CVD risk is still not fully understood. Dyslipidemia remains a highly prevalent and undertreated CV risk factor in T1D. Statins have been shown to be safe and effective to improve CVD risk in adults with T1D, and in children with familial hypercholesterolemia, …

Examining Racial And Ethnic Differences In Quality Of Care Between Home And In-Center Hemodialysis, Sukhman Bains

2026 Symposium

Home hemodialysis (HHD) offers improved flexibility and clinical outcomes compared to in-center hemodialysis. However, its use remains limited, particularly among racial and ethnic minority populations disproportionately affected by end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This systematic review analyzed seven retrospective cohort studies (2004–2025) to assess disparities in HHD utilization and outcomes. Minority patients were significantly less likely to initiate HHD, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 0.45 to 0.70, while no disparities were observed within Canada’s universal healthcare system. Although HHD was associated with lower mortality, this finding is likely influenced by selection bias, as HHD patients tended to be younger and …

Transforming Patient Safety And Care Practices Through Interprofessional Education, Kaleena Ramirez, Claudia C. Tamara, Jennifer Sells, Karen Clatt, Banan Abuharb, Mary Coolbaugh-Murphy, Iris Culwell, Anca Fumurescu, Mary Gust, Lori Simmons, Delores Whiteing, Annie Koenig, Sara Martinez, Wilton Muriithi, Shaun T. Caldwell, Susan Lee, Mary Sizemore, Kimberly Ann H. Krumwiede

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

As healthcare increasingly relies on interdisciplinary teams to deliver safe and effective care, the development of interprofessional collaboration competencies among students in health care professions has become an educational priority. In response, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Professions integrated a longitudinal interprofessional education curriculum to foster collaborative practice readiness and prepare students for team-based interdisciplinary environments that ensure safe and patient-centered care. The curriculum was guided by the Interprofessional Education Collaborative 2016 and 2023 core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice, reinforced with the Real Colors® Personality Instrument and Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance …

Investigating Sertraline‑Mediated Modulation Of Succinate Dehydrogenase To Sensitize Tmz‑Resistant Glioblastoma Cells, Supraja Mallapuram

Create@State

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the deadliest and most common brain tumor which remains highly resistant to temozolomide (TMZ), contributing to poor patient outcomes. Literature suggests that sertraline, a widely used SSRI, disrupts mitochondrial metabolism in cancer cells. Because GBM depends heavily on succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) for oxidative phosphorylation, sertraline‑mediated SDH inhibition may increase metabolic stress and reduce functional TMZ resistance. This poster presents a literature‑based rationale and proposed experimental design to evaluate sertraline‑induced SDH modulation and its potential to sensitize TMZ‑resistant T98G glioblastoma cells. These findings will guide future experimental work.

Viral Hepatitis Screening In Early Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Cancer Therapy: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Katherine Klein, Jessica Hwang, Vicente Valero, David Ramirez, Jaime Kaushik

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines recommend screening all patients for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) before initiation of cancer therapy. Cancer patients receiving cancer therapy represent a vulnerable population, and reactivation of undetected hepatitis virus can lead to devastating consequences. At MD Anderson Cancer Center, rates of hepatitis screening for all cancer patients have been historically low. The overall aim of this quality improvement (QI) study was to increase rates of HBV and HCV screening to at least 50% in early-stage breast cancer patients before cancer therapy in the Breast Medical Oncology clinic at MD …

Interprofessional Education Development In An Oncology-Focused Healthcare Institution, Mary Sizemore, Michael Morris, Mohamed Ait Aiss, Gregory Botz, Jolyn Taylor, Joshua Kuban, Diane C. Bodurka

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: Despite growing recognition of the value of interprofessional education (IPE), most IPE work has focused on undergraduate learners, leaving a critical gap in postgraduate and clinical environments. This report describes a phase 1, formative, pre-implementation quality improvement (QI) initiative to establish an institution-wide IPE program at an oncology center without a traditional medical school.

Methods: We used a developmental, multiphase mixed methods design integrating 3 inputs: (1) Virtual Interprofessional Teaching and Learning (VITAL) faculty-development feedback, (2) IPE Steering Committee feedback, and (3) simulation evaluation used as an applied context (not the sole focus). Surveys were administered to VITAL participants, …

Spatial Computing With The Apple Vision Pro In Minimally Invasive Procedure Simulation: A Randomized Crossover Feasibility Study, Sydney Cooper, Aaron Kyle Jones, Rahul Anil Sheth, Koustav Pal, Bruno Odisio, Mark Blaylock, Shelita Kimble, Justin Bird, David Rice, Daniel Shoenthal, Emil Patel, Vipin Kamath, Sanjay Gupta, Jeffrey Siewerdsen, Joshua Kuban

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of wearing the Apple Vision Pro (AVP), a mixed-reality headset that integrates augmented and virtual reality, while performing minimally invasive procedures. While studies have demonstrated that spatial computing technology can improve surgical precision and reduce the risks of surgical complications, to our knowledge, no studies have specifically addressed the impact of the AVP on task performance during simulated image-guided procedures.

Materials and Methods: Thirteen diagnostic and interventional radiology residents performed image-guided central venous catheter placement, thoracentesis, and paracentesis on simulation models. Each participant completed a non-timed practice followed by the procedures once …

Utilization Of Hybrid Angiography-Ct Suites In An Interventional Oncology Practice, David Irwin, Kiyoyuki Minamiguchi, Ryosuke Taiji, Aaron Kyle Jones, Gouthami Chintalapani, Roland Bassett, Steven Y. Huang, Sanjay Gupta

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Purpose: To evaluate operational trends in an interventional oncology practice at a tertiary academic center before and after the addition of hybrid angiography–computed tomography (Angio-CT) rooms.

Materials and Methods: The procedure volumes and types performed in the hybrid Angio-CT rooms were retrospectively collected from 2016 to 2020. Procedures were divided into categories, including arteriography, endovascular interventional oncology, ablation, venous intervention, non-vascular catheter placement (biliary, nephrostomy, gastrostomy, etc.), and osseous interventions. Procedural trends in the Angio-CT rooms and the frequencies of combination procedures that used both CT and angiography were assessed.

Results: A major shift of catheter-based tumor-directed cases to Angio-CT …

A Performance And Quality Improvement Intervention Integrating Molecular Testing To Support Personalized Cancer Care In Lung And Thyroid Cancers, Suzanne Murray, Monica Augustyniak, John Vu, Elbert Y. Kuo, Manolo G. Pasia Jr., Sheri L. Rivera, Kelly M. Rodriguez, Vivek Subbiah, Patrice Lazure, Ecaterina E. Dumbrava

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Introduction: Molecular testing has been underutilized in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients, despite its potential to significantly impact clinical decision-making and resulting health outcomes.

Objectives: This project aimed to evaluate the process and impact of a performance/quality improvement (PI/QI) intervention to optimize the integration of molecular testing for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or thyroid cancer (TC).

Methods: Physicians, advanced practice providers, and nurses were engaged in the PI/QI at 2 cancer centers (Site A and Site B) for up to 18 months following a pre-intervention needs assessment. Gaps identified at baseline informed …

Tom: Treatment Outcome Monitor - A Web-Based Tool Designed Specifically For Clinics With Limited Resources, Saurabh Shashikumar Nair, Alba Kihn Alarcon, Maritza Elodia Cupil Barrios, Milton Estuardo Ixquiac Cabrera, Mynor Villeda, Joseph Steyn, Anneray Richards, Ricardo Ruggeri, Loida Orozco, Angel Velarde, Indranil Mallick, Graeme Lazarus, Christoph Trauernicht, Vicky De Falla, Tim Edwards, Johnny Inthaphone, Adenike Olanrewaju, Laurence E. Court, Joshua Niedzielski

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: Although three-fourths of cancer deaths are expected to occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by 2030, most cancer research still comes from high-income countries. One barrier to cancer research in LMICs is lack of infrastructure for systematic data collection, including electronic medical record systems. We developed Treatment Outcome Monitor (TOM), a cloud-based tool for tracking cancer patient outcomes, designed specifically for resource-limited settings.

Methods: TOM was developed through iterative design cycles with continuous feedback from health care providers from across the world. We focused on creating a simple, web-based solution that addresses real-world challenges in resource-limited …

Addition Of Prg4 To Optimize The Anti‑Adhesive Properties Of Tissue Barrier Sepraflm®, Ava J. Marks, Khaled A. Elsaid, Ling X. Zhang, Timmy Lin, Janette Baird, Tannin A. Schmidt, Gregory D. Jay

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose

Postsurgical adhesion remains a significant clinical challenge. Seprafilm^® is widely used as a barrier to reduce adhesion formation, however its efficacy may be inconsistent. Recombinant human proteoglycan-4 (rhPRG4), a surface-active, anti-inflammatory glycoprotein found in synovial fluid inhibits cell and protein adhesion. This study investigated whether coating Seprafilm with rhPRG4 could enhance its anti-adhesive potential.

Methods

Macrophages (J774), human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (HFLS), and melanoma (A375) cells were cultured on tissue culture wells treated with rhPRG4 or bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) to determine optimal seeding density. Seprafilm sheets were coated with rhPRG4 or BSM (0.78–200 µg/mL). Cell adhesion was quantified …

Groove ‘N’ Grow: Promoting Social Participation Through Dance And Movement, Juliana N. Ward, Karen Park

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Groove ‘n’ Grow is a structured pediatric occupational therapy group program designed to improve social participation, engagement, and sensory regulation in children with developmental and sensory processing differences through dance and movement-based activities. The program was developed as part of an occupational therapy doctoral capstone project and implemented within a pediatric outpatient therapy clinic. The purpose of the program is to provide children with developmental and sensory processing differences opportunities to practice peer engagement, cooperative participation, emotional regulation, and emotional awareness in a supportive small-group environment.

Lotilaner Ophthalmic Solution 0.25% In The Treatment Of Demodex Blepharitis: A Case Report, Marjan Farid, Ian Benjamin Gaddie, Preeya K Gupta, Cecelia Koetting, Richard Lindstrom, Selina Mcgee, Kelly K Nichols, Laura M Periman, Stephen Pflugfelder, Christopher Starr, Nandini Venkateswaran, Elizabeth Yeu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Demodex blepharitis is a chronic inflammatory ocular condition caused by Demodex mite infestation of the eyelid that can negatively impact quality of life. Currently, lotilaner ophthalmic solution 0.25% is the only FDA-approved treatment for Demodex blepharitis. The Demodex Expert Panel on Treatment and Eyelid Health has established consensus that lotilaner ophthalmic solution 0.25% should be considered the preferred first-line treatment for Demodex blepharitis. We report a patient who presented with collarettes, the pathognomonic sign of Demodex blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, and poor visual acuity. The patient also had a history of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Consistent with the Demodex Expert …

Dna Deformability In Sequence-Dependent Capture Of E. Coli Gyrase, Jonathan M Fogg, Silvia L Summers, Marlène Vayssières, Nils Marechal, Valérie Lamour, Wilma K Olson, Lynn Zechiedrich

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

To understand how gyrase interacts with DNA and selects a site of action, we created an ad hoc shape-based recognition methodology to ascertain the DNA sequence from cryoEM density maps as a string of purines and pyrimidines, which matched to the DNA minicircle sequence in our two previous cryoEM structures of negatively supercoiled DNA bound to E. coli gyrase. For one structure, the Gate- or G-segment sequence contains base-pair steps that are among the most flexible in the minicircle, facilitating the bend. The sequence flanking this G-segment is highly inflexible, preventing wrapping the β-pinwheel of gyrase. In the other structure, …

First, Do No Trend: Aligning Parenteral Lipid Therapy With Physiology And Evidence In Neonates, Muralidhar H Premkumar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Lipid injectable emulsions (ILE) are essential components of parenteral nutrition in neonatal intensive care units. Over the past two decades, the expanded availability of ILE has led to rapid changes in clinical practice, largely driven by concerns about intestinal failure–associated liver disease. Despite these evolving trends, the evidence supporting one ILE over another remains limited and nuanced. Importantly, no currently available ILE replicates the intrauterine supply of critical long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, both of which decline postnatally regardless of emulsion type. Neonates requiring ILE represent a heterogeneous population of preterm and term infants, with …

Chemotherapy-Induced Activation Of Caspase-1 And Il-1Α Release By Cancer Cells Remotely Skews Myelopoiesis To Drive Pro Tumorigenic Systemic Neutrophil-Dominant Inflammation, Yung Hsing Huang, Hongbo Gao, Haley E Garcia, Sophie J Porter, Mustafa Karabicici, Xen Ping Hoi, Mark D Alonzo, Armine Kasabyan, Efrosini Tsouko, Crystal S Shin, Lisa Bouchier-Hayes, Dimitrios Korentzelos, Chen Chen, Michael Brooks, Zheng Yin, Renil S Titus, Lan Zhou, Yinan Gong, Yulin Li, Stephen Tc Wong, Ziad El-Zaatari, Dharam Kaushik, Raj Satkunasivam, Fotis Nikolos, Keith S Chan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

While chemotherapy-induced tumor cell death is known to modulate the local immune landscape, its systemic impact on distant bone marrow—a site essential for immune cell maturation—remains underexplored. Here, we show that gemcitabine chemotherapy induces inflammatory caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis in epithelial cancer cells (epiCaspase-1). Despite its inflammatory nature, epiCaspase-1-mediated cell death is non-immunogenic. Clinically, elevated expression of an epiCaspase-1 gene signature correlates with worse patient outcomes. Mechanistically, epiCaspase-1 triggers the noncanonical release of IL-1α through NINJ1 lytic pores, remotely skewing bone marrow hematopoiesis towards granulocyte-monocyte progenitors and mature neutrophil output. This systemic reprogramming elevates the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in both peripheral blood …

Trends In The National Resident Matching Program: Shifting Applicant Priorities In The Setting Of Application Limits And Pass/Fail Step 1 Grading, Atul Maheshwari, Peter Boedeker

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose: This study evaluated differences in expected and observed proportions of activities, average Step 2 scores, and abstracts, publications, and presentations since the adoption of a 10-experience maximum for residency applications and pass/fail Step 1 grading.

Method: The authors queried National Resident Matching Program data for MD senior applicants from 2016 to 2024 across 22 specialties. Data included average Step 2 scores; research, work, and volunteer experiences; and number of research products for matched and unmatched students by specialty. Repeated-measures multilevel models were used to estimate the difference in observed outcome in 2024 and expected outcome based on trends from …

Enhancement Of Heat Transfer And Functional Behaviour Of Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) Coated Silica Nanoparticle Materialism Featuring Heat Transfer Fluid, Abdulrahman S Sait, Isam Y Qudsieh, Ahmed M Bagabir, Murugesan Palaniappan, Rajkumar Sivanraju

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Current research on the Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)-coated 30–40 nm silica particles (SiO₂) is integrated with deionized (DI) water via the ultrasonication method to overcome the variations in thermal conductivity, poor stability, and limited heat transfer with conventional DI water. During the investigation, the PNIPAM-coated SiO₂ concentration was varied at 0.2 vol%, 0.4 vol%, 0.6 vol%, and 0.8 vol% under forced convection. The thermal performance of heat transfer fluid (HTF) and the reduction of specific heat capacity were studied, and the results are compared with the base (DI water). The results showed that the DI water embedded with 0.6 vol% of PNIPAM-coated …