Medical Specialties Commons^™

Evaluating The Mediating Role Of Gestational Phthalate And Replacement Biomarkers In The Associations Between Race/Ethnicity And Birthweight, Amir J. Lueth, Danielle R. Stevens, Sarahna A. Moyd, Elena Sinkovskaya, Ann Przybylska, Antonia M. Calafat, Julianne C. Botelho, George Saade, Alfred Abuhamad, Kelly K. Ferguson

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Gestational exposure to phthalates is higher among non-Hispanic black (NHB) women than non-Hispanic white (NHW) women and may contribute to racial/ethnic differences in birthweight z-scores.

Objective

We aimed to investigate whether gestational phthalate and replacement biomarkers mediate the association between race/ethnicity and birthweight z-scores.

Methods

We analyzed data from 271 pregnancies in the Human Placenta and Phthalates study, a prospective cohort recruited from 2017 to 2020. Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations were measured at up to eight time points during pregnancy and averaged to represent gestational exposure. Metabolites were grouped by parent compound. Linear regression models estimated associations in phthalate …

The Diversity Of Flavivirus Antibody Dependent Enhancement (Ade) Profiles From A Pediatric Cohort In Mexico, Maiesha Samiha Mahmood

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

The Aedes mosquito-borne flaviviruses Zika (ZIKV) and dengue (DENV-1-4) cause an estimated 400 million annual infections globally and pose an increasing threat to public health. Typically, individuals infected with ZIKV or a DENV serotype generate neutralizing serotype-specific antibodies and non-neutralizing, cross-reactive antibodies that bind multiple flaviviruses. Upon secondary heterotypic infection, pre-existing antibodies can either protect or exacerbate disease through antibody dependent enhancement (ADE). ADE occurs when non- or sub-neutralizing concentrations of cross-reactive antibodies facilitate viral uptake into FcγR-bearing myeloid cells, enabling infection of otherwise non-permissive cells and driving severe disease. To date, ADE has not been characterized at a population …

Dupilumab For Patients With Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis, Amber U. Luong, Joshua M. Levy, Sarah K. Wise, Joseph K. Han, Mamoru Yoshikawa, Luo Zhang, Rodney Schlosser, Prerna Ranganathan, Paula Dakin, Jennifer Maloney, George D. Yancopoulos, Andrew P. Fontenot, Neelam A. Phadke, Lacey R. Robinson

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Background

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is a severe subtype of chronic rhinosinusitis characterized by fungal hypersensitivity and accentuated type 2 inflammation. Dupilumab-a fully human monoclonal antibody blocking interleukin-4/13, approved for type 2 inflammatory diseases, including chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps-may benefit patients with AFRS.

Objective

We sought to understand the effect of dupilumab in AFRS

Methods

In this phase 3 trial, patients with AFRS aged ≥6 years were randomized to dupilumab or matched placebo for 52 weeks. The primary end point was Lund-Mackay computed tomography (LMK-CT) score, quantifying sinus opacification, at 52 weeks. Secondary end points were multiplicity-controlled and hierarchically …

Dengue Fever With Normal Platelet Count In A Patient With Β-Thalassemia Trait: A Case Report., Pankaj Kumar Jain, Manoj Seval, Vikas Meena, Rajesh Kumar Yadav

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Dengue fever is an arboviral infection caused by different serotypes of the dengue virus. Generally, it presents with a wide variety of symptoms ranging from undifferentiated fever to dengue shock syndrome associated with thrombocytopenia and hemoconcentration. But in patients with thalassemia, it presents with anemia due to hemolysis, rather than hemoconcentration. Here we present a case of an 18-year-old female diagnosed with Dengue fever with thalassemia trait, who presented with a normal platelet count and moderate microcytic anemia.

Limitations Of Plasma Exchange In Yellow Phosphorus-Induced Acute Liver Failure: A Case Report, Vihitha Vunnam, Swathi B.S

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Yellow phosphorus is a highly toxic compound commonly used in rodenticides and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality following ingestion. Toxicity typically evolves through an initial gastrointestinal phase, a deceptive latent period, and a final phase characterized by fulminant hepatic failure and multiorgan dysfunction. We report the case of an 18-year-old male who intentionally ingested two tubes of Ratol containing 3% yellow phosphorus. After initial vomiting and transient clinical stability, he developed rapidly progressive acute liver failure with severe coagulopathy, conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, hepatic encephalopathy, acute pancreatitis, pancytopenia, acute kidney injury, metabolic derangements, and recurrent hypoglycemia. Serial laboratory trends demonstrated …

When Fever And Thrombocytopenia Are Not Infectious: A Case Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Mimicking Tropical Fever, Ram Arvind Viswanathan Dr

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Vitamin B12 deficiency is classically associated with megaloblastic anaemia and neurological manifestations; however, atypical presentations continue to pose diagnostic challenges. Fever in association with thrombocytopenia often prompts evaluation for infectious aetiologies such as dengue, malaria, or sepsis, particularly in tropical settings. We report a case of vitamin B12 deficiency presenting with pyrexia and isolated thrombocytopenia, initially suspected to be an infectious illness. Extensive evaluation failed to reveal an infective cause, and subsequent haematological workup demonstrated megaloblastic changes with low serum vitamin B12 levels. Remarkably, the patient showed rapid defervescence and normalisation of platelet counts following parenteral vitamin B12 therapy. This …

The Role Of Physicians In Society: Perspectives From First-Year Mbbs Aspirants, Jesymol Joy, Dr Rashmi S, Amogha Shree, Dr Sunil Kumar D

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Physicians occupy a pivotal role in society as healers and communicators, with ethical leadership embedded in professional practice. In India, this role is evolving in response to changes in healthcare systems, increasing commercialization, and shifting societal expectations. Understanding how medical students perceive the physician’s role at the onset of medical education is vital for early professional identity development.

Objectives: To assess the motivations, perceptions, and values of first-year MBBS students regarding the societal roles, qualities, and responsibilities of physicians.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 430 first-year MBBS students at a tertiary medical college in Mysuru, Karnataka, using …

Do More Sexually Active Men Have Less Bothersome Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy? – A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study, Sharad Kumar Sahai, Puneet Aggarwal, Satya Prakash Tripathi, Pushkar Mendiratta, Madhamshetty Ranjith

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Objectives:

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in adult males with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) being a common cause, with significant effect on the patient’s quality of life and sexual function. Studies show that sexual dysfunction increases with increasing severity of LUTS. The present study aimed to analyse whether the severity of BPH symptoms assessed using scoring system had any association with ejaculation frequency and erectile function.

Methods:

This was a prospective cross-sectional study done over a period of 18 months. All consecutive patients reporting to the surgical department with BPH and meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled for …

Stones, Bones, And Hormones: A Multisystem Presentation Of Primary Hyperparathyroidism Due To Parathyroid Adenoma, Gadgesh B, Varsha Tandure, Nandini K, Chandana Srinath

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Primary hyperparathyroidism is an endocrine disorder characterized by excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone, most commonly due to a solitary parathyroid adenoma, resulting in hypercalcemia and multisystem involvement [1]. Although many patients are diagnosed incidentally, delayed recognition may lead to severe renal, skeletal, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular complications.

We report the case of a 44-year-old male who presented with sepsis and acute kidney injury, later found to have hypercalcemia with nephrocalcinosis, chronic calcific pancreatitis, skeletal deformities, and markedly elevated parathyroid hormone levels. Imaging localized a parathyroid adenoma, and the patient underwent successful parathyroidectomy with significant biochemical and clinical improvement.

This case emphasizes …

Clinical Correlates And Predictors Of Suicide Attempt Severity In Elderly Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study From South India, Rajamani Siddamallappa, Kiran Kumar Kadarappa Dr, Megha C N

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Suicide in late life is a major yet under-recognized public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. Elderly suicidal behaviour reflects interactions between psychiatric morbidity, substance use, psychological distress, intent, and method selection. Indian data examining these factors comprehensively remain limited.

Objectives: To assess psychiatric morbidity, hopelessness, suicide intent, planning patterns, methods, and independent predictors of suicide attempt severity among elderly suicide attempters.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 75 elderly individuals (≥60 years) admitted following a suicide attempt to a tertiary care hospital in South India. Depression severity, hopelessness, and suicide intent were assessed using Beck’s Depression Inventory-21 (BDI-21), …

Family Mental Health – A Case Report, Vikrant Arora, Medha Kosireddy, Mathumitha Ananth, Kishor M. Manohar Rao

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Psychiatric illness in India is estimated to be 15% as per National Mental Health Survey 2015-16.  Mental health challenges within families, especially depression, anxiety disorders that are not common and when unaddressed exert cascading effects on all members, disrupting emotional cohesion, relational functioning, and socioeconomic stability. There are few case reports on entire family presenting to psychiatry department.

With informed consent a city-based middle-class family of non-consanguineous origin, where the 40-year-old female, presented with intractable limb pains and health anxiety, she had multiple consultation in last few months and her 48-year-old husband also had with episodic pains, irritability and her …

From Controversy To Comeback: The Renewed Role Of Pralidoxime In Op Poisoning, Dr Sanaa Jain, Dr Savitha V, Dr . Shashidhara K C

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Organophosphorus compounds are commonly used as pesticides in agriculture, but they are responsible for approximately one-third of suicide deaths in Asian countries.The symptoms of organophosphate (OP) poisoning vary over time and are categorized into three phases: Acute Cholinergic Crisis (minutes to 24 hours), Delayed Phase (24 hours to 2 weeks), which may include intermediate syndrome, coma, and extrapyramidal symptoms, and Late Phase (OPIDP). Treatment typically involves Atropine, Pralidoxime, and symptomatic management, including airway support and mechanical ventilation.

Ropinirole-Induced Sleep-Related Behavioral Disturbances And Psychotic Symptoms In Parkinson's Disease: A Case Report, Kareena Arora, Akshatha C. J, Rajesh Raman, Vikrant Arora, Bindu Annigeri, Megha Sadashiv

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized primarily by motor symptoms such as bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor. Though commonly associated with motor symptoms but can also present with significant non-motor symptoms such as sleep disturbances, psychosis, and cognitive decline. These symptoms may arise spontaneously or be medication-induced. We present the case of a 53-year-old male with Parkinson’s disease who developed nocturnal behavioural disturbances and psychotic features, likely secondary to dopaminergic agonist medication. Symptom resolution followed adjustment of antiparkinsonian medications and the introduction of antipsychotic medication

Unusual Case Of Pelvic Fracture Urethral Distraction Defect, Varuni Pragya, Madhukesh Rudramurthy, Siddalinga Murthy G

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

INTRODUCTION

Urinary bladder ruptures are an uncommon injury, occurring in less than 1% of all blunt abdominal trauma. Extraperitoneal bladder ruptures are generally associated with pelvic fractures and usually managed nonoperatively but open surgery is required when these injuries are associated with additional trauma to structures like prostate and urethra.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report our experience with a 32-year-old male who suffered a head on collision with a four-wheeler while driving a two-wheeler in a road traffic accident. He presented to the hospital with abdominal and pelvic pain, difficulty in passing urine and swelling of the scrotum. His X Ray …

Biomedical Waste Management Practices In A Rural Health Training Centre In Southern India: A Cross-Sectional Facility Audit Using Kayakalp Guidelines, Mathivathani Palaniyappan, Kathiravan Rajendran

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background

Effective biomedical waste management (BMWM) is essential to prevent environmental contamination and health hazards in healthcare settings. In India, regulatory frameworks like the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, mandate proper handling, but compliance varies, particularly in rural facilities. This study evaluated BMWM practices at a rural health training centre using the Kayakalp assessment tool.

Methods

A cross-sectional audit was conducted from April to June 2024 at a rural health training centre affiliated with a medical college in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. The Kayakalp checklist for primary health centres was employed, encompassing 10 measurable elements with 20 checkpoints scored as …

Comparison Of Post Operative Analgesia Between Dexmedetomidine Versus Clonidine As Adjuvant To Ropivacaine In Ultrasound Guided Adductor Canal Block In Arthroscopic Knee Surgeries: A Randomized Controlled Study, Shwetha Arun, Archana B N, Dr. Shivakumar G Pofessor And Hod, Devika Lekshmi S

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

The current study evaluated the analgesic efficacy of dexmedetomidine versus clonidine as adjuvants to 0.2% ropivacaine in ultrasound-guided adductor canal block. Effective postoperative pain management is essential for early mobilization and improved recovery following arthroscopic knee surgeries. Sixty ASA I–II patients aged 20–60 years undergoing elective arthroscopic knee procedures were randomized into two groups: Group D received ropivacaine 0.2% 30ml with dexmedetomidine 100 mcg, and Group C received ropivacaine 0.2% 30ml with clonidine 150 mcg. Duration of analgesia, pain scores, sedation levels, hemodynamic changes, and rescue analgesic requirements were recorded. Group D demonstrated significantly prolonged analgesia (18.08 ± 0.514 h) …

Pulmonary Hemosiderosis In A Young Child Presenting With Recurrent Respiratory Illness And Refractory Anemia: A Case Report, Praveen Das, Ratnapriya Chowdhry, Neha Bhongale, Poonam Wade

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Pulmonary hemosiderosis (PH) is a rare cause of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in children and often presents with nonspecific respiratory symptoms and refractory iron‑deficiency anemia. We report a 2.5‑year‑old girl with recurrent lower respiratory tract infections, severe transfusion‑dependent anemia, failure to thrive, and persistent bilateral pulmonary infiltrates since infancy. Bronchoalveolar lavage demonstrated hemosiderin‑laden macrophages, confirming pulmonary hemosiderosis. Further evaluation revealed C‑ANCA positivity and PR3‑ANCA negativity, raising suspicion for an ANCA‑associated vasculitis; however, there was no renal, ear‑nose‑throat, or other systemic involvement, and a lung biopsy could not be performed. The child was managed with systemic corticosteroids with clinical improvement. This case …

State Social Benefit Schemes For Women In Continuity Of Psychiatric Care: A Case Report, Mathumitha A, Kishor M. Manohar Rao Professor

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Mental health disorders are a major global public health challenge. The disorders affect over a billion people worldwide, while depressive and bipolar spectrum disorders also contribute substantially to disability and reduced quality of life. According to the World Health Organization, major depression alone affects more than 300 million people globally and is considered a leading cause of years lived with disability. Beyond clinical morbidity, mental illnesses exert a profound economic impact, with depression and anxiety accounting for an estimated USD 1 trillion annually in lost productivity worldwide, while the overall global economic burden of mental disorders is projected to reach …

Dietary Micronutrients And The Risk Of Gestational Diabetes: Evidence From A Tertiary Care Setting In India, Sujatha Mahadevarao Premnath, Moneesh Sivasoupramaniane, Maghida S

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a significant health concern in India, affecting nearly 22.4% of pregnant women. While macronutrient roles are well explored, the impact of micronutrients on GDM risk, particularly with the Indian ethnic phenotype, requires exploration

Objectives: To compare the micronutrient intake between GDM and non-GDM pregnancies and evaluate the association between specific dietary micronutrients and GDM risk

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 115 South Indian pregnant women. Dietary history was taken using 24-hour recalls on two occasions and analysed via the Indian Food Composition Table (IFCT). GDM was diagnosed using International Association of …

Implementation Of Tg-351 Reference Dosimetry For A 6 Mv Photon Beam In An Mr-Guided Radiotherapy System, Nicholas A. Castellano Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Magnetic resonance guided radiation therapy (MRgRT) combines magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiation therapy to enable the visualization of anatomy in real time during treatment. The presence of a magnetic field in MRgRT affects charged particle radiation and detector responses, necessitating changes to traditional reference dosimetry procedures. The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group 351 (TG-351) provides a formalism for reference dosimetry in MRgRT. In this study, the TG 351 formalism is used to perform reference dosimetry for a 6 MV flattening filter-free (FFF) photon beam from a Viewray MRIdian MR-Linac radiation therapy system. Beam quality determination, …

Grading Melanocytic Dysplasia: Updated Histopathologic Criteria, Christopher R Shea, Victor G Prieto, Catherine M Shachaf, Scott R Florell

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Dr. Martin C. Mihm, Jr.'s innovative work on the dysplastic nevus achieved a milestone in his chapter in the World Health Organisation Classification of Skin Tumours (WHO-C). WHO-C presents a dichotomous classification (high-grade versus low-grade dysplastic nevi) and a quantitative metric to assess melanocytic nuclear enlargement. The Duke classification is a related approach that provides mostly quantitative histopathologic criteria for dysplastic nevi and gives due weight to architectural features as well as cytology. This paper proposes and illustrates updated criteria for scoring and grading melanocytic dysplasia, incorporating some of the definitions and categories of WHO-C, while refining the quantitative and …

Evaluation Of Organ-Specific Relative Biological Effectiveness Of Proton Therapy Using Radiation-Induced Pneumonitis As An Endpoint, Li Liao, Ting Xu, Mei Chen, Tingshi Su, Narayan Sahoo, Xiaorong Zhu, Steven J Frank, Quynh-Nhu Nguyen, Zhongxing Liao, Xiaodong Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background and purpose: Proton therapy has become widely used for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) due to its ability to spare normal tissue. However, the commonly assumed relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 1.1 may underestimate the therapy's true biological effects on lung, potentially leading to a higher than expected incidence of radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP). In this retrospective study, we evaluated the variability of organ-specific RBE of proton therapy using RP grade 2 or higher (RP2+) as an endpoint.

Materials and methods: Data from 270 NSCLC patients across two clinical trials were analyzed, with 134 given photon therapy and 136 given …

Trial Interviews To Explore Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia Patient Experiences Following Gene Therapy, Diane M Turner-Bowker, Jessica Butler, Shayna Egan, David A Weinstein, David F Rodriguez-Buritica, Ayesha Ahmad, María-Luz Couce, Rebecca Riba-Wolman, John J Mitchell, Christina Theodore-Oklota

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSDIa) is a rare, inherited, autosomal recessive deficiency of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), an enzyme necessary in glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. To maintain normal blood glucose levels and ensure survival, individuals living with GSDIa must frequently consume complex carbohydrates (eg, uncooked cornstarch). Dietary management can result in chronic complications and significant patient burden. DTX401 (pariglasgene brecaparvovec) is an investigational adeno-associated virus serotype 8 vector (AAV8)-based gene therapy designed to restore endogenous glucose production.

Objectives: Patient experience interviews were conducted as part of an open-label, phase 1/2 dose-escalation trial (NCT03517085) evaluating the safety and efficacy of …

Dietetic Guidance For Nutritional Management Of People With Phenylketonuria Receiving Sepiapterin, Anita Macdonald, Kirsten Ahring, Alexa Bledsoe, Hiroki Fujimoto, Sara Giorda, Christian Kogelmann, Jessica Kopesky, Laura Nagy, Sara O'Neill, Alex Pinto, Soraia Poloni, Paige Roberts, Annemiek M J Van Wegberg, Suzanne Hollander

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/objectives: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of metabolism. If untreated, elevated blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels lead to neurological and behavioral impairments. Phe levels can be managed through a lifelong Phe-restricted diet; however, this can be challenging to maintain. Sepiapterin is an adjunct therapy for PKU that has shown efficacy in reducing blood Phe levels in both tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4)-responsive and BH4-non-responsive people with PKU in clinical trials. Practical guidance is needed for dietitians and other healthcare professionals supporting the dietary management of people with PKU who are initiating or receiving sepiapterin.

Methods: A group of international dietitians participated …

Applications And Challenges Of Utilizing Digital Pathology And Ai-Enabled Workflows In Clinical Trials, Manu Sebastian, Harsh Batra, Monika Lamba Saini, Staci Kearney, Lorcan Sherry, Serge Alexanian, Michael Cohen, William Weber, Joe Lennerz, Anil V Parwani

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This is a comprehensive review on current utilization and challenges of digital pathology adoption in clinical trials and aims to provide a broad view on its impact on pathology review processes in clinical trials. It provides an overview of current pathology review practices in clinical trials and unique advantages digital pathology adoption can offer. The key areas including existing workflows, use case scenarios in different disease areas in clinical trials, including but not limited to patient identification and pre-screening, and regulatory aspects have been described with relevance. In addition, the review delves into the integration of genomics, AI, image analysis, …

Infliximab For Grade Iii Or Iv Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Nephritis Clinical And Translational Evidence, Nada Youssef, Masroor Habeeb, Hong Chen, Zainab Alhamal, Omar Mamlouk, Heather Lin, Valda Page, Amanda Tchakarov, Sreyashi Basu, Adi Diab, Padmanee Sharma, Ala Abudayyeh

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a common presentation of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) toxicity. Increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression has been observed in ICI-induced AIN (ICI-AIN). In this study, we compared treatment with glucocorticoids plus infliximab to glucocorticoids only in stage III or IV ICI-AIN. We conducted retrospective NanoString analysis of ICI-exposed kidney samples to identify associated gene signatures and possible association with TNF-α expression.

Methods: We reviewed the records of patients who received ICI, developed acute kidney injury (AKI), and underwent kidney biopsy at MD Anderson Cancer Center from January 2022 to October 2024. Fifty-five patients had …

Reconsidering The Definition Of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer In The Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Era: An Optimal Cut-Off Value For Hormone Receptor Percentage Of Her2-Negative Invasive Breast Cancer, Takeo Fujii, Toshiaki Iwase, Yu Shen, Jami Fukui, Naoto T Ueno

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The optimal cut-off values of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) expression to define the positivity of ER and PgR have been under discussion for over a decade but remain controversial. The American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) and the St. Gallen International Expert Consensus recommended that breast cancers with ≥1% of ER or PgR expression should be considered hormone receptor (HR)-positive tumors but ER/PR expression of 1% to 10% should be reported as HR-low positive; however, among HER2-negative disease, data on the overall benefit of adjuvant endocrine therapies for patients with HR-low positive disease is …

T Cells Modulate The Development And Maintenance Of Painful Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy In Rnu Rats, Ahmed Olalekan Bakare, Gerard Limerick, Vasudha Goel, Ratan K Banik, Lei Zheng, Andrew J Shepherd, Kristine Glunde, Qin Zheng, Eellan Sivanesan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The role of T cells in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is complex and shaped by biological and experimental factors, including sex, hormonal status, genetic background, and cancer model. This complexity has contributed to inconsistent findings among studies, limiting therapeutic progress. In this study, we investigate how T cells contribute to painful paclitaxel (PTX)-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN). Adult male T cell-competent (RNU+/−) and T cell-deficient (RNU−/−) rats were subcutaneously inoculated with tumor cells and subsequently treated with intraperitoneal PTX (8 mg/kg total dose). Reflexive (mechanical, heat, cold) and non-reflexive (burrowing, gait) pain behaviors were assessed from baseline through week 6. Immunohistochemistry …

Evaluating Novel Targeted Combination Therapies For Gastrointestinal Cancers, Joseph A. Goode

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers remain among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with therapeutic resistance continuing to limit the effectiveness of current treatments. Three complementary studies were conducted to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities and evaluate novel combination strategies in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and colorectal cancer (CRC).  First, dual inhibition of fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling was investigated in PDAC models. A combination of targeted drug treatments reduced viability, clonogenic survival, migration, and suppressed signaling pathways involved in translational control. This supported a functional interaction between FGFR4 and PI3K-mTOR co-activation in …

Spectrum Of Neurodevelopmental Disorders In Children Attending A Developmental Clinic In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Aleya Zulfikar Remtulla, Sumayyah Nasiruddin Saudin, Orujul Hassan, Mariam Noorani

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in children present significant challenges for healthcare systems globally. In Tanzania, children with NDDs and their families face significant challenges due to late diagnosis, lack of standardized screening tools, widespread stigma and cultural beliefs that deter health-seeking behaviours. Awareness about NDDs is low, and financial constraints further complicate access to necessary medical interventions. The country suffers from a severe shortage of specialized healthcare providers, and general healthcare providers often lack adequate training. Additionally, limited specialized facilities, high treatment costs and insufficient healthcare policies dedicated to NDDs make it difficult to manage these conditions effectively. Understanding the …