Medical Specialties Commons^™

Retina In 10 Years—Exciting Developments, Amer Ahmed

inSIGHT

Significant advancements in the field of retina are expected over the next decade.

Wet AMD: Emerging Therapies
Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye condition and a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the macula. These vessels are fragile and prone to leaking blood or fluid, which damages the retina and leads to rapid central vision loss.¹

Insight, Volume 5, Issue 1, 2025

inSIGHT

Contents

8 - Retina in 10 Years—Exciting Developments
By Amer Ahmed

12 - Giving More than Vision: The Evolution and Impact of Give Kids Sight Day
By Leah Prischak

15 - Vascular, Immunological, and Mechanical Factors in Normal Tension Glaucoma: A Multidimensional Approach to Pathogenesis
By Rachel Cain

22 - Recent Trends in the Ophthalmology Match
By Michael Pratt

25 - Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Comprehensive Review of Diagnosis and Management
By Sriya Sadhu

31 - Day in the Life of an Orbital and Oculoplastic Surgeon
By Alexis Duffy

35 - Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
By Tejal Patel

42 - Genetic …

Delayed Diagnosis Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Presenting As Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: A Case For Heightened Clinical Suspicion, Diana Acosta Pozo, Luis Álvarez Pérez

Research Colloquium

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by multisystem involvement, including hematologic manifestations. Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA), though an established feature, is relatively uncommon and may occur early or in isolation. When AIHA presents without overt systemic symptoms, the underlying autoimmune etiology may be overlooked, resulting in delays in diagnosis and treatment. Prompt recognition is essential to prevent unnecessary interventions and prolonged morbidity.

Case Presentation: A 39-year-old woman residing in Texas presented to the Rheumatology office with persistent synovitis and severe transfusion-dependent anemia, requiring red blood cell transfusions every 48 hours for over three months. She …

Educational Services And Language Congruency In Low-Income Children Who Are Deaf Of Hard-Of-Hearing, Courtney J. Austin, Dylan Chan, Jihyun Stephans

Research Colloquium

Background: Children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) are required by United States law to have access to educational services through the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). However, access to language-congruent providers, as well as supplemental services, varies considerably. Household income is associated with poorer hearing care access and outcomes in DHH children. We predict that access to supplemental, language-congruent DHH services is poorer in DHH children from lower-income homes.

Methods: This is a secondary, ad hoc exploratory study of DHH children aged 0-27 months enrolled in a randomized clinical trial (CT.gov: NCT04928209). Children were enrolled across all …

A Puzzling Case Of Visual Disturbances Leads To A Fatal Neurodegenerative Diagnosis, Courtney J. Austin, Aaron Carrillo, Jennifer Rojas Huen, Victoria Parada

Research Colloquium

Background: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare neurodegenerative disease in which early diagnosis is complicated by the presence of early non-specific and atypical presentations. Sporadic CJD (sCJD), the most common type of CJD, is caused by the spread of a disease-forming prion known as PrPSc. PrPSc multiplies and binds to the normal form of prion, or PrP, converting it to an abnormal, structurally altered disease form that spreads throughout the brain. sCJD can initially present with six different phenotypes: cognitive, affective, classic, visual (Heidenhain variant), atactic (Oppenheimer-Brownell variant), and indeterminate. The classic presentation of CJD includes rapidly progressive dementia with …

Optimizing Antibiotic Stewardship In Pneumonia: Evidence-Based Protocols For Enhanced Treatment And Resistance Reduction In A University-Affiliated Community Hospital, Carlos Luis Alejos, Jennifer Rojas Huen, Joan Beatrice Capellan, Ricardo Serna, Tejaswini Swamy, Jose Campo Maldonado

Research Colloquium

Introduction: National guidelines recommend early, targeted diagnostics such as respiratory viral panels, procalcitonin testing, Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal swabs, and sputum cultures, for the effective management of pneumonia. However, our retrospective review at a university-affiliated community hospital revealed inconsistent application of these tools. These may contribute to excessive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, higher costs, and increased antimicrobial resistance. The reason is that we aim to implement a standardized pneumonia order set in the electronic medical record (EMR) to improve diagnostic accuracy and antibiotic stewardship.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of adult inpatients admitted with community-acquired, hospital-acquired, …

The Association Between Pre-Existing Medical Conditions And Trigger Finger Release In A Medically Underserved Region, Blake C. Martin, Manoj Peiris, Michael D. Sander

Research Colloquium

Background: Trigger finger is a relatively common condition that may affect daily activities. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is a health professional shortage area with a unique patient population. Our primary objective in this study was to analyze patients with various pre-existing medical conditions and determine if there was an association with the risk of trigger finger release surgery.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review using the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) UTHealth electronic database utilizing medical charts from January 1, 2018, to January 1, 2025. We collected and analyzed medical charts of patients who were diagnosed …

Chronic Conditions And Osteoporosis Risk: Insights From Penalized Logistic Modeling, Blake C. Martin, Juan Lopez Alvarenga

Research Colloquium

Background: The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is a rural area with underserved, unique communities that may influence the health of the population. The primary objective of this study was to analyze factors associated with osteoporosis in individuals in the RGV to determine if the number of pre-existing medical conditions had an association with the frequency of osteoporosis. We hypothesized that individuals with more pre-existing medical conditions would be associated with an increased frequency of osteoporosis.

Methods: This study was a retrospective chart review from January 1, 2018, to January 1, 2025, using the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) …

The South Texas Center Of Excellence In Cancer Research Core Facilities, Bianca Jimenez, Joel De Los Santos, Lindsey Shim, Iris Enriquez, Subhash Chauhan, Murali Yallapu

Research Colloquium

Background: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley-School of Medicine (UTRGV-SOM) has founded the South Texas Centre of Excellence in Cancer Research to address disproportionate cancer related health issues in the Valley. UTRGV-SOM established an Integrated Cancer Research Core (ICRC, CPRIT/UT System), Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine Core (DDNC, CPRIT), and Research Capacity (RCMI) Facilities at the UTRGV campus to provide cutting-edge technologies to support cancer research investigators of the Rio Grande Valley. The ICRC will house technologies like Flow Cytometry, CyTOF, Image Stream Flow, Droplet Digital PCR, molecular and microPET/CT imaging. Our expertise and focus on this presentation will be …

The Intersection Of Obesity And Breast Cancer In South Texas: Clinical Implications And Regional Disparities, Aura M. C. Calderon, Ivan Mogollon, Luis Salcedo, Jose Loayza, Diane Nguyen

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Breast cancer continues to be the most frequently identified malignancy among females in both Texas and the broader United States. Although South Texas presents a marginally diminished incidence rate overall, the area persists in confronting significant disparities in terms of disease burden and health outcomes. These discrepancies are particularly pronounced among Hispanic women residing in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), who encounter heightened probabilities of receiving diagnoses at advanced stages despite a lower general incidence rate. Structural inequities, such as restricted access to healthcare services, socioeconomic deprivation, and inadequate health literacy, interact with obesity-associated biological risk factors, thereby engendering …

Progressive Pulmonary Sarcoidosis In A Young Adult Mimicking Miliary Tuberculosis: A Case Report And Literature Review, Aura M. C. Calderon, Luis Salcedo, Ivan Mogollon, Francisco Arias, Juan Pablo Gomez

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Pulmonary sarcoidosis can pose considerable diagnostic challenges, particularly in young adults hailing from regions endemic to tuberculosis (TB), wherein radiographic manifestations may closely mimic those of miliary TB. This case underscores the necessity of sustaining an extensive differential diagnosis and accentuates the critical role of histological verification in the assessment of diffuse pulmonary micronodular infiltrates, especially in instances where the infectious workup yields negative results.

Case Report: A 26-year-old male from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with no significant medical history, presented with a 10–12 month history of chronic dry cough and exertional dyspnea. He denied fever, weight loss, …

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (Pres) Secondary To B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Case Report, Aura M. C. Calderon, Luis Salcedo, Ivan Mogollon, Jeyilis Carmona, Juan Pablo Gomez

Research Colloquium

Background: Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) represents a rare and potentially reversible neurotoxic disorder, distinguished by the presence of acute neurological manifestations and vasogenic edema, frequently detected through neuroimaging techniques. Although traditionally linked to hypertensive crises, renal insufficiency, and cytotoxic therapies, a growing body of evidence suggests that hematological malignancies, specifically acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), should be regarded as an independent risk factor.

Case Presentation: A 73-year-old Hispanic female with a medical history significant for hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis, and Parkinson’s disease presented with a progressive decline in strength and altered cognitive status. Upon …

Cervical Cancer Disparities In Hispanic Women: A Multilevel Analysis Using Seer And Texas State Data, Aura M. C. Calderon, Ivan Mogollon, Shubhank Goyal, Jose Loayza, Everardo Cobos, Diane Nguyen

Research Colloquium

Background: Cervical carcinoma continues to exert a disproportionate burden on Hispanic women within the United States, notably in jurisdictions such as Texas, where individuals of Hispanic descent constitute more than 40% of the demographic populace. Notwithstanding progress in screening methodologies and preventive measures, considerable disparities persist in incidence rates, mortality figures, and survival outcomes when assessed through the lens of racial and ethnic stratifications.

Objective: To examine and visually communicate disparities in cervical cancer burden among Hispanic women through a combination of national survival data and Texas state-level incidence and mortality statistics.

Methods: Publicly accessible datasets were employed from the …

Case Report: Familial Hypomagnesemia In A Patient With History Of Hodgkin Lymphoma, Aura M. C. Calderon, Ivan Mogollon, Catherine Matos, Jose Loayza, Everardo Cobos

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Magnesium constitutes an essential electrolyte integral to the functioning of neuromuscular systems, the regulation of cardiovascular parameters, and the facilitation of metabolic processes. Chronic hypomagnesemia may precipitate significant complications, including the onset of arrhythmias and seizures. In cases where hypomagnesemia is refractory to supplementation and manifests in multiple family members, a hereditary tubulopathy, such as Gitelman syndrome (GS), warrants consideration. Gitelman syndrome is classified as an autosomal recessive disorder, resulting from mutations in the SLC12A3 gene, which impairs the thiazide-sensitive sodium-chloride cotransporter located in the distal convoluted tubule.

Case Presentation: A 39-year-old female with a history of classical Hodgkin …

Case Report: Clonidine Withdrawal-Induced Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (Pres), Aura M. C. Calderon, Francisco Arias, Ivan Mogollon, Luis Salcedo, Hector Arredondo

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Clonidine, an agonist of central α2-adrenergic and imidazoline receptors, possesses the capacity to elicit transient episodes of hypertension succeeded by hypotension and bradycardia. This particular case underscores a rare yet significant complication, Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES), that can occur subsequent to the abrupt cessation of clonidine administration.

Case Presentation: An 18-year-old male with severe asthma and prior ICU admissions presented to the emergency department after two seizures. He had recently been treated for an asthma exacerbation complicated by hypertension, for which clonidine was initiated. He was discharged on clonidine and prednisone but discontinued clonidine the day before admission …

The Impact Of Cage Position, Radiographic Parameters, And Hounsfield Units On Subsidence Rate After One To Three Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion, Jarod Olson, Jonathan Dalton, Omar H. Tarawneh, Rajkishen Narayanan, Alec Giakas, Rachel Huang, Joydeep Baidya, Robert J. Oris, Joshua Mathew, William A. Green, Nicholas B. Pohl, Anthony Labarbiera, Benjamin Crain, Nathaniel Pineda, Joseph Rajasekaran, Gordon Hua, Mark F. Kurd, Jeffrey A. Rihn, Jose A. Canseco, Alan S. Hilibrand, Alex R. Vaccaro, Christopher K Kepler, Gregory D. Schroeder

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

STUDY DESIGN: The study design was a retrospective cohort.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to validate the relationship between Hounsfield units (HU) and subsidence, including multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Cage/graft subsidence commonly occurs after ACDF. Prior work on 1-level ACDF found increased subsidence rates in patients with lower HUs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adults who underwent 1-3 level ACDF at a tertiary center and had preoperative computed tomography scans were included (2018-2022). HUs were assessed ~5 mm caudal to the superior endplate. Six-month postoperative radiographs were evaluated for cage/graft positioning, screw loosening, and subsidence. Receiver operating …

Early Blood Pressure Targets In Acute Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Ruba Sajdeya, N. David Yanez, Michael Kampp, Michael D. Goodman, David Zonies, Brandon Togioka, Andrew Nunn, Robert D. Winfield, Niels D. Martin, Anirudh Kohli, Toan T. Huynh, David O. Okonkwo, Roy A. Poblete, Emily J. Gilmore, Randall M. Chesnut, Aaron E. Bunnell, Tetsu Ohnuma, Mona Hashemaghaie, Miriam M. Treggiari

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

IMPORTANCE: Early blood pressure management is central to neurologic resuscitation of spinal cord injury; however, the role of augmented blood pressure is unclear.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of augmented vs conventional blood pressure on 6-month neurologic outcomes after acute spinal cord injury.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This multicenter randomized clinical trial took place from October 3, 2017, to July 26, 2023, and assessed patients 18 years or older with spinal cord injury followed up for 6 months at 13 large US trauma centers.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients were equally randomized to augmented (>85-90 mm Hg) or conventional ( …

Efficacy And Safety Of Rigosertib In Patients With Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa-Associated Advanced/Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Martin Laimer, Andrew P. South, Elisabeth Mayr, Sophie Kitzmueller, Lauren Banner, Michael Alexander, Linda Hosler, Henry Yang, Matthew Parris, Meena Arora, Georg Zimmermann, Gregor Schweighofer-Zwink, Johann Bauer, Neda Nikbakht

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is an epithelial fragility disease primarily affecting the skin and is caused by variants in the COL7A1 gene. Individuals with RDEB are predisposed to develop highly aggressive cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) which are the most common cause of premature death. There is a lack of effective prevention or treatment options for patients with RDEB-SCC.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the antitumour activity and safety of the polo-like kinase-1 (PLK1) inhibitor, rigosertib, two investigator-initiated open-label, single-arm phase II studies were opened in Europe and the USA and enrolled five patients with RDEB diagnosed with locally advanced …

Editorial: Wearable Technology: The New Ornament Of Network Physiology, Ankita Srivastava, Santosh Kumar Yadav

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Introduction: The landscape of personal health monitoring is rapidly transforming, driven by advances in wearable technology. These devices, designed to be worn comfortably on the body, can capture real-time physiological data often difficult to obtain in traditional clinical settings. What began as a simple device for activity trackers for walking steps, heart rate, and blood oxygen saturation has evolved to play a crucial role in monitoring more complex physiological parameters critical for chronic disease management and preventative health.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is further expanding the potential of wearable devices, enabling deeper analysis and predictive modeling of the …

Disparities In Liver Transplantation For Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma, David W Victor, Sudha Kodali, Mazen Noureddin, Elizabeth W Brombosz, Analisa Lopez, Tamneet Basra, Edward A Graviss, Duc T Nguyen, Ashish Saharia, Ashton A Connor, Maen Abdelrahim, Yee Lee Cheah, Caroline J Simon, Mark J Hobeika, Constance M Mobley, R Mark Ghobrial

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is increasingly common, as is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the background of MASH. Liver transplantation (LT) provides superior long-term survival for patients with unresectable MASH-HCC, but not all patients have equal access to transplant. MASH-HCC disproportionately affects Hispanic patients, but minorities are less likely to undergo LT for HCC. Additionally, females also undergo LT at lower rates than males.

Aim: To investigate whether race/ethnicity and sex affect LT waitlist outcomes.

Methods: Records of adults with MASH-HCC in the United States Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database listed for LT between 1/2015 and 12/2021 were analyzed. …

Semilunar Valve Replacement With A Telescoping Arterial Trunk Valve, Edo Bedzra, Herra Javed, James E. O'Brien, Taufiek Konrad Rajab

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

A bicuspid aortic valve, from autologous tissue, with growth potential can be constructed using the simple, and reproducible telescoping arterial trunk technique.

The Impact Of Foraminotomy On Patient-Reported Outcomes Following 3+ Level Posterior Cervical Decompression And Fusion For Myeloradiculopathy, Robert J. Oris, Jonathan Dalton, Joydeep Baidya, Tariq Z. Issa, Tyler D. Alexander, Jarod Olson, Rachel Huang, Chloe Herczeg, Omar Tarawneh, Rajkishen Narayanan, Michael Carter, Jonah Hammerstedt, Sebastian Quiana, Mark Kurd, Barrett I. Woods, I David Kaye, Thomas Cha, Jose A Canseco, Alan S. Hilibrand, Alex R. Vaccaro, Christopher K. Kepler, Gregory D. Schroeder

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether patients with myeloradiculopathy experience better improvement in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) from the addition of foraminotomy in the setting of posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF).

METHODS: Adult patients who underwent ≥≥ 3-level PCDF (2017-2022) at a single tertiary center were retrospectively identified. Patients were included if their indication was myeloradiculopathy - patients were excluded if they had a combined anterior/posterior approach, an indication of infection/tumor/trauma, or incomplete 1-year PROMs. Operative notes were evaluated to identify the patients who had a foraminotomy specifically for neuro-decompression. Patients with or without foraminotomy were evaluated for demographic/surgical variables, surgical …

Connecting Innovation And Trust Through Translational Sciences – A Need For A Community Focus And Effective Education Strategiess, Filipa Godoy-Vitorino, Michelle Borrero, Josué Pérez-Santiago, Rubén García-García, Candelaria Gomez-Manzano

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Report of a conference held in Puerto Rico, this article highlights how interdisciplinary translational science-anchored in education, public trust, and equity-can accelerate innovation in cancer therapy while empowering underserved communities through inclusive training, collaboration, and research participation.

Systemic Vascular Dysregulation And Retinal Microvascular Alterations In Glaucoma, Amin Ibrahim, Tori Sayers, Alexa Nichols, Igor Zwir, Andrew Tsin, Lorena Flores-Hernandez, Gladys E. Maestre, Jesus D. Melgarejo

Research Colloquium

Background: Glaucoma is a multifactorial, progressive optic neuropathy, for which both mechanical and vascular mechanisms of pathogenesis have been proposed. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) enables noninvasive visualization of the choroidal and retinal vasculature and may be used to quantify vascular changes associated with glaucoma. Systemic risk factors, including variations in blood pressure (BP), whether low or elevated, have been associated with the vascular pathogenesis of glaucoma. This systematic review aims to synthesize the current evidence on the relationship between systemic vascular dysregulation and OCTA-derived retinal vascular markers in glaucomatous eyes.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search …

Anemia Is Never The Diagnosis: Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia As A Herald Of Late-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Alhasan Asaad, Dixie Duran, Cristina Duran-Nesovic, Jose E. Campo Maldonado

Research Colloquium

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by multisystem involvement and a highly variable clinical presentation. It predominantly affects women of childbearing age and arises from complex interactions between genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors, resulting in immune dysregulation and widespread inflammation. The disease can manifest in nearly any organ system, with common presentations including skin rashes, arthritis, renal dysfunction, and hematologic abnormalities. Despite advances in understanding its pathogenesis and management, SLE remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to its heterogeneous nature and potential for severe complications. This case report highlights a unique presentation of SLE, …

Retinal Vessel Density And Diameter Changes In Alzheimer’S Disease: A Systematic Review, Alexa E. Nichols, Tori Sayers, Amin Ibrahim, Jorge Zwir, Andrew Tsin, Lorena Flores-Hernandez, Gladys Maestre, Jesus Melgarejo

Research Colloquium

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by cerebral microvascular dysfunction, which may be mirrored in the retina due to shared embryological origins and common risk factors such as hypertension.1 Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) offers a noninvasive approach to quantify retinal microvascular changes associated with AD.2 This systematic review evaluated retinal vessel density and diameter changes in relation to AD and related disorders, including mild cognitive impairment.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus was conducted following PRISMA guidelines.3 Eligible studies included peer-reviewed human research using OCTA to assess retinal vessel density and/or diameter in mild cognitive impairment, AD, …

Etomidate Vs Ketamine In Rapid Sequence Intubation: A Comparative Review Of Clinical Efficacy And Safety, Abelardo Rodriguez, Cesar Ortega, Jessica Daza

Research Colloquium

Background: Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI) is a critical procedure in emergency and critical care settings, and the choice of induction agent can significantly affect patient outcomes. Etomidate and Ketamine are two widely used agents with distinct pharmacologic profiles. Understanding their comparative efficacy and safety across clinical contexts is essential for optimizing care in high-acuity environments.

Objective: To compare Etomidate and Ketamine as induction agents for RSI, focusing on their mechanisms of action, hemodynamic effects, and clinical outcomes in various patient populations.

Methods: A literature-based review was conducted using key databases including PubMed, Cochrane, and clinical guidelines. Studies examining the use …

Refractory Neutropenic Fevers In Aml: Unmasking Voriconazole-Resistant Invasive Aspergillosis, Abdel Martinez Borrego, Sahir Bhatti, Cesar Gutierrez

Research Colloquium

Background: Persistent fever in neutropenic patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often raises concern for invasive fungal infections (IFIs), especially when unresponsive to broad-spectrum antibiotics and first-line antifungal agents like voriconazole. Invasive aspergillosis (IA), primarily caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this population, with mortality rates exceeding 50% in refractory cases. The emergence of azole-resistant Aspergillus, now reported in up to 10–15% of isolates in some regions, has complicated management. Patients may present with nonspecific symptoms such as persistent fevers, as well as concerning findings like cutaneous lesions—a clue to hematogenous spread—and …

Structural Basis For Mtorc1 Activation On The Lysosomal Membrane, Zhicheng Cui, Alessandra Esposito, Gennaro Napolitano, Andrea Ballabio, James H Hurley

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) integrates growth factor (GF) and nutrient signals to stimulate anabolic processes connected to cell growth and inhibit catabolic processes such as autophagy1,2. GF signalling through the tuberous sclerosis complex regulates the lysosomally localized small GTPase RAS homologue enriched in brain (RHEB)3. Direct binding of RHEB-GTP to the mTOR kinase subunit of mTORC1 allosterically activates the kinase by inducing a large-scale conformational change4. Here we reconstituted mTORC1 activation on membranes by RHEB, RAGs and Ragulator. Cryo-electron microscopy showed that RAPTOR and mTOR interact directly with the membrane. Full engagement of the membrane anchors …

Predictors Of All-Cause In-Hospital Mortality In Patients With Malignant Well-Differentiated Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors, Elvis Obomanu, Tarfa Verinumbe, Tinsae Anebo, Colton Jones, Claudia Dourado

Einstein Health Papers

BACKGROUND: Factors influencing in-hospital mortality in patients with well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) remain understudied, highlighting gaps in optimizing acute clinical outcomes. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic and clinical predictors of all-cause in-hospital mortality in this population.

METHODS: Using 2016 - 2020 data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS), patients with malignant well-differentiated GEP-NETs were identified via the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Sociodemographic and clinical variables (heart failure (HF), malnutrition, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and tumor site) were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS: Among 5,642 patients (mean age …