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Articles 151 - 180 of 1858

Full-Text Articles in Pediatrics

Integrating A Project-Based Learning Methodology Into A Department-Wide Quality Improvement Curriculum: A Nine-Year Experience In Pediatric Subspecialty Training, Venessa Lynn Pinto, Danny Castro, Constance M Wiemann, Liza Bonin, Cagri Yildirim-Toruner, Nicholas A Ettinger, Sharada Hiranya Gowda, Joyee Vachani, Mehmet Fatih Okcu Jan 2026

Integrating A Project-Based Learning Methodology Into A Department-Wide Quality Improvement Curriculum: A Nine-Year Experience In Pediatric Subspecialty Training, Venessa Lynn Pinto, Danny Castro, Constance M Wiemann, Liza Bonin, Cagri Yildirim-Toruner, Nicholas A Ettinger, Sharada Hiranya Gowda, Joyee Vachani, Mehmet Fatih Okcu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Quality improvement (QI) training of subspecialty fellows is an essential component of graduate medical education, yet often delivered in silos within departments through a variety of instructional methodologies.

Objective: We applied project-based learning (PjBL) as a guiding methodology for a QI curriculum for pediatric subspecialty fellows and describe our curriculum development, instructional design, and its implementation.

Methods: We integrated the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Model for Improvement with the 6 key features of PjBL: a driving question, defined learning goals, active participation in educational tasks, collaboration among learners, scaffolding with learning technology, and production of tangible artifacts. The …


When Targeted Gene Testing Falls Short: Case Report Of A Novel Slc4a3 F347s Genetic Variant Associated With Short Qt Syndrome, Chelsea A Boyd, Tyler J Novy, Taylor A Beecroft-Dawson, Connor A Bell, Emily M Bland, Christina Y Miyake Jan 2026

When Targeted Gene Testing Falls Short: Case Report Of A Novel Slc4a3 F347s Genetic Variant Associated With Short Qt Syndrome, Chelsea A Boyd, Tyler J Novy, Taylor A Beecroft-Dawson, Connor A Bell, Emily M Bland, Christina Y Miyake

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.


The Lived Experience Of Pediatric Pain Management: Insights From Families And Providers, Samrithaa Balakrishnan, Annesha Dey, Aarti Bavare, Paul Checchia, Katherine Shwetz, Natasha Afonso Jan 2026

The Lived Experience Of Pediatric Pain Management: Insights From Families And Providers, Samrithaa Balakrishnan, Annesha Dey, Aarti Bavare, Paul Checchia, Katherine Shwetz, Natasha Afonso

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Pain represents a subjective experience that manifests with emotional and physical discomfort. In pediatric care, pain management is especially complex due to communicative limitations, which creates a unique point of entry for parents to contribute to their child's treatment process. In this study, we explored whether families' perceptions of their child's pain and preferences for treatment were aligned with healthcare providers' pain management decisions. Using narrative-informed techniques in interviews with families and healthcare providers in pediatric care settings, we analyzed areas of concordance and discordance in pain assessment and treatment priorities. Our findings show that trust is built over time …


Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Foundations In Physics And Image Acquisition: An Innovative Hands-On Active Learning Workshop, Cherie Tator, Saul Flores, Alan Riley, Kiyetta Alade Jan 2026

Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Foundations In Physics And Image Acquisition: An Innovative Hands-On Active Learning Workshop, Cherie Tator, Saul Flores, Alan Riley, Kiyetta Alade

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: We developed an innovative, active learning workshop to introduce foundations of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) physics and instrumentation. The workshop design aimed to reduce cognitive load and encourage learner-centered engagement through hands-on exploration that reinforces key principles and connects theory to practice.

Methods: First-year medical students participated in small-group, student-driven exercises to explore POCUS machine controls, transducers, and image acquisition skills. Each group was supported by a faculty member to guide activities and ensure accuracy. Students scanned pickles, hard-boiled eggs, and olives with pits; these items were selected for their low cost, sonographic characteristics, and recognizability. Later in the semester, …


Pd-L1-Centric Whole Blood-Based Immune Signature Profiles Of Tuberculosis Patients During Therapy, Johanna Eggeling, Martina Sester, Christoph Lange, Jan Heyckendorf, Barbara Kalsdorf, Anna M Mandalakas, Andrew R Dinardo, David Lewinsohn, Dagmar Schaub, Tina Schmidt, Eva Tolosa, Maja Reimann, Patricia M Sánchez Carballo Jan 2026

Pd-L1-Centric Whole Blood-Based Immune Signature Profiles Of Tuberculosis Patients During Therapy, Johanna Eggeling, Martina Sester, Christoph Lange, Jan Heyckendorf, Barbara Kalsdorf, Anna M Mandalakas, Andrew R Dinardo, David Lewinsohn, Dagmar Schaub, Tina Schmidt, Eva Tolosa, Maja Reimann, Patricia M Sánchez Carballo

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

This prospective study investigated whole blood-based immune cell biomarkers for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) immunoprofiling. Blood samples from 34 healthy controls and 51 tuberculosis patients were analyzed at three timepoints: Prior to therapy (T0), after 14 days of therapy (T1), and at the end of treatment (Te). Using multiparameter flow cytometry, 386 immune cell populations were analyzed. Predictive models were developed using two machine learning algorithms. A TB5LF change score, which was based on five cell populations, effectively distinguished tuberculosis patients from controls (AUC = 0.89) and tuberculosis patients before and at the end of treatment (AUC = 0.92). Similarly, the …


A Review Of Current Research And Barriers To Access: Exploring Disparities In Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery, Nikita Das, Ali A Mohamed, Akshat Katyayan, Meena Vessell Jan 2026

A Review Of Current Research And Barriers To Access: Exploring Disparities In Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery, Nikita Das, Ali A Mohamed, Akshat Katyayan, Meena Vessell

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) impacts at least 30% of pediatric epilepsy patients, adversely affecting neurodevelopment and quality of life, as well as risk of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). While surgical intervention has proven to be an effective treatment for DRE, disparities in access to surgical care persist. Compared to adults, pediatric patients face unique challenges, including delayed recognition of surgical candidacy, limited access to specialized epilepsy centers, complex care coordination, and socioeconomic barriers.

Summary: This review explores the current state of pediatric epilepsy surgery, highlighting its effectiveness in achieving seizure freedom, improving neurocognitive outcomes, and reducing long-term healthcare …


Sodium Supplementation Algorithm To Promote Growth In Infants Who Are Preterm: Randomized Clinical Trial, Brianna M Liberio, Gregory M Sokol, Hannah Rakow, Kelly Mosesso, Valerie Hole, William W Wong, Shaji K Chacko, Jeffrey L Segar Jan 2026

Sodium Supplementation Algorithm To Promote Growth In Infants Who Are Preterm: Randomized Clinical Trial, Brianna M Liberio, Gregory M Sokol, Hannah Rakow, Kelly Mosesso, Valerie Hole, William W Wong, Shaji K Chacko, Jeffrey L Segar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of an algorithm using urine sodium (Na) concentration to guide dietary Na supplementation compared with standard care to promote growth in infants who are preterm.

Methods: A randomized trial was conducted in 4 neonatal units in Indianapolis, Indiana, involving infants between 250/7 to 296/7 weeks gestation with birthweight > 500 g. Study arms consisted of standard care or use of algorithm beginning at 14 to 17 days postnatal age. The primary outcomes were somatic growth (weight, length, and head circumference) measured by change in Z-score between aged 2 weeks and 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Secondary outcomes …


Layers To Leaves: A Suite Of Modular 3d Printed Hydroponics Components For Research And Education, Ethan A Shaw, Suraj K Chandramouli, Michael P Dzakovich Jan 2026

Layers To Leaves: A Suite Of Modular 3d Printed Hydroponics Components For Research And Education, Ethan A Shaw, Suraj K Chandramouli, Michael P Dzakovich

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Hydroponics is a widely utilized technique to precisely control the plant growing environment and maximize productivity. In some cases, hydroponics systems can be expensive and require specialized expertise to build and maintain. Here, we present a suite of 3D-printed devices that can be constructed into a single or double tower hydroponics system of variable height and composition. This system is easily scalable to fit the needs of a user and can be implemented in a variety of research and educational contexts. Components in this suite can be made from inexpensive plastic filament using household-grade 3D printers. The vertical design of …


Tracheobronchial Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma In Four Pediatric Patients, Kalen Hendra, Muhammad Ijlal Khan, Mitali Thanawala, Manuel Silva-Carmona, Eric D Zee Jan 2026

Tracheobronchial Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma In Four Pediatric Patients, Kalen Hendra, Muhammad Ijlal Khan, Mitali Thanawala, Manuel Silva-Carmona, Eric D Zee

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Pediatric tracheobronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), also called pulmonary MEC, is a rare malignant primary lung neoplasm that is typically found in the large airways. Patients may present with symptoms such as cough, pneumonia, fever, hemoptysis, dyspnea, wheezing, chest pain, weight loss, and fatigue. These nonspecific symptoms (or lack of symptoms in some cases) often result in a delayed diagnosis. Chest CT typically demonstrates findings consistent with bronchial obstruction and diagnosis is made via histopathology. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment and children often have favorable outcomes. Here we present four cases of tracheobronchial MEC in children treated at three …


Use Of New Tobacco And Nicotine Products As A Harm Reduction Strategy: A Critical Review Of The Evidence, Carlos Andrés Jimenez-Ruiz, José Ignacio De Granda-Orive, Carlos Rábade Castedo, Harold J Farber, Angélica Ocampo, Susana Luhning, Beatriz Raboso-Moreno, Lola Del Puerto-Garcia, Daniel Buljubasich, Manuel Conrado Pacheco-Gallego, José Antonio Castillo-Vizueta, Rosa Mirambeaux-Villalona, Marcos García-Rueda, Juan Antonio Riesco-Miranda, Ángela Ramos-Pinedo, Jaime Signes-Costa, Ledys Blanquicett-Barrios, Eva De Higes-Martinez, Catalina Casillas-Suarez, Concepción Rodríguez-García, Cristina Villar-Laguna, Gloria Francisco-Corral, Esther Pastor-Esplá, Paz Vaquero-Lozano, Francisco Carrion-Valero, Lourdes Cañón-Barroso, Raúl Sandoval-Contreras, Inmaculada Gorordo-Unzueta, Ruth Pitti-Pérez, María Ángeles Muñoz-Vidal, Susana Calvo-Pascual, Eva Cabrera-Cesar, Germán Díaz-Santos, Maribel Cristóbal-Fernández Jan 2026

Use Of New Tobacco And Nicotine Products As A Harm Reduction Strategy: A Critical Review Of The Evidence, Carlos Andrés Jimenez-Ruiz, José Ignacio De Granda-Orive, Carlos Rábade Castedo, Harold J Farber, Angélica Ocampo, Susana Luhning, Beatriz Raboso-Moreno, Lola Del Puerto-Garcia, Daniel Buljubasich, Manuel Conrado Pacheco-Gallego, José Antonio Castillo-Vizueta, Rosa Mirambeaux-Villalona, Marcos García-Rueda, Juan Antonio Riesco-Miranda, Ángela Ramos-Pinedo, Jaime Signes-Costa, Ledys Blanquicett-Barrios, Eva De Higes-Martinez, Catalina Casillas-Suarez, Concepción Rodríguez-García, Cristina Villar-Laguna, Gloria Francisco-Corral, Esther Pastor-Esplá, Paz Vaquero-Lozano, Francisco Carrion-Valero, Lourdes Cañón-Barroso, Raúl Sandoval-Contreras, Inmaculada Gorordo-Unzueta, Ruth Pitti-Pérez, María Ángeles Muñoz-Vidal, Susana Calvo-Pascual, Eva Cabrera-Cesar, Germán Díaz-Santos, Maribel Cristóbal-Fernández

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The sale, distribution, and indiscriminate use of new tobacco and nicotine products have multiplied. The most relevant products are: electronic cigarettes (ECs), heated tobacco (HT), and nicotine pouches (NPs). From the tobacco industry and its related health sectors, and even from some health institutions with no clear influence from this industry, the use of all these devices is being promoted as an excellent harm reduction strategy for those conventional tobacco smokers who do not want to or cannot quit smoking. This paper reviewed the lack of scientific evidence of this strategy.


Injuries In Children Undergoing Subspecialty Abuse Evaluations Because Of Intimate Partner Violence, M Katherine Henry, Gunjan Tiyyagura, Joanne N Wood, Jan Leonard, Kristine A Campbell, Daniel M Lindberg, Angela N Bachim, Farah W Brink, Lori D Frasier, Nancy S Harper, Claire Hickey, Natalie Laub, John D Melville, Hannah Sahud, Philip V Scribano Jan 2026

Injuries In Children Undergoing Subspecialty Abuse Evaluations Because Of Intimate Partner Violence, M Katherine Henry, Gunjan Tiyyagura, Joanne N Wood, Jan Leonard, Kristine A Campbell, Daniel M Lindberg, Angela N Bachim, Farah W Brink, Lori D Frasier, Nancy S Harper, Claire Hickey, Natalie Laub, John D Melville, Hannah Sahud, Philip V Scribano

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background and objectives: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and child physical abuse often co-occur, but the frequency and risk factors for abusive injuries in IPV-exposed children remain unknown. Our objectives were to (1) determine frequency of skeletal surveys (SSs) and neuroimaging use because of IPV and their diagnostic value in children aged less than 24 months evaluated by a child abuse pediatrics specialist (CAP) and (2) identify factors associated with performance of and findings on SS and neuroimaging.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of children aged less than 24 months undergoing CAP consultations because of IPV exposure from February 2021 …


Use Of A Medication Management Algorithm In Depressed Youth Living With Hiv: Secondary Analysis Of A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial, Graham J Emslie, Beth D Kennard, Kristin Baltrusaitis, Sophia M Jones, Jessica M Jones, Jaime G Deville, Kathleen Pitts, David E Shapiro, Allison Eliscu, Larry K Brown Jan 2026

Use Of A Medication Management Algorithm In Depressed Youth Living With Hiv: Secondary Analysis Of A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial, Graham J Emslie, Beth D Kennard, Kristin Baltrusaitis, Sophia M Jones, Jessica M Jones, Jaime G Deville, Kathleen Pitts, David E Shapiro, Allison Eliscu, Larry K Brown

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Depression is a prevalent co-occurring condition in youth living with HIV. This report is a secondary analysis of a multisite cluster randomized trial evaluating the efficacy of a health and wellness cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with a medication management algorithm utilizing measure-based care (COMB-R) compared with enhanced standard of care (ESC). We describe and compare antidepressant prescribing strategies (i.e., antidepressant treatment, type of antidepressant) for youth living with HIV at COMB-R sites to those at ESC sites over the 24-week intervention. We also describe self-reported adherence to antidepressants.

Methods: Participants (12-24 years) were youth living with HIV diagnosed …


Host- And Pathogen-Related Determinants Of Pulmonary Versus Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis, Begna Tulu, Thomas Theo Brehm, Reinout Van Crevel, Tobias Dallenga, Andrew R Dinardo, Keertan Dheda, Johanna Eggeling, Wendemagegn Enbiale, Matthias I Gröschel, Jialun Hao, Vinod Kumar, Arjan Van Laarhoven, Rolanda Londt, Gareth Prosser, Philippa Randall, Norbert Reiling, Jan Rybniker, Ulrich E Schaible, Erwin Schurr, Isabelle Suarez, Sebastian J Theobald, Robert J Wilkinson, Christoph Lange Jan 2026

Host- And Pathogen-Related Determinants Of Pulmonary Versus Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis, Begna Tulu, Thomas Theo Brehm, Reinout Van Crevel, Tobias Dallenga, Andrew R Dinardo, Keertan Dheda, Johanna Eggeling, Wendemagegn Enbiale, Matthias I Gröschel, Jialun Hao, Vinod Kumar, Arjan Van Laarhoven, Rolanda Londt, Gareth Prosser, Philippa Randall, Norbert Reiling, Jan Rybniker, Ulrich E Schaible, Erwin Schurr, Isabelle Suarez, Sebastian J Theobald, Robert J Wilkinson, Christoph Lange

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Tuberculosis (TB) primarily manifests as pulmonary TB (PTB), but extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) remains a major clinical challenge. Distinct diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties arise from differences in immune responses, pathogen behaviour and host susceptibility. However, the factors driving disease localisation are still incompletely understood. We conducted a comprehensive narrative review of studies examining differences between PTB and EPTB in terms of epidemiology, mycobacterial factors, genetic and epigenetic determinants, host immune responses, transcriptomic profiles, cytokine and chemokine patterns, and immunophenotypes. EPTB is more common among females, children, older adults and immunocompromised individuals with deficient granuloma formation. This review is intended to provide …


A Year In Review On Tuberculosis And Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria Disease: A 2026 Update For Clinicians And Scientists, Simone Tunesi, Graham Bothamley, Gunar Günther, Yousra Kherabi, Liga Kuksa, Berit Lange, Christoph Lange, Natalie Lorent, Francesca Saluzzo, Martina Sester, Xenia Emilie Sinding Iversen, Marc Tebruegge, Conor Tweed, Anca Vasiliu, Lorenzo Guglielmetti, Tuberculosis Network European Trials Group (Tbnet) Jan 2026

A Year In Review On Tuberculosis And Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria Disease: A 2026 Update For Clinicians And Scientists, Simone Tunesi, Graham Bothamley, Gunar Günther, Yousra Kherabi, Liga Kuksa, Berit Lange, Christoph Lange, Natalie Lorent, Francesca Saluzzo, Martina Sester, Xenia Emilie Sinding Iversen, Marc Tebruegge, Conor Tweed, Anca Vasiliu, Lorenzo Guglielmetti, Tuberculosis Network European Trials Group (Tbnet)

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, while infections from non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) represent a growing public health threat. In its 20th year of activity, the Tuberculosis Network European Trials group (TBnet; www.tbnet.eu) is one of the leading research networks in Europe. In this review, we summarize the main advances in TB and NTM that occurred in 2025.

Methods: We conducted a non-systematic review of articles published in 2025, with a strong emphasis on research with current or potential impact on clinical practice. We also selected the most impactful papers regarding the management of adult …


Updates In The Management Of Peanut Allergy, S Shahzad Mustafa, Aikaterini Anagnostou, Matthew Greenhawt Jan 2026

Updates In The Management Of Peanut Allergy, S Shahzad Mustafa, Aikaterini Anagnostou, Matthew Greenhawt

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Peanut allergy is a significant rising public health problem affecting both children and adults. Early peanut introduction has been adopted in multiple westernized nations as a preventative strategic measure to reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy, although implementation faces barriers. Multiple therapies to treat peanut allergy have been developed, including oral immunotherapy and omalizumab as approved treatments to provide protection against reactions from accidental exposure and reduce the risk of anaphylaxis, offering options beyond strict avoidance. Strategies in the developmental pipeline include epicutaneous immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy. The future is bright for individuals with peanut allergy, as these breakthroughs …


Improving Compliance With Safe Sleep Guidelines For Vulnerable Patients In A Community Safety Net Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Andrew Beverstock, Samantha Carlton, Hillary Lee, Thomas Lu, Kelsi Morgan, Ashlee Smith-Patel, Kelli Phillips, Joseph Hagan, Pablo Lohmann, Caraciolo Fernandes, Lisa Owens, Daniela Dinu Jan 2026

Improving Compliance With Safe Sleep Guidelines For Vulnerable Patients In A Community Safety Net Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Andrew Beverstock, Samantha Carlton, Hillary Lee, Thomas Lu, Kelsi Morgan, Ashlee Smith-Patel, Kelli Phillips, Joseph Hagan, Pablo Lohmann, Caraciolo Fernandes, Lisa Owens, Daniela Dinu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) often coexists with fetal growth restriction (FGR). The observed-to-expected (O/E) total fetal lung volume (TFLV) is used to assess CDH severity, predict outcomes, and direct fetal interventions. Expected TFLV measurements traditionally rely only on gestation age (GA). This simulation assesses how incorporating weight-adjusted GA norms affects O/E TFLV calculations in patients with isolated CDH and FGR.

Methods: A simulated dataset (n=1,005) utilized published mean fetal weight and TFLV references. Computer-generated variables included observed weights (3rd-10th %ile), O/E TFLV (10-65 %), and percent liver herniation (0-42 %). GA estimates were corrected by weight and used to …


Improving Compliance With Safe Sleep Guidelines For Vulnerable Patients In A Community Safety Net Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Andrew Beverstock, Samantha Carlton, Hillary Lee, Thomas Lu, Kelsi Morgan, Ashlee Smith-Patel, Kelli Phillips, Joseph Hagan, Pablo Lohmann, Caraciolo Fernandes, Lisa Owens, Daniela Dinu Jan 2026

Improving Compliance With Safe Sleep Guidelines For Vulnerable Patients In A Community Safety Net Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Andrew Beverstock, Samantha Carlton, Hillary Lee, Thomas Lu, Kelsi Morgan, Ashlee Smith-Patel, Kelli Phillips, Joseph Hagan, Pablo Lohmann, Caraciolo Fernandes, Lisa Owens, Daniela Dinu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Modeling safe sleep in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) increases the likelihood that parents will follow these practices after discharge. Many NICU infants are put to sleep unsafely, and unsafe sleep practices are the leading cause of nonnatural death among children locally. We created safe sleep standards for infants older than 32 weeks based on national guidelines: infants should be placed supine in a flat, empty crib and should never be swaddled loosely. We aimed to increase the weekly percentage compliance with safe sleep recommendations from a baseline of 58% (0.58 compliant) to 85% (0.85 compliant) by March …


Nutrition Support Adequacy In Children With Biliary Atresia After Liver Transplant, Nicole Knebusch, Manpreet Virk, Moreshwar S Desai, Marwa Mansour, Stacey Beer, Brittany Pearo, Kelby Fuller, Krupa Mysore, John Goss, Thomas Fogarty, Fernando Stein, Jorge A Coss-Bu Dec 2025

Nutrition Support Adequacy In Children With Biliary Atresia After Liver Transplant, Nicole Knebusch, Manpreet Virk, Moreshwar S Desai, Marwa Mansour, Stacey Beer, Brittany Pearo, Kelby Fuller, Krupa Mysore, John Goss, Thomas Fogarty, Fernando Stein, Jorge A Coss-Bu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.


Non-Invasive Diagnosis Of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Using Face Mask Sampling: A Prospective Study In Adults, Dariusz Woelk, Lennard Meiwes, Nelly Ciobanu, Valeriu Crudu, Anna-Marya Comanac, Stela Kulcitkaia, Anca Vasiliu, Anna Maria Mandalakas, Christoph Lange, Thomas Theo Brehm, Dumitru Chesov Dec 2025

Non-Invasive Diagnosis Of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Using Face Mask Sampling: A Prospective Study In Adults, Dariusz Woelk, Lennard Meiwes, Nelly Ciobanu, Valeriu Crudu, Anna-Marya Comanac, Stela Kulcitkaia, Anca Vasiliu, Anna Maria Mandalakas, Christoph Lange, Thomas Theo Brehm, Dumitru Chesov

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Sputum-based diagnostic methods for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), including culture and nucleic acid amplification tests, provide high sensitivity and specificity. However, these methods rely on the patients' ability to produce sputum. In cases where sputum cannot be obtained, invasive procedures like bronchoscopy may become necessary. Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of face mask sampling (FMS) as a non-invasive alternative.

Methods: Adults with microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB who had received fewer than three days of anti-TB therapy were recruited in Chişinău, Moldova. FMS was conducted and samples were analyzed on-site using Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra. Diagnostic performance was compared …


Daily Intake Of A Lycopene-Rich Juice Is Associated With Reductions In Inflammatory Markers But Not Increases In Skin Carotenoids In A Pilot Study Among Participants With Obesity, Stephanie B Jilcott Pitts, Qiang Wu, Melissa N Laska, Elizabeth Gates, Megumi H Seese, Katelyn E Senkus, Santiago Carrero Longlax, Alexandra Portillo-Varela, Andrew R Dinardo, Nancy E Moran Dec 2025

Daily Intake Of A Lycopene-Rich Juice Is Associated With Reductions In Inflammatory Markers But Not Increases In Skin Carotenoids In A Pilot Study Among Participants With Obesity, Stephanie B Jilcott Pitts, Qiang Wu, Melissa N Laska, Elizabeth Gates, Megumi H Seese, Katelyn E Senkus, Santiago Carrero Longlax, Alexandra Portillo-Varela, Andrew R Dinardo, Nancy E Moran

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background

Obesity is associated with systemic inflammation, increasing chronic disease risk. Carotenoids possess anti-inflammatory properties, yet the short-term impact of carotenoid-rich juice intake on inflammation in individuals with obesity remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to examine: (1) participant adherence to a 3-week lycopene-rich juice intervention; (2) variance and effect sizes of responses to the dietary intervention; (3) changes in skin and plasma carotenoids, and inflammatory markers among adults with obesity.

Methods

Twenty-five participants with body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2 were recruited and completed the study. Participants drank 4 ounces (118.3 mL) of study-provided tomato juice, …


Life-Threatening Bradycardia In Anti-Nmda-Receptor Encephalitis And A Novel Use For Permanent Pacing, Sarah Tucker, Abhijit Das, Andres Jimenez, Areeba Basit, Yike Jiang, Emily A Smitherman, Heather Van Mater, Taylor Howard, Alexander J Sandweiss, Kristen S Fisher Dec 2025

Life-Threatening Bradycardia In Anti-Nmda-Receptor Encephalitis And A Novel Use For Permanent Pacing, Sarah Tucker, Abhijit Das, Andres Jimenez, Areeba Basit, Yike Jiang, Emily A Smitherman, Heather Van Mater, Taylor Howard, Alexander J Sandweiss, Kristen S Fisher

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Pediatric anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (pNMDARE) is an autoantibody-mediated disorder that can cause severe autonomic dysfunction, including symptomatic bradycardia and asystole. Dysautonomia can last for years, making it very challenging to manage.

Objective: To describe outcomes of 5 pNMDARE patients with life-threatening bradycardic and/or asystolic events who were managed with permanent or semi-permanent pacemaker implantation.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 5 patients from multiple institutions. We included patients with a diagnosis of pNMDARE (confirmed by positive cerebrospinal fluid and/or serum anti-NMDAR antibodies) who had a permanent or semi-permanent pacemaker placed due to symptomatic bradycardia, sinus pauses, and/or …


Clinical Practice Variation Among Pediatric Rheumatologists Treating Kawasaki Disease: Results Of A North American Survey, Daniel Ibanez, Bianca Lang, Julia Shalen, Ali Yalcindag, Linda Wagner-Weiner, Kenneth N Schikler, Shoghik Akoghlanian, Hulya Bukulmez, Kristen Hayward, Laura Berbert, Sivia Lapidus, Andrea A Ramirez, Cagri Yildirim-Toruner Dec 2025

Clinical Practice Variation Among Pediatric Rheumatologists Treating Kawasaki Disease: Results Of A North American Survey, Daniel Ibanez, Bianca Lang, Julia Shalen, Ali Yalcindag, Linda Wagner-Weiner, Kenneth N Schikler, Shoghik Akoghlanian, Hulya Bukulmez, Kristen Hayward, Laura Berbert, Sivia Lapidus, Andrea A Ramirez, Cagri Yildirim-Toruner

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: The best treatment for children with KD who fail to respond to the first dose of IVIG (refractory KD) is currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine treatment practices of pediatric rheumatologists in North America who manage IVIG-refractory KD.

Methods: A 34-item web-based survey was sent to 102 randomly selected members of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA). The anonymous survey addressed the use of primary intensification as well as the treatment of IVIG-refractory KD.

Results: The response rate was 82%; 56% (all pediatric rheumatologists) completed the survey. Primary intensification was …


Mrna Vaccines Encoding Variant Forms Of Sm-Tsp-2 Confer Protective Immunity Against Schistosoma Mansoni, Athos Silva De Oliveira, Sevan Alwan, Philip T Loverde, Ramiz Shaheed, Pranav Mandyam, Rakesh Adhikari, Peter Hotez, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Jeroen Pollet Dec 2025

Mrna Vaccines Encoding Variant Forms Of Sm-Tsp-2 Confer Protective Immunity Against Schistosoma Mansoni, Athos Silva De Oliveira, Sevan Alwan, Philip T Loverde, Ramiz Shaheed, Pranav Mandyam, Rakesh Adhikari, Peter Hotez, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Jeroen Pollet

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

This study explored the development and evaluation of mRNA vaccine candidates targeting Schistosoma mansoni tetraspanin-2 (Sm-TSP-2). We designed constructs encoding either full-length Sm-TSP-2, or its large extracellular loop (EC2) domain in secretory, membrane-anchored, or cytosolic forms. In a murine model, the secreted and membrane-anchored versions of Sm-TSP-2-EC2 induced the highest antigen-specific antibody titers. These two construct designs, along with full-length Sm-TSP-2 mRNA, also significantly reduced adult worm and egg burden compared to controls. The membrane-anchored Sm-TSP-2-EC2 mRNA was the most effective, lowering worm and egg burdens by 66.7% and 66.9%, respectively. Protective responses induced by the mRNA vaccines were comparable …


Protein-Nucleic Acid Language Model-Assisted Design Of Precise And Compact Adenine Base Editor, Jingxuan Ren, Jiawei Yao, Qiuyu Cao, Yinuo Li, Yang Li, Ziyi Zhang, Xiyu Ge, Shengfang Wang, Yang Zhang, Xiaogang Wang, Xiaohui Zhang Dec 2025

Protein-Nucleic Acid Language Model-Assisted Design Of Precise And Compact Adenine Base Editor, Jingxuan Ren, Jiawei Yao, Qiuyu Cao, Yinuo Li, Yang Li, Ziyi Zhang, Xiyu Ge, Shengfang Wang, Yang Zhang, Xiaogang Wang, Xiaohui Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Adenine base editors (ABEs) are powerful tools for gene therapy. However, efficient version of ABEs (e.g. ABE8e) always induce excessive bystander and off-target editing events and are large in size, hindering their potential in clinical disease treatment. Here, we develop a pre-trained Protein-Nucleic Acid Constrained Language Model to design ABE8e with high activity, reduced editing window and decreased size. By further engineering, the smallest ABE8e- PNLM-pcABE- with a 27% size reduction, exhibits high activity, precise 3-nt editing window, and reduced off-target events near background level in HEK293T cells. Compared to ABE8e, PNLM-pcABE has up to 133.5-fold precision improvement in pathogenic …


Revealing The Nervous System Requirements Of Alzheimer Disease Risk Genes In Drosophila, Jennifer M Deger, Shabab B Hannan, Mingxue Gu, Colleen E Strohlein, Lindsey D Goodman, Sasidhar Pasupuleti, Zahid Shaik, Liwen Ma, Yarong Li, Jiayang Li, Morgan C Stephens, Michal Tyrlík, Zhandong Liu, Ismael Al-Ramahi, Juan Botas, Chad A Shaw, Oguz Kanca, Hugo J Bellen, Joshua M Shulman Dec 2025

Revealing The Nervous System Requirements Of Alzheimer Disease Risk Genes In Drosophila, Jennifer M Deger, Shabab B Hannan, Mingxue Gu, Colleen E Strohlein, Lindsey D Goodman, Sasidhar Pasupuleti, Zahid Shaik, Liwen Ma, Yarong Li, Jiayang Li, Morgan C Stephens, Michal Tyrlík, Zhandong Liu, Ismael Al-Ramahi, Juan Botas, Chad A Shaw, Oguz Kanca, Hugo J Bellen, Joshua M Shulman

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Most Alzheimer disease (AD) susceptibility genes have poorly understood roles in the central nervous system (CNS). To address this gap, we systematically characterized 100 conserved candidate AD risk genes using a cross-species strategy in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Genes were prioritized based primarily on human functional genomic evidence. We generated custom loss-of-function alleles for each of the conserved fly orthologs. Most of the genes are expressed in the adult brain, including 24 neuron- and 13 glia-specific expression patterns. Overall, we identify 50 candidate AD risk gene homologs with requirements for CNS structure or function, including 18 whose loss of …


Education Research: Eeg Instruction: Findings From A Scoping Review, Andres Fernandez, Maryam Asoodar, Gregory Laynor, Alexis Peedin, Jeffrey B Ratliff, Urvashi Vaid, Swati A Karmarkar, Moushumi Sur, Vivianne Van Kranen-Mastenbroek, Dimitrios Papanagnou, Marian H J M Majoie, Dorene F Balmer, Satid Thammasitboon Dec 2025

Education Research: Eeg Instruction: Findings From A Scoping Review, Andres Fernandez, Maryam Asoodar, Gregory Laynor, Alexis Peedin, Jeffrey B Ratliff, Urvashi Vaid, Swati A Karmarkar, Moushumi Sur, Vivianne Van Kranen-Mastenbroek, Dimitrios Papanagnou, Marian H J M Majoie, Dorene F Balmer, Satid Thammasitboon

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background and objectives: Although EEG interpretation is a key skill in neurology, EEG instruction is variable and its landscape remains underexplored. Thus, we conducted a scoping review to expand the literature by providing a structured mapping of the EEG instruction literature and a foundation for future research in EEG instruction.

Methods: We followed a structured methodological framework for scoping reviews and report the findings in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Research questions explored theoretical frameworks, methodologies, learner populations, instructional methods, and assessment approaches. Eligibility criteria were iteratively modified to focus …


Fibroblasts Are The Primary Contributors To A Disrupted Micro-Environment In End-Stage Pediatric Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Hanna J Tadros, Diwakar Turaga, Yi Zhao, Chang-Ru Tsai, Iki A Adachi, Xiao Li, James F Martin Dec 2025

Fibroblasts Are The Primary Contributors To A Disrupted Micro-Environment In End-Stage Pediatric Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Hanna J Tadros, Diwakar Turaga, Yi Zhao, Chang-Ru Tsai, Iki A Adachi, Xiao Li, James F Martin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a relatively rare but debilitating diagnosis in the pediatric population, and patients with end-stage HCM require heart transplantation. Here, we have examined the transcriptome in ventricular tissue from this patient group to identify cell states and underlying cellular processes unique to pediatric HCM.

Methods: We performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) on explanted hearts at transplant in 3 pediatric patients with end-stage HCM and compared findings to pediatric control and adult HCM.

Results: We identified distinct underlying cellular processes in cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and myeloid cells compared with controls. Pediatric HCM was enriched in cardiomyocytes …


Insights From A Survey Of School Nurses: Assessing The Challenges Of Constipation In Schools, Andrew S Chu, Eric H Chiou Dec 2025

Insights From A Survey Of School Nurses: Assessing The Challenges Of Constipation In Schools, Andrew S Chu, Eric H Chiou

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: School nurses are key responders to students with constipation, yet their experiences are underreported. This study surveyed their observations regarding constipation, identified barriers to student restroom access, and assessed educational needs.

Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional survey study, an anonymous online survey was distributed to school nurses participating in a virtual education series. The survey assessed nurse demographics, frequency of encounters with constipation and encopresis, school restroom policies, barriers to restroom use, accommodation requests, and training in constipation management.

Findings: Of 125 respondents, 95% encountered students with constipation at least monthly and 55% reported ≥ 6 encounters monthly. Commonly …


The Neonatal Gut Microbiome In Health And Disease, Geoffrey A Preidis Dec 2025

The Neonatal Gut Microbiome In Health And Disease, Geoffrey A Preidis

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.


Characteristics Associated With Eurolupus Versus Modified National Institutes Of Health Cyclophosphamide Regimen Use In Children And Young Adults With Lupus Nephritis, Christine S Wang, Rebecca E Sadun, Wenru Zhou, Kristen R Miller, Stacy P Ardoin, Christine Bearer, Emily Hause, Joyce Hui-Yuen, Nicole Ling, Maria Pereira, Meredith Riebschleger, Kelly Rouster-Stevens, Aliese Sarkissian, Julia Shalen, William Daniel Soulsby, Marinka Twilt, Eveline Y Wu, Laura B Lewandowski, Scott E Wenderfer, Jennifer C Cooper Dec 2025

Characteristics Associated With Eurolupus Versus Modified National Institutes Of Health Cyclophosphamide Regimen Use In Children And Young Adults With Lupus Nephritis, Christine S Wang, Rebecca E Sadun, Wenru Zhou, Kristen R Miller, Stacy P Ardoin, Christine Bearer, Emily Hause, Joyce Hui-Yuen, Nicole Ling, Maria Pereira, Meredith Riebschleger, Kelly Rouster-Stevens, Aliese Sarkissian, Julia Shalen, William Daniel Soulsby, Marinka Twilt, Eveline Y Wu, Laura B Lewandowski, Scott E Wenderfer, Jennifer C Cooper

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: To determine the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with use of the EuroLupus or modified National Institutes of Health (NIH) cyclophosphamide (CYC) regimen for treatment of lupus nephritis (LN) at North American pediatric centers.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at 11 North American centers. Patients < 22 years of age with active LN treated with CYC using the EuroLupus or NIH regimen between July 2014 and June 2021 were included. Data were extracted via electronic medical record review. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared at CYC initiation. A multivariable generalized estimating equation with logit link was fit to model EuroLupus use. An exchangeable correlation structure was used to account for correlation within centers. Independent variables were chosen using elastic net regression.

Results: The cohort consisted of 191 patients (85 EuroLupus, 106 NIH) with a median age of 15.3 years at CYC initiation. In multivariable analysis, characteristics significantly associated with EuroLupus regimen use (vs NIH regimen use) included more recent year of CYC initiation, longer disease duration, Hispanic ethnicity and Asian race (as compared …