Public Health Commons^™

Advances In Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis And Treatment, Hongli Liu, Jiaxi Shen, Chao He

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Significant advances have been made in diagnosing and treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in the last decade. The incidence and prevalence of IPF are increasing, and morbidity and mortality remain high despite the two Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications, pirfenidone and nintedanib. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop new diagnostic tools and effective therapeutics to improve early, accurate diagnosis of IPF and halt or reverse the progression of fibrosis with a better safety profile. New diagnostic tools such as transbronchial cryobiopsy and genomic classifier require less tissue and generally have good safety profiles, and they have been …

Canonical And Non-Canonical Functions Of The Non-Coding Rna Component (Terc) Of Telomerase Complex, Chongwen Cao, Weiyi Gong, Yuanlong Shuai, Sara Rasouli, Qianyun Ge, Anam Khan, Aleksandra Dakic, Nagireddy Putluri, Gennady Shvets, Yun-Ling Zheng, Danyal Daneshdoust, Rani Mahyoob, Jenny Li, Xuefeng Liu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The telomerase complex consists of a protein component (TERT), which has reverse transcriptase activity, and an RNA component (TERC), which serves as a template for telomere synthesis. Evidence is rapidly accumulating regarding the non-canonical functions of these components in both normal or diseased cells. An oligonucleotide-based drug, the first telomerase inhibitor, secured FDA approval in June 2024. We recently summarized the non-canonical functions of TERT in viral infections and cancer. In this review, we expand on these non-canonical functions of TERC beyond telomere maintenance. Specifically, we explore TERC's roles in cellular aging and senescence, immune regulation, genetic diseases, human cancer, …

Multiscale 3d Spatial Analysis Of The Tumor Microenvironment Using Whole-Tissue Digital Histopathology, Daniel Shafiee Kermany, Ju Young Ahn, Matthew Vasquez, Weijie Zhang, Lin Wang, Kai Liu, Zhan Xu, Min Soon Cho, Wendolyn Carlos-Alcalde, Hani Lee, Raksha Raghunathan, Jianting Sheng, Xiaoxin Hao, Hong Zhao, Vahid Afshar-Kharghan, Xiang Hong-Fei Zhang, Stephen Tin Chi Wong

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Namai Zambia: Final Study Technical Report, Nachela Chelwa

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

No abstract provided.

False Narratives, Real Consequences, Russell W. Cantrell, Matt Campbell

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

Social media is an increasingly significant tool in modern cyber warfare, capable of rapidly shaping public opinion. The swift dissemination of information complicates efforts to distinguish fact from fiction [1]. During public health crises, healthcare professionals use these platforms to share updates, yet their credible content must contend with false or deliberately misleading narratives [2]. This environment creates an opportunity for cyberattacks through social media influence campaigns [3]. While disinformation's role in political interference has been widely studied, its potential to destabilize healthcare remains largely unexplored. Prior research primarily focuses on how vaccine misinformation affects the general public [4]. This …

The Association Between Gulf War Illness And Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors Among Gulf War Era Veterans, Rachele K Lipsky, Drew A Helmer, Jean C Beckham, Patrick S Calhoun, Mary Jo Pugh, Nathan A Kimbrel

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The rate of death by suicide is elevated among Veterans of all eras. Chronic symptoms of pain, depression, and sleep disturbances are also common among Veterans, and these symptoms are associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. About 25% of the 697,000 Gulf War Era Veterans deployed to the Persian Gulf theater in 1990-1991 remain afflicted with chronic, unexplained symptoms known as Gulf War Illness (GWI). This study used data from a national sample of Gulf War Veterans (N = 1142) who completed a survey of demographic, military, and health information. Multivariable logistic regression models, controlling for confounding variables, tested for …

Irisin-Mediated Muscle-Renal Crosstalk As A Protective Mechanism Against Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Via Cgas-Sting Signalling Inhibition, Long Peng, Suhua Li, Qiang Huang, Yuxiang Sun, Juan Sun, Ting Luo, Yanlin Wang, Zhaoyong Hu, Weiyan Lai, Hui Peng

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) continues to pose a pressing clinical challenge during invasive cardiovascular procedures due to the limited availability of preventative strategies. We aimed to demonstrate that irisin, a myokine induced by exercise, protects against CI-AKI by inhibiting the cGAS-STING inflammatory pathway.

Methods and results: We explored the relationship between serum irisin levels and CI-AKI incidence in patients administered the contrast media iohexol. Notably, lower serum irisin levels were strongly associated with an increased incidence of CI-AKI following contrast media administration. To establish a causal link between serum irisin levels and CI-AKI, we utilised a mouse model …

A New Paradigm In Hospital Medicine: Evaluating The Effects Of Geographical Cohorting On Health Care Delivery, Vasu Gupta, Bhupinder Singh, Kanishk Aggarwal, Ayushi Garg, Rhea Kanwar, Fnu Anamika, Inder Preet Kaur, Rohit Jain

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Geographical cohorting in hospital settings represents a significant shift from traditional patient rounding practices and aims to enhance the efficiency of health care delivery. This model assigns hospitalists to a particular inpatient unit, where most of their patients are located. While this model has several benefits, including streamlining health care procedures, optimizing resource allocation, and fostering better provider communication, its implementation is not without its challenges.

Methods

Our methodology for researching geographical cohorting involved a comprehensive literature review of peer-reviewed studies, surveys, and retrospective analyses. We utilized academic databases, such as PubMed, JSTOR, and Google Scholar, to identify relevant …

Exploring Physician Well-Being: A Bibliometric Analysis Of Mental Health, Suriya Kumareswaran, Bala Murali Sundram, Vanitha Thurairasu

Kesmas

This bibliometric study examined the evolving research landscape on physician mental health from 2010 to 2023, analyzing key themes, publication trends, and global contributions. A total of 3,360 articles, including 3,137 original research and 223 reviews, were sourced from Web of Science and Scopus. Findings revealed a significant increase in research output, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with burnout, depression, and anxiety emerging as dominant themes. The US accounted for most publications, while research from low- and middle-income countries remains limited, indicating a substantial global disparity. Thematic analysis highlighted variations in burnout assessment methodologies, underscoring the need for standardized evaluation …

Statistical Analysis Of Sex And Adolescent E-Vapor Product Use, Madison Caroline Weeks, Anna Kate Lane, Kevin Gittner

Symposium of Student Scholars

This study aims to examine the relationship between sex and electronic vapor product use among adolescent high school students aged 12 to 17. As the use of electronic vapor products, commonly known as e-cigarettes or vapes, continues to rise among youth, understanding demographic trends is crucial for the creation of public health interventions. A quantitative approach was utilized to create appropriate visuals and analyze the data, providing a clear representation of the patterns observed. This study utilizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). The sample size of the dataset being used in …

Pitavastatin Is Well-Tolerated With No Detrimental Effects On Physical Function, Kristine M Erlandson, Triin Umbleja, Heather J Ribaudo, Jennifer A Schrack, Edgar T Overton, Carl J Fichtenbaum, Kathleen V Fitch, Jhoanna C Roa, Marissa R Diggs, Kenneth Wood, Markella V Zanni, Gerald S Bloomfield, Carlos Malvestutto, Judith A Aberg, Maria C Rodriguez-Barradas, Rosalba Gomez Morones, Katherine Breaux, Pamela S Douglas, Steven K Grinspoon, Todd T Brown

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Little is known about the potential benefits or harms of statins on physical function among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH).

Methods: REPRIEVE was a double-blind randomized controlled trial evaluating pitavastatin for primary prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events in PWH. Time to complete 10 chair rises, 4-m gait speed, grip strength, and a modified short physical performance test were assessed annually for up to 5 years in the ancillary study PREPARE and analyzed using linear mixed models.

Findings: Of 602 PWH, 52% were randomized to pitavastatin and 48% to placebo. Median age was 51 years; 18% were female …

Invasion And Metastasis In Cancer: Molecular Insights And Therapeutic Targets, Yongxing Li, Fengshuo Liu, Qingjin Cai, Lijun Deng, Qin Ouyang, Xiang H-F Zhang, Ji Zheng

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The progression of malignant tumors leads to the development of secondary tumors in various organs, including bones, the brain, liver, and lungs. This metastatic process severely impacts the prognosis of patients, significantly affecting their quality of life and survival rates. Research efforts have consistently focused on the intricate mechanisms underlying this process and the corresponding clinical management strategies. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of the biological foundations of tumor metastasis, identification of pivotal signaling pathways, and systematic evaluation of existing and emerging therapeutic strategies are paramount to enhancing the overall diagnostic and treatment capabilities for metastatic tumors. However, current research is …

A Narrative Review Of Barriers To Utilization Of Surgical Risk Assessment Calculators, Jacob Lahti, Kaiya A. Noe, Abigail Veenstra, Sarah Gallitto, Victoria I. De Leon, Thomas C. Varkey, Nimit Agarwal

Annual Research Symposium

Over the last several decades, it has become the desire of surgical and medical teams to decrease risk levels involved for patients undergoing surgery. However, despite the advent of risk assessment calculators to help physicians obtain more accurate and objective judgements for postoperative complications, these tools are underutilized in standard clinical practices in comparison to other methods of risk assessment. This is likely due at least in part to certain barriers that decrease their functionality and ease of use. This review discusses the major barriers to the utilization of current risk calculators so as to allow for a better understanding …

Assessment Of Chronic Kidney Disease Awareness Among Patients In A Tertiary Care Hospital: A Questionnaire- Based Study, Jyothi Basini, Srija Sadanala, Srinivasa Yadav Poolugari, Susmitha Karakambadi, Teja Apthiri, Ram R

International Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasingly recognized as a significant global public health concern, influenced by individuals' lifestyle choices. Despite being largely asymptomatic until advanced stages, CKD is associated with heightened risks of cardiovascular disease, premature mortality, and diminished quality of life. Particularly in developing nations like India, where precise prevalence data are scarce, the need for heightened public awareness is paramount. This study, conducted at SVIMS, Tirupati, employed a hospital-based prospective design involving adults (≥18 years) diagnosed with CKD. Through informed consent, participants underwent interviews using structured questionnaires to assess their understanding of CKD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified …

Safety And Efficacy Of Different Stent Strategies In Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Network Meta-Analysis, Waqas Ullah, Harigopal Sandhyavenu, Syeda Ramsha Zaidi, Mileydis Alonso, Muhammad Atif Khan, Irfan Ullah, Farah Yasmin, Aravind Reddy Polam, Salman Zahid, Arnav Kumar, Ewout Steyerberg, Mohammed Murtaza, Chadi Alraiesm, Jeffrey Rade

Jefferson Health - Northeast Papers (formerly Aria Health Papers)

BACKGROUND: The utility of polymer-permanent, polymer-absorbable, and polymer-free drug-eluting stents (DES) in the context of different eluting drugs in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of different DES strategies in post-PCI patients.

METHODS: Digital databases were searched to select all randomized control trials. Different combinations of DES were directly compared with permanent-polymer sirolimus-eluting stents. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events; a composite of cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and target vessel revascularization. A network meta-analysis was performed to determine the net relative risk (RR) and …

Machine Learning-Enhanced Surface-Enhanced Spectroscopic Detection Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In The Human Placenta, Oara Neumann, Yilong Ju, Andres B Sanchez-Alvarado, Guodong Zhou, Weiwu Jiang, Bhagavatula Moorthy, Melissa A Suter, Ankit Patel, Peter Nordlander, Naomi J Halas

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The detection and identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives, polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), are essential for environmental and health monitoring, for assessing toxicological exposure and their associated health risks. PAHs/PACs are the most dangerous chemicals found in tobacco smoke, and cigarette use during pregnancy can convey these molecules to the developing fetus through the placenta. This exposure is associated with many negative health outcomes, from premature birth to sudden infant death syndrome and adverse neurodevelopmental disorders. This study demonstrates the use of surface-enhanced Raman and surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopies for direct detection of PAHs/PACs in human placental …

Longitudinal Analysis Of The Healthcare Needs Of Hispanic-Latinx Population In Nevada And Neighboring States, Micah Kwallek, Sherli Koshy Chenthittayil Phd, Jeancarlo Marron

Annual Research Symposium

The rapidly growing Latinx population in California, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada is reshaping these states, but its impact on public health requires attention. This study aims to identify key medical issues within the Hispanic-Latinx community in Nevada and bordering states. This will provide public health officials with a detailed profile that can guide targeted healthcare policy changes for supporting the Latinx community, as well as equip healthcare providers with the knowledge of what to screen for and educate patients about, given specific health predispositions. Data on the Latinx and Caucasian populations in Arizona, Utah, California, and Nevada were sourced from …

Acute Care For Elders Unit Implementation At Banner Health: A Quality Improvement Analysis, Jacob Lahti, Tony Gaidici, Shreya Bharath, Esha Saraswat, Nimit Agarwal

Annual Research Symposium

There is an increasing need to optimize hospital care for older adults as Age Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) become increasingly popular. Geriatric patients may often be subject to extended hospital stays, which can result in functional decline, increases in hospital-acquired injury, infections, and neurocognitive deterioration. Early acute inpatient rehabilitation (IRF) is known to improve functional optimization of older adults as compared to therapy in a skilled nursing facility (SNF). In this study we demonstrate the effect of a structured program based on the 4Ms of AFHS in our newly established Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit, a first in Arizona. …

Impact Of Drug Addiction On Oral Health: Unveiling The Link Between Substance Abuse, Rahi [email protected], Kamran Awan

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Perspectives Of African American And Hispanic/Latino Individuals On Hiv Molecular Cluster Detection, Maxwell Richardson, Brendan H. Pulsifer, Jane Yoon Scott, David Holland, Eleanor W. Garlow, Pascale Wortley, Daniel Mauck, Jenna Gettings, Valeria Cantos, Masonia Traylor, Eric Rangel, David Folkes, Carlos Saldana

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Responding to HIV clusters detected using molecular data has been shown to reduce transmission and improve testing, treatment, and prevention. However, there are varied opinions about the use of cluster detection activities, and some advocates have raised concerns about patient consent, data security, and the potential for HIV criminalization. Incorporating the perspectives of marginalized populations that are disproportionately affected by HIV is essential to understanding the diversity of those perspectives, yet it is often overlooked in the literature. Thus, our study seeks to highlight the perspectives of Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino individuals in the Southern United States on HIV …

Impact Of N-Acetylcysteine In Non-Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Failure: A Retrospective Analysis, Edward Ramirez, Alana Whittaker, Kaylee Putney

Annual Research Symposium

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been widely used in the treatment of liver failure secondary to acetaminophen overdose. At Valley Hospital Medical Center (VHMC) and other Valley Health System hospitals, NAC has been used as an off-label treatment for non-acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure (NAI-ALF) and ischemic hepatitis. Studies have shown NAC is safe for use in NAI-ALF and may provide a survival benefit in native liver without transplantation. While some evidence suggests potential benefits of NAC for NAI-ALF, lack of robust, high-quality studies limits its widespread adoption and routine use. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of NAC …

Optimizing Elderly Care: A Data-Driven Ai Model For Predicting Polypharmacy Risk In The Elderly Using Share Data., Eman Ramadan

Pharmacy

Background: Aging is frequently accompanied by multimorbidity, the presence of multiple chronic conditions, which contributes to declines in both cognitive and physical function and presents complex health challenges. One such challenge is Polypharmacy (PP), defined as the concurrent use of more than five medications. Methods: We used data from participants older than 50 years who were present in wave 6 and at least one of the subsequent three waves of the SHARE study, aiming to predict PP risk at 2, 4, and 6-year intervals. We selected the predictor variables using LASSO regression and evaluated eight ML models using a rigorous …

Designing Patient-Centered Interventions For Emergency Care: Participatory Design Study, Woosuk Seo, Shruti Jain, Vivian Le, Jiaqi Li, Zhan Zhang, Hardeep Singh, Kalyan Pasupathy, Prashant Mahajan, Sun Young Park

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Emergency departments (EDs) are high-pressure environments where clinicians diagnose patients under significant constraints, including limited medical histories, severe time pressures, and frequent interruptions. Current ED care practices often inadequately support meaningful patient participation. Most interventions prioritize clinical workflow and health care provider communication, inadvertently overlooking patients' needs. Additionally, patient-facing technologies in EDs are typically developed without meaningful patient input, leading to solutions that may not effectively address patients' specific challenges. To enhance both patient-centered care practices and the diagnosis process in EDs, patient involvement in technology design is essential to ensure their needs during emergency care are understood and …

Author Correction: Orthogonal And Multiplexable Genetic Perturbations With An Engineered Prime Editor And A Diverse Rna Array, Qichen Yuan, Hongzhi Zeng, Tyler C Daniel, Qingzhuo Liu, Yongjie Yang, Emmanuel C Osikpa, Qiaochu Yang, Advaith Peddi, Liliana M Abramson, Boyang Zhang, Yong Xu, Xue Gao

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Correction to: Nature Communications 10.1038/s41467-024-55134-9, published online 30 December 2024

In the version of the article initially published, there were errors in Fig. 3d, where in the x-axis labels now reading “GPP-shRNA1, GPP-shRNA2, GPP-shRNA3…,” the second and third labels were duplicates of the first. The figure is amended in the HTML and PDF versions of the article.

Validation Of A Novel Landmark-Guided Intra-Articular Postero-Medial Surgeon-Administered Injection Technique, Nicolas Piuzzi, Andrew Spitzer, Jason Mussell, Ignacio Pasqualini, Stan Dysart, Jeffrey Gonzales, Michael Mont, Jess H. Lonner, Md, William Mihalko

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to define an intra-articular surgeon-administered technique that may be comparable to ultrasound (US)-guided adductor canal block (ACB).

METHODS: Five cadaver lower limbs were examined. An anesthesiologist administered a US-guided ACB using 20 mL of dilute indocyanine dye. An orthopedic surgeon performed a medial parapatellar arthrotomy and introduced an 18-gauge needle 1-2 cm proximal to the palpated adductor tubercle angled posteromedially. Needle position and dye spread were fluoroscopically documented.

RESULTS: This technique consistently reached the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve, nerve to the vastus medialis muscle, and posterior capsule, with minimal proximal dye spread.

CONCLUSIONS: This …

Evaluating Donor-Recipient Sex Mismatch In Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Allograft: Outcomes At 2 Years Postoperatively, Connor Crutchfield, Natalie Lowenstein, Chilan Leite, Christian Lattermann, Elizabeth Matzkin

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

BACKGROUND: Female patients tend to suffer a greater risk of reinjury and worse patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) than male patients, regardless of the graft type used.

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: This study explored the role of donor-recipient sex mismatching to help explain these sex-based dispar- ities in outcomes after ACLR with an allograft. The hypothesis was that allograft donor-recipient sex mismatch would adversely affect surgical outcomes at a 2-year follow-up, with male-to-female graft donations yielding the lowest rates of success.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS: Patients who underwent primary ACLR with an allograft …

Hypoalbuminemia And Postoperative Outcomes Following Major Salivary Gland Resection, Praneet C. Kaki, Aman M. Patel, Jason A. Brant, Steven B. Cannady, Karthik Rajasekaran, Robert M. Brody, Ryan M. Carey

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

OBJECTIVE: Hypoalbuminemia (HA) is a proxy for malnutrition that has been associated with postoperative complications in several surgical subspecialties. This study investigates the association between pre-operative HA and complications following major salivary gland (MSG) resection.

METHODS: Patients undergoing outpatient, elective MSG resection were extracted from the 2005 to 2020 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Demographics and comorbidities were compared between HA (preoperative serum albumin < 3.5 g/dL) and non-HA cohorts. To determine associations between albumin status and postoperative complications, univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS: A total of 5774 patients undergoing MSG resection were included, of which 321 (5.6%) had preoperative HA. HA was associated with older age on univariate analysis (65.2 vs. 60.2 years,

CONCLUSION: Preoperative HA may …

Expert Clinical Management Of Inflammatory Immune-Related Arthritis In Patients With Cancer Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, Sebastian Bruera, Mar Riveiro-Barciela, Alexa Meara, Maria E Suarez-Almazor

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Treatment guidelines for immune-related inflammatory arthritis (irAE-IA) in patients with cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are vague with respect to the use of specific agents. Patients are usually referred to rheumatologists for treatment. We conducted a survey of expert rheumatologists to determine current practices. We also assessed experts' views on the potential deleterious effects of various agents on tumor progression.

Methods: We conducted a survey of international experts in the treatment of irAE-IA, identified as members of collaborative scientific workgroups in this area. Experts were presented with a case of a patient with moderate irAE-IA and were asked …

Sustainable Solutions To The Continuous Threat Of Antimicrobial Resistance, Brad Spellberg, David N Gilbert, Michael Baym, Gonzalo Bearman, Tom Boyles, Arturo Casadevall, Graeme N Forrest, Sarah Freling, Bassam Ghanem, Fergus Hamilton, Brian Luna, Jessica Moore, Daniel M Musher, Travis B Nielsen, Priya Nori, Matthew C Phillips, Liise-Anne Pirofski, Andrew F Shorr, Steven Y C Tong, Todd C Lee, Emily G Mcdonald

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

To combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), advocates have called for passage of the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions To End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act in the United States, which would appropriate $6 billion in new taxpayer-funded subsidies for antibiotic development. However, the number of antibiotics in clinical development, and US Food and Drug Administration approvals of new antibiotics, have already markedly increased in the last 15 years. Thus, instead of focusing on more economic subsidies, we recommend reducing selective pressure driving AMR by (1) establishing pay-for-performance mechanisms that disincentivize overprescribing of antibiotics, (2) focusing existing research and development funding on strategies that decrease …

Home Dialysis For Undocumented Individuals: A Five-Year Single Center Experience, Laurene M Asare, Dia R Waguespack, Jose J Perez, Jade M Teakell

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.