Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Commons^™

Safety And Effectiveness Of Bolt-Mounted Versus Tunnelled External Ventricular Drains: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis And Trial-Sequential Analysis, Shaan Patel, Shiva A. Nischal, Ayush Sinha, Kush Kale, Pious D. Patel, Jack Jallo, Srinivas K. Prasad

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: External ventricular drains (EVDs) are fundamental to neurocritical care, yet substantial procedural heterogeneity persists, particularly regarding bolt-mounted versus tunnelled catheter fixation. The relative safety and effectiveness of these approaches remain unclear, with conflicting data from observational studies and a lack of trial-level evidence.

OBJECTIVE: To compare bolt-mounted and tunnelled EVDs across accuracy, reoperation, and key safety outcomes using systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial-sequential analysis.

METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were searched (November 2025) for randomised or observational studies comparing bolt-mounted with tunnelled EVDs in adults. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk …

Perioperative Fluid Management In Pancreaticoduodenectomy In The Era Of Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy: A Review Of The Literature, Meghan D Grim, Richard Zheng, Nader Hanna, Harish Lavu, Charles J. Yeo, Avinoam Nevler

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the only curative option for localized pancreatic head and periampullary malignancies. However, PD is associated with significant perioperative morbidity. Perioperative fluid management has emerged as an important modifiable factor influencing surgical outcomes in PD.

METHODS: In this qualitative review, PubMed/Medline searches were performed between March and August 2025 to review the terms "pancreaticoduodenectomy," "fluid management," "Enhanced Recovery After Surgery," "complications," and related terms.

RESULTS: Historically, liberal fluid administration was favored to compensate for third-space losses, but contemporary evidence has linked excessive fluid volumes to complications, such as postoperative pancreatic fistula, anastomotic edema, and increased inflammatory responses. …

686. Antibiotic Prescribing For Urinary Tract Infections In Outpatient Settings: A Multicenter Assessment Based On The Five Ds Of Stewardship, Amy Y. Kang, Oliver Tan, Sunwoo Oh, Nikki Derleth, Megan Shieh, Helen Vu, Inna Tagarino, Audrey Harrington, Deborah Kupferwasser, Loren G. Miller

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background   Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a leading cause of outpatient antibiotic use. Prior studies have documented inappropriate prescribing during outpatient UTI visits, but few have assessed intervention opportunities using a structured stewardship framework. We evaluated UTI prescribing practices in a healthcare system using the Five Ds framework: Diagnosis, Drug, Dose, Duration, and De-escalation.   Methods

We conducted a retrospective study across 4 medical centers and > 20 outpatient clinics within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the second largest U.S. safety net healthcare system. To ensure adequate representation across sites while maintaining feasibility for manual chart review, we reviewed …

Broad Laboratory Testing Does Not Show Utility For Telogen Effluvium: A Retrospective Analysis Of 22-Million Laboratory Results Using Trinetx, Zachary J.K. Neubauer, Shari R. Lipner

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

No abstract provided.

Repair Techniques For Acute Rupture Of The Patellar Tendon: A Systematic Review, Gaston Davis, Harrison S. Fellheimer, Christian Mccormick, Kevin B. Freedman

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Multiple techniques exist to repair acute tears of the patellar tendon. Surgical repair is required to reestablish full function of the extensor mechanism of the knee, and optimal results typically occur when the tear is repaired acutely.

PURPOSE: To systematically review the literature to evaluate treatment outcomes and complication rates after acute surgical repair of patellar tendon ruptures using suture anchor repair, transosseous repair, and end-to-end repair.

STUDY DESIGN: Scoping review; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS: A systematic review was performed to analyze outcomes after patellar tendon repair in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews …

Prognostic Value Of Baseline Qfr In Single-Vessel Intermediate Coronary Stenosis, Yanfeng Lu, Abdulrahman Alqazzaz, Jasmine Bao, Gary S. Mintz, Jiahao Feng, Yong Zhang, Shanshan Gao, Qiang Song, Feifei Ning, Xin Huang, Ning Guo

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prognostic value of baseline Quantitative Flow Ratio (QFR) in real-world patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of baseline QFR and its three-tier model-low, grey-zone, and high QFR-in patients with single-vessel intermediate stenosis.

METHODS: This retrospective study included 478 patients with QFR between 0.70 and 0.90 who underwent coronary angiography between May and June 2023. Patients were stratified into Low (0.70-0.74), Grey-Zone (0.75-0.85), and High (0.86-0.90) QFR groups. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE); the key secondary endpoint was target vessel failure (TVF). Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models …

Zoliflodacin Versus Ceftriaxone Plus Azithromycin For Treatment Of Uncomplicated Urogenital Gonorrhoea: An International, Randomised, Controlled, Open-Label, Phase 3, Non-Inferiority Clinical Trial, Alison Luckey, Manica Balasegaram, Lindley A. Barbee, Teresa A. Batteiger, Helen Broadhurst, Stephanie E. Cohen, Sinead Delany-Moretlwe, Henry J.C. De Vries, Jodie A. Dionne, Katherine Gill, Chris Kenyon, Rossaphorn Kittiyaowamarn, Drew Lewis, John P. Mueller, Vimla Naicker, Seamus O'Brien, John P. O'Donnell, Nittaya Phanuphak, Elizabeth Spooner, Subasree Srinivasan, Stephanie N. Taylor, Magnus Unemo, Zinhle Zwane, Edward W. Hook, Zoliflodacin Phase 3 Study Group

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background Development of new treatments for gonorrhoea is a global public health priority. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zoliflodacin versus ceftriaxone plus azithromycin in patients with uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea. Methods In this phase 3, multinational, randomised, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority clinical trial, participants aged 12 years and older with clinical suspicion of uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea were eligible for inclusion. The trial was done in 17 outpatient clinics in Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, Thailand, and the USA. Participating countries with high disease prevalence were identified for participation in the study. Sites selected for participation were led by …

The Role Of Extracellular Vesicles As Diagnostic Tools In Gut-Brain Axis Disorders, Patricia Marçal Da Costa, Paulo Iury Gomes Nunes, Gabriella Cunha Vieira Ciurleo, José Wagner Leonel Tavares Junior, Pedro Braga Neto, Ludmila Belayev, Reinaldo Barreto Oriá

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

The gut–brain axis represents a dynamic two-way signaling network whose dysregulation has been implicated in a wide range of neurogastrointestinal disorders. In this context, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as critical mediators of intercellular signaling and as promising non-invasive biomarkers. Derived from host and microbial cells, EVs carry bioactive cargo—including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites—that reflect the physiological or pathological state of their cells of origin. Their ability to cross biological barriers, such as the blood–brain barrier, underscores their potential for diagnosing and monitoring gut–brain axis dysfunctions. In this mini-review, we integrate microbial and brain-derived EVs within the framework …

Clinical Performance Of A Novel Point-Of-Care High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I Assay, Alan H. B. Wu, Simon A. Mahler, Stacey L. House, Saeed A. Jortani, Michael H. Creer, Kristin L. Rising, Jason J. Bischof, Chad Crystal, Gary F. Headden, Fred S. Apple, Nicholas E. Harrison, Andrew C. Meltzer, Justin T. Baca, Brian Tiffany, Mark Sochor, Grace U. Pentecostes, Katrina P. Di Tullio, Manish S. Gupta, Adam J. Singer, James L. Januzzi

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays performed in the central laboratory have long turnaround times. This study evaluates the clinical performance of a novel bedside point-of-care (POC) hs-cTnI assay (i-STAT® hs-TnI) to aid in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS: A prospective multisite cohort study involving emergency department (ED) patients with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome was conducted at 28 sites across the United States. Serial whole blood samples were collected at 0-1 h and >1-3 h from ED presentation. Primary outcome was MI or non-MI. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value (NPV) for MI were calculated with …

Does Adding An Interbody Cage In L4–L5 Posterolateral Fusion For Degenerative Spondylolisthesis And Stenosis Improve Clinical Outcome?, Enrico Aimar, Lucrezia Di Stefano, Federico Longhitano, Alberto Bona, Marco Meloni, Tommaso Alfiero, Federica Valente, Roberta Bonomo, Giulio Bonomo, Flavio Tancioni, Guglielmo Iess

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: As the population ages, L4-L5 degenerative spondylolisthesis is increasingly common. Posterolateral fusion was long standard; interbody cages are widely used for perceived higher fusion rates.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Does adding an interbody cage to posterolateral fusion improve outcomes or reduce complications in elderly patients with grade I spondylolisthesis and severe stenosis?

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 319 adults aged 60-85 who underwent single-level L4-L5 fusion (2011-2018) after failed conservative care. Patients received posterior lumbar fusion (PLIF, n = 155) or posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF, n = 164). Primary outcomes were Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) change and complications over a …

Task-Optimized Brain Parcellations Reveal Latent Functional Organization For Enhanced Connectivity-Based Neuroimaging Classification, Andrew Hannum, Mario A. Lopez

Computer Science: Faculty Scholarship

Brain parcellation schemes are fundamental to neuroimaging, yet general-purpose atlases may obscure the specific functional architecture relevant to a given cognitive task or clinical condition. This reflects a growing consensus that the “optimal” brain map is context-dependent. Here, we introduce a novel framework that validates this principle by generating task-optimized human brain parcellation maps directly from supervised learning objectives. Our method defines functional parcels by grouping brain regions based on the similarity of their contributions to a classifier's decision boundary for a specific goal (e.g., cognitive state decoding or clinical group separation). This approach prioritizes a region's discriminative role over …

Micrornas In Prostate Cancer Liquid Biopsies: Early Detection, Prognosis, And Treatment Monitoring, Seyyed Mohammad Yaghoubi, Erfan Zare, Sina Jafari Dargahlou, Maryam Jafari, Mahdiye Azimi, Maedeh Khoshnazar, Solmaz Shirjang, Behzad Mansoori

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common malignancy in men worldwide, with incidence projected to rise in the coming years. Traditional screening and diagnostic methods, such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and biopsy, face limitations in specificity and invasiveness. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as stable, non-invasive biomarkers obtainable via liquid biopsies (blood, urine, semen) that could transform PCa management. These small regulatory RNAs reflect underlying tumor biology and are detectable at early disease stages, enabling improved early detection when used alongside or in place of PSA. Distinct miRNA expression patterns correlate with tumor aggressiveness. For example, miR-141 and miR-375 are …

Another Gastric Band Complication: Acute Appendicitis, Dustin Williamson, Naveed Ismail, John Weaver

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Making The Most Out Of Advanced Directives: A Qi Project, Brissa Mundo-Santacruz, Joseph Freeze, Jesus Dorado, Nina Ball

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Unwrapping The Candy Cane: An Underrecognized Cause Of Postoperative Abdominal Pain, Priscilla Itua, Uzma Ali, Mohammad Mahdi, Osamah Salim, Sarib Sultan

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

When Analgesia Is Contraindicated: Non-Pharmacologic Resolution Of Pain Enabling Rehabilitation Participation, Zane Shah, Anand Allam

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Survival Following Extreme Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis In A Patient With Acute-On-Chronic Kidney Disease Managed With Crrt, Phil Khong, Danielle Sudilovsky, Logan Blackney, Ryan Spilman, Alex Enurah

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Biliary Obstruction From An Unexpected Source, Max Dinicola, Trevor Link, Derek Welch

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Pauci-Immune Glomerulonephritis: An Uncommon Cause Of Early Post-Transplant Kidney Allograft Dysfunction, Sherif Elbaz Younis, Andy Bryan Castaneda, Jose Valdes, Sridhar Allam

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Spontaneous Pneumoperitoneum Presenting As An Acute Abdomen, Madison Mcinnis, Megan Tierney, Kaysie Banton

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.