Therapeutics Commons^™

Topical Lifitegrast Therapy For Dry Eye Disease, Lama Assi, Salim C. Lutfallah, Tsz Wing Yim, Su Hsun Liu, Sharon J. Duffy, Jayne Weiss

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objectives: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows:. To assess the effectiveness and safety of topical lifitegrast therapy alone or in combination with artificial tears, compared with a placebo, artificial tears alone, or no treatment for dry eye disease.

Economic Value Of Intra-Articular Knee Oa Therapies: A U.S. Perspective, Vinod Dasa, Wilson Ngai, Kevin Steele, Ronald Preblick, Heather Watson, Kevin L. Ong

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

AIMS: This study compared the six-month medical/pharmacy costs and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) for knee OA patients undergoing intra-articular therapy with different classes of hyaluronic acid (HA) (by molecular weight) or corticosteroid (ICS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients across high molecular weight (HMW) HA, medium molecular weight (MMW) HA, low molecular weight (LMW) HA, and ICS therapy groups were matched from a U.S. claims database (Optum's de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart Database), with a final size of 6,234 patients per group. Adjusted six-month medical/prescription costs per patient per month (PPPM), and HCRU rates and costs, were determined. Secondary endpoints included complication rates …

Cardiovascular Health In Cardiac Rehabilitation: Applying The American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 Framework In A Center-Based Cohort, Audry Chacin-Suarez, Tomoaki Hama, Matthew P. Johnson, Helayna Abraham, Thomas P. Olson, Laprincess C. Brewer

Einstein Health Papers

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a comprehensive secondary cardiovascular disease program with structured lifestyle interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality. The American Heart Association cardiovascular health (CVH) framework measures health-promoting behaviors and clinical factors, but it has not been rigorously evaluated in the CR setting.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients attending CR from January 2018 to September 2020. Patients were evaluated at baseline (pre-CR) and completion (post-CR) using 3 clinical factors (blood pressure, cholesterol, and hemoglobin A1c) and 4 health behaviors (smoking, body mass index, physical activity, and diet). CVH score was computed as a composite of each …

Evaluation Of The Wound Healing And Anti-Microbial Activity Of Hydroethanolic Extracts Of Young And Old Leaves Of Vernonia Amygdalina Delile, Du-Bois Asante, Christian Kweku Adokoh, Elvis Ofori Ameyaw, Desmond Omane Acheampong, Ebenezer Afrifa-Yamoah, Precious Barnes, Gideon Agyeah, Ruben Phillips, Julie Sartori

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Vernonia amygdalina Delile (VA) has been reported as an important herb for the management of wound in traditional medical settings. However, the evaluation of the wound healing and antimicrobial effect of the young and old leaves of VA is lacking. Objective This study sought to determine the cutaneous wound healing and in vitro anti-microbial activities of the young and old leaf extracts of VA. Methods Mineral elements that aid in wound healing and vitamin C levels were evaluated in the young and old leaves of VA. Phytochemical analysis of the hydroethanolic leaf extracts of the young leaves (HEthYL) and …

Brivaracetam For Spinal Cord Injury-Related Neuropathic Pain: Results Of A Pilot Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Leslie R. Morse, Ricardo A. Battaglino, Nguyen Nguyen, Brian Devries, Abigail Welch, Ana Lucia Battaglino, Clas Linnman, Michael Stillman, Robert Wudlick, Joda Glossner, Grant Anderton, Richard Goldstein, Scott P. Falci

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Assess feasibility, safety, and tolerability of 3 months of oral brivaracetam for severe (9-10/10) spinal cord injury-related neuropathic pain.

METHODS: We conducted a multisite pilot study where adults were randomized to 3 months of brivaracetam (100 mg BID) or placebo. Pain was assessed via the Brief Pain Inventory, the International Spinal Cord Injury Pain Basic Dataset (version 2.0), and a daily pain diary.

RESULTS: We enrolled 24 participants across 2 sites and 14 participants were included in the final analysis (n = 8 placebo, n = 6 brivaracetam). The drug was tolerated with expected, nonserious side effects (nausea if …

The Dubr/Mir-210-5p/Retsat Axis In Cholesterol-Associated Steatohepatitis: Clinical Signatures And Molecular Mechanisms, Hana Mahmoud Abdelzaher

Theses and Dissertations

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) represents an increasing global health challenge, with cholesterol-associated steatohepatitis (CASH) emerging as a distinct pathological entity warranting investigation. While CASH demonstrates unique features compared to traditional triglyceride-driven steatohepatitis, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates a novel regulatory axis involving DPPA2 Upstream Binding RNA (DUBR), miR-210-5p, and retinol saturase (RETSAT). 170 patient samples revealed progressive axis dysregulation in disease states, with RETSAT emerging as a highly accurate diagnostic marker (AUC=1.000). Using novel in vitro models of MASH and CASH, we demonstrated that miR-210-5p modulation significantly affects lipid accumulation and cellular phenotype, with …

Evaluation Of Aav Vectors With Tissue-Specific Or Ubiquitous Promoters In A Mouse Model Of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type Iva, Shaukat A. Khan, Jose Victor Álvarez, F. N. U. Nidhi, Eliana Benincore-Florez, Shunji Tomatsu

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA) is caused by a deficiency of N-acetyl-galactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS), leading to the accumulation of keratan sulfate and chondroitin-6-sulfate and development of severe skeletal dysplasia. Enzyme replacement therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are current treatment options but have limited impact on bone lesions. In this study, we investigated adeno-associated virus (AAV)8 or AAV9 vectors with liver-specific thyroxine-binding globulin or liver-specific promoter-a modification of hAAT (LSPX), liver-muscle tandem (LMTP), liver-bone tandem (LBTP), and ubiquitous cytomegalovirus early enhancer/chicken β-actin (CAG) promoters in MPS IVA mice to compare therapeutic efficacy on biochemical markers and bone pathology. All vectors …

Childhood Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Comprehensive Review Of Disease, Diagnosis, And Therapeutic Management, Daniyal Raza, Farhan Mohiuddin, Muhammad Haris Khan, Maheen Fawad, Syed Musa Raza

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects both adults and children, although the symptoms differ significantly between these groups. While adults typically experience heartburn and regurgitation, children may present with more subtle signs, such as failure to thrive, chronic cough, wheezing, and Sandifer syndrome. Diagnosing GERD in children necessitates a multifaceted approach due to the diverse symptomatology and challenges in communication. Clinical assessment serves as the cornerstone of diagnosis, supported by tools like pH monitoring, esophageal impedance testing, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Imaging studies, such as barium swallow, can also provide valuable insights into anatomical abnormalities and the extent of reflux. Treatment …

Advances In Molecular Imaging Of Vegfrs: Innovations In Imaging And Therapeutics, Hanieh Karimi, Sarah Lee, Wenqi Xu, Sigrid A. Langhans, David K. Johnson, Erik Stauff, Heidi H. Kecskemethy, Lauren W. Averill, Xuyi Yue

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) are key regulators of angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and vascular permeability, playing essential roles in both physiological and pathological processes. The VEGFR family, including VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3, interacts with structurally related VEGF ligands (VEGFA, VEGFB, VEGFC, VEGFD, and placental growth factor [PlGF]), activating downstream signaling pathways that mediate critical cellular processes, including proliferation, migration, and survival. Dysregulation of VEGFR signaling has been implicated in numerous diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and inflammatory disorders. Targeting VEGFRs with radiopharmaceuticals, such as radiolabeled peptides, antibodies, and specific tracers like 64Cu-bevacizumab and 89Zr-ramucirumab, has emerged as a powerful …

Tumor Microenvironment Governs The Prognostic Landscape Of Immunotherapy For Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Computational Model-Guided Analysis, Priyan Bhattacharya, Alban J Linnenbach, Andrew P. South, Ubaldo E. Martinez-Outshoorn, Joseph M. Curry, Jennifer M. Johnson, Larry A. Harshyne, Mỹ G. Mahoney, Adam J. Luginbuhl, Rajanikanth Vadigepalli

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has emerged as a critical treatment strategy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) that halts the immune escape of the tumor cells. Increasing evidence suggests that the onset, progression, and lack of/no response of HNSCC to ICI are emergent properties arising from the interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Deciphering how the diversity of cellular and molecular interactions leads to distinct HNSCC TME subtypes subsequently governing the ICI response remains largely unexplored. We developed a cellular-molecular model of the HNSCC TME that incorporates multiple cell types, cellular states, and transitions, and molecularly …

Comparison Between Pipeline Embolization Device (Ped) Versus Flow Redirection Endoluminal Device (Fred) For Intracranial Aneurysms: A Comprehensive Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Seyed Maroufi, Mohammad Fallahi, Muhammad Waqas, Othman Bin-Alamer, Manisha Koneru, Joanna Roy, Jane Khalife, Hamza Shaikh, Daniel Tonetti

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: The performance of the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) and relatively newer double-layered Flow Re-Direction Endoluminal Device (FRED) have been studied for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, but direct comparisons between PED and FRED are limited. The current systematic review aims at comparing the efficacy and safety of PED and FRED.

METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched, and related records were identified. A meta-analysis of double-arm studies comparing PED and FRED was conducted on angiographic and clinical outcomes, retreatment rates, and …

Barriers To Clinical Cosmetic And Laser Dermatology Research In The Academic Setting By Source Of Funding: A Systematic Review, Bianca Y. Kang, Saranya P. Wyles, Yakir Levin, Rawaa Almukhtar, Stephanie R. Jackson Cullison, Jayne S. Joo, Sami K. Saikaly, Shalinie Mahadeo, Michael Ong, Sophia Salingaros, Maria Hordinsky, Sarah A. Ibrahim, Devina Mehta, Shoko Mori, Edit B. Olasz Harken, Diana Bolotin, Kira Minkis, Murad Alam

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

Clinical research is a cornerstone of academic dermatology, including research in cosmetic and laser procedures. However, numerous barriers exist to conducting clinical research in an academic setting as compared to private practice. The objective of this study was to describe the barriers to clinical research in cosmetic and laser dermatology in the academic setting under three common funding scenarios: (1) industry sponsored, (2) unfunded, investigator-initiated, and (3) publicly funded, investigator-initiated. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify 17 publications regarding funding of clinical dermatology research. Inductive content analysis was used to extract, categorize, and understand the barriers …

Of Dolls And Jewels : Keeping As A Strategy Of Care And Belonging, Yuqi Fan

Masters Theses

In this thesis, I will discuss the psychology behind object attachment in the doll-keeping subculture by integrating doll language into contemporary jewelry. I researched the Chinese term “Pi” as an accurate way of explaining how doll-keepers are attached to their dolls. In this 21st century, the widespread use of social media and AI technologies have deepened people's reliance on virtual spaces, leading to emotional detachment in our society. Adopting the concept of “Pi” into contemporary jewelry, which encourages a shift in focus towards external objects, the practice of doll-keeping becomes a form of self-care that compensates for our current loneliness …

Neovascular Pruning By Ido1 Inhibitors Can Potentiate Immunogenic Cytotoxicity Of Ischemia-Targeted Agents To Synergistically Enhance Anti-Pd-1 Responsiveness, Shih-Chun Shen, Souvik Dey, James B. Duhadaway, Erika Sutanto-Ward, Maurice T. Hampton, Serguei V. Kozlov, George C. Prendergast, Alexander J. Muller

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Strategies for deploying indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1)-targeted therapies for use against cancer have focused on IDO1's role in promoting peripheral immune tolerance that shields tumors from effector T cells. However, preclinical investigation of both primary and metastatic tumor development in the lungs has uncovered a previously unappreciated role for IDO1 in directing a counterregulatory response to interferon (IFN)-γ that realigns the local inflammatory environment to promote tumor neovascularization. Understanding how to therapeutically leverage the ability of IDO1 inhibitors to subvert inflammatory neovascularization within the tumor microenvironment has potential ramifications for future clinical development of these compounds.

METHODS: Pulmonary metastases …

Consideration Of Anesthesia Techniques For Deep Brain Stimulation Implantation In The Treatment Of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: A Narrative Review, Alan D. Kaye, Benjamin Esneault, Shreya Deshpande, Joseph Wentling, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Pooja Potharaju, Sahar Shekoohi

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures, affecting millions worldwide. While anti-seizure medications serve as first-line treatment, approximately one-third of patients develop drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), necessitating alternative interventions. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a promising therapy for DRE, particularly for patients who are ineligible for resective surgery. DBS involves stereotactic implantation of electrodes into target brain regions, such as the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT), centromedian nucleus (CMT), and hippocampus (HC), to modulate aberrant neural activity and to reduce seizure frequency. Anesthesia plays a critical role in DBS implantation, influencing both patient safety and …

Tacrolimus Dosing In Liver Transplant Recipients Using Phenotypic Personalized Medicine: A Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial, Jeffrey Khong, Megan Lee, Curtis Warren, Un Kim, Sergio Duarte, Kenneth Andreoni, Sunaina Shrestha, Mark Johnson, Narendra Battula, Danielle Mckimmy, Thiago Beduschi, Ji-Hyun Lee, Derek Li, Chih-Ming Ho, Ali Zarrinpar

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Tacrolimus is the most commonly used immunosuppression drug after solid organ transplantation; however, its dosing is challenging due to substantial inter-individual variability, often resulting in blood levels that deviate from the target therapeutic range. We explored whether a dynamically customized, phenotypic-outcome-guided drug dosing method could improve maintenance of drug trough levels within pre-determined target ranges, focusing on tacrolimus immediately after liver transplantation. This single-center, partially blinded, completed clinical trial involved 62 adults undergoing liver transplantation, block randomized into parallel groups: standard-of-care (SOC) clinician-determined or Phenotypic Personalized Medicine (PPM)-guided tacrolimus dosing. The primary outcome was percentage of post-transplant days with large …

Impact Of Diagnosis To Treatment Interval On Outcomes In Patients With Newly Diagnosed Marginal Zone Lymphoma - A Us Multisite Study, Narendranath Epperla, Geoffrey Shouse, Natalie Grover, Pallawi Torka, Kaitlin Annunzio, Marcus Watkins, Andrea Anampa-Guzmán, Beth Christian, Colin Thomas, Md, Stefan Barta, Praveen Geethakumari, Reem Karmali, Nancy Bartlett, Adam Olszewski

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Diagnosis-to-treatment interval (DTI) is an important prognostic factor in patients with newly diagnosed aggressive lymphomas, however the impact of DTI on outcomes in marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is unknown. In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, we included adult patients with MZL who received first-line immunochemotherapy within 120 days of diagnosis at 10 US medical centers. Patients who received treatment within 60 days from their diagnosis were classified into the short DTI group and those who received treatment beyond 60 days into long DTI group. The primary objective was progression-free survival (PFS), while secondary objectives included overall survival (OS) and cumulative …

Early Results With Hypofractionated Gamma Knife Radiotherapy For Treatment Of Vestibular Schwannoma, Omar Azmeh, Samuel R. Barber, Maurice King, Moisés A. Arriaga

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE: Vestibular schwannoma (VS) management with stereotactic radiation previously only included stereotactic radiosurgery with Gamma Knife (GKRS) or LINAC-based radiotherapy (LBR). Hypofractionated Gamma Knife radiotherapy (hfGKRS) is a novel protocol potentially producing less toxicity than the alternatives. This study examines early results in tumor control, complications and hearing preservation outcomes in a consecutive series of VS patients treated with hfGKRS. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review was conducted for all patients with unilateral VS treated with primary hfGKRS at an academic center between 2017 and 2023. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. INTERVENTIONS: Therapeutic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre- and post-treatment imaging, notes and …

Chronic Inflammatory Pain And Chronic Thc Vapor Inhalation Alter Midbrain Neuronal Activity, Leslie K. Kelley, Nicholas W. Gilpin, Jason W. Middleton

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

In an effort to reduce reliance on opioids for the treatment of pain in the clinic, ongoing work is testing the utility of cannabinoid drugs as a potential alternative for treatment of chronic pain. We tested chronic delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vapor inhalation effects on intrinsic and synaptic properties of ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) neurons in male and female rats treated with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). We report that chronic THC vapor inhalation modulates intrinsic and synaptic properties of vlPAG neurons, including reductions in action potential firing rate and spontaneous inhibitory synaptic transmission in males, and that these effects occur specifically …

Integrating Positive Psychology And Spirituality To Foster Meaning And Well-Being In Older Adults, Crystal Morris

Adultspan Journal

This perspective article explores the integration of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and spirituality in therapy to foster meaning and well-being in older adults. It highlights exercises such as the positive introduction, positive legacy, character strengths, mindfulness, mindful-based yoga, and a manifestation prayer journaling. The interventions presented are tools to support older adults that may experience depression, difficult life transitions, and the search for renewed meaning. Therapists who integrate PPIs and spirituality into therapy can promote a holistic, non-pathological approach to treatment.