Laboratory Medicine Commons^™

Synchronous Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma And Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma, Phuoc Christie-Nguyen, Ahmed A Ahmed, Nourhan Ibrahim, Jacob Armstrong, Brenda Mai

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: The coexistence of renal cell carcinoma and classic Hodgkin lymphoma is exceedingly rare, with only two documented cases. Here, we present the third case diagnosed in our institution.

Case presentation: A 46-year-old man presented with right flank pain, fever, mild pancytopenia, and renal mass on computed tomography scan, suggesting renal malignancy. Despite intravenous antibiotics and extensive workup for recurrent fever, his condition did not improve. A bone marrow biopsy revealed rare large EBV-positive B cells. Surprisingly, imaging only showed minimal intraabdominal lymphadenopathy in the perinephric region. Subsequent surgery confirmed clear cell renal cell carcinoma in the kidney and scattered …

Synchronous Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma And Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma, Phuoc Christie-Nguyen, Ahmed A Ahmed, Nourhan Ibrahim, Jacob Armstrong, Brenda Mai

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: The coexistence of renal cell carcinoma and classic Hodgkin lymphoma is exceedingly rare, with only two documented cases. Here, we present the third case diagnosed in our institution.

Case presentation: A 46-year-old man presented with right flank pain, fever, mild pancytopenia, and renal mass on computed tomography scan, suggesting renal malignancy. Despite intravenous antibiotics and extensive workup for recurrent fever, his condition did not improve. A bone marrow biopsy revealed rare large EBV-positive B cells. Surprisingly, imaging only showed minimal intraabdominal lymphadenopathy in the perinephric region. Subsequent surgery confirmed clear cell renal cell carcinoma in the kidney and scattered …

Pathobiology Of Aortic Aneurysms And Dissections: Synthesis Of Recent Investigations And Evolving Insights, L Maximilian Buja, Bihong Zhao, Deborah Vela, Ana Segura, Navneet Narula

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The pathobiology of aortic disease is linked to aortic region: atherosclerosis for abdominal aorta, primary medial degeneration or aortitis for ascending thoracic aorta, and all causes for descending thoracic aorta and thoracoabdominal lesions. The pathogenesis of aortic dissection involves damage of the outer media from impaired perfusion from dysfunctional vasa vasorum, formation of discrete foci of disrupted vascular smooth muscle cell-elastic fiber extension-contractile units, and imbalance of radial sheer stress across the aortic wall, thereby creating an intimal tear and linear dissection. Thoracic aortic aneurysms develop from the chronic progression of medial degeneration coupled with the weakening of the remodeled …

The Attitudes And Perspectives Of Laboratory Professionals On The Use Of Machine Learning Combined With Maldi For Viral Identification: A Qualitative Study, Grace Johnson

Honors Projects

The use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) with machine learning (ML) has been proposed by numerous studies as a novel approach for viral identification. However, the development and implementation of this instrumentation is still in its early stages, and laboratory professionals' perspectives on its feasibility, accuracy, implementation, and effect on current laboratory operating procedures remain underexplored.

This study aimed to investigate laboratory professionals’ attitudes and opinions regarding the use of MALDI-TOF-MS coupled with machine learning for viral identification, focusing on perceived benefits, barriers, and factors that would affect participants’ opinions on implementation.

A qualitative descriptive research …

Patient Care Technician Led Reduction In Blood Culture Contamination Rates, Elena Estrella Pct, Elissa Reyes Msn, Rn, Ccrn, Bethany Zoufaly Msn, Rn, Jennifer O'Neil Bsn, Rn, Anne M. Aquila Dnp, Rn, Cenp

Posters

Purpose:

To decrease blood culture contamination by improving staff competency

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …

Measuring The Prevalence Of Microcytosis Of Red Blood Cells Among Different Pediatric Age Groups. A Retrospective Study., Sarah Mohammad Atef Mostafa, Mary Shaker Zakher Gerges

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Aim: Detect the prevalence of microcytosis of red blood cells (RBCs) and pattern of morphological classification of anemia among different paediatric age groups during their visit to the out-patient clinics in the hospital. Methods: An observational study was carried out during the period from January 2022 to April 2023. All pediatric patients (aged from day one to18years old) complete blood count (CBC) reports recorded on the hospital laboratory outpatient’s database were included. Age, gender, and RBCs parameters; haemoglobin, red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were collected, percentages of distribution of microcytosis and type of anemia among …

Contact Pathway Factors As Potential Modifiers Of Bleeding Related To Factor Xi Deficiency, Ivy R. Han, Leah Rosenfeldt, Courtney Young, Bal Krishan Phd, Rachel Cantrell Phd, Cassie Sprague, Mousa Kharnaf, William Abplanalp, Joseph Palumbo Md

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Factor XI (FXI) deficiency, also known as Hemophilia C, is characterized by mild to moderate bleeding symptoms. However, the factors that modify bleeding severity in FXI deficiency are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated whether components of the contact activation pathway can act as modifiers of bleeding in the context of FXI deficiency. Using a tail vein transection (TVT) model in rats, we assessed bleeding in four experimental groups: wild-type Sprague-Dawley rats, Prekallikrein knockout (PKK^-/-) rats, rats treated with a FXI-inhibiting antibody, and PKK-/- rats treated with the FXI antibody.

Under anesthesia, each rat underwent a …

Development Of A Proposed Selective Medium For The Isolation And Differentiation Of P. Sordellii, Dimyana Bottros

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Clostridium, a genus of anaerobic, spore-forming bacteria, includes clinically and ecologically significant species like Clostridium difficile and Paeniclostridium sordellii. C. difficile causes antibiotic-associated colitis, while P. sordellii is linked to fatal infections and spontaneous abortions. Recent studies found both species in marine sediments, suggesting their role in environmental and wildlife health disturbances, including the 2013 mass mortality of over 300 manatees in the Indian River Lagoon. However, isolating and differentiating P. sordellii is challenging due to the lack of selective media optimized for its growth. This thesis proposes a novel selective medium tailored to P. sordellii’s physiological …

Hydroxychloroquine-Induced Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report, Ahmed Hussein, Aya Salih, Tebyan Mohammedali, Yousif Mohamed, L Maximilian Buja

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an immunomodulatory medication used for decades. HCQ is a weak base accumulating in acidic cytoplasmic vesicles, such as lysosomes. This accumulation raises the pH and interferes with the functions of the lysosomal enzymes, including α-galactosidase A, resulting in a unique clinical and pathologic feature. We present a case with severe HCQ-induced cardiomyopathy to show the pattern of cardiac involvement and available imaging and pathologic modalities. The case involves a 76-year-old woman with a history of Sjögren's disease who had been treated with HCQ for 13 years and presented with symptoms of heart failure. An echocardiogram showed thick …

Defining Renal Recovery In Patients With Hepatorenal Syndrome-Acute Kidney Injury: Experience From North American Studies, Muhammad A. Mujtaba, Hussien Elsiesy, Sara Faiz, Syed A. Hussain, Ann Kathleen N. Gamilla-Crudo, Aftab Karim, Mohammad I. Khan, Muhammad W. Khattak, Zunaira Zafar, Michael Kueht, Khurram Jamil

Jefferson Health - Northeast Papers (formerly Aria Health Papers)

INTRODUCTION: The degree of improvement in serum creatinine (SCr) has previously been suggested as a sensitive indicator of treatment response in patients with hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI), while HRS reversal remains the primary endpoint in clinical trials.

METHODS: A total of ≥ 30% SCr improvement was analyzed as an exploratory prespecified endpoint in the CONFIRM trial. In this post hoc analysis, intent-to-treat population data from three Phase 3 studies (OT-0401, REVERSE, and CONFIRM) conducted in North America in patients with HRS-AKI were pooled to assess the incidence of > 30% improvement in SCr and its association with clinical outcomes.

RESULTS: …

Sk609, A Novel Dopamine D3 Receptor Agonist And Norepinephrine Transporter Blocker With Putative Pro-Cognitive Actions, Does Not Induce Psychostimulant-Like Increases In Risky Choice During Probabilistic Discounting, Christopher P. Knapp, Brooke Fallon, Sandhya Kortagere, Barry D. Waterhouse, Stan B Floresco, Rachel L Navarra

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

RATIONALE: Psychostimulants, such as amphetamine (AMPH) and methylphenidate (MPH), non-selectively elevate extracellular concentrations of the catecholamine neurotransmitters, dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE), and are common pharmacological strategies used to improve prefrontal cortex (PFC)-dependent cognitive dysfunction. However, this approach can be problematic given AMPH has been shown to increase preference for risky choices in a rodent assay of risk/reward decision making. SK609 is a novel NE reuptake blocker that selectively activates DA D3 receptors without affinity for the DA transporter. SK609 has been shown to improve cognitive performance without increasing psychostimulant-like spontaneous locomotor activity, suggesting SK609 may benefit neurocognitive function without …

Synthesis Of Photocleavable Molecules For Neurological Applications, Nishal Madujith Egodawaththa Arachchilage Don

Theses and Dissertations

In recent biomedical research, the precise control of molecular dynamics through light activation has emerged as a powerful tool, particularly in the field of neurobiology. This approach involves the use of photocleavable cages or photoprotective groups (PPGs) that are chemically tethered to biologically active molecules such as neurotransmitters or calcium chelators. These cages remain inert until exposed to specific wavelengths of light, typically in the visible range, triggering the release of the active compound with high spatiotemporal precision.

For neurotransmitter systems, such as glutamate (Glu), which plays a critical role in synaptic transmission and memory formation, researchers have developed novel …

Laboratory Literacy: Surveying Lab Result Interpretations Of A Local Patient Population, Jordan Franco, Mark K. Fung

Patient Experience Journal

A patient's independent interpretation of their medical laboratory data has become an unspoken prerequisite in the current age of medicine. In the outpatient setting, it is anecdotally commonplace for patients to receive their lab results before their physicians, resulting in patients often relying on self-interpretations of their results. This study analyzed the degree to which patients are comfortable interpreting lab results and sought to shed light on the question: How are patients interpreting their laboratory reports? A survey was constructed to include the items from a validated health literacy screening tool, followed by items inquiring about the respondent's experience and …

Survival Prognostic Factors And Molecular Aspects In Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Bogdan Serban, Eugen Radu, Adrian Cursaru, Bogdan Stefan Cretu, Sergiu Andrei Iordache, Madalina Cirnu, Cosmin Florentin Niculae, Cătălin Florin Cîrstoiu

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Soft tissue sarcomas are defined as relatively rare, wide-ranging mesenchymal tumors that present several forms of aggressive behavior. In order to improve the therapeutic result and thus the patient's prognosis, reliable diagnostic and evaluation tools are needed, capable of establishing the evolutive pattern of each patient. Materials and Methods. An analytical observational study was conducted in the period 2016-2023 in the Orthopedics Department of the Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, on patients diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma. Data such as sex, age, site, size, depth, histotype, grade and margin status, vessel or bone involvement, adenopathies, adjuvant therapy, clinical findings, etc., were …

Early Cold Stored Platelet Transfusion Following Severe Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Jason L Sperry, Francis X Guyette, Bedda L Rosario-Rivera, Matthew E Kutcher, Lucy Z Kornblith, Bryan A Cotton, Chad T Wilson, Kenji Inaba, Eva V Zadorozny, Laura E Vincent, Ashley M Harner, Emily T Love, Joseph E Doherty, Joseph Cuschieri, Aaron E Kornblith, Erin E Fox, Yu Bai, Marcus K Hoffman, Catherine P Seger, Jay Hudgins, Sheila Mallett-Smith, Matthew D Neal, Christine M Leeper, Philip C Spinella, Mark H Yazer, Stephen R Wisniewski, Cold Stored Platelet For Hemorrhagic Shock (Crisp-Hs) Study Group

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of early cold stored platelet transfusion compared with standard care resuscitation in patients with hemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND: Data demonstrating the safety and efficacy of early cold stored platelet transfusion are lacking following severe injury.

METHODS: A phase 2, multicenter, randomized, open label, clinical trial was performed at 5 US trauma centers. Injured patients at risk of large volume blood transfusion and the need for hemorrhage control procedures were enrolled and randomized. The intervention was the early transfusion of a single apheresis cold stored platelet unit, stored for up to 14 days versus …

Spatial Modulation Of Primate Inferotemporal Responses By Eye Position, Kievershen Nargan, Joel N Glasgow, Sajid Nadeem, Threnesan Naidoo, Gordon Wells, Robert L Hunter, Anneka Hutton, Kapongo Lumamba, Mpumelelo Msimang, Paul V Benson, Adrie J C Steyn

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: The ability to detect evidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection within human tissues is critical to the study of Mtb physiology, tropism, and spatial distribution within TB lesions. The capacity of the widely-used Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining method for identifying Mtb acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in tissue is highly variable, which can limit detection of Mtb bacilli for research and diagnostic purposes. Here, we sought to circumvent these limitations via detection of Mtb mRNA and secreted antigens in human tuberculous tissue.

METHODS: We adapted RNAscope, an RNA in situ hybridisation (RISH) technique, to detect Mtb mRNA in ante- and postmortem human …

Genetic Alchemy Unveiled: Microrna-Mediated Gene Therapy As The Artisan Craft In The Battlefront Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma—A Comprehensive Chronicle Of Strategies And Innovations, Abduh Murshed, Mohammed A.H. Alnoud, Saleem Ahmad, Safir Ullah Khan, Mohammed Alissa, Meshari A. Alsuwat, Ahmed Ezzat Ahmed, Munir Ullah Khan

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Investigating therapeutic miRNAs is a rewarding endeavour for pharmaceutical companies. Since its discovery in 1993, our understanding of miRNA biology has advanced significantly. Numerous studies have emphasised the disruption of miRNA expression in various diseases, making them appealing candidates for innovative therapeutic approaches. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant malignancy that poses a severe threat to human health, accounting for approximately 70%–85% of all malignant tumours. Currently, the efficacy of several HCC therapies is limited. Alterations in various biomacromolecules during HCC progression and their underlying mechanisms provide a basis for the investigation of novel and effective therapeutic approaches. MicroRNAs, also …

Differential Expression Of Wnt5a Long And Short Isoforms In Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma., Amy M Strope, Cody Phillips, Sabin Khadgi, Scott A Jenkinson, Karen T Coschigano, Ramiro Malgor

Oncology Articles

Wnt ligands belong to a family of secreted glycoproteins in which binding to a range of receptors/co-receptors activates several intracellular pathways. WNT5A, a member of the Wnt family, is classified as a non-canonical Wnt whose activation triggers planar cell polarity (PCP) and Ca+2 downstream pathways. Aberrant expression of WNT5A has been shown to play both protective and harmful roles in an array of conditions, such as inflammatory disease and cancer. In the present study, using histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular methods, we investigated the expression of two isoforms of WNT5A, WNT5A-Short (WNT5A-S) and WNT5A-Long (WNT5A-L) in bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC). Three …

Low-Dose Immune Tolerance Induction For Severe Hemophilia A Inhibitor Patients: Immunosuppressants Are Generally Not Necessary For Inhibitor-Titer Below 200 Bu/Ml, Zhengping Li, Jie Sun, Zekun Li, Zhenping Chen, Guoqing Liu, Wanru Yao, Xiaoling Cheng, Gang Li, Yingzi Zhen, Di Ai, Yaohan Zhou, Qianqian Mao, Man-Chiu Poon, Runhui Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Importance

It remained unclear that the efficacy comparison between low‐dose immune tolerance induction (LD‐ITI) incorporating immunosuppressants (IS) when severe hemophilia A (SHA) patients had inhibitor‐titer ≥200 Bethesda Units (BU)/mL (LD‐ITI‐IS200 regimen) and LD‐ITI combining with IS when SHA patients had inhibitor‐titer ≥40 BU/mL (LD‐ITI‐IS40 regimen).

Objective

To compare the efficacy of the LD‐ITI‐IS200 regimen with that of the LD‐ITI‐IS40 regimen for SHA patients with high‐titer inhibitors.

Methods

A prospective cohort study on patients receiving LD‐ITI‐IS200 compared to those receiving LD‐ITI‐IS40 from January 2021 to December 2023. Both received LD‐ITI [FVIII 50 IU/kg every other day]. IS (rituximab + prednisone) was …