Hemorrhagic Gastropathy From Paclitaxel-Carboplatin Combination Chemotherapy, Kristeen Onyirioha, Maya Balakrishnan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

A 58-year-old woman with endometrial cancer started on paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin chemotherapy, presented to the hospital with severe anemia and melena. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsies revealed diffuse gastric antrum hemorrhagic gastropathy without inflammatory changes. She had recurrent admissions with similar presentations during her chemotherapy. Her management included frequent blood transfusions, endoscopic Argon plasma coagulation to hemorrhagic lesions, and a prolonged course of proton pump inhibition to facilitate post-Argon plasma coagulation mucosal healing. Weeks after completing chemotherapy, her hemoglobin improved and recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding resolved. In this case, we identify a rare paclitaxel, in combination with carboplatin, associated …

Improving Health Outcome Through Mobile Clinics, Spatial Access, And Overdose Management: A Data-Driven Study Of People Who Inject Drugs, Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder, And College Students, Abass A. Babatunde

All Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Background

The opioid crisis remains a critical public health challenge in the United States. Mobile Health Clinics (MHCs) have emerged as a promising solution to bridge healthcare access gaps for these vulnerable populations, particularly for PWID and individuals with OUD in underserved and rural communities. Despite their potential, geographic disparities in MHC access and knowledge gaps in opioid overdose management and related diseases, including Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), remain significant barriers to care. This dissertation addresses three key dimensions of healthcare delivery for PWID, OUD populations, and college students: (1) barriers to MHC utilization for HCV screening and treatment …

Developing Culturally Centered Outreach Materials For Rural Native Veterans, Alexandra B Caloudas, Kelley Arredondo, Gail Beauchamp, Sharon Anastas, Kathy Marchant-Miros, Kristen Frosio, Giselle Day, Katherine Bay, Stephanie Day, Jan Lindsay, Jay Shore

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Native Americans serve in the U.S. military at the highest rate per capita of any ethnoracial group and have elevated rates of mental health (MH) difficulties compared to other ethnoracial groups, including posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol use disorders, and suicide. Almost half of Native Veterans live in rural areas; rurality is associated with significant barriers to MH services. Engaging in outreach with Native Veterans is an important pathway for connecting them with MH care, but the outreach process and educational materials must be culturally aligned to be more effective. We collaborated with partners at a rural Department of Veterans Affairs …

Nerve-To-Cancer Transfer Of Mitochondria During Cancer Metastasis, Gregory Hoover, Shila Gilbert, Olivia Curley, Clémence Obellianne, Mike T Lin, William Hixson, Terry W Pierce, Joel F Andrews, Mikhail F Alexeyev, Yi Ding, Ping Bu, Fariba Behbod, Daniel Medina, Jeffrey T Chang, Gustavo Ayala, Simon Grelet

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The nervous system has a pivotal role in cancer biology, and pathological investigations have linked intratumoural nerve density to metastasis1. However, the precise impact of cancer-associated neurons and the communication channels at the nerve–cancer interface remain poorly understood. Previous cancer denervation models in rodents and humans have highlighted robust cancer dependency on nerves, but the underlying mechanisms that drive nerve-mediated cancer aggressivity remain unknown2,3. Here we show that cancer-associated neurons enhance cancer metabolic plasticity by transferring mitochondria to cancer cells. Breast cancer denervation and nerve–cancer coculture models confirmed that neurons significantly improve tumour energetics. …

Racial And Ethnic Disparity For Cancer Mortality In General And Single-Payer Healthcare Systems In The United States, Rock Bum Kim, Emily Zhou, Kaitlin N Swinnerton, Jennifer La, Shengling Ma, Mrinal Ranjan, Nhan V Do, Mary T Brophy, Nathanael R Fillmore, Ang Li

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: It remains unclear what factors significantly drive racial disparity in cancer survival in the United States (US). We compared adjusted mortality outcomes in cancer patients from different racial and ethnic groups on a population level in the US and a single-payer healthcare system.

Patients and methods: We selected adult patients with incident solid and hematologic malignancies from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 2011-2020 and Veteran Affairs national healthcare system (VA) 2011-2021. We classified the self-reported NIH race and ethnicity into non-Hispanic White (NHW), non-Hispanic Black (NHB), non-Hispanic Asian Pacific Islander (API), and Hispanic. Cox regression models for …

Stool-Based Molecular Tuberculosis Treatment Monitoring: A Faster Means For Detecting Persistent Mycobacteria Compared To Phenotypic Culture, Clement Gascua Adu Gyamfi, Abigail Seeger, Durbbin Mulengwa, Anca Vasiliu, Lucia Carratala-Castro, Bariki Mtafya, Nontobeko Maphalala, Shilzia Munguambe, Belen Saavedra, Tara Ness, Gugu Maphalala, Sozinho Acacio, Edson Mambuque, Joanna Ehrlich, Rojelio Mejia, Mangaliso Ziyane, H Lester Kirchner, Christoph Lange, Alexander Kay, Alberto L Garcia-Basteiro, Anna Mandalakas, Andrew R Dinardo

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) treatment monitoring is hindered by the lack of a rapidly measured biomarker that accurately predicts clinically relevant outcomes. Symptom screening poorly correlates with bacillary burden. Although culture is a direct measure of viable bacillary burden, the long turnaround time makes it clinically irrelevant.

Methods: The TB treatment monitoring potential of stool-based, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was prospectively assessed among 231 participants of all ages from Eswatini, Tanzania, and Mozambique with microbiologically confirmed TB. Stool qPCR results were compared to sputum culture, persistent symptoms, drug resistance, and World Health Organization TB outcomes.

Results: Quantitative bacillary burden measured …

The Resilience Of The Human Lungs: Evolution, Smoke, And Disease, Joan B Soriano, Francesca Polverino

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Molecular Maestro In The Lung: The Sphingolipid Rheostat, Joselyn Rojas-Quintero, Francesca Polverino

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Incidence Of And Risk Factors For Hospital-Acquired Bleeding In People With Cancer: A Systematic Review, Mansour Gergi, Jinah Kim, Amalia Dolan, Laura Haines, Ang Li, Neil A Zakai

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Hospital-acquired (HA) bleeding (bleeding occurring during hospitalization) in cancer patients is poorly characterized, potentially increasing morbidity and mortality due to under- or overprescription of low-dose anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism prevention.

Objectives: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis (as appropriate) to identify the incidence of and risk factors for HA bleeding in people with cancer.

Methods: A systematic English-language search was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library. Keywords and controlled vocabulary related to bleeding risk in hospitalized cancer patients were iteratively refined. Studies assessing HA bleeding as a primary or coprimary endpoint were included, …

Low-Dose Metformin Requires Brain Rap1 For Its Antidiabetic Action, Hsiao-Yun Lin, Weisheng Lu, Yanlin He, Yukiko Fu, Kentaro Kaneko, Peimeng Huang, Ana B De La Puente-Gomez, Chunmei Wang, Yongjie Yang, Feng Li, Yong Xu, Makoto Fukuda

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Metformin is the most commonly prescribed antidiabetes drug, yet its precise mechanism of action remains controversial. Previous studies have suggested that metformin acts peripherally by reducing hepatic glucose output and altering gut functions. Here, we report a neural mechanism via the small guanosine triphosphatase Ras-related protein 1 (Rap1). Mice with forebrain-specific Rap1 knockout exhibited resistance to the antidiabetic effects of low-dose metformin while remaining sensitive to other antidiabetic agents. Centrally administered metformin inhibited brain Rap1 and reduced hyperglycemia. Conversely, forced activation of brain Rap1 increased glycemia and abolished the glycemic effect of metformin. Metformin activated a specific subset of neurons …

Associated Factors In Willingness To Shift Tobacco Expenditure Into National Health Insurance Premium Among Subsidized Members, Mugi Wahidin, Muhammad Agus Mikrajab, Rozana Ika Agustiya, Veza Azteria

Kesmas

In Indonesia, subsidized members are the largest group in the National Health Insurance program. Hence, it is essential to understand their ability to pay (ATP) based on tobacco expenditure. This study aimed to determine the ATP of subsidized members based on tobacco expenditure and factors associated with their willingness to pay (WTP). This cross-sectional study used secondary data from the National Institute of Health Research and Development. The population included all subsidized members; 19,918 were sampled for ATP, and 14,560 were WTP. The independent t-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression were performed. Results showed that ATP from tobacco expenditure ranged from …

Google Review Analysis Of “Duta We Care” Excellent Service As A Featured Service At A Central General Hospital In Padang, Alfitri Alfitri, Ricvan Dana Nindrea, Adek Setiawan, Elsa Yuniarti

Kesmas

Improving healthcare service quality required both technical and interpersonal enhancements through a personalized approach, as demonstrated by the “Duta We Care” program at a Central General Hospital in Padang. This study aimed to evaluate the program’s effectiveness by analyzing patient feedback from Google Reviews. A descriptive quantitative design examined 2,035 patient reviews from March 2013 to June 2024. Using NVivo 12 software, the data analysis generated word clouds. The results showed that 68.20% of reviews received a 5-star rating, 9.48% a 4-star rating, 4.35% a 3-star rating, 2.27% a 2-star rating, and 15.70% a 1-star rating. Words like “friendly,” “professional,” …

“Medication Is Only 10% Of Recovery”: A Mixed-Method Analysis Of Facilitators And Barriers To The Equitable Implementation Of Medications For Opioid Use Disorder Treatment, Alexandra Hernandez-Vallant

Psychology ETDs

Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), the gold standard treatment for OUD, are underutilized. Yet, research on MOUD clinical encounters is limited. Attention to social determinants of health (SDOH) can help improve engagement and retention in MOUD treatment. This dissertation project describes development of a clinical vignette-based survey using a two phase exploratory sequential design to examine the extent to which SDOH influence clinical decision-making among MOUD providers. Study 1 included interviews with 23 providers to learn their perspectives on facilitators/barriers to MOUD treatment and the clinical and social determinants most influential to their clinical decision-making. Study 2 involved development …

Direct Medical Costs Of Diabetes Mellitus Treatment For Patients With Cardiovascular And Renal Complications, Rizki Fadila, Ayu Tyas Purnamasari, A.A. Istri Citra Dewiyani

Kesmas

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) represents a growing global health challenge with significant clinical and economic implications, notably in Indonesia. The burden is intensified by renal and cardiovascular complications, especially among National Health Insurance beneficiaries. This retrospective study evaluated the direct medical costs of hospitalized T2DM patients with such complications at a type B hospital from 2019 to 2022. Costs were analyzed from both healthcare provider and payer perspectives, covering medical services, medical support services, pharmaceuticals, and other support services. Of the 192 patients reviewed, most were male (57.8%), aged 45–64 years (72.4%), with hospital stays of 1–5 days (90,1%) …

Contribution Of National Health Insurance Patient Revenue To Financial Performance Of Private-Profit Hospitals From 2017 To 2022, Fadlul Imansyah, Amal Chalik Sjaaf, Mardiati Nadjib, Rina Hartini

Kesmas

This study investigated the relationship between National Health Insurance (NHI) patient revenue and profit-private hospital financial performance in Indonesia. As the NHI provider, Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial (BPJS) Healthcare Security’s influence on hospital revenues has raised concerns about its impact on financial sustainability. This study used financial performance indicators to develop a financial performance index—Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) Margin, Current Ratio, and Net Profit Margin (NPM)—to assess the financial impact of BPJS Healthcare Security revenue. A partial model approach of multiple linear regression was employed using secondary data …

Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals Biomarker Heterogeneity Linked To Cdk4/6 Inhibitor Resistance In Breast Cancer Cell Lines, Ilenia Migliaccio, Martina Bonechi, Dario Romagnoli, Giulia Boccalini, Francesca Galardi, Cristina Guarducci, Agostina Nardone, Rachel Schiff, Laura Biganzoli, Luca Malorni, Matteo Benelli

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Cyclin dependent kinases 4 and 6 inhibitors have brought great improvements in the treatment of luminal breast cancer, but resistance is a major clinical hurdle. Multiple biomarkers of resistance have been proposed, but none is currently utilized in clinical practice. By performing single-cell RNA sequencing of seven palbociclib-naïve luminal breast cancer cell lines and palbociclib-resistant derivatives, we show that established biomarkers and pathways related to CDK4/6i resistance present marked intra- and inter- cell-line heterogeneity. Transcriptional features of resistance could be already observed in naïve cells correlating with levels of sensitivity (IC50) to palbociclib. Resistant derivatives showed transcriptional clusters that significantly …

Role And Use Of Race In Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning Models Related To Health, Martin C Were, Ang Li, Bradley A Malin, Zhijun Yin, Joseph R Coco, Benjamin X Collins, Ellen Wright Clayton, Laurie L Novak, Rachele Hendricks-Sturrup, Abiodun O Oluyomi, Shilo Anders, Chao Yan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The role and use of race within health-related artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models have sparked increasing attention and controversy. Despite the complexity and breadth of related issues, a robust and holistic framework to guide stakeholders in their examination and resolution remains lacking. This perspective provides a broad-based, systematic, and crosscutting landscape analysis of race-related challenges, structured around the AI and ML life cycle and framed through "points to consider" to support inquiry and decision-making.

Integrating Circulating Tumor Dna Into Clinical Management Of Colorectal Cancer: Practical Implications And Therapeutic Challenges, Nikhil Vojjala, Viktoriya Gibatova, Raj N Shah, Sakshi Singal, Rishab Prabhu, Geetha Krishnamoorthy, Karen Riggins, Nagaishwarya Moka

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The American Cancer Society estimates that over 152,000 new cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) were diagnosed in 2024, with more than 105,000 cases affecting the colon and 46,000 involving the rectum. CRC remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with an estimated 53,010 deaths in 2024. In the era of precision medicine, which incorporates molecular and environmental information into clinical decision-making, identifying patients harboring a deficiency in Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair allowed for targeted immunotherapies and significantly reduced CRC-related mortality. A significant advancement in this domain is the application of liquid biopsy, which has emerged …

Refinement Of Hyams Grading Criteria For Olfactory Neuroblastoma In An Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Predominant Cohort With Extended Follow-Up: Worth The Effort?, Stacey Gargano, Vincent Cracolici, Carl Snyderman, Eric Wang, Garret Choby, Aron Pollack, Paul Gardner, Diana Bell, Raja Seethala

Computational Medicine Center Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Hyams grading is considered prognostic in olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB), but grading criteria are subjective and predate modern classification and surgical approach. We evaluate the application of granular grading criteria to an endoscopic surgery predominant cohort with extended follow-up.

METHODS: 78 ONB patients were identified (1994-2019) with original diagnoses dating to 1979. Original Hyams grade, Modified Hyams grade incorporating more detailed criteria and other histologic features (i.e. divergent differentiation, clear cell/oncocytic change, and spindling) were assessed if feasible, evaluated for distribution by grade and correlated with outcomes.

RESULTS: Original Hyams grade (n = 43) distribution was: I: 4 (9%), II: …

Barriers And Facilitators To Occupational Therapy For The Frail Older Person Within Primary Care In Belgium, Anne Ledoux, Stijn De Baets, Thérèse Van Durme, Patricia De Vriendt, Dominique Van De Velde, Sophie Thunus

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: The population is quickly aging in Belgium and there is an increasing number of older frail adults. Occupational therapy (OT) in primary care (PC) favors the stay-at-home of frail older persons through its preventive action on the person, the environment, and/or the task. However, OT is not well implemented in Belgian PC. We aimed to investigate the implementation of OT, to support the frail older person living at home, within primary care in Belgium. Methods: We performed a secondary thematic analysis, based on data collected during an implementation study of an OT guideline for this population. Data were collected …