Cyclosporine shows benefit as compared to methotrexate for treatment of pediatric atopic dermatitis refractory to topical medications when rapidity of clinical response is of key importance to the patient

A clinical decision report appraising El-Khalawany MA, Hassan H, Shaaban D, Ghonaim N, Eassa B. Methotrexate versus cyclosporine in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis in children: a multicenter experience from Egypt. European Journal of Pediatrics. 2012;172(3):351-356. https://doi.org10.1007/s00431-012-1893-3 for a pediatric patient with severe atopic dermatitis

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate as a marker of inflammation and ongoing coagulation in stroke and transient ischaemic attack

No abstract. South African Medical Journal Vol. 95 (8) 2005: 607-61

Identifying Biomarkers to Select Patients with Borderline Resectable and Locally Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (BRPC, LAPC) for Radiotherapy (RT)

https://openworks.mdanderson.org/sumexp22/1036/thumbnail.jp

Mathematical Modeling of CA19-9 Normalization in Pancreatic Cancer Patients

https://openworks.mdanderson.org/sumexp21/1077/thumbnail.jp

Solving Relativistic Three-Body Integral Equations in the Presence of Bound States

We present a simple scheme for solving relativistic integral equations for the partial-wave projected three-body amplitudes. Our techniques are used to solve a problem of three scalar particles with a formation of a S-wave two-body bound state. We rewrite the problem in a form suitable for numerical solution and then explore three solving strategies. In particular, we discuss different ways of incorporating the bound-state pole contribution in the integral equations. All of them lead to agreement with previous results obtained using finite-volume spectra of the same theory, providing further evidence of the validity of the existing finite- and infinite-volume formalism for studying three-particle systems. We discuss an analytic and numerical estimate of the systematic errors and provide numerical evidence that the methods presented allow for determination of amplitude above the three-body threshold as well. In conjunction with the previously derived finite-volume formalism, this work furthers the objective for extracting three-hadron scattering amplitudes directly from lattice QCD

Solving relativistic three-body integral equations in the presence of bound states

We present a systematically improvable method for numerically solving relativistic three-body integral equations for the partial-wave projected amplitudes. The method consists of a discretization procedure in momentum space, which approximates the continuum problem with a matrix equation. It is solved for different matrix sizes, and in the end, an extrapolation is employed to restore the continuum limit. Our technique is tested by solving a three-body problem of scalar particles with an $S$ wave two-body bound state. We discuss two methods of incorporating the pole contribution in the integral equations, both of them leading to agreement with previous results obtained using finite-volume spectra of the same theory. We provide an analytic and numerical estimate of the systematic errors. Although we focus on kinematics below the three-particle threshold, we provide numerical evidence that the methods presented allow for determination of amplitude above this threshold as well.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figure

Impact of Medical Nutrition Therapy on Blood Pressure

Introduction: We are studying how Jefferson’s Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) program has impacted biometric variables in program participants. These variables include body weight, HgA1C, lipids, and blood pressure (BP). My poster will focus on the impact of Jefferson’s MNT on blood pressure. My hypothesis is that participation in MNT will result in reduced blood pressure. Methods: The target population is patients who have participated in Jefferson’s MNT program. Study exclusion criteria included history of gastric bypass surgery, medical conditions or medication usage that might impact weight loss and other dependent variables. Data was abstracted from patients’ medical records, as well as from Jefferson MNT files describing when participants began and finished the program. In order to ensure consistency in the chart review process, medical students working on the project have had to demonstrate 95% accuracy in data entry before abstracting charts independently. Formal data analysis will be conducted once enough chart reviews have been performed. The goal is to have data for 8 to 10 patients for the initial study pilot. Results: Though we are still in the process of obtaining results, preliminary analysis of 12 female and 1 male patients suggests that MNT results in a lowering of dependent variable values. Discussion: The significance of our expected results is in the potential of MNT to improve biometric values, thereby improving health outcomes for patients

The formation of a novel free radical metabolite from CCl4 in the perfused rat liver and in vivo.

Electron spin resonance spectroscopy has been used to monitor free radicals formed during CCl4 metabolism by perfused livers from phenobarbital-treated rats. Livers were perfused simultaneously with the spin trap phenyl N-t-butylnitrone and with either 12CCl4 or 13CCl4. Perfusate samples and CHCl3:CH3OH extracts of perfusate and liver samples were analyzed for phenyl N-t-butylnitrone radical adducts of reactive free radicals. In the organic extracts, hyperfine coupling constants and 13C isotope effects observed in the ESR spectra indicated the presence of the radical adduct of the trichloromethyl radical. Surprisingly, an additional free radical signal about two orders of magnitude more intense than that of the phenyl N-t-butylnitrone/CCl.3 radical adduct was observed in the aqueous liver perfusate. This adduct was also detected by ESR in rat urine 2 h after intragastric addition of spin trap and CCl4. This radical adduct had hyperfine coupling constants and 13C isotope effects identical with the radical adduct of the carbon dioxide anion radical (CO2-.). Analysis of the pH dependence of the coupling constants yielded a pK alpha of 2.8 for the CO2-. radical adduct formed either in the perfused liver or chemically. Carbon tetrachloride is converted into CCl.3 by cytochrome P-450 through a reductive dehalogenation. The trichloromethyl free radical reacts with oxygen to form the trichloromethyl peroxyl radical, CCl3OO., which may be converted into .COCl and then trapped. This radical adduct would hydrolyze to the carboxylic acid form, which is detected spectroscopically. Alternatively, the carbon dioxide anion free radical could form through complete dechlorination and then react with the spin trap to give the CO2-. radical adduct directly

Mixed Active-Traditional Learning versus Team-Based Learning: A Comparative Study for a Freshman Programming Course

A comparative study to show the effectiveness of Team-Based Learning (TBL) and Mixed Active-Traditional (MATL) learning for an introductory programming course at Iowa State University is discussed in this paper. The introductory programming C course was offered to 46 students using TBL and 50 students using MATL, led by two different instructors who use the same course schedule and textbook. The students on both courses received the same number of lectures/labs during the semester. To be able to assess the two methodologies, the instructors deliver the same course contents. Still, they differ with the course delivery method. MATL utilizes maximum class time for traditional lectures with class activities, and the TBL utilizes the maximum class time for interactive group activities with mini-lectures. Homework, reading assignments, and the final exam results are compared to check both teaching methods\u27 overall effectiveness. Although students were satisfied with both teaching methods, students\u27 performances were better in TBL than the MATL

Evaluation of Firearm Suicide among Patients Treated across the Jefferson Enterprise

Introduction and Objective: Firearm suicide is a leading cause of mortality. This study aims to identify risk factors associated with patients who attempt suicide with a firearm. The hypothesis is that adolescents of non-Hispanic white race/ethnicity are at the highest risk of firearm suicide. Methods: Patients treated at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital between 3/1/2017 and 12/1/2020 for a self-inflicted gunshot wound and/or attempted suicide were included in the study. Patients were identified through ICD-10 codes and a clinical research software tool known as TriNetX was used to analyze incidence of suicide as well as potential risk factors such as patient demographics and past medical history. For risk factor identification and stratification, patients who attempted suicide with a firearm were compared to those who attempted suicide via other mechanisms. Results: Of the 407 patients identified as having attempted suicide, 55 attempted suicide with a firearm. In analyzing all patients that attempted suicide, the average age was 42, 49% were male, 52% were of white race/ethnicity, and 59% had a history of a mood disorder. Among those who attempted suicide with a firearm, the average age was 53, 82% were male, 78% were of white race/ethnicity, and 75% had a history of a mood disorder. Discussion: These results do not entirely support the hypothesis as the highest incidence of firearm suicide was identified in middle-aged males of white race/ethnicity with a history of a mood disorder. Risk factors identified through this study will provide clinicians with the evidence necessary to improve firearm suicide prevention strategies