2023 ICTS Symposium Posters

Introduction: Mutations in mitochondrial genes underlie numerous neurodegenerative diseases, yet the significance of most variants is uncertain concerning disease phenotypes. Many pathogenic mutations cause visibly distinct morphological differences in afflicted cells, allowing human cells to serve as proxies for patients when studying the genetic basis of disease. This postulate provides the basis for a pooled […]

Introduction: Most dementia patients have co-existing vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), a form of vascular dementia, bridges the interplay between VCID and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) pathology and cooccurs in 90% of patients with AD. The hallmark pathology of CAA is characterized by amyloid-ß deposition in cerebrovasculature. Reactive oxidative […]

Introduction: Germinal matrix hemorrhage-intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH-IVH) is a pathologic condition which preferentially effects premature neonates, some of which later develop posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH). To date, no study has attempted to provide a head-to-head comparison of structural alterations which occur based on age of hemorrhagic insult. This study aims to provide a time course of age-dependent […]

Introduction: Micro- and macrovascular anastomoses involve suturing together of blood vessels, which is a critical foundational surgical skill. However, it faces many challenges, such as decade-long training and inherent dexterity of the surgeon. Procedures are long and expensive, require specialized operating rooms and equipment, making them prohibitive in many hospitals. Our team has created a […]

Introduction: Platelet transfusion and transplantation of allogeneic stem cells and solid organs are life-saving therapies. Unwanted alloantibodies to non-self human leukocyte antigens (HLA) on donor cells increase the immunological barrier to these therapies and are important causes of platelet transfusion refractoriness and graft rejection. Although the specificities of anti-HLA antibodies can be determined at the […]

Introduction: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a devastating neurological disease with no approved treatment or cure. One common cause of FTD is heterozygous loss-of-function GRN mutations, which result in haploinsufficiency of progranulin. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are emerging as a promising therapeutic modality for neurological diseases, but ASO-based strategies for increasing target protein levels are limited. Several […]

Introduction: The mechanisms by which changes in transferrin (TF) saturation regulate hepcidin are unclear. We reported that transgenic mice expressing mutant TF that block iron binding to either N-lobe (N-bl) or C-lobe (C-bl) have differences in erythropoietin sensitivity and hepcidin regulation. To characterize the differential regulation of the gene encoding hepcidin, Hamp1, in these mice […]

Introduction: A hallmark of Dengue virus (DENV) pathogenesis is the potential for antibody dependent enhancement (ADE), which is associated with deadly DENV secondary infection, complicates the identification of correlates of protection, and negatively impacts the safety and efficacy of DENV vaccines. ADE is linked to antibodies targeting the pre-Membrane (prM) protein and the fusion loop […]

Introduction: An unplanned pregnancy can be an emotionally devastating experience for a woman. To expand non-hormonal choices for female-controlled contraceptive methods, this research aims to develop a drug-free, tampon-like xerogel device capable of fortifying natural contraceptive mechanisms within the female reproductive tract. Methods: Xerogel devices were fabricated by lyophilization of a hydrogel comprised of Carbopol® […]

Introduction: Warfarin remains a commonly prescribed anticoagulant, use of which is complicated by significant inter-patient variability in the therapeutic dose and a narrow therapeutic index. Algorithms to refine the warfarin dose are needed, especially during days 6-21 of warfarin therapy, when iatrogenic hemorrhages are common.    Objective: To develop clinical and genotype-guided dosing algorithms for days […]

Introduction: A prior study showed that rhythmic, but not arrhythmic, 12 Hz stimulation of the median nerve (MNS) entrained the sensorimotor cortex EEG signal and found that 10 Hz MNS improved tics in Tourette syndrome (TS). However, no control condition was tested, and stimulation blocks lasted only 1 minute. We set out to replicate the […]

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections are a rising threat to hospitalized patients. Pseudomonas aeruginosa reservoirs in the hospital environment have been connected to patient infections in intensive care units (ICUs), including the stem cell transplant and oncology (SCTO) ICU in Barnes Jewish Hospital. Sink drains were identified as a consistent source of antimicrobial resistant organism (ARO) growth, […]

Introduction: Adropin is highly expressed in post-mortem human brain samples relative to other tissues and correlates with RNA and protein signatures linked to cognitive decline. Increasing adropin levels in old C57BL/6J mice improves learning and memory. Whether circulating adropin levels correlate with cognitive decline in humans of advanced age is not known. Methods: We investigated […]

Introduction: Millions of indwelling catheters are placed each year to monitor urine output. Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the most commonly hospital-acquired infections and associated with urinary catheters. Previous efforts to decrease CAUTIs in the intensive care unit (ICUs), which are more likely to use urinary catheters, have had minimal success.  Despite unclear […]

Introduction: Fatty acid translocase CD36 regulates cardiac function, and its deletion in rodents associates with atrioventricular block and bradycardia and increasing risk of sudden death following prolonged fasting. Preclinical and clinical research show that monocyte chemotactic protein-1/chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 (MCP-1/CCR2) regulates myocardial remodeling and inflammation during cardiac disease. Our preliminary data, conducted with […]

Introduction: Performing self-care and domestic life tasks are key measures of functional independence for older adults. While both depression and anxiety symptoms have been correlated with increased functional limitation, these two disorders are most often studied separately, despite frequent co-occurrence and plausible interactive effects. This study examined the impact of comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms […]

Introduction: Chronic hypertension (CHTN), gestational hypertension (GHTN), preeclampsia (PE), and CHTN with superimposed PE (siPE) are hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Criteria distinguishing HDPs are imprecise and the factors driving development of one or more HDPs and progression to PE, associated with increased risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, are unclear. Identifying more […]

Introduction: Current treatments for Tourette Syndrome (TS) and other chronic tic disorders (CTD) are inadequate, and patients desire new treatment options. Median nerve stimulation (MNS) at 10-12 Hz was recently proposed as a novel treatment for TS/CTD. We report on 31 people ages 15-64 with TS/CTD who participated in an open-label, comparative (within-group, several time […]

Introduction: Food insecurity (FI), characterized by limited or uncertain access to adequate food, has been associated with eating disorders (EDs). This study explored whether FI was associated with ED behaviors, ED diagnosis, current treatment status, and treatment-seeking intentions among adults who screened positive for probable EDs on an online ED screen.  Methods: Respondents with probable […]

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common irregularity of heartbeats. It can cause significant symptoms and impair heart function. Its irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm can lead to blood clots that cause stroke or heart attack, especially as the patient ages. The irregularity of heartbeats has prevented visualization of the heart using […]

Introduction: Assessment of comorbidities is essential to clinical research and predicts adverse events and death. Prescription medications could be a tool for predicting risk independent of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Additionally, clinicians have access to prescription medication lists, facilitating assessment of comorbidities. Methods: Retrospective study conducted of US Veterans treated for metastatic castrate resistant […]

Introduction: Medication hoarding is an important health risk factor (Sorenson et al., 2005). In addition, hoarding is related to falls and injuries (Wick & Zanni, 2011) and may be particularly concerning in a community-dwelling older population (Dozier, Porter, & Ayers, 2016).  Individuals with complex medication regimens who require assistance from family caregivers may be at […]

Introduction: Many studies have shown that the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) varies substantially from patient to patient. It is important to identify subpopulations who may benefit from the investigational treatment. Subgroup identification can help clinicians select patients who are most likely to have a positive response to a treatment. It may also inform the […]

Introduction: The financial burden linked to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chest pain on the healthcare system is considerable. Angina and non-obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) are common, associated with adverse cardiovascular events, and may lead to repeat testing or hospitalizations. Diagnostic certainty can be achieved in patients with ANOCA using coronary reactivity […]

Introduction: Studies have shown the negative physical, psychosocial, and health system outcomes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. These outcomes have impacted screening, treatment, symptom management, and survivorship of breast cancer survivors. Understanding associations between breast cancer survivorship and COVID-19 outcomes is important to developing care guidelines to improve outcomes. The study goal of this reported […]

Introduction: The proliferation of illicit fentanyl and its analogues in the “third wave” of the opioid crisis has led to record overdose deaths disproportionately impacting Black individuals in the U.S.. Despite recent racialized shifts in opioid availability, little research has examined how the spatial epidemiology of opioid overdose death may have also shifted. This research […]

Introduction: Understanding factors affecting survival outcomes and quality of life is important in advising patients on treatment options for bladder cancer. We investigated whether the bladder cancer characteristics have any effect on the Health-Related Quality-of-Life (HRQoL) measures in older bladder cancer patients. This analysis improved the understanding and expectation management of these patients when making […]

Introduction: Chronic opioid use reduces fertility by suppressing the hypothalamic pituitary axis. The effect of medication to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) on women’s fertility is understudied. Using national administrative claims, we identify the impact of MOUD on odds of conception in women with OUD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-crossover study using Merative™ MarketScan® […]

Introduction: In October 2018, the allocation policy for adult orthotopic heart transplant (OHTx) in the United States was changed, with the goal of reducing waitlist mortality and providing broader sharing of donor organs within the United States. The aim of this study was to assess the association of this policy change with changes in access […]

Introduction: As of 2023, over 46 million Americans met DSM-5 criteria for a past year substance use disorder. Research shows that substance use disorders are chronic. However, traditional treatment approaches rely on isolated, brief treatment episodes. Recovery care models offer alternative approaches emphasizing long-term support. One promising intervention is the Recovery Oriented System of Care […]

Introduction: For chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart failure, cancer, diabetes, and depression, more than half of these patients with prescribed medications fail to comply or refill doses as agreed with their doctor. Non-adherence to medication has contributed to increased healthcare utilization by chronic disease patients, high hospital readmission rates, and preventable medical […]

Introduction: Parkinson’s Disease is one the most common neurodegenerative diseases, affecting millions of people worldwide. Having a combination of motor and non-motor symptoms, people with Parkinson’s Disease (PwP) are often dependent on their informal care partners (CP) to carry out vital functions. While the effect of PwP and CP characteristics on caregiver burden and outcomes […]

Introduction: The Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI-A) program is an alternative payment model (APM) which seeks to reduce spending and improve coordination of care for Medicare beneficiaries. The first model year of this program offered 32 clinical conditions from which participants could choose to enroll. It is unknown the extent to which BPCI-A […]

Introduction: Ultrasound (US) guided confirmation of central venous catheters (CVC) has similar sensitivity to the traditional chest x-ray (CXR), while being less resource intensive and lowering labor cost. In spite of this data, clinicians continue to obtain CXR for CVC confirmation and have not adopted US, a new innovation, to replace CXR. A protocol was […]

Introduction: Every year national funding organizations invest billions of dollars in the development and evaluation of interventions to improve people’s wellbeing. Pragmatic randomized controlled trials can generate robust evidence in support of one treatment over others. However, even where such evidence is generated, practice may not change. Based on findings published in the late 20th […]

Introduction: The Greater Plains Collaborative (GPC) and PCORnet Clinical Data Research Networks capture healthcare use within their health systems but may lack information on care received elsewhere in the community. Here, we describe are usable environment (GPC Reusable Observable Unified Study Environment [GROUSE]) that integrates hospital and electronic health records data in the PCORnet common […]

Introduction: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a common hematologic malignancy. Our studies utilized electronic health record (EHR) data in the nationwide Veteran Health Administration to study the risk of progression of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to MM. Disease confirmation is crucial in these studies. Relying on manual laboratory (lab) data abstraction to confirm diagnoses […]

Introduction: In 2020, suicide was the 12th leading cause of death for people of all ages in the United States (US), the second leading cause of death for people, aged 10 to 34, and the fifth leading cause of death for people aged 35 to 54 (Garnett et al., 2020). Despite prevention and treatment efforts, […]