Faculty Bibliography

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Finite element (FE) mechanics models of the heart are becoming more sophisticated. However, there is lack of consensus about optimal element type and coupling of FE models to the circulation. We describe biventricular (left (LV) and right (RV) ventricles) FE mechanics model creation using hexahedral elements, airbags and a functional mockup interface (FMI) to lumped-parameter models of the circulation. METHODS:Cardiac MRI (CMR) was performed in two healthy volunteers and a single patient with ischemic heart disease (IHD). CMR images were segmented and surfaced, meshing with hexahedral elements was performed with a "thin butterfly with septum" topology. LV and RV inflow and outflow airbags were coupled to lumped-parameter circulation models with an FMI interface. Pulmonary constriction (PAC) and vena cava occlusion (VCO) were simulated and end-systolic pressure-volume relations (ESPVR) were calculated. RESULTS:Mesh construction was prompt with representative contouring and mesh adjustment requiring 32 and 26 min Respectively. The numbers of elements ranged from 4104 to 5184 with a representative Jacobian of 1.0026 ± 0.4531. Agreement between CMR-based surfaces and mesh was excellent with root-mean-squared error of 0.589 ± 0.321 mm. The LV ESPVR slope was 3.37 ± 0.09 in volunteers but 2.74 in the IHD patient. The effect of PAC and VCO on LV ESPVR was consistent with ventricular interaction (p = 0.0286). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Successful co-simulation using a biventricular FE mechanics model with hexahedral elements, airbags and an FMI interface to lumped-parameter model of the circulation was demonstrated. Future studies will include comparison of element type and study of cardiovascular pathologies and device therapies.

BACKGROUND:Lack of training is currently the most common barrier to implementation of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use in clinical practice, and in-person POCUS continuing medical education (CME) courses have been paramount in improving this training gap. Due to travel restrictions and physical distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, most in-person POCUS training courses were cancelled. Though tele-ultrasound technology has existed for several years, use of tele-ultrasound technology to deliver hands-on training during a POCUS CME course has not been previously described. METHODS:We conducted a retrospective observational study comparing educational outcomes, course evaluations, and learner and faculty feedback from in-person versus tele-ultrasound POCUS courses. The same POCUS educational curriculum was delivered to learners by the two course formats. Data from the most recent pre-pandemic in-person course were compared to tele-ultrasound courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS:Pre- and post-course knowledge test scores of learners from the in-person (n = 88) and tele-ultrasound course (n = 52) were compared. Though mean pre-course knowledge test scores were higher among learners of the tele-ultrasound versus in-person course (78% vs. 71%; p = 0.001), there was no significant difference in the post-course test scores between learners of the two course formats (89% vs. 87%; p = 0.069). Both learners and faculty rated the tele-ultrasound course highly (4.6-5.0 on a 5-point scale) for effectiveness of virtual lectures, tele-ultrasound hands-on scanning sessions, and course administration. Faculty generally expressed less satisfaction with their ability to engage with learners, troubleshoot image acquisition, and provide feedback during the tele-ultrasound course but felt learners completed the tele-ultrasound course with a better basic POCUS skillset. CONCLUSIONS:Compared to a traditional in-person course, tele-ultrasound POCUS CME courses appeared to be as effective for improving POCUS knowledge post-course and fulfilling learning objectives. Our findings can serve as a roadmap for educators seeking guidance on development of a tele-ultrasound POCUS training course whose demand will likely persist beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

School gardens have become common school-based health promotion strategies to enhance dietary behaviors in the United States. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of TX Sprouts, a one-year school-based gardening, cooking, and nutrition cluster randomized controlled trial, on students' dietary intake and quality. Eight schools were randomly assigned to the TX Sprouts intervention and eight schools to control (i.e., delayed intervention) over three years (2016-2019). The intervention arm received: formation and training of Garden Leadership Committees; a 0.25-acre outdoor teaching garden; 18 student lessons including gardening, nutrition, and cooking activities, taught weekly in the teaching garden during school hours; and nine parent lessons, taught monthly. Dietary intake data via two 24 h dietary recalls (24 hDR) were collected on a random subsample (n = 468). Dietary quality was calculated using the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015). The intervention group compared to control resulted in a modest increase in protein intake as a percentage of total energy (0.4% vs. -0.3%, p = 0.021) and in HEI-2015 total vegetables component scores (+4% vs. -2%, p = 0.003). When stratified by ethnicity/race, non-Hispanic children had a significant increase in HEI-2015 total vegetable scores in the intervention group compared to the control group (+4% vs. -8%, p = 0.026). Both the intervention and control groups increased added sugar intake; however, to a lesser extent within the intervention group (0.3 vs. 2.6 g/day, p = 0.050). School-based gardening, cooking, and nutrition interventions can result in significant improvements in dietary intake. Further research on ways to scale and sustain nutrition education programs in schools is warranted. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02668744).

Importance/UNASSIGNED:Extended-release buprenorphine (XRB), a monthly injectable long-acting opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, has not been studied for use in corrections facilities. Objective/UNASSIGNED:To compare treatment retention following release from jail among adults receiving daily sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone (SLB) vs those receiving XRB. Design, Setting, and Participants/UNASSIGNED:This open-label, randomized comparative effectiveness study included 52 incarcerated adults in New York City observed for 8 weeks postrelease between June 2019 and May 2020. Participants were soon-to-be-released volunteers from 1 men's and 1 women's jail facility who had OUDs already treated with SLB. Follow-up treatment was received at a primary care clinic in Manhattan. Data were analyzed between June 2020 and December 2020. Interventions/UNASSIGNED:XRB treatment was offered prior to release and continued monthly through 8 weeks after release. SLB participants continued to receive daily directly observed in-jail SLB administration, were provided a 7-day SLB supply at jail release, and followed up at a designated clinic (or other preferred clinics). Main Outcomes and Measures/UNASSIGNED:Buprenorphine treatment retention at 8 weeks postrelease. Results/UNASSIGNED:A total of 52 participants were randomized 1:1 to XRB (26 participants) and SLB (26 participants). Participants had a mean (SD) age of 42.6 (10.0) years; 45 participants (87%) were men; and 40 (77%) primarily used heroin prior to incarceration. Most participants (30 [58%]) reported prior buprenorphine use; 18 (35%) reported active community buprenorphine treatment prior to jail admission. Twenty-one of 26 assigned to XRB received 1 or more XRB injection prior to release; 3 initiated XRB postrelease; and 2 did not receive XRB. Patients in the XRB arm had fewer jail medical visits compared with daily SLB medication administration (mean [SD] visits per day: XRB, 0.11 [0.03] vs SLB, 1.06 [0.08]). Community buprenorphine treatment retention at week 8 postrelease was 18 participants in the XRB group (69.2%) vs 9 in the SLB group (34.6%), and rates of opioid-negative urine tests were 72 of 130 tests in the XRB group (55.3%) and 50 of 130 tests in the SLB group (38.4%). There were no differences in rates of serious adverse events, no overdoses, and no deaths. Conclusions and Relevance/UNASSIGNED:XRB was acceptable among patients currently receiving SLB, and patients had fewer in-jail clinic visits and increased community buprenorphine treatment retention when compared with standard daily SLB treatment. These results support wider use and further study of XRB as correctional and reentry OUD treatment. Trial Registration/UNASSIGNED:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03604159.

Despite improvements in representation of women in academic medicine, the rate of promotion and career advancement remains unequal. Compared with their male colleagues, women report lower rates of personal-organizational value alignment and higher rates of burnout. Particular challenges further exist for Black women, Indigenous women, women of color, and third gender or gender nonbinary faculty. Promoting the well-being of women physicians requires innovative approaches beyond the traditional scope of physician well-being efforts and careful attention to the unique barriers women face. Three wellness-oriented models are presented to promote the professional fulfillment and well-being of women physicians: (1) redefine productivity and create innovative work models, (2) promote equity through workplace redesign and burnout reduction, and (3) promote, measure, and improve diversity, equity, and inclusion. By engaging in innovative models for equitable advancement and retention, it is anticipated that diverse groups of women faculty will be better represented at higher levels of leadership and thus contribute to the creation of more equitable work climates, fostering well-being for women physicians.

Background/Purpose: Axial gout involvement was first reported in 1950 (1). Over 100 cases have subsequently been published. Reported cases have presented as acute back pain, cord compression, and/or neurologic symptoms, with diagnosis made by invasive procedure (surgical excision or biopsy). However, the true extent of MSU deposition in the spine of gout patients, including asymptomatic patients or those with non-specific symptoms, is unknown and likely higher. We used DECT to determine the extent of MSU deposition in the lumbosacral spines of patients with gout, with and without tophi, compared to controls without gout.
Method(s): We recruited controls, nontophaceous, and tophaceous gout patients, age 45-80. Individuals with CPPD disease, RA, spondyloarthropathy, active spinal malignancy, or on urate lowering treatment (ULT) >= 6 months were excluded. Gout subjects met 2015 ACR gout classification criteria, with entry serum urate (sU) of >6.8 mg/dL ( >6.0 mg/dL if on ULT for < 6 months). Demographics, gout history, Aberdeen back pain scale, sU, ESR, and CRP were collected. Subjects underwent DECT of the lumbosacral spine (LS) to assess for MSU deposition.
Result(s): 75 subjects were enrolled, and 72 completed the study (1 nontophaceous gout patient lost to follow-up prior to DECT, 2 tophaceous excluded after sU at time of DECT found to be < 6.0mg/dL). All groups were similar in age in years (controls 61.8+/-3.8, nontophaceous 64.0+/-6.1, tophaceous 60.4+/-11.0, p=0.81) but differed in BMI (controls 28.3+/-6.5 kg/m², nontophaceous 34.1+/-7.2 kg/m², tophaceous 29.5+/-4.5 kg/m², p=0.03) and creatinine (controls 1.0+/-0.2 mg/dL, nontophaceous 1.4+/-0.7 mg/dL, tophaceous 1.4+/-0.6 mg/dL, p< 0.05). Mean sU and ESR were higher in gout subjects (sU-controls 5.3+/-1 mg/dL, nontophaceous 8.5+/-1.7 mg/dL, tophaceous 8.5+/-1.6 mg/dL, p< 0.05; ESR-controls 13.7+/-13.8 mm/h, nontophaceous 26.5+/-19.4 mm/h, tophaceous 25.1+/-15.7 mm/h, p< 0.05). Using standard DECT settings for MSU visualization, gout patients had larger MSU volumes than controls (controls 2.2+/-1.2 cm3, all gout 5.23+/-6.9 cm3; p =0.03). Tophaceous patients had numerically greater MSU deposition compared with nontophaceous (6.0+/-8.9 cm3, vs 4.4+/-4.3 cm3, ns). Reanalysis of a subset of scans using highly specific settings to eliminate artifact reduced the number of subjects with MSU signal but confirmed greater prevalence of deposition among gout patients (n=29; controls with deposition 0/9, nontophaceous with deposition 1/11, tophaceous with deposition 2/9). Back pain was also more common among gout patients. No subject had frank tophi on spinal DECT.
Conclusion(s): Gout patients have significantly greater intercritical inflammation and LS MSU deposition than controls, and trend toward greater deposition among patients with tophi. Preliminary results using the most stringent DECT threshold settings suggests MSU differences are not artifact. The complete data set is currently undergoing evaluation and the full results will be presented

PURPOSE OF REVIEW/OBJECTIVE:While obesity-related comorbidities are frequently addressed and treated in primary care (PC), obesity itself is undertreated. We review the current treatments for obesity and provide potential provider and system-level strategies for integrating weight management and improving longer term obesity care within PC settings. RECENT FINDINGS/RESULTS:We now understand that the body develops multiple mechanisms to resist weight loss and promote weight regain, making both weight loss and weight loss maintenance challenging. Therefore, weight management often requires medically supervised interventions and should be treated on a long-term basis. However, there are multiple barriers to improving obesity care within PC settings. Clinically, utilizing strategies such as a shared decision-making approach and the 5As to discuss treatment options can facilitate formulating an obesity treatment plan. Utilizing telehealth, a team-based approach, and community partnering can increase patient access to intensive behavioral interventions. Future studies should evaluate other cost-effective methods to implement obesity care into the PC setting.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To develop a consensus statement on the use of lung ultrasound (LUS) in the assessment of symptomatic general medical inpatients with known or suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS:Our LUS expert panel consisted of 14 multidisciplinary international experts. Experts voted in 3 rounds on the strength of 26 recommendations as "strong," "weak," or "do not recommend." For recommendations that reached consensus for do not recommend, a fourth round was conducted to determine the strength of those recommendations, with 2 additional recommendations considered. RESULTS:Of the 26 recommendations, experts reached consensus on 6 in the first round, 13 in the second, and 7 in the third. Four recommendations were removed because of redundancy. In the fourth round, experts considered 4 recommendations that reached consensus for do not recommend and 2 additional scenarios; consensus was reached for 4 of these. Our final recommendations consist of 24 consensus statements; for 2 of these, the strength of the recommendations did not reach consensus. CONCLUSIONS:In symptomatic medical inpatients with known or suspected COVID-19, we recommend the use of LUS to: (1) support the diagnosis of pneumonitis but not diagnose COVID-19, (2) rule out concerning ultrasound features, (3) monitor patients with a change in the clinical status, and (4) avoid unnecessary additional imaging for patients whose pretest probability of an alternative or superimposed diagnosis is low. We do not recommend the use of LUS to guide admission and discharge decisions. We do not recommend routine serial LUS in patients without a change in their clinical condition.