University of Southern California

Impact of Biologic Therapy on Emergency Department Utilization in Pediatric Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that often begins in adolescence and is associated with substantial morbidity and increased healthcare utilization, including emergency department (ED) visits. Using the TriNetX Global Network, a retrospective coho...

Unusual Tumor in an Unusual Localization: Sclerosing Extramedullary Hematopoietic Tumor in Breast With Literature Review

Background Sclerosing extramedullary hematopoietic tumor (SEMHT) is a rare entity that can occur in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. It has been reported in various localizations including retroperitoneum, mesentery, liver, colon, lymph nodes, thyroid, and orbit. It is...

The Ripple Effects of Misattributed Parentage: The Systemic Family Impact of “Not Parent Expected” Discoveries

ABSTRACT Direct‐to‐consumer (DTC) DNA testing has led to a surge in misattributed parentage discoveries, often referred to as “not parent expected” (NPE) events. While prior research has focused primarily on the experiences of those discovering a parent was not as expected, this...

Development and validation of a cefepime population pharmacokinetic model to guide treatment for patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia requiring renal replacement

ABSTRACT Cefepime is used in critically ill pneumonia patients, but dosing in renal replacement therapy (RRT) is complicated by altered renal function, extracorporeal removal, and variability in pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (ELF) exposure. We sought to develop an integrated...

Tobacco Use is Associated with Anorectal Sensorimotor Dysfunction and Greater Fecal Incontinence Severity

Background: Tobacco use has been associated with a range of digestive symptoms and gastrointestinal smooth muscle dysfunction. However, the impact of tobacco use on fecal incontinence (FI) and anorectal function remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate whether tobacco use disrupts a...

Using Representation Learning and Website Text to Identify Competitor Networks

This paper introduces a new approach to identify competitors using company websites to map competitive relationships among public and private firms. We apply representation learning techniques to create embeddings of companies based on website content, emphasizing information abo...

How personality traits shape susceptibility to mental distress in times of crisis: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic

Empirical evidence indicates that societal crises and adverse conditions can negatively impact population mental health. The Big Five personality traits – neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness –significantly influence stress responses. In this...

An international multicenter analysis of the outcome of pediatric first variceal hemorrhage

Background & Aims: Management of portal hypertension in children including primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding is controversial due to limited understanding of mortality risk after first variceal hemorrhage (1VH). This international multicenter study was designed to advance...

AI in supply chain risk assessment: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis

Abstract Supply chain risk assessment (SCRA) is pivotal for ensuring resilience in increasingly complex global supply networks. While existing reviews have explored traditional methodologies, they often neglect emerging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) appli...

Role of crystal chemistry in twinning-based superelasticity in rare-earth orthophosphate ceramics

Materials that dampen vibrations while maintaining mechanical integrity are essential for enhancing the performance and lifetime of engineering components. Recently, some monazite rare earth orthophosphates (REPO4s) have been shown to dissipate mechanical energy superelastically...

Ambient particulate matter exposure and children's blood pressure in rural California, 2019-2022

Elevated blood pressure (BP) in children is a risk factor for adult hypertension and is increasing globally. Ambient particulate matter (PM) is associated with increased BP in children in urban areas, but data from rural regions are sparse. The Children's AIRE study enrolled chil...

Statin use is associated with lower risk of open-angle glaucoma incidence and treatment escalation

Background Retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX database to explore the relationship between statin use and glaucoma. Methods The open-angle glaucoma (OAG) incidence analysis consisted of individuals over 40 years of age with statin use and ophthalmological follow-up with...

Non-invasive cardiac sensing via an acoustic Helmholtz resonator cavity with electrocardiogram waveform reconstruction

Physiological markers are a primary source of prognostic health monitoring systems. Specifically, with heartbeat sensing, many ailments may be identified in their nascent stage. In clinical settings, the human heartbeat is measured by way of an electrocardiogram (ECG). Common met...

Endoscopic Endonasal Approaches to Anterior Cranial Base Meningiomas: Indications, Limitations, and Surgical Decision-Making

Endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) has fundamentally changed the management of anterior skull base meningiomas by enabling access to many lesions through a direct minimally invasive corridor that avoids traditional transcranial exposure. Improvements in endoscopic optical technol...

Emergency Department Visits After Heightened Immigration Enforcement in Los Angeles County

This cross-sectional study examines whether an increase in immigration enforcement activity in Los Angeles County during June 2025 was associated with changes in emergency department and inpatient utilization by patient country of birth.

Differential Effects of Antibiotics on the Horizontal Transfer of blaKPC Plasmid in Clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae Strain

Horizontal transfer of blaKPC-bearing plasmids contributes significantly to the dissemination of carbapenem resistance among Enterobacterales; however, the influence of mechanistically distinct antibiotics on this process remains incompletely understood. This study investigated t...

Evaluation of Antiviral Drugs’ Central Nervous System Distribution Using In Vitro Blood–Brain and Blood-CSF Barrier Models: The Impact of Serum Protein Concentration

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) and blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) are dynamic neurovascular interfaces that maintain central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis by tightly regulating paracellular and transcellular molecular transport. Intercellular communication between ad...

Pharmacokinetics of Efavirenz in Pregnancy and Postpartum with and Without First-line Tuberculosis Drugs: Results from IMPAACT P1026s

Efavirenz (EFV) pharmacokinetics (PK) may be influenced by both pregnancy-related physiological changes and concurrent treatment for drug-sensitive tuberculosis (DS-TB), and intensive 24-h EFV PK data during rifampin (RIF)/ isoniazid (INH) treatment in pregnant women living with...

Essential Retail Pharmacies Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026

This cross-sectional study investigates the distribution and characteristics of essential retail pharmacies (ERPs) designated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 and considers policy amendments to ensure patient access to ERPs is protected.

Seasonal influence on post-fire debris flow likelihood after the 2020 Lake Fire

The increasing severity of wildfires in Western North America is widely hypothesized to lead to an increase in the likelihood of post-fire debris flows (PFDF), specifically those triggered by high-intensity rain. PFDF likelihoods are highest in the first year and tend to decrease...