eScholarship@UMassChan
eScholarship@UMassChan is a digital archive for UMass Chan Medical School's research and scholarship, including journal articles, theses, datasets and more. We welcome submissions from our faculty, staff, and students. eScholarship@UMassChan is a service of the Lamar Soutter Library, Worcester, MA, USA. See also our open access journal publishing services.
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Recent Publications
Publication UMCCTS Newsletter, November 2024(UMass Chan Medical School, 2025-01-08)This is the Novembr 2024 issue of the UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science Newsletter containing news and events of interest.Publication UMCCTS Newsletter, January 2025(UMass Chan Medical School, 2025-01-08)This is the January 2025 issue of the UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science Newsletter containing news and events of interest.Publication UMCCTS Newsletter, December 2024(UMass Chan Medical School, 2025-01-08)This is the December 2024 issue of the UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science Newsletter containing news and events of interest.Publication Association of Systemic Thromboxane Generation With Risk of Developing Heart Failure(2025-01-07)Background: Systemic thromboxane A2 generation, which is readily assessed by quantifying thromboxane B2 metabolites (TXB2-M) in the urine, is associated with impaired cardiac performance and mortality in aspirin (ASA) users with heart failure (HF). Objectives: This study sought to determine the association of urinary TXB2-M with the risk of developing HF in individuals without prior history of HF and with normal left ventricular function irrespective of ASA use. Methods: Urine TXB2-M were measured by immunoassay and adjusted to urine concentration and renal function (TXB2-MGFR) in 2,611 Framingham Heart Study participants (54.9% women, mean age 65 ± 9 years, 43.8% ASA users) without prior history of HF and with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥55%. The association of TXB2-MGFR with HF risk over a median observation period of 14.8 years (Q1-Q3: 12.6-15.7 years) was modeled using Cox regression. Results: HF occurred in 189 participants (7.2%), with 104 of the first events (55.0%) classified as HF with preserved LVEF, 56 (29.6%) as HF with reduced LVEF, and 29 (15.3%) were unclassifiable. TXB2-MGFR levels, above compared to below, of 16.6 and 62.1 filtered prostanoid units for ASA users and nonusers, respectively, were associated with increased risk of developing HF (HR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.38-2.64; P < 0.0001, adjusted for age, sex, ASA use, and HF risk factors), including both HF subtypes (HF with preserved LVEF: HR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.17-2.80; P = 0.0081, and HF with reduced LVEF: HR: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.48-4.68; P = 0.0010, adjusted for age, sex, ASA use, and cardiovascular disease). Neither ASA use nor evidence of platelet activation, as measured by plasma P-selectin, were independently associated with HF risk. Conclusions: Systemic thromboxane A2 generation as measured by urinary TXB2-MGFR was significantly associated with HF risk and remained so after accounting for traditional risk factors. Urinary TXB2-MGFR is therefore a potentially useful novel biomarker to identify at-risk individuals who might benefit from aggressive primary prevention.Publication Systematic Review of Interventions in Early Pregnancy Among Pregnant Individuals at Risk for Hyperglycemia(2025-01-07)Objective: The maternal metabolic environment in early pregnancy can influence fetal growth trajectories. Our objective was to identify interventions initiated in early pregnancy (<20 weeks gestation) in pregnant individuals with risk factors for hyperglycemia and report their impact on primary (neonatal adiposity, small for gestational age, large for gestational age, macrosomia) and secondary outcomes (gestational weight gain, maternal hypertensive disorder, birth injury, NICU admission, preterm delivery, emergency cesarean section). Data sources: We searched Cochrane Central database, Medline, Embase, CINAHL databases, and clinicaltrials.gov (September 2024) for clinical trials published between 2009 - 2024. Search terms included the key words "early OR during" OR "first trimester OR second trimester" AND "gestation OR pregnancy" OR "prenatal care" AND "insulin resistance" OR "metabolic health" OR "diabet*" OR "body composition" OR "obes*" OR "weight gain" OR "gestational diabetes" OR "hyperglycemia" OR "metabolic syndrome" AND "clinical trial." Study eligibility criteria: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and other trials reporting interventions initiated before 20 weeks gestation in participants with singleton pregnancies at risk for hyperglycemia (overweight and/or obesity, history of type 2 diabetes, and/or history of GDM) that reported at least one primary outcome were included. Studies had to be conducted with humans in high income countries as defined by the World Bank, written in English. Study appraisal and synthesis methods: We used the Downs and Black checklist to evaluate the methodological quality and risk. Data was extracted independently and any questions were resolved through group discussion. Interventions were categorized and synthesized by type. Results: 21,924 records were identified and 70 full-text articles met inclusion criteria. 65 articles were RCTs. Eight intervention categories were identified: diet only, physical activity or exercise only, diet and physical activity or exercise combined, lifestyle counseling, supplements, pharmaceuticals, early GDM screening, and mixed interventions. Only 12 studies reported statistically significant effects on primary neonatal outcomes. Conclusions: Interventions initiated in early pregnancy (<20 weeks) among pregnant individuals at risk for hyperglycemia that include one or more of the following strategies can reduce risk of excess neonatal adiposity, macrosomia, large for gestational age and small for gestational age neonates: goal-setting and motivational strategies to improve diet and increase physical activity through individual and group sessions; lifestyle coaching that included behavioral techniques designed to empower participants by fostering autonomy in a supportive environment; structured group exercise classes three times per week; and personalized dietary recommendations.