Kathryne Sanserino

All Publications

• Novel biomarkers to assess in utero effects of maternal opioid use: First steps toward understanding short- and long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae. Genes, brain, and behavior Goetzl, L. n., Thompson-Felix, T. n., Darbinian, N. n., Merabova, N. n., Merali, S. n., Merali, C. n., Sanserino, K. n., Tatevosian, T. n., Fant, B. n., Wimmer, M. E. 2019; 18 (6): e12583

  Abstract

  Maternal opioid use disorder is common, resulting in significant neonatal morbidity and cost. Currently, it is not possible to predict which opioid-exposed newborns will require pharmacotherapy for neonatal abstinence syndrome. Further, little is known regarding the effects of maternal opioid use disorder on the developing human brain. We hypothesized that novel methodologies utilizing fetal central nervous system-derived extracellular vesicles isolated from maternal blood can address these gaps in knowledge. Plasma from opioid users and controls between 9 and 21 weeks was precipitated and extracellular vesicles were isolated. Mu opioid and cannabinoid receptor levels were quantified. Label-free proteomics studies and unbiased small RNA next generation sequencing was performed in paired fetal brain tissue. Maternal opioid use disorder increased mu opioid receptor protein levels in extracellular vesicles independent of opioid equivalent dose. Moreover, cannabinoid receptor levels in extracellular vesicles were upregulated with opioid exposure indicating cross talk with endocannabinoids. Maternal opioid use disorder was associated with significant changes in extracellular vesicle protein cargo and fetal brain micro RNA expression, especially in male fetuses. Many of the altered cargo molecules and micro RNAs identified are associated with adverse clinical neurodevelopmental outcomes. Our data suggest that assays relying on extracellular vesicles isolated from maternal blood extracellular vesicles may provide information regarding fetal response to opioids in the setting of maternal opioid use disorder. Prospective clinical studies are needed to evaluate the association between extracellular vesicle biomarkers, risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/gbb.12583

  View details for PubMedID 31119847

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7074845

• Patient Safety Education: What Was, What Is, and What Will Be? TEACHING AND LEARNING IN MEDICINE Klamen, D. L., Sanserino, K., Skolnik, P. 2013; 25: S44–S49

  Abstract

  Patient safety is an important topic that has been receiving more attention in the current health care climate. Patient safety as a curriculum topic in medical schools has only become apparent in the late 1990 s, and much more needs to be done. This article summarizes patient safety curricular content as it occurred (or did not occur) in medical education circles in the past (pre-1990 s), and present. It also makes some recommendations for the future of medical education curricula in the area of patient safety, using a framework for the development of expertise using the Dreyfus educational model.

  View details for DOI 10.1080/10401334.2013.842906

  View details for Web of Science ID 000327135600007

  View details for PubMedID 24246106

• Effectiveness of Outreach to Patients with Diabetes Who Have Fallen Out of Regular Care at a Federally Qualified Health Center JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE FOR THE POOR AND UNDERSERVED Ramirez-Zohfeld, V., Jean-Jacques, M., Sanserino, K., Buchanan, D., Baker, D. W. 2012; 23 (3): 1036–47

  Abstract

  Re-engaging patients who have fallen out of regular care is a challenge for all primary care practices, but especially for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). We implemented and evaluated a system of proactive telephone and mail outreach within an FQHC serving a predominantly Latino and Spanish-speaking population for patients with diabetes who had not had a visit to the health center for at least six months. The primary study outcome was the proportion of patients who completed a follow-up visit within three months of the outreach. We also examined patient characteristics associated with completing a follow-up visit. Of 208 patients eligible for outreach, 24% (n = 49) completed a follow-up visit. Thirty-six percent (n = 74) had a disconnected or incorrect phone number, 16% (n = 34) were not reached within three phone call attempts, and 20% (n = 22) of letters mailed were returned to sender. Future efforts to re-engage patients in diabetes care should examine shorter intervals before outreach and other outreach strategies.

  View details for DOI 10.1353/hpu.2012.0089

  View details for Web of Science ID 000307425800015

  View details for PubMedID 24212157