Objective: To assess the impact of a planned research gap year (RGY) on match outcomes and research productivity among urology residency applicants in the context of the highly competitive urology specialty and the new pass/fail format for the USMLE Step 1 exam.
Methods: We conducted an IRB-approved analysis of applicants to our program during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 application cycles. Data on demographics, medical school rank, having a home urology program, USMLE Step 1 scores, and ERAS research entries were collected.
Atypical femur fractures (AFFs) have been reported with long term use of anti-resorptive drugs. Early identification is crucial because it allows early intervention to stop the progression to complete fracture, thus potentially reducing the ensuing burden. It has been shown that extending the scan image to take a full-length image of the femur (FFI) using single energy (SE) X-rays at the time of a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan can detect findings in the spectrum of AFF.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn today's fast-paced technological era, multifaceted technological advancements in our contemporary lifestyle are surging the use of electronic devices, which are significantly piling e-waste and posing environmental concerns. This stock of e-waste is expected to keep rising up to 50 mt year. Formal recycling of such humongous waste is a major challenge, especially in developing nations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProsthetic urology can substantially enhance the quality of life for patients. However, it is not without challenges. Infections of penile prostheses and artificial urinary sphincters are often difficult to diagnose, manage, and treat.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Anticoagulation therapy is crucial for managing various cardiovascular and thrombotic conditions; however, optimal delivery remains challenging in primary care. Pharmacist-led anticoagulation services have emerged as a potential strategy for enhancing patient care and outcomes in such settings. Understanding the perspectives of key stakeholders is critical for successful implementation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Research on incidence and characteristics of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) in the Middle East is limited. We assessed the incidence, prehospital characteristics, and outcomes of OHCA in Qatar, a Middle Eastern country. Subsequently, we performed gender-specific analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To evaluate the contribution of the standardized letter of recommendation (SLOR) to the likelihood of matching in urology residency by applying a novel scoring system and characterize utilization in the 2022 application cycle.
Methods: We conducted an investigation of all applicants to our urology residency program during the 2022 cycle. We developed a scoring system to assess SLOR strength across all templates.
Vitamin D's role extends beyond classical calcium and phosphate homeostasis to encompass a pivotal influence on immune modulation and metabolic health. The mechanisms by which vitamin D exerts these effects involve its conversion to hormonally active calcitriol, which binds intracellular vitamin D receptors, initiating various downstream cascades. In this review, we tease out the evidence showing the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and prediabetes within the context of subclinical inflammation, with a special focus on the novel monocyte-to-HDL ratio (MHR), a novel inflammatory marker reflecting subclinical inflammation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Prostate cancer (PCA) is the second most common malignancy in Western countries. Long non-coding RNAs are new markers in disease diagnosis. Our aim of this study was to investigate liquid biopsy biomarkers with high specificity and sensitivity for early diagnosis of PCA patients in Iran.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe focus of the study in this article is analyzing the electrochemical properties of molybdenum disulfide on miscible poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(lactic acid) blends for supercapacitors. The interaction between molybdenum disulfide and miscible poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(lactic acid) blends, affinity toward water, surface morphology, and mechanical properties are inspected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water contact angle, scanning electron microscopy, and universal testing machine, respectively. Among the developed membranes, 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis comprehensive review focuses on spontaneous mutations that may occur during DNA replication, the fundamental process responsible for transferring genetic information. In 1963, Löwdin postulated that these mutations are primarily a result of proton transfer reactions within the hydrogen-bonded DNA base pairs. The single and double proton transfer reactions within the base pairs in DNA result in zwitterions and rare tautomers, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Circadian Syndrome (CircS) encompasses cardiometabolic risk factors and comorbidities, indicating an elevated susceptibility to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between vitamin D levels and each of the following: CircS, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and the individual components of CircS. Data from 14,907 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2007 and 2018 were utilized.
Background: Recognizing and identifying latent safety threats (LSTs) before patient care commences is crucial, aiding leaders in ensuring hospital readiness and extending its impact beyond patient safety alone. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a combination of Simulation-based Clinical Systems Testing (SbCST) with Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (HFMEA) with regard to mitigating LSTs within a newly constructed hospital.
Methods: Three phases of the combined SbCST and HFMEA approach were implemented across all hospital settings.
Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a risk factor for heart failure (HF). Therefore, we aimed to assess the cardioprotective role of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors post-ACS in patients with acute HF (AHF) and diabetes.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study employing propensity score matching.
We report a case of cardiac arrest in a 38-year-old male with no past medical history who presented as a case of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and coronary angiography showed triple coronary artery thrombosis complicated with cardiogenic shock (CS) that warrants starting on inotropic support and insertion of intra-aortic balloon pump. CS diagnosis with a high likelihood of deterioration was established based on hemodynamics assessment; hence, an early prompt decision for escalation of mechanical circulatory support to Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) was made, which helped to prevent the patient's further deterioration and organ damage. The patient had uneventful VA-ECMO decannulation and was transferred to the ward and discharged after 28 days in stable condition on oral medical therapy and was following up regularly in the cardiology clinic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) management with co-existing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains challenging as it requires a clinically relevant balance between the risk and outcomes of thrombosis and the risk of bleeding. However, the literature evaluating the treatment approaches in this high-risk population is scarce.
Methods And Results: In this review, we aimed to summarize the available literature on the safety of ITP first- and second-line therapies to provide a practical guide on the management of ITP co-existing with ACS.
Bioisosterism is strategically used in drug design to enhance the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of therapeutic molecules. The average electron density (AED) tool has been used in several studies to quantify similarities among nonclassical bioisosteres of carboxylic acid. In this study, the AED tool is used to quantify the similarities among nonclassical bioisosteres of an amide group.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent ocular surface disease that is conventionally characterized by tear film hyperosmolarity and instability. This review presents a summarized classification of DED, followed by a comprehensive discussion of the most recent topical and systemic medications and clinical recommendations for selecting the most appropriate option for each patient.
Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted on electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, using keywords including "dry eye syndrome," "ocular surface disease," "medical management," "artificial tears," "topical immunomodulators," and "meibomian gland dysfunction.
Background: Warfarin management is associated with severe complications, highlighting the critical need to evaluate the quality of its administration.
Objectives: To evaluate the quality of warfarin management for patients managed in primary healthcare centers by measuring the percentage of Time in Therapeutic Range (TTR) and the proportion of extreme out-of-range international normalized ratio (INR) values.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study.
Front Cardiovasc Med
January 2024
Patients at each shock stage may behave and present differently with a spectrum of shock severity and adverse outcomes. Shock severity, shock aetiology, and several factors should be integrated in management decision-making. Although the contemporary shock stages classification provided a standardized shock severity assessment, individual agents or management strategy has not yet been studied in the context of each shock stage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMucin-1 (MUC1) is a highly relevant antigen for cancer vaccination due to its overexpression and hypo-glycosylation in a high percentage of carcinomas. To enhance the immune response to MUC1, our group has developed C3-liposomes that encapsulate the MUC1 antigen along with immunostimulatory compounds for direct delivery to antigen-presenting cells (APCs). C3-liposomes bind complement C3, which interacts with C3-receptors on APCs, resulting in liposomal uptake and the delivery of tumor antigens to APCs in a manner that mimics pathogenic uptake.
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