Assessing Acute and Chronic Risks of Human Exposure to Arsenic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Ethiopia Employing Body Biomarkers.

Background: Arsenic, a widely recognized and highly toxic carcinogen, is regarded as one of the most hazardous metalloids globally. However, the precise assessment of acute and chronic human exposure to arsenic and its contributing factors remains unclear in Ethiopia.

Objective: The primary goal of this study was to assess the levels of acute and chronic arsenic exposure, as well as the contributing factors, using urine and nail biomarkers.

Impaired kidney function, cerebral small vessel disease and cognitive disorders: the Framingham Heart Study.

Background And Hypothesis: It remains unclear whether the relation of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with cognitive dysfunction is independent of blood pressure (BP). We evaluated kidney function in relation to premorbid BP measurements, cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), and incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in Framingham Offspring Cohort participants.

Methods: We included Framingham Offspring participants free of dementia, attending an examination during midlife (exam cycle 6, baseline) for ascertainment of kidney function status, with brain magnetic resonance imaging late in life (exam cycles 7-9), cognitive outcome data, and available interim hypertension and BP assessments.

Examining carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risks related to arsenic exposure in Ethiopia: A longitudinal study.

Background: The carcinogenic properties of arsenic make it one of the most hazardous chemicals globally. Nevertheless, the exact level of human exposure to arsenic and the associated risks of cancer and non-cancer effects through different pathways in Ethiopia are still uncertain.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of both cancer and non-cancer outcomes among children and adults who have been exposed to arsenic through drinking water in the Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha district of Ethiopia.

Hypertension Trends and White Matter Brain Injury in the Offspring Framingham Heart Study Cohort.

Background: Hypertension is the most potent stroke risk factor and is also related to cerebral small vessel disease. We studied the relation between mid-to-late-life hypertension trends and cerebral white matter injury in community-dwelling individuals from the FHS (Framingham Heart Study).

Methods: FHS Offspring cohort participants with available mid-life and late-life blood pressure measurements and brain magnetic resonance imaging were included.

Relation of MRI-Visible Perivascular Spaces and Other MRI Markers of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease.

Perivascular spaces (PVS) visible on brain MRI signal cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). The coexistence of PVS with other CSVD manifestations likely increases the risk of adverse neurological outcomes. We related PVS to other CSVD manifestations and brain volumes that are markers of vascular brain injury and neurodegeneration.

MRI Visible Perivascular Spaces and the Risk of Incident Mild Cognitive Impairment in a Community Sample.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visible perivascular spaces (PVS) are associated with the risk of incident dementia but their association with the early stages of cognitive impairment remains equivocal.

Objective: We examined the association between MRI visible PVS and the risk of incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the community-based Framingham Heart Study (FHS).

Methods: FHS participants aged at least 50 years free of stroke, cognitive impairment, and dementia at the time of MRI were included.

Preexisting anticoagulation is an independent predictor of mortality in geriatric trauma patients - a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Preexisting anticoagulation is common among geriatric trauma patients. Geriatric trauma patients have a higher risk of mortality compared to younger patients. We sought to evaluate the association of preexisting anticoagulation with mortality in a group of geriatric trauma patients.

Association of MRI Visible Perivascular Spaces and Neurofilament Light Chain: The Framingham Heart Study.

Background: Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a marker of neuronal injury. Perivascular spaces (PVS) visible on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represent cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) but their role as markers of neuronal injury needs further clarification.

Objective: To relate PVS burden according to brain topography and plasma NfL.

The clinical impact of early detection of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales with PCR-based blood culture assays.

Background: Starting January 4, 2021, our health system core microbiology laboratory changed blood culture identification (BCID) platforms to ePlex BCID from BioFire BCID1 with the additional capability to detect the bla gene of ESBL-producing organisms. Clinical outcomes of ESBL bloodstream infections (BSI) after implementing ePlex BCID were unknown.

Methods: Patients with ESBL BSI were compared pre and postimplementation of ePlex BCID in this 11-hospital retrospective analysis (BioFire BCID1 in 2019 vs ePlex BCID in 2021).

Acute ischemic stroke outcomes in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Although patients with COVID-19 have a higher risk of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), the impact on stroke outcomes remains uncertain.

Aims: To determine the clinical outcomes of patients with AIS and COVID-19 (AIS-COVID+).

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Intestinal Spirochetosis and Chronic Diarrhea: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Spirochetosis is a rare condition characterized by the presence of spirochetes in the gastrointestinal tract. It is typically associated with immunodeficiency. We present a case of chronic watery diarrhea in a 48-year-old housewife who had a 12-week history of variable-volume bowel movements without blood or mucus, accompanied by a sense of urgency.

Pediatric and emergency medicine resident comfort assessing and treating pediatric pain across pediatric age groups.

Assess pediatric and emergency medicine (EM) resident comfort treating and assessing pediatric pain. Pediatric and EM residents at a single institution (SIUH Northwell Health in New York) completed an anonymous survey 6 months into the academic year regarding comfort assessing and treating pediatric pain. A total of 40 (16/24 EM and 24/24 pediatric) residents completed this survey: 20% (8/24) pediatric first year residents, 40% (16/40) pediatric second year and above, 20% (8/40) EM first year and 20% (8/40) EM second year and above.

Oxidative metabolism is impaired by phosphate deficiency during fracture healing and is mechanistically related to BMP induced chondrocyte differentiation.

Prior studies of acute phosphate restriction during the endochondral phase of fracture healing showed delayed chondrocyte differentiation was mechanistically linked to decreased bone morphogenetic protein signaling. In the present study, transcriptomic analysis of fracture callus gene expression in three strains of mice was used to identify differentially expressed (FDR = q ≤ 0.05) genes in response to phosphate (Pi) restriction.

Magnitude and possible risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among street cleaners and solid waste workers: a cross-sectional study.

Background: In the absence of a standardized work environment, insurance system, occupational safety measures and expanding workload an uptrend of musculoskeletal disorders secondary to occupational hazards is observed among a wide range of occupations in developing countries including street sweepers/cleaners. The aim of this study is to determine the burden and potential factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders among street cleaners/solid waste collectors in Gondar town, Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to determine the burden and identify potential risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among street cleaners.

Characteristics of Suspected COVID-19 Discharged Emergency Department Patients Who Returned During the First Wave.

Introduction: Limited information exists on patients with suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who return to the emergency department (ED) during the first wave. In this study we aimed to identify predictors of ED return within 72 hours for patients with suspected COVID-19.

Methods: Incorporating data from 14 EDs within an integrated healthcare network in the New York metropolitan region from March 2-April 27, 2020, we analyzed this data on predictors for a return ED visit-including demographics, comorbidities, vital signs, and laboratory results.

Inflammatory biomarkers and MRI visible perivascular spaces: The Framingham Heart Study.

We studied the association between inflammatory biomarkers and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visible perivascular spaces (PVS) in Framingham Heart Study participants free of stroke and dementia. PVS in the basal ganglia (BG) and centrum semiovale (CSO) were rated with validated methods and categorized based on counts. A mixed score of high PVS burden in neither, one or both regions was also evaluated.

Fear-Avoidance Beliefs for Physical Activity Among Chronic Low Back Pain: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Among different psychological predictors of outcome in low back pain (LBP) adults, the negative influence of fear-avoidance beliefs in physical activity is an area of research attention. However, there is a lack of evidence on the burden of fear avoidance about physical activity among chronic LBP adults in Ethiopia.

Objective: To describe fear-avoidance beliefs about physical activity and explore its association with socio-demographic and clinical factors among low back pain patients attending physiotherapy treatment in 3 Amhara regional comprehensive hospitals.

Cross-cultural translation, adaptation, and validation of the stroke-specific quality of life (SSQOL) scale 2.0 into Amharic language.

Background: The stroke-specific quality of life 2.0 (SSQOL 2.0) scale is a valid, reliable instrument which has been widely used as a patients reported outcome measure among stroke survivors.

Emergency department visits and hospitalizations for pediatric vaso-occlusive pain events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic altered all aspects of life, including healthcare. During the pandemic, social distancing led to decreased transmission of typical viral illnesses, leading to a decrease in these pediatric admissions. Studies have shown that pediatric emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations decreased during the pandemic, which may have led to some unmet healthcare needs and delays in treatment.

Urinary Tract Infections in Low Birth Weight Neonates.

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in low birth weight (LBW) neonates and to evaluate the compliance of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) providers in performing urine cultures as a part of late-onset sepsis (LOS) evaluations following an educational intervention.

Study Design: A retrospective chart review for all LBW infants undergoing LOS evaluations was performed. An educational intervention was conducted to encourage NICU providers to perform urine cultures in LOS evaluations.

Genetic architecture of heart failure with preserved versus reduced ejection fraction.

Pharmacologic clinical trials for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction have been largely unsuccessful as compared to those for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Whether differences in the genetic underpinnings of these major heart failure subtypes may provide insights into the disparate outcomes of clinical trials remains unknown. We utilize a large, uniformly phenotyped, single cohort of heart failure sub-classified into heart failure with reduced and with preserved ejection fractions based on current clinical definitions, to conduct detailed genetic analyses of the two heart failure sub-types.