The effect of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on cardiac mechanics in systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and fibrosis. Cardiac involvement in SSc is often subclinical and portends a worse prognosis. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) improves survival in SSc but its effect on cardiac function is unknown.

Heart2Heart: a digital peer support programme for people with heart disease: protocol for a community-based, investigator-blinded randomised controlled trial conducted in Australia.

Introduction: Cardiac rehabilitation is known to reduce morbidity and improve quality of life in people living with heart disease, however, adherence, access and completion of these programmes is suboptimal. Peer support may offer an opportunity to close this service gap. The aim of the study is to determine whether the effectiveness of a digital peer support programme for people living with heart disease is effective in improving social connectedness, clinical and patient-reported outcomes and experience measures.

Impacts of hypertension and diabetes on the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality: findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study cohort.

Objective: The study aimed to examine the individual and joint effects of hypertension and diabetes on cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality among the middle-aged and older Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 9681 individuals without preexisting CVD from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were included. Participants were classified into four different groups: hypertension alone, diabetes alone, both conditions, neither condition.

Transcriptomic profiling of thyroid eye disease orbital fat demonstrates differences in adipogenicity and IGF-1R pathway.

Despite recent advances in the treatment of thyroid eye disease thyroid-related eye disease (TED), marked gaps remain in our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly concerning the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) pathway. To dissect the pathophysiology of TED, we used single-nucleus RNA-Seq to analyze orbital fat specimens from both patients with TED and matched individuals acting as controls. The analysis demonstrated a marked increase in the proportion of fibroblasts transitioning to adipogenesis in the orbital fat of patients with TED compared with that in control patients.

Turbulence in the system: Higher rates of left-without-being-seen emergency department visits and associations with increased risks of adverse patient outcomes since 2020.

Objective: To examine risks of severe adverse patient outcomes shortly after a left-without-being-seen emergency department (LWBS ED) visit since 2020.

Methods: In this retrospective study using linked administrative data, we examined temporal trends in monthly rates of ED and LWBS visits for adults in Ontario, Canada, 2014‒2023. In patient-level analyses restricted to the first eligible LWBS ED visit, we used modified Poisson regression to compare the composite outcome of 7-day all-cause mortality or hospitalization following a LWBS ED visit for April 1, 2022‒March 31, 2023 (recent period) to April 1, 2014‒March 31, 2020 (baseline period), adjusted for age, sex, and Charlson comorbidity index.

ChatGPT and frequently asked patient questions for upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery.

Purpose: Online health information seekers may access information produced by artificial intelligence language models such as ChatGPT (OpenAI). The medical field may pose a significant challenge for incorporating these applications given the training and experience needed to master clinical reasoning. The objective was to evaluate the performance of ChatGPT responses compared to human oculofacial plastic surgeon (OPS) responses to FAQs about an upper eyelid blepharoplasty procedure.

Quantifying functional group compositions of household fuel-burning emissions.

Globally, billions of people burn fuels indoors for cooking and heating, which contributes to millions of chronic illnesses and premature deaths annually. Additionally, residential burning contributes significantly to black carbon emissions, which have the highest global warming impacts after carbon dioxide and methane. In this study, we use Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyze fine-particulate emissions collected on Teflon membrane filters from 15 cookstove types and 5 fuel types.

Orbital subperiosteal abscess in adolescents and adults: predictors and outcomes of nonsurgical management and surgical approaches.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess predictors and outcomes of subperiosteal abscess (SPA) management in adolescents and adults at two tertiary care centers.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included cases of SPA from January 1 2000 to October 9 2022 at two institutions. Patients 9 years or older were categorized into surgical and nonsurgical cohorts.

A review of sample collection and analytical methods for detecting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in indoor and outdoor air.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a unique class of chemicals synthesized to aid in industrial processes, fire-fighting products, and to benefit consumer products such as clothing, cosmetics, textiles, carpets, and coatings. The widespread use of PFAS and their strong carbon-fluorine bonds has led to their ubiquitous presence throughout the world. Airborne transport of PFAS throughout the atmosphere has also contributed to environmental pollution.

Septic Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis: Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes.

Background: Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) is a rare condition traditionally associated with high morbidity and mortality. More recent case series report more favorable outcomes, including full functional recovery. A comprehensive assessment of the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of visual and survival outcomes in septic CST is warranted to contemporize current understanding and help guide management.

Herpes zoster: treatment, management, and prevention with the recombinant DNA vaccine.

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a reactivation of dormant varicella-zoster virus that most often erupts as painful vesicles in a unilateral dermatomal distribution. A sequela of HZ is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is debilitating and may be persistent. Therefore, vaccination for the prevention of HZ and its sequelae is recommended for adults aged 50 years and older as well as immunocompromised adults.

Subperiosteal and Orbital Abscesses: A Comparison of Clinical Features, Management, and Outcomes.

Purpose: To compare the clinical features, management, and outcomes between orbital cellulitis patients with subperiosteal abscess (SPA) and those with orbital abscess (OA).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care center through medical record search to identify patients with orbital cellulitis from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2022. Charts were screened for those with radiographic evidence of SPA or OA.

Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of Orbital Subperiosteal Abscesses: A Comparison of Pediatric, Adolescent, and Adult Populations.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the microbiology and antibiotic resistance profiles of orbital subperiosteal abscesses (SPA) among 3 age cohorts.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care center through a medical record search to identify patients with orbital cellulitis and SPA on imaging from January 1, 2000 to September 10, 2022. Patients were categorized into pediatric (<9 years old), adolescent (9-18 years old), and adult (>18 years old) cohorts.

Skin cancer, sunscreens, and prevention: discussions to have with patients.

With the incidence of skin cancer increasing in the United States, the role of dental providers in noting suspicious skin lesions as well as advising patients in proper sun-protective strategies is more important than ever. However, the public conversation about proper sun protection is often laden with misunderstandings and pervasive myths. This article reviews the most common types of skin cancer, elucidates the differences among the types of UV radiation, and offers updated recommendations for proper sunscreen use along with adjunctive sun-protective strategies.

Characterization of PFAS air emissions from thermal application of fluoropolymer dispersions on fabrics.

During thermal processes utilized in affixing fluoropolymer coatings dispersion to fibers and fabrics, coating components are vaporized. It is suspected that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from the dispersions may undergo chemical transformations at the temperatures used, leading to additional emitted PFAS thermal byproducts. It is important to characterize these emissions to support evaluation of the resulting environmental and health impacts.

A Multifaceted Approach to Treatment of Recalcitrant Cutaneous Periorbital Juvenile Xanthogranuloma.

Purpose: To demonstrate novel treatments for patients with high juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) eyelid lesion burden.

Case Report: A 14-year-old girl was referred to the oculoplastic surgery service for management of worsening extensive bilateral eyelid and adnexal lesions in the setting of JXG. The patient underwent intra-lesional steroid injections, serial excisions, and reconstruction with skin grafts.

Albino tadpoles prefer dark environments compared to wild type.

Tadpoles display preferences for different environments but the sensory modalities that govern these choices are not well understood. Here, we examined light preferences and associated sensory mechanisms of albino and wild-type tadpoles. We found that albino tadpoles spent more time in darker environments compared to the wild type, although they showed no differences in overall activity.

Tubing material considerably affects measurement delays of gas-phase oxygenated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental pollutants associated with negative health impacts. Assessments of tubing-related measurement bias for volatile PFAS are lacking, as gas-wall interactions with tubing can delay quantification of gas-phase analytes. We use online iodide chemical ionization mass spectrometry measurements to characterize tubing delays for three gas-phase oxygenated PFAS - 4:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (4:2 FTOH), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA).

Thyroid Eye Disease.

Thyroid eye disease (TED), an autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the orbit, presents with a potential array of clinical sequelae. The pathophysiology behind TED has been partially characterized in the literature. There remain certain elusive mechanisms welcoming of research advances.