Cardiac Rehabilitation Among Veterans: A Narrative Review.

Purpose: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a valuable secondary preventive intervention for Veterans given their increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Adults cared for in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system are a unique population that receives healthcare from the largest integrated care network in the United States. Yet, this group faces distinct challenges in utilizing CR.

Natriuretic peptide testing in veterans hospitalized with heart failure: Potential differences by sex.

Background: Natriuretic peptide testing (NPT) is recommended to assist in diagnosis and prognostication during heart failure hospitalization (HFH). NPT on admission for HFH and sex-based variation in NPT are unknown.

Objectives: We investigated the utilization of NPT among Veterans with HFH, evaluated for sex-based differences, and examined associations with demographic, clinical, and facility characteristics.

A conceptual framework for modeling a latching mechanism for cell cycle regulation.

Two identical van der Pol oscillators with mutual inhibition are considered as a conceptual framework for modeling a latching mechanism for cell cycle regulation. In particular, the oscillators are biased to a latched state in which there is a globally attracting steady-state equilibrium without coupling. The inhibitory coupling induces stable alternating large-amplitude oscillations that model the normal cell cycle.

Prospective evaluation of ethambutol toxic optic neuropathy in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate visual parameters for early detection of ethambutol toxicity to prevent irreversible optic nerve damage.

Method: This cohort study included 50 newly diagnosed cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, i.e.

Coats-Like reaction post-vitreoretinal surgery for PDR managed with laser photocoagulation and adjunctive intravitreal steroids- a case report.

Purpose: To report a rare case of a Coats-like response developing after vitreoretinal surgery for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and its successful management with retinal laser photocoagulation and adjunctive intravitreal steroids.

Case Description: A 52-year-old woman with a five-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension presented with decreased vision in the left eye (counting fingers at 1 m). Examination revealed high-risk PDR in both eyes, with a subtotal macula-off combined retinal detachment in the left eye.

Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury: Pathophysiology and Treatment Modalities.

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (S-AKI) is a critical complication that significantly contributes to the morbidity and mortality of sepsis patients. This narrative review explores the complex and multifactorial pathophysiology of S-AKI, which involves hemodynamic alterations, microcirculatory dysfunction, endothelial damage, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and direct tubular injury. Conventional perspectives linking S-AKI primarily to reduced renal blood flow are now being reconsidered, with growing insights highlighting the significance of microcirculatory dysfunction and endothelial activation as key contributors.

Supervised machine learning statistical models for visual outcome prediction in macular hole surgery: a single-surgeon, standardized surgery study.

Purpose: To evaluate the predictive accuracy of various machine learning (ML) statistical models in forecasting postoperative visual acuity (VA) outcomes following macular hole (MH) surgery using preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters.

Methods: This retrospective study included 158 eyes (151 patients) with full-thickness MHs treated between 2017 and 2023 by the same surgeon and using the same intraoperative surgical technique. Data from electronic medical records and OCT scans were extracted, with OCT-derived qualitative and quantitative MH characteristics recorded.

Multifaceted approach to evacuating multi-level premacular hemorrhage in a case of suspected Valsalva retinopathy - a case report.

Background: Accurate localization of premacular hemorrhages (PMHs) is crucial as treatment strategies vary significantly based on whether the hemorrhage resides within the vitreous gel, subhyaloid space, or beneath the internal limiting membrane (ILM). This report outlines the clinical features, diagnostic findings, and treatment outcomes in a patient diagnosed with a PMH secondary to suspected Valsalva retinopathy.

Methods: This is a retrospective interventional case report.

Surgical Techniques and Outcomes in the Management of Pediatric Eyelid Burns: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: To evaluate the surgical techniques used in the management of eyelid burns among pediatric patients below 18 years old, focusing on the timing of interventions and patient outcomes.

Methods: This systematic review was conducted in compliance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, targeting studies published between January 2000 and August 2024.

GluN2D-containing NMDA receptors in parvalbumin neurons in the nucleus accumbens regulate nocifensive responses in neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain presents a significant challenge, with its underlying mechanisms still not fully understood. Here, we investigated the role of GluN2C- and GluN2D-containing NMDA receptors in the development of neuropathic pain induced by cisplatin, a widely used chemotherapeutic agent. Through genetic and pharmacological strategies, we found that GluN2D-containing NMDA receptors play a targeted role in regulating cisplatin-induced neuropathic pain (CINP), while sparing inflammatory or acute pain responses.

Predicting macular hole surgery outcomes: Integrating preoperative OCT features with supervised machine learning statistical models.

Purpose: To evaluate various supervised machine learning (ML) statistical models to predict anatomical outcomes after macular hole (MH) surgery using preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) features.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed OCT data from idiopathic MH eyes at baseline and at 1-month post-surgery. The dataset was split 80:20 between training and testing.

Early Improvements With Atogepant for the Preventive Treatment of Migraine: Results From 3 Randomized Phase 3 Trials.

Background And Objectives: Three phase 3 trials demonstrated the efficacy and safety of atogepant in episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM) across 12-week treatment periods. This analysis evaluates improvements in efficacy and functional outcomes in the first 4 weeks of treatment with the oral calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, atogepant, for the preventive treatment of migraine.

Methods: ADVANCE, ELEVATE, and PROGRESS were phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-week trials.

Pharmacological adjuvants for diabetic vitrectomy surgery.

Diabetic vitrectomy is a highly intricate surgical procedure performed during the advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR). It is used to treat conditions such as tractional or combined retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, and subhyaloid hemorrhage, which are all severe manifestations of proliferative DR. The results of the surgery are uncertain and variable.

Perspectives of America's Military and Veteran Caregivers: A Qualitative Exploration.

RAND researchers present findings from the qualitative arm of the research project, sharing insights from interviews with U.S. military and veteran caregivers.

Effect of preventive treatment with atogepant on quality of life, daily functioning, and headache impact across the spectrum of migraine: Findings from three double-blind, randomized, phase 3 trials.

Background: We aimed to assess the effects of preventive migraine treatment with atogepant vs. placebo on patient-reported quality of life and functioning.

Methods: Analyses of patient-reported outcomes from three 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trials evaluating preventive migraine treatment with atogepant 60 mg once-daily: ADVANCE (low-frequency episodic migraine [LFEM], 4-8 monthly migraine days [MMDs] and high-frequency episodic migraine [HFEM], 8-14 MMDs), PROGRESS (chronic migraine, CM) and ELEVATE (episodic migraine in those previously failed by two to four classes of oral preventive treatments).

Phacovitrectomy vs. consecutive vitrectomy for idiopathic macular holes: short and long-term outcomes and OCT image quality assessment.

Purpose: To compare short- and long-term anatomical, functional, and refractive outcomes between combined phacovitrectomy (PVS) and consecutive vitrectomy (CVS) for idiopathic macular holes (MHs). Also, to evaluate the role of preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) image quality in guiding surgical selection.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 183 phakic MH eyes operated between 2012 and 23, with patients divided into PVS and CVS groups.

PHILOS (Proximal Humerus Internal Locking System) Plating vs MultiLoc Nailing in Proximal Humerus Fracture: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Radiological and Functional Outcomes.

Proximal humeral fractures, predominantly affecting the elderly, pose significant treatment challenges due to the complex anatomy of the shoulder joint and variability in bone quality. MultiLoc nails (Synthes USA Products, West Chester, USA) are the latest construct, and PHILOS (Proximal Humerus Internal Locking System, (Synthes USA Products, West Chester, USA)) plates are the earlier construct used for the fixation of proximal humerus fractures. This systematic review aims to provide a comparison of MultiLoc nails and PHILOS plates, focusing on their effectiveness, safety, and patient outcomes.

Benefit-risk assessment based on number needed to treat and number needed to harm: Atogepant vs. calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies.

Background: To evaluate the benefit-risk assessment of atogepant and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) vs. placebo based on the number needed to treat (NNT) and the number needed to harm (NNH) in a blended episodic migraine and chronic migraine (EM + CM) population.

Methods: The NNT was calculated based on achievement of a ≥ 50% reduction in mean monthly migraine days (MMDs) from baseline across 12 weeks.

Characteristics of submacular hemorrhage with bacillary layer detachment and intrabacillary hemorrhage.

Purpose: To study the outcomes of patients presenting with submacular hemorrhage (SMH) and bacillary layer detachment (BALAD) following intervention.

Methods: This retrospective study examined fundus photographs and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans to identify treatment-naive SMH and BALAD cases. Two groups were formed: SMH cases with and without BALAD.

Available Treatments and Adjunctive Therapies for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Patients of Reproductive Age: A Scoping Review.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) impacts the health of women worldwide. It is a condition consisting of dysfunctional cystic ovaries resulting in hormonal imbalance. Many women have symptoms such as infertility, increased production of androgens, and insulin resistance.

Revisiting the markers interleukin-6 and glucagon-like peptide-1 for targeting low-grade inflammation in type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis and our lab experience.

Aim: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) manifests as pancreatic disorder as a consequence of low-grade systemic inflammation, attributed to upregulated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6). This in turn is associated with a reduced incretin effect with lower circulatory GLP-1 levels. Therefore, its important to monitor the circulating IL-6 and GLP-1 levels for better management and outcomes in T2DM patients.

Punctate inner choroiditis and choroidal neovascular membrane formation following vitreoretinal surgery: A case report.

Purpose: To report a case of punctate inner choroiditis (PIC) and subsequent choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) development in a young, high myope following vitreoretinal surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Case Description: A 44-year-old male with high myopia underwent pars plana vitrectomy for subtotal retinal detachment in the left eye, followed by cataract extraction and silicone oil removal. Three years postoperatively, he presented with blurred vision, and fundus examination revealed PIC lesions at the posterior pole.