Trends in Iatrogenic Error-Related Mortality in the US From 1999 to 2020: Age-Period-CohortAnalysis.

Introduction: There is a noticeable lack of information on iatrogenic error (IE)-related deaths in the United States. To address this, we conducted a retrospective analysis examining temporal, regional, urbanization, and age-related trends in IE-related mortality from 1999 to 2020.

Methods: Utilizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database, we identified crude and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per 100,000 persons.

Dose by design: How limits on nicotine flux and puff duration affect the abuse liability of electronic nicotine delivery systems.

Introduction: Electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) product standards for nicotine flux (nicotine emitted/second), combined with limiting puff duration, could control nicotine dose and support ENDS regulations. We assessed behavioral and subjective abuse liability indices for ENDS varying in nicotine flux with fixed puff duration among people who smoke.

Methods: This within-subjects study included 32 adults who smoked cigarettes.

Assessment of Long-Term Pulmonary Function and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent respiratory condition portrayed by persistent airflow limitation and correlated symptoms. Despite advances in treatment, COPD remains a significant global health burden, necessitating ongoing research to understand its long-standing impact on pulmonary function and quality of life (QoL).

Methods: This longitudinal research enrolled 200 COPD and followed them over a 5-year period.

Predictors of attrition in a randomized controlled trial of an electronic nicotine delivery system among people interested in cigarette smoking reduction.

Background: Mitigating attrition is a key component to reduce selection bias in longitudinal randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Few studies of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) allow for the examination of long-term retention. This analysis explores the relationship between attrition, baseline measures, and condition assigned for a RCT involving ENDS differing in nicotine delivery over a 24-week intervention period.

Impact of Smoking Cessation Motivations and Barriers on Quit Intentions Following a Hypothetical Flavor Ban Among African American/Black Individuals Who Use Menthol Cigarettes: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Introduction: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed banning cigarettes and cigars with characterizing flavors-products used disproportionately by African American/black (AA/B) individuals. Little is known about how AA/B individuals who smoke menthol cigarettes will respond to flavor bans or how to amplify the intended benefits. This study explored predictors of quit intentions following a hypothetical flavor ban and further probed anticipated ban-related responses.

Initial evidence of the acute effect of electronic nicotine delivery system use on energy intake.

Previous work has aimed to disentangle the acute effects of nicotine and smoking on appetite with mixed findings. Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have yet to be examined in this regard despite evidence of use for weight control. The present study tested the influence of an ENDS on acute energy intake and associated subjective effects.

A systematic review of disparities in the medical management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in females.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. Medical management of known modifiable risk factors, such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes, is a key aspect to its treatment. Unfortunately, there are substantial sex-based differences in the treatment of ASCVD that result in poor medical management and worse clinical outcomes.

Efficacy and optimal dose of acetic acid to treat colonised burns wounds: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Despite of recent advancement in the burns wound management, burn wound infection (BWI) is still one of the major cause of burns mortality. Patients who survive their burns injury still suffers from BWI related complication like delayed wound healing and poor scarring. BWI has been treated by application of topical antimicrobial agents or systemic antibiotics.

SMOOTH protocol: A pilot randomised prospective intra-patient single-blinded observational study for examining the mechanistic basis of ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser therapy in treating hypertrophic scarring.

Background: Burn injuries are the fourth most common type of trauma and are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The impact of burn injury is clinically significant as burn injuries often give rise to exuberant scarring. Hypertrophic scarring (HTS) is a particular concern as up to 70% of burns patients develop HTS.

Overcoming Challenges: Doxycycline as an Alternative Treatment for Hyponatremia in Managing Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Anti-diuretic Hormone (SIADH) in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC): A Case Report.

Hyponatremia, a common complication in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), can arise from various causes such as cancer itself, its treatment, paraneoplastic syndrome-induced SIADH secretion (syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion), and brain metastasis. While fluid restriction is the initial approach, refractory cases require pharmacological intervention in managing hyponatremia secondary to SIADH. This case report presents doxycycline as an alternative treatment option for a patient with refractory hyponatremia and SCLC with brain metastases, resulting in improved serum sodium levels.

Maintenance and Salvage of Hemodialysis Access.

Many end-stage kidney failure patients require hemodialysis as a life-sustaining treatment. Hemodialysis access via arteriovenous fistula or graft creation is preferred over long-term dialysis catheters, but intervention to maintain patency and prevent access failure is common. Endovascular and open surgical techniques are both utilized to address the underlying etiology of failure.

Material Extrusion 3D Printing (ME3DP) Process Simulations of Polymeric Porous Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering.

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is an active area of research for bone defect treatment. Some polymeric materials have recently gained adequate attention as potential materials for BTE applications, as they are biocompatible, biodegradable, inexpensive, lightweight, easy to process, and recyclable. Polyetherimide (PEI), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polyamide-12 (PA12) are potential biocompatible materials for biomedical applications due to their excellent physical, chemical, and mechanical properties.

A Multi-centre Experience of Trans-abdominal Chorionic Villus Sampling in Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the safety and outcomes of trans-abdominal chorionic villus sampling technique.

Study Design: Observational study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PNS Shifa Karachi, Pak-Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi and CMH Lahore, from 2005-2020.

Technological Innovation, Sustainable Green Practices and SMEs Sustainable Performance in Times of Crisis (COVID-19 pandemic).

COVID-19 restrictions significantly affected SMEs, which have faced many challenges to their sustainability within this fragile new environment. This study proposes a holistic framework of sustainable performance by interrelating factors showing robust associations to produce this effect' for achieving sustainable performance in SMEs, through integrating the Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) and Resource Based View (RBV) models, to test how sustainable green practices can process the TOE factors when affecting sustainable performance. The research focuses on SMEs with worldwide employees and involves data collected from a range of different employees belonging to four different managerial levels.

Antibacterial and in vivo toxicological studies of BiO/CuO/GO nanocomposite synthesized via cost effective methods.

In this research work, BiO, BiO/GO and BiO/CuO/GO nanocomposites have been synthesized via an eco-friendly green synthesis technique, solgel route and co-precipitation method respectively for the assessment of antibacterial activity as well as in vivo toxicity. The XRD patterns confirm the formation of BiO, BiO/GO and BiO/CuO/GO nanocomposites showing monoclinic structures. Crystallite size and lattice strain are calculated by Scherrer equation, Scherrer plot and Willimson Hall plot methods.

Clinical outcomes following neurolysis and porcine collagen extracellular matrix wrapping of scarred nerves in revision carpal tunnel decompression.

Scar tether after primary nerve decompression can impair physiological nerve glide and vascularity of the nerve. Revision decompression in the setting of neurostenalgia should address the scarred mesoneurium in order to prevent further entrapment and tether. This study reports on the clinical outcomes of 12 patients with neurostenalgia following carpal tunnel decompression (CTD), treated with revision CTD and a porcine submucosa extracellular matrix nerve wrap (PECM) (Axoguard® nerve protector, Axogen Inc.

Comparative expression of soluble, active human kinases in specialized bacterial strains.

Kinases act as molecular switches for cellular functions and are involved in multiple human pathogeneses, most notably cancer. There is a continuous need for soluble and active kinases for in-vitro drug discovery and structural biology purposes. Kinases remain challenging to express using Escherichia coli, the most widely utilized host for heterologous expression.