Factors Associated With Nasogastric Tube Placement-Related Complications in a Single Academic Medical Center.

Objective: At our 710-bed academic medical center, nine (9) patients sustained injuries during nasogastric (NG) tube insertion attempts over a 16-month period (March 2021-July 2022). No injuries were reported during the comparable period before these events. This increase in reported events prompted an in-depth analysis to determine the root causes and implement a process improvement plan.

Loss of TRPV2-mediated blood flow autoregulation recapitulates diabetic retinopathy in rats.

Loss of retinal blood flow autoregulation is an early feature of diabetes that precedes the development of clinically recognizable diabetic retinopathy (DR). Retinal blood flow autoregulation is mediated by the myogenic response of the retinal arterial vessels, a process that is initiated by the stretch‑dependent activation of TRPV2 channels on the retinal vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Here, we show that the impaired myogenic reaction of retinal arterioles from diabetic animals is associated with a complete loss of stretch‑dependent TRPV2 current activity on the retinal VSMCs.

Assessment of Lung Structure and Regional Function Using 0.55 T MRI in Patients With Lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

Objectives: Contemporary lower-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may offer advantages for lung imaging by virtue of the improved field homogeneity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of lower-field MRI for combined morphologic imaging and regional lung function assessment. We evaluate low-field MRI in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare lung disease associated with parenchymal cysts and respiratory failure.

Cisplatin Ototoxicity: Examination of the Impact of Dosing, Infusion Times, and Schedules In Pediatric Cancer Patients.

Background: Sensorineural hearing loss is a well-known side effect of cisplatin (CDDP). There is limited research on the effect of dosing, infusion times, and schedules of cisplatin administration and their impact on hearing loss.

Methods: A retrospective review of 993 pediatric patients' medical and audiological charts from August 1990 to March 2015 was conducted using stringent inclusion criteria to characterize patients with hearing loss.

A comparison of cine CMR imaging at 0.55 T and 1.5 T.

Background: There is a renewed interest in lower field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), due to their favorable physical properties, reduced costs, and increased accessibility to patients with implants. We sought to assess the diagnostic capabilities of high-performance low-field (0.55 T) CMR imaging for quantification of right and left ventricular volumes and systolic function in both healthy subjects and patients referred for clinical CMR.

Determinants of quality prostate cancer survivorship care across the primary and specialty care interface: Lessons from the Veterans Health Administration.

Background: With over 3 million US prostate cancer survivors, ensuring high-quality, coordinated cancer survivorship care is important. However, implementation of recommended team-based cancer care has lagged, and determinants of quality care across primary and specialty care remain unclear. Guided by the theoretical domains framework (TDF), we explored multidisciplinary determinants of quality survivorship care in an integrated delivery system.

Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Ischemic Stroke Patients Undergoing Computed Tomography Angiography: CINISter Study.

Goal: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a well-tolerated, noninvasive study of the intracranial vascular circulation; however, contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) has been reported in 5%-7% of patients undergoing CTA. Limited studies have evaluated the risks of CIN in patients undergoing CTA. Our study was designed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for CIN in patients with ischemic stroke who receive a CTA.

Asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss is a risk factor for late-onset hearing loss in pediatric cancer survivors following cisplatin treatment.

Background: Ototoxicity is a significant complication of cisplatin treatment. Hearing loss can be symmetric or asymmetric, and may decline after therapy. This study examined the risks of asymmetric and late-onset hearing loss (LOHL) in cisplatin-treated pediatric patients with cancer.

Special Therapy and Psychosocial Needs Identified in a Multidisciplinary Cancer Predisposition Syndrome Clinic.

Identification of patients with cancer predisposition syndromes (CPSs) can provide vital information to guide care of an existing cancer, survey for future malignancy, and counsel families. The same underlying mutation responsible for a CPS may also result in other phenotypic abnormalities amenable to therapeutic intervention. The purpose of this study was to examine patients followed in our multidisciplinary CPS clinic to determine the prevalence and scope of medical and psychosocial needs.

Electrocardiogram Monitoring After the Food and Drug Administration Warnings for Citalopram: Unheeded Alerts?

Objectives: To evaluate national trends in electrocardiogram (EKG) monitoring in Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiaries prescribed high-dose citalopram before and after the 2011-12 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety warnings.

Design: Interrupted time-series analyses.

Setting: National VA healthcare system data linked to Medicare data for veterans dually eligible for VA and Medicare services.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to the Occipital Place Area Biases Gaze During Scene Viewing.

We can understand viewed scenes and extract task-relevant information within a few hundred milliseconds. This process is generally supported by three cortical regions that show selectivity for scene images: parahippocampal place area (PPA), medial place area (MPA) and occipital place area (OPA). Prior studies have focused on the visual information each region is responsive to, usually within the context of recognition or navigation.

Knowledge and perceptions of infertility in female cancer survivors and their parents.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge and perceptions of infertility, reproductive concerns, quality of life, and emotional burden of fertility concerns in adolescent female cancer survivors and their parents.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to investigate reproductive knowledge and concerns among female childhood cancer survivors and their parents. The instruments administered at a single, routine visit were the 13-item knowledge instrument, Adolescent Fertility Values Clarification Tool (VCT), Impact of Event Scale (IES), and Pediatrics Quality of Life Assessment (PedsQL).

Determining the prevalence of vestibular screening failures in pediatric cancer patients whose therapies include radiation to the head/neck and platin-based therapies: A pilot study.

Background: Sensorineural hearing loss due to ototoxic cancer therapy is well established; effects on the vestibular system are unknown. We examined the feasibility of implementing vestibular screens for pediatric cancer survivors exposed to ototoxic agents. The prevalence of screening failures is reported.

"I've never been able to stay in a job": A qualitative study of Veterans' experiences of maintaining employment.

Background: Ensuring Veteran employment needs are met is a top priority for the Department of Veteran Affairs and the United States government. However, Veterans, especially those with mental health disorders, continue to encounter difficulties when employed. While many employment related programs offer numerous services aimed at helping Veterans gain employment, their ability to maintain long-term employment remains unknown.

Occupational functioning and employment services use among VA primary care patients with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Objective: Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exhibit high levels of unemployment. The Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Health Administration (VHA) offers a variety of employment services; however, few veterans with PTSD use these services. Because many veterans with mental health conditions are seen in primary care clinics, employment service needs may be best addressed in this setting.

Pilot study of enhanced social support with automated telephone monitoring after psychiatric hospitalization for depression.

Background: Following discharge, patients hospitalized for depression are at high risk for poor retention in outpatient care and adverse outcomes.

Aims: Pilot tests a post-hospital monitoring and enhanced support program for depression.

Method: 48 patients at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center discharged following a depression-related inpatient stay received weekly visits or phone calls for 6 months from their choice of either a family member/friend (n = 19) or a certified peer support specialist (n = 29).

Pilot study of psychotherapeutic text messaging for depression.

Background Text messaging services could increase access to psychotherapeutic content for individuals with depression by avoiding barriers to in-person psychotherapy such as cost, transportation, and therapist availability. Determining whether text messages reflecting different psychotherapeutic techniques exhibit differences in acceptability or effectiveness may help guide service development. Objectives We aimed to determine: (1) the feasibility of delivering a psychotherapy-based text messaging service to people with depression identified via the internet, (2) whether there is variation in satisfaction with messages according to the type of psychotherapeutic technique they represent, and (3) whether symptoms of depression vary according to receipt of each message type and participants' satisfaction with the messages they received.

Employment status, employment functioning, and barriers to employment among VA primary care patients.

Background: Prior research found lower employment rates among working-aged patients who use the VA than among non-Veterans or Veterans who do not use the VA, with the lowest reported employment rates among VA patients with mental disorders. This study assessed employment status, employment functioning, and barriers to employment among VA patients treated in primary care settings, and examined how depression and anxiety were associated with these outcomes.

Methods: The sample included 287 VA patients treated in primary care in a large Midwestern VA Medical Center.

Smoking and Cellular Telephone Use Among Pregnant Women Seeking Prenatal Care: Opportunities for Intervention.

Objectives: Although smoking during pregnancy is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, many women continue to smoke throughout pregnancy. Behavioral interventions for smoking cessation yield modest benefits, particularly in lower socioeconomic groups. Pharmacotherapy, a first-line option for smoking cessation, has not shown clear benefits for pregnant smokers, partly due to limited adherence.

Augmenting Ongoing Depression Care With a Mutual Peer Support Intervention Versus Self-Help Materials Alone: A Randomized Trial.

Objective: Various models of peer support may be implemented in mental health settings. This randomized trial assessed the effectiveness of a telephone-delivered mutual peer support intervention.

Methods: A total of 443 patients receiving ongoing depression treatment from the U.

Reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections in a neuro-spine intensive care unit.

A collaborative effort reduced catheter-associated urinary tract infections in the neuro-spine intensive care unit where the majority of infections occurred at our institution. Our stepwise approach included retrospective data review, daily rounding with clinicians, developing and implementing an action plan, conducting practice audits, and sharing of real-time data outcomes. The catheter-associated urinary tract infection rate was reduced from 8.