Publications by authors named "Kufera J"

Objectives: To describe the technique and results of a new sagittal plane computed tomography (CT)-based angular measure for predicting stability after posterior wall acetabular fractures (PWF).

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Academic Level II trauma center.

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The latent reservoir for HIV-1 in resting CD4+ T cells persists despite antiretroviral therapy as a barrier to cure. The antigen-driven proliferation of infected cells is a major mechanism of reservoir persistence. However, activation through the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) can induce latent proviruses, leading to viral cytopathic effects and immune clearance.

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Objective: This study aimed to determine whether lower extremity fracture fixation technique and timing (≤24 vs. >24 hours) impact neurologic outcomes in TBI patients.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted across 30 trauma centers.

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Background: Neighborhood location and its built environment are important social determinants of health that impact health outcomes. Older adults (OAs) represent the fastest growing population in the United States with many requiring emergency general surgery procedures (EGSPs). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether neighborhood location, represented by zip code, influences mortality and disposition in OAs undergoing EGSPs in Maryland.

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Background: Surgical rescue (SR) is the recovery of patients with surgical complications. Patients transferred (TP) for surgical diagnoses to higher-level care or inpatients (IP) admitted to nonsurgical services may develop intra-abdominal infection (IAI) and require emergency surgery (ES). The aims were to characterize the SR population by the site of ES consultation, open abdomen (OA), and risk of mortality.

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Article Synopsis
  • Previous studies indicated that older adults are less protected by seat belts against fatal injuries, but this research aims to understand how age affects seat belt protection against severe injuries and torso injuries.
  • Using data from the Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System, researchers analyzed the effectiveness of seat belts for different age groups in reducing risks of fatal injuries, severe injuries (MAIS 3+), and torso injuries through a matched cohort design.
  • Findings revealed that while seat belts significantly reduce the risk of fatal injuries for all ages, their effectiveness in preventing serious injuries and torso injuries decreases as age increases, with notably lower protection for those aged 75 and older.
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Antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectively inhibits HIV-1 replication but is not curative due to the persistence of a latent viral reservoir in resting CD4+ T cells. This reservoir is a major barrier to cure. Sequencing studies have revealed that the population of proviruses persisting in ART-treated individuals is dominated by defective proviruses that cannot give rise to viral rebound due to fatal defects including large deletions and APOBEC3-mediated hypermutation.

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Objective: Seat belt usage has increased substantially since the 1960s, yet driver use continues to affect passenger usage. Recent observational restraint use findings for Maryland will examine the relationship between driver and passenger usage, including adults and children in the rear seat.

Methods: Analyses were based on observational front and rear seat studies administered in parallel from 2016 to 2019.

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Background: Older adults (OAs; ≥ 65 years) comprise a growing population in the United States and are anticipated to require an increasing number of emergency general surgery procedures (EGSPs). The aims of this study were to identify the frequency of EGSPs and compare cost of care in OAs managed at teaching hospitals (THs) vs nonteaching hospitals (NTHs).

Methods: A retrospective review of data from the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission database from 2009 to 2018 for OAs undergoing EGSPs was undertaken.

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Background: The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) has developed a grading system for emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions. We sought to validate the AAST EGS grades for patients undergoing urgent/emergent colorectal resection.

Methods: Patients enrolled in the "Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Multicenter Colorectal Resection in EGS-to anastomose or not to anastomose" study undergoing urgent/emergent surgery for obstruction, ischemia, or diverticulitis were included.

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Background: Stroke risk factors after blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) are ill-defined. We hypothesized that factors associated with stroke for BCVI would include medical therapy (i.e.

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Background: Older adults (OAs) 65 years of age, representing the fastest growing segment in the United States, are anticipated to require a greater percentage of emergency general surgery procedures (EGSPs) with an associated increase in health care costs. The aims of this study were to identify the frequency of EGSP and charges incurred by OA compared to their younger counterparts in the state of Maryland.

Methods: A retrospective review of the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission from 2009 to 2018 was undertaken.

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Objective: Emergency general surgery (EGS) patients presenting with sepsis remain a challenge. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommends a 30 mL/kg fluid bolus in these patients, but recent studies suggest an association between large volume crystalloid resuscitation and increased mortality. The optimal amount of pre-operative fluid resuscitation prior to source control in patients with intra-abdominal sepsis is unknown.

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Background: Critical care ultrasound (CCUS) is essential in modern practice, with CCUS including cardiac and noncardiac ultrasound. The most effective CCUS training is unknown, with a diverse skill set and knowledge needed for competence. The objective of this project was to evaluate the effect of a surgical intensivist-led training program on CCUS competence in critical care fellows.

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Objective: Evidence comparing stoma creation (STM) versus anastomosis after urgent or emergent colorectal resection is limited. This study examined outcomes after colorectal resection in emergency general surgery patients.

Methods: This was an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma-sponsored prospective observational multicenter study of patients undergoing urgent/emergent colorectal resection.

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Background: Many states have legalized casino gambling, and casinos create increased vehicle traffic, but the strength of the association between casino construction and vehicle crashes is unknown.

Methods: Retrospective analyses of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) occurring within Anne Arundel County, Maryland (2010-2014) were conducted. The ratio of crashes within one mile of the casino's location after it was opened were compared to the ratio occurring in the same area before it was opened to determine how the incidence of MVCs near the casino changed with time.

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Introduction: Methylprednisolone has been used for acute respiratory distress syndrome with variable results. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use in acute respiratory distress syndrome has increased. Occasionally, both are used.

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Article Synopsis
  • Hospitalizations for peptic ulcer disease (PUD) in Maryland have decreased from 2009 to 2014, but the need for surgical procedures to treat PUD complications has remained stable.
  • There was a rise in the percentage of hospitalized patients undergoing procedures, with 31.5% of admissions involving interventions like endoscopy and surgery.
  • Despite advancements in medical treatments, 30% of patients experienced in-hospital complications and there was an inpatient mortality rate of 2.2%, highlighting the need for continued surgical training for residents managing PUD cases.
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In the past 30 years, opioid prescription rates have quadrupled and hospital admissions for overdose are rising. Previous studies have focused on alcohol use and trauma recidivism, however rarely evaluating recidivism and opioid use. We hypothesized there is an association between opioid use and trauma recidivism.

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Background: Fatality rates following penetrating traumatic brain injury (pTBI) are extremely high and survivors are often left with significant disability. Infection following pTBI is associated with worse morbidity. The modern rates of central nervous system infections (INF) in civilian survivors are unknown.

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Present literature seems to support the nonoperative management of penetrating renal trauma although data remain limited. We conducted a nine-year retrospective review of nonoperative operative management and mechanism of injury [stab wound (SW) gunshot wound (GSW)] among patients admitted with penetrating renal trauma. Of 203 patients, the median age was 24 years, with the majority being male and having GSW injuries.

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A stable latent reservoir for HIV-1 in resting CD4 T cells is the principal barrier to a cure. Curative strategies that target the reservoir are being tested and require accurate, scalable reservoir assays. The reservoir was defined with quantitative viral outgrowth assays for cells that release infectious virus after one round of T cell activation.

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Background: Clinical frailty scores usually involve questionnaires or physical testing. Many trauma patients are not able to participate in these. Radiographic measurement of frailty may be a viable alternative.

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Background: Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are highly morbid infections often requiring critical care and transfusion support. We explored a large 2-year experience from a regional trauma center with a dedicated soft tissue service (STS) in an attempt to identify factors in current care with potential for improving outcomes for these critically ill patients.

Methods: New adult (>17 years) STS admissions, 2008-2009, were identified from the Trauma Registry.

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The use of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) in adults with respiratory failure has steadily increased during the past decade. Recent literature has demonstrated variable outcomes with the use of extended ECMO. The purpose of this study is to evaluate survival to hospital discharge in patients with extended ECMO runs compared with patients with short ECMO runs at a tertiary care ECMO referral center.

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