Cardiac changes in collegiate athletes following SARS-CoV-2 infection and quarantine: a prospective Case-Control study.

Objective: Athletes are susceptible to acute respiratory tract infections, including SARS-CoV-2, which can affect cardiovascular function. We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infection and quarantine on cardiac function in male and female collegiate athletes.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, prospective, case-control study and performed transthoracic echocardiography in a diverse group of convalescent SARS-CoV-2-positive athletes following a 10-14-day quarantine, matched to non-SARS-CoV-2 athletes.

A Case Series of Diverse Cardiac Abnormalities in Collegiate Athlete with COVID-19: Role for Multimodality Imaging.

Introduction: Since the COVID-19 pandemic there is concern for subclinical cardiac pathology in the absence of clinical symptoms in collegiate athletes, we present 4 cases of abnormal left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), a "red-flag" for potential COVID-19 myocardial disease, following diagnosis with diverse abnormalities reported via multimodality imaging weeks into recovery.

Methods: Cardiac imaging studies consisting of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) were performed 10 days post-COVID-19 diagnosis and several weeks into recovery.

Results: Initial TTE revealed abnormal left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), an identified "red-flag" for potential COVID-19 myocardial disease.

Molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 and differentiation of Omicron and Delta variant strains.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the causative agent of COVID-19 and has undergone continuous mutations throughout the pandemic. The more transmissible Omicron variant has quickly spread and is replacing the Delta variant as the most prevalent strain globally, including in the United States. A new molecular assay that can detect and differentiate both the Delta and Omicron variants was developed.

Molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 strains and differentiation of Delta variant strains.

The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 has now become the predominant strain in the global COVID-19 pandemic. Strain coverage of some detection assays developed during the early pandemic stages has declined due to periodic mutations in the viral genome. We have developed a real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) for SARS-CoV-2 detection that provides nearly 100% strain coverage, and differentiation of highly transmissible Delta variant strains.

Getting tendinopathy treatment (and terminology) right.

Tendinopathy, tendinitis, tendinosis, paratenonitis-they are not synonymous. Here you'll find a review of their pathophysiology and best approaches to treatment.

Patient Perception of Medical Learners and Medical Education during Clinical Consultation at a Family Medicine Residency.

Introduction: Experience in treating patients under supervision of faculty is an important factor in medical education at all levels. However, unpleasant patient experiences with a medical learner during clinical consultation can damage the relationship between the medical learner, physician supervisor, and patient. A goal of this study was to examine patient experiences and preferences regarding medical learners during clinical consultation at a family medicine residency clinic.

Exploring the Impact of Group Size on Medical Students' Perception of Learning and Professional Development During Clinical Rotations.

Introduction: Research assessing the size of learning groups in medical education and how that affects the learner's experience is limited. The main goals of the study were to (1) assess the effect of varying group size on medical students' subjective experiences during clinical years. We hypothesized that students in smaller groups were more likely to have better experiences during clinical rotation than those in larger groups, and (2) determine if medical students have desirable experiences working with other medical learners (fellows, residents, osteopathic students, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners) during clinical rotations.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, the most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremity, is caused by compression of the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel. Classically, patients with the condition experience pain and paresthesias in the distribution of the median nerve, which includes the palmar aspect of the thumb, index and middle fingers, and radial half of the ring finger. Additional clues include positive physical examination findings, such as the flick sign, Phalen maneuver, and median nerve compression test.

Problems With Large Joints: Hip Conditions.

Common overuse injuries of the hip include greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) and coxa saltans (ie, snapping hip). GTPS, previously called trochanteric bursitis, is a regional chronic pain syndrome. Etiologies include gluteal tendinitis or tendinosis, gluteal muscle or tendon tears, bursitis, meralgia paresthetica, iliotibial band disorders, and referred osteoarthritis pain.

Blood-based biomarkers for traumatic brain injury: evaluation of research approaches, available methods and potential utility from the clinician and clinical laboratory perspectives.

Blood-based biomarkers for traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been investigated and proposed for decades, yet the current clinical assessment of TBI is largely based on clinical symptoms that can vary widely amongst patients, and have significant overlap with unrelated disease states. A careful review of current treatment guidelines for TBI further highlights the potential utility of a blood-based TBI biomarker panel in augmenting clinical decision making. Numerous expert reviews on blood-based TBI biomarkers have been published but a close look at the methods used and the astonishing paucity of validation and quality control data has not been undertaken from the vantage point of the clinical laboratory.