Using Machine Learning to Predict Weight Gain in Adults: an Observational Analysis From the All of Us Research Program.

Introduction: Obesity, defined as a body mass index ≥30 kg/m, is a major public health concern in the United States. Preventative approaches are essential, but they are limited by an inability to accurately predict individuals at highest risk of weight gain. Our objective was to develop accurate weight gain prediction models using the National Institutes of Health All of Us dataset.

Laparoscopic transabdominal vs. totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair: outcomes, healthcare utilization, and cost differences.

Background: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair utilizes either a transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) or totally extraperitoneal (TEP) approach. The literature remains mixed on outcomes comparing TAPP versus TEP. The objective of our study was to assess outcomes, healthcare utilization, and cost differences between TAPP and TEP inguinal hernia repair.

Characterizing the Use of Time-Limited Trials in Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure: A Prospective, Single-Center Observational Study.

Importance: A time-limited trial (TLT) is a collaborative plan among clinicians, patients, and families to use life-sustaining therapy for a defined duration, after which the patient's response informs whether to continue care directed toward recovery or shift the focus toward comfort. TLTs are a promising approach to help navigate uncertainty in critical illness, yet little is known about their current use.

Objectives: To characterize TLT use in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF).

The Equipoise Ruler: A National Survey on Surgeon Judgment About the Value of Surgery.

Objective: To understand professional norms regarding the value of surgery.

Background: Agreed-upon professional norms may improve surgical decision-making by contextualizing the nature of surgical treatment for patients. However, the extent to which these norms exist among surgeons practicing in the United States is not known.

The Manometric Representation of the Upper Esophageal Sphincter During the Resting State: A Descriptive Study.

The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) is the high-pressure zone marking the transition between the hypopharynx and esophagus. There is limited research surrounding the resting UES using pharyngeal high-resolution manometry (HRM) and existing normative data varies widely. This study describes the manometric representation of the resting UES using a clinically accessible method of measurement.

Discussion-based interprofessional education: A positive step toward promoting shared understanding between surgical residents and nurses.

Interprofessional education during medical training may improve communication by promoting collaboration and the development of shared mental models between professions. We implemented a novel discussion-based intervention for surgical residents and nurses to promote mutual understanding of workflows and communication practices. General surgery residents and inpatient nurses from our institution were recruited to participate.

Identifying Patterns in Preoperative Communication about High-Risk Surgical Intervention: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Surgeons are entrusted with providing patients with information necessary for deliberation about surgical intervention. Ideally, surgical consultations generate a shared understanding of the treatment experience and determine whether surgery aligns with a patient's overall health goals. In-depth assessment of communication patterns might reveal opportunities to better achieve these objectives.

The great vessel freeze-out: A meta-analysis of conventional versus frozen elephant trunks in aortic arch surgery.

Background: The optimal treatment strategy for complex aortic arch and proximal descending aortic pathologies remains controversial. Despite the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique's increasing popularity, its use over the conventional elephant trunk (CET) remains a matter of physician preference and outcomes are varied.

Methods: This meta-analysis of available comparative studies of FET versus CET sought to examine differences in survival, reintervention, and adverse events.

The Natural Swallow: Factors Affecting Subject Choice of Bolus Volume and Pharyngeal Swallow Parameters in a Self-selected Swallow.

Predetermined volumes are used extensively throughout clinical assessment of swallowing physiology, but bolus volumes selected by an individual in their natural swallow can vary greatly from those used in structured assessment. This study aims to identify factors influencing self-selected volume and how the mechanics of self-selected volume swallows differ from predetermined volume swallows. We used pharyngeal high-resolution manometry (HRM) with simultaneous videofluoroscopy to measure swallowing pressures in the velopharynx, hypopharynx, and upper esophageal sphincter (UES).

Impact and outcomes of primary cytomegalovirus disease in seronegative abdominal solid organ transplant recipients of cytomegalovirus unexposed donors (D-/R-).

Background: Primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in high-risk (D+/R-) abdominal solid organ transplant recipients (aSOTRs) is well described, however, little is known of primary CMV disease in low-risk (D-/R-) patients.

Methods: Observational study of adult aSOTRs between 1/1/2009 and 9/1/2019 screened based on serostatus at transplant; D-/R- and D+/R- patients were included.

Primary Objective: Describe epidemiology of primary CMV in D-/R- aSOTRs.

Single center results of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Studies have found similar outcomes of Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney transplantation (SPKT) in patients with Type 2 (T2D) and Type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, there are scarce data evaluating the association of recipient factors such as age, BMI, or pretransplant insulin requirements with outcomes, thus the criteria for the optimal recipient selection remains unclear. In this study, 284 T1D and 39 T2D patients, who underwent SPKT between 2006 and 2017 with 1 year of follow-up at minimum, were assessed for potential relationship of pretransplant BMI and insulin requirements with posttransplant diabetes and pancreatic graft failure.