Rib Fracture Mortality: Are There Clues in the Core?

Background: Sarcopenia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in the trauma patient. The primary objective of this study was to determine the relationship of psoas cross sectional area with hospital mortality in patients with rib fractures over the age of 55 years.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1223 patients presenting to a Level 1 Trauma Center between 1/1/2002 and 1/31/2019.

Sumping's Up: A Multidisciplinary Educational Initiative on Gastric Drainage Tubes.

Background: Nasogastric tube placement is widely taught, and tube maintenance relies on astute nursing care with adherence to both institutional and evidence-based recommendations. However, precise adherence to current recommendations relies on knowledge base regarding the identification of malfunctioning gastric drainage tubes. Troubleshooting skills are crucial in maintaining patient safety and recognizing malfunction.

The impact of the repeal of Michigan's universal helmet law on traumatic brain injury: A statewide analysis.

Background: In April of 2012, Michigan repealed its 35-year-old universal motorcycle helmet law in favor of a partial helmet law, which permits motorcyclists older than 21 years old with sufficient insurance and experience to drive un-helmeted. We evaluated the clinical impact of the repeal.

Methods: The Michigan Trauma Quality Improvement Program's trauma database was queried for motorcycle crash patients between 1/1/09-4/12/12 and between 4/13/12-12/31/14.

Genotypic differences in the Chlamydia pneumoniae tyrP locus related to vascular tropism and pathogenicity.

Chlamydia pneumoniae is an obligate intracellular pathogen that causes respiratory infections and has been associated with cardiovascular disease. We compared respiratory and cardiovascular isolates to find genetic differences associated with pathogenicity. A polymorphic region encoding a tyrosine/tryptophan permease was found to differ between disease isolates.

Dendritic cells pulsed with a recombinant chlamydial major outer membrane protein antigen elicit a CD4(+) type 2 rather than type 1 immune response that is not protective.

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that infects the oculogenital mucosae. C. trachomatis infection of the eye causes trachoma, the leading cause of preventable blindness.