Nephroprotective Potential of 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Derivative Against Methotrexate-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats by Upregulating Nrf2 and Downregulating NF-κB and TNF-α Signaling Pathways.

Nephrotoxicity is a prominent complication of methotrexate (MTX) therapy that limits clinicians in its extensive use. MTX triggers oxidative burden and inflammation, so the nephroprotective potential of the synthetic derivative of 1,3,4-oxadiazole (5b) was explored in this research. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups i.

Expression of β-Catenin in Salivary Gland Tumors.

Introduction: Salivary gland tumors are an important group of neoplasms in the head and neck region. This study aims to assess the significance of β-catenin expression in both benign and malignant salivary gland tumors.

Materials And Methods: We included 80 reported cases of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors and employed β-catenin stain on tumor blocks.

Clinical Performance of an N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Assay in Acute Heart Failure Diagnosis.

Background: We evaluated the Vitros® Immunodiagnostic Products N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) II assay for aiding in diagnosis of heart failure (HF) in patients with acute dyspnea.

Methods: Serum concentrations of NT-proBNP were measured in patient samples from 20 emergency departments across the United States. Study endpoints included sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and predictive values for diagnosis of acute HF according to age-stratified cutoffs (450, 900, and 1800 pg/mL), and a rule-out age-independent cutoff (300 pg/mL).

Long COVID Illness: Disparities in Understanding and Receipt of Care in Emergency Department Populations.

Study Objective: Most long coronavirus disease (long COVID) studies rely on traditional surveillance methods that miss underserved populations who use emergency departments (EDs) as their primary health care source. In medically underserved ED populations, we sought to determine (1) whether there are gaps in awareness and self-declared understanding about long COVID illness, and (2) the prevalence, impact on school/work attendance, and receipt of care for long COVID symptoms.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, convenience sample survey study of adult patients at 11 geographically representative US EDs from December 2022 to October 2023.

Extra-Adrenal Paraganglioma on Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology: A Case Series.

Paragangliomas (PGs) are rare tumors that most commonly occur in the head and neck region and along the sympathetic chain. Fine-needle aspiration cytology is not commonly used for the diagnosis of PG due to the potential risk of hemorrhage and hypertensive crisis. As a result, limited studies describe the cytological features of PGs.

Intravenous Acetaminophen Versus Ketorolac for Prehospital Analgesia: A Retrospective Data Review.

Background: Parenteral ketorolac and intravenous (IV) acetaminophen have been used for prehospital analgesia, yet limited data exist on their comparative effectiveness.

Study Objectives: To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of IV acetaminophen and parenteral ketorolac for analgesia in the prehospital setting.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional evaluation of patients receiving IV acetaminophen or parenteral ketorolac for pain management in a large suburban EMS system between 1/1/2019 and 11/30/2021.

Effects of Serum Potassium on Mortality in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Introduction: Disturbances in potassium levels can induce ventricular arrhythmias and heighten mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study evaluates the influence of sK levels on seven-day mortality and incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in STEMI patients to further improve clinical guidelines and outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective, propensity-matched study analyzed approximately 250,000 acute STEMI patients from 55 major academic medical centers/healthcare organizations (HCOs) in the US Collaborative Network of the TriNetX database.

Promotion of Influenza Vaccination in the Emergency Department.

Background: Influenza vaccine uptake is low among underserved populations whose primary health care access occurs in emergency departments. We sought to determine whether implementation of two interventions would increase 30-day influenza vaccine uptake in unvaccinated patients in the emergency department.

Methods: This three-group, prospective, cluster-randomized controlled trial compared two interventions with a control group in noncritically ill, adult patients in the emergency department who were not vaccinated for influenza in the current vaccine season.

Tobacco use among in-school young adolescents in Indonesia: Exploring availability, affordability, and accessibility.

The research on Indonesian adolescents' perception of tobacco control in schools is limited. This study aimed to explore the availability, affordability, and accessibility of tobacco among young adolescents in Yogyakarta Municipality, Indonesia, with a focus on advocating for school teenagers. Focus groups, comprising participants from diverse backgrounds and stakeholders, were conducted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, to systematically collect varied data.

Hepatic Angiomyolipoma With Predominant Lipomatous Component: A Rare Entity.

Hepatic angiomyolipoma (HAML) is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor with varying amounts of mature adipose tissue, smooth muscle cells, and thick-walled blood vessels. We present a rare case of hepatic angiomyolipoma (AML) with predominant lipomatous components. A 42-year-old female presented to the hospital with pain in the right lumbar region.

Predicting aggressive behavior in psychiatric patients in emergency department: A systematic literature review.

Introduction: Aggression and violence are major concerns in emergency departments (EDs), and have negative consequences for patient and staff health and safety. Few validated tools exist for identifying patients at risk of agitation. This study conducted a systematic literature review to identify and summarize the scores that predict aggressive behavior in EDs.

Diagnostic and prognostic performance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in acute coronary syndromes: A meta-analysis of 90 studies including 45 990 patients.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality worldwide and is likely to rise. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is consequent on inflammation. As a common and cost-effective inflammatory biomarker, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may be beneficial in cardiovascular medicine.

Sex-specific disparities in COVID-19 outcomes.

Objectives: Sex-specific disparities in morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 illness are not well understood. Neutralizing antibodies (Ab) may protect against severe COVID-19 illness. We investigated the association of sex with disease progression and SARS-CoV-2 Ab response.

Clinical evaluation of a fully electronic microfluidic white blood cell analyzer.

The White Blood Cell (WBC) count is one of the key parameters signaling the health of the immune system. Abnormal WBC counts often signal a systemic insult to the body such as an underlying infection or an adverse side effect to medication. Typically, the blood collected is sent to a central lab for testing, and results come back within hours, which is often inconvenient and may delay time-sensitive diagnosis or treatment.

The Prognostic Role of Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the potential prognostic role of the platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratio in patients presenting with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS). A systematic search of PubMed Central, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from conception through 20 August 2023 was conducted. We used odds ratios (OR) as the effect measure with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dichotomous data and mean differences (MD) with a 95% CI for continuous data.

Uncovering the effects of COVID-19 on in-hospital cardiac arrest - a living systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction And Objective: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a global pandemic and had a negative impact on the entire health care system. To understand the effect of COVID-19 on outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA), a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies was designed to compare the pre- and intra-pandemic periods of adult patients who suffered cardiac arrest, and additionally by performing a sub-analysis related to COVID-19 positive vs. negative patients in the same group of patients.

A rare case of asymptomatic Paget's disease of the skull in a 60-year-old Asian female.

Background And Aim: Paget's disease of the bone refers to a chronic cumulative disorder characterized by enhanced osteoclastic function followed by a secondary surge in osteoblastic activity. The condition can manifest as a polyostotic or monostotic bone disease with most patients having an asymptomatic presentation, although some may complain of pain localized to the affected bone while others express symptoms of nerve compression. A pagetic bone is predisposed to develop pathological fractures, bony deformities, and a rare yet detrimental transformation into osteosarcoma.

Patiromer utility as an adjunct treatment in patients needing urgent hyperkalaemia management (PLATINUM): design of a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study.

Introduction: Hyperkalaemia is common, life-threatening and often requires emergency department (ED) management; however, no standardised ED treatment protocol exists. Common treatments transiently reducing serum potassium (K) (including albuterol, glucose and insulin) may cause hypoglycaemia. We outline the design and rationale of the Patiromer Utility as an Adjunct Treatment in Patients Needing Urgent Hyperkalaemia Management (PLATINUM) study, which will be the largest ED randomised controlled hyperkalaemia trial ever performed, enabling assessment of a standardised approach to hyperkalaemia management, as well as establishing a new evaluation parameter (net clinical benefit) for acute hyperkalaemia treatment investigations.

Prehospital Treatment of Benzodiazepine-Resistant Pediatric Status Epilepticus with Parenteral Ketamine: A Case Series.

We report the initial six pediatric patients treated with ketamine for benzodiazepine-resistant status epilepticus in an urban, ground-based emergency medical services (EMS) system. Evidence for ketamine as a second-line agent for both adult and pediatric refractory seizure activity in the hospital setting has increased over the past decade. The availability of an inexpensive and familiar second-line prehospital anti-epileptic drug option is extremely desirable.