A Unique Case of Cryptococcus and Histoplasmosis Co-infection in an HIV-negative Male on Chronic Steroid Therapy.

Histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis are systemic fungal diseases frequently encountered in immunocompromised hosts, particularly in patients with HIV/AIDS with low CD4 counts. However, co-infection with histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis is an uncommon clinical scenario, hence carrying the risk of under diagnosis by medical professionals. For instance, when one infection is identified, most health professionals will have a low suspicion for an additional co-infection.

Concurrent Cardiac Tamponade and Superior Vena Cava Syndrome: A Concerning Situation.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most commonly diagnosed lymphoma; as per the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database 2006-2015, incidence of DLBCL is 7.0/100,000 per year. Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome and cardiac tamponade are life-threatening oncological emergencies with an overlap in clinical manifestations.

A Rare Case of an Infectious Pseudoaneurysm due to Aspergillus flavus in the Setting of Renal Transplant.

Renal transplant as a treatment option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is becoming increasingly prevalent. As with any other surgical intervention, complications may occur, including vascular ones. Pseudoaneurysms are particularly rare, with mycotic aneurysms reported in less than 1% of patients after renal transplant.

Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome Associated Thrombocytopenia in a Patient with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: A Rare Hematological Manifestation.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated thrombocytopenia was commonly encountered in the era prior to the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART). With the widespread use of ART, its incidence has significantly declined. Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is an immune dysregulation phenomenon that reveals itself clinically as paradoxical deterioration after the commencement of ART in HIV infected patients.

Infective Endocarditis Presenting as Bilateral Orbital Cellulitis: An Unusual Case.

Orbital cellulitis is a severe and sight-threatening infection of orbital tissues posterior to the orbital septum. The most common causes of orbital cellulitis are rhinosinusitis, orbital trauma, and surgery. Infective endocarditis (IE) is a systemic infection that begins on cardiac valves and spreads by means of the bloodstream to peripheral organs.

Importance Of Thorough Physical Examination: A Lost Art.

Several recent studies have described a deterioration in physical examination skills among modern physicians. Reasons hypothesized for this change are improvements in technology and time constraints. Poor physical exam skills are a noteworthy threat to patient safety as they can lead to incorrect as well as missed diagnoses, causing delays in timely implementation of life-saving treatments.

Pancreatitis in the Setting of Vaso-occlusive Sickle Cell Crisis: A Rare Encounter.

Acute pancreatitis is a common cause of acute abdominal pain. Gallstones and alcohol abuse account for the majority of the cases. Pancreatic ischemia is an uncommon but established cause of pancreatitis associated with connective tissue diseases, vasculitis, and shock.

Understanding Patient Perceptions of Hypertension for Optimal Management in a Student-Run Free Clinic.

The burden of hypertension (HTN) is disproportionately high among adults with low socio-economic status. Our objective was to examine the knowledge, attitudes and barriers related to HTN among this cohort. Using a mixed-methods approach, we interviewed twenty adults at a student-run safety-net health clinic.

Septic Shock Secondary to a Urinary Tract Infection with Pediococcus Pentosaceus.

We present a case of a urinary tract infection secondary to Pediococcus pentosaceus causing septic shock and acute kidney injury in a 70-year-old male. We demonstrate successful treatment with a 10-day course of piperacillin/tazobactam. Recently, Pediococci have been found to be the cause of opportunistic infections in humans.

Association of health self-empowerment with health-promoting behaviors among chronically ill African American and non- Hispanic White adolescents.

Objective: Health Self-Empowerment Theory (health motivation, health self-efficacy, health self-praise, and active coping) was examined as a predictor of levels of engagement in four health-promoting behaviors (health responsibility behaviors, regular exercise, healthy eating, and stress management behaviors) among low-income African American adolescents and non-Hispanic White American adolescents living with at least one chronic illness.

Methods: Eighty-seven participants completed measures of the Health Self-Empowerment Theory variables and of level of engagement in each of the four health-promoting behaviors.

Results: Regression analyses revealed that the combined Health Self-Empowerment Theory variables significantly predicted level of engagement in the four examined health-promoting behaviors.

The effect of lecture and a standardized patient encounter on medical student rape myth acceptance and attitudes toward screening patients for a history of sexual assault.

Background: Most physicians fail to routinely screen patients for a history of sexual assault.

Purposes: This study aimed to gauge medical student support for routinely screening patients for a history of sexual assault, examine potential barriers to screening, and determine if attitudes can be changed through educational interventions.

Methods: One hundred three 2nd-year medical students completed a survey before and after a lecture on sexual assault (response rate = 94/103 and 90/103, respectively).

Comparing interpersonal interactions with a virtual human to those with a real human.

This paper provides key insights into the construction and evaluation of interpersonal simulators--systems that enable interpersonal interaction with virtual humans. Using an interpersonal simulator, two studies were conducted that compare interactions with a virtual human to interactions with a similar real human. The specific interpersonal scenario employed was that of a medical interview.

Punding as a complication of brain stem stroke?: report of a case.

Background And Purpose: Stereotyped motor behaviors, known as "punding," originally described among amphetamine abusers have only recently been reported in Parkinson disease associated with both pro-(eg, levodopa) or anti-(eg, quetiapine) dopaminergic therapy. We describe a non-Parkinson disease case of nonpharmacologically induced punding as a complication of a brain stem cardiovascular accident.

Summary Of Case: A 54-year-old man, after an episode of brain stem cardiovascular accident secondary to basilar artery thrombosis, was noted to endlessly purchase and hoard food items and to write, copy and organize recipes.