South Asia's COVID-19 History and Surveillance: Updated Epidemiological Assessment.

Background: This study updates our findings from the COVID-19 pandemic surveillance we first conducted in South Asia in 2020 with 2 additional years of data for the region. We assess whether COVID-19 had transitioned from pandemic to endemic at the point the World Health Organization (WHO) ended the public health emergency status for COVID-19 on May 5, 2023.

Objective: First, we aim to measure whether there was an expansion or contraction in the pandemic in South Asia around the WHO declaration.

Surveillance Metrics and History of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Central Asia: Updated Epidemiological Assessment.

Background: This study updates the COVID-19 pandemic surveillance in Central Asia we conducted during the first year of the pandemic by providing 2 additional years of data for the region. The historical context provided through additional data can inform regional preparedness and early responses to infectious outbreaks of either the SARS-CoV-2 virus or future pathogens in Central Asia.

Objective: First, we aim to measure whether there was an expansion or contraction in the pandemic in Central Asia when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the public health emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic on May 5, 2023.

Updated Surveillance Metrics and History of the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2023) in Sub-Saharan Africa: Longitudinal Trend Analysis.

Background: This study updates the initial COVID-19 pandemic surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) from 2020 by providing 2 additional years of data for the region.

Objective: First, we aimed to measure whether there was an expansion or contraction in the pandemic in SSA when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an end to the public health emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic on May 5, 2023. Second, we used dynamic and genomic surveillance methods to describe the history of the pandemic in the region and situate the window of the WHO declaration within the broader history.

Updated Surveillance Metrics and History of the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2023) in Latin America and the Caribbean: Longitudinal Trend Analysis.

Background: In May 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 40% of worldwide COVID-19-related deaths at the time. This high disease burden was a result of the unique circumstances in LAC.

Objective: This study aimed to (1) measure whether the pandemic was expanding or contracting in LAC when the WHO declared the end of COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern on May 5, 2023; (2) use dynamic and genomic surveillance methods to describe the history of the pandemic in the region and situate the window of the WHO declaration within the broader history; and (3) provide, with a focus on prevention policies, a historical context for the course of the pandemic in the region.

Updated Surveillance Metrics and History of the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2023) in Europe: Longitudinal Trend Analysis.

Background: In this study, we built upon our initial research published in 2020 by incorporating an additional 2 years of data for Europe. We assessed whether COVID-19 had shifted from the pandemic to endemic phase in the region when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the public health emergency of international concern on May 5, 2023.

Objective: We first aimed to measure whether there was an expansion or contraction in the pandemic in Europe at the time of the WHO declaration.

Updated Surveillance Metrics and History of the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2023) in the Middle East and North Africa: Longitudinal Trend Analysis.

Background: This study updates the COVID-19 pandemic surveillance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) we first conducted in 2020 with 2 additional years of data for the region.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine whether the MENA region meets the criteria for moving from a pandemic to endemic. In doing so, this study considers pandemic trends, dynamic and genomic surveillance methods, and region-specific historical context for the pandemic.

Social Media Posts About Carpal Tunnel Release: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Patient and Surgeon Perspectives.

Background: Social media provides an increasingly popular, unfiltered source of perspectives on healthcare. The objective of this study is to characterize the landscape of social media posts regarding carpal tunnel release (CTR).

Methods: Content was queried from Instagram between February 2, 2019 to August 12, 2021 using the hashtags #carpaltunnelrelease and #carpaltunnelsurgery.

Immediate Plastic Surgery Intervention after Soft Tissue Sarcoma Resection: Examining Wound Healing, Readmission, and Reoperation.

Unlabelled: Many orthopedic and surgical oncologists use a multidisciplinary approach to soft tissue sarcoma (STS) resection. This study assesses the role of immediate plastic surgeon involvement during index soft tissue sarcoma resection.

Methods: Adult patients who underwent index STS resection between 2005 and 2018 were queried from an institutional database.

An Investment in Knowledge: Personal Finance Education for Medical Students.

The financial burden of pursuing a medical education continues to grow, with the average medical student now owing over $240,000 in total student loan debt by the time they graduate. This burden peaks at a time when trainees are making some of the most consequential decisions of their careers. Additionally, many students are simultaneously making important financial decisions related to personal aspirations, all before a drastic change in earning potential once they begin practicing as attending physicians.

Kinematic Alignment of Failed Mechanically Aligned Total Knee Arthroplasty Restored Constitutional Limb Alignment and Improved Clinical Outcomes: A Case Report of 7 Patients.

Background: Stiffness and mid-flexion instability (MFI) is a recognized complication of mechanically aligned (MA) total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Kinematic alignment (KA) has been proposed as a means by which to restore normal joint motion following TKA and potentially avoid stiffness and MFI. Several studies have documented improved function with KA when compared to MA.

Growth Factor Expression During Healing in 3 Distinct Tendons.

Purpose: We investigated unique tendon growth-factor expression profiles over time in response to simultaneous, similar injuries. Characterizing these genetic differences lays the foundation for creating targeted, tendon-specific therapies and provides insight into why current growth-factor treatments have success in some applications but not others.

Methods: The left fourth digital flexor, triceps, and supraspinatus tendons in 24 rats were cut to 50% of their transverse width at the midbelly under anesthesia.

Increased 30-Day Postoperative Readmission and Medical Complication Rates Among Patients 65 Years and Older Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to use a large national database to assess short-term adverse events following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in patients 65 years and older.

Methods: The ACS NSQIP database was queried to identify patients that underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between December 31, 2015, and January 1, 2017. Patients were split into two groups: 1) between 40-65 years old and 2) 65+ years old.

The Drivers of Persistent Opioid Use and Its Impact on Healthcare Utilization After Elective Spine Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for persistent opioid use after elective cervical and lumbar spine procedures and to quantify postoperative healthcare utilization in this patient population.

Methods: Patients were retrospectively identified who underwent elective spine surgery for either cervical or lumbar degenerative pathology between November 1, 2013, and September 30, 2018, at a single academic center.

Trends in leadership at shoulder and elbow fellowships: a cross-sectional demographic review.

Objective: To determine educational characteristics, trends, and demographics among shoulder and elbow fellowship leaders (FLs).

Background: Fellowship leaders in shoulder and elbow impart lasting impact on trainees and field development. Four previous studies have analyzed the characteristics and career path trends among orthopedic surgery subspecialty FLs (spine, adult reconstruction, trauma, and sports medicine).

Tibial Mechanical Axis Is Nonorthogonal to the Floor in Varus Knee Alignment.

Background: Classical models of the knee assume the joint line is parallel to the floor and the tibial mechanical axis (TMA) is orthogonal to the floor. Our study characterizes the angle subtended by the TMA and floor during bipedal stance, called the tibial axis orientation angle (TAOA), and tests the assumption that the TMA should be orthogonal to the floor.

Methods: We reviewed the nonoperative knee on full-length, standing radiographs in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty between 2013 and 2017.

microRNA regulation of fruit growth.

Growth is a major factor in plant organ morphogenesis and is influenced by exogenous and endogenous signals including hormones. Although recent studies have identified regulatory pathways for the control of growth during vegetative development, there is little mechanistic understanding of how growth is controlled during the reproductive phase. Using Arabidopsis fruit morphogenesis as a platform for our studies, we show that the microRNA miR172 is critical for fruit growth, as the growth of fruit is blocked when miR172 activity is compromised.