Independent Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Undergoing Reconstructive Breast Cancer Surgery.

Introduction: Breast cancer is a hypercoagulable state and predisposes patients to venous thromboembolism (VTE). We sought to determine independent risk factors for VTE post-surgical treatment for breast cancer using a national risk adjusted database.

Methods: Participant Use Data Files in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2012 to 2016 were studied.

Correlation of brain flow variables and metabolic crisis: a prospective study in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Introduction: Current treatment guidelines for patients with severe TBI (sTBI) are aimed at preventing secondary brain injury targeting specific endpoints of intracranial physiology to avoid the development of metabolic crisis. We sought to identify factors contributing to development of metabolic crisis in the setting of a Multi-modality Monitoring and Goal-Directed Therapy (MM&GDTP) approach to patients with severe TBI.

Methods: Prospective monitoring of sTBI patients was performed, with retrospective data analysis.

Curative resection of a duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor in the setting of von Willebrand's disease.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the alimentary tract and usually presents with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The diagnosis of GIST is typically made with upper endoscopy after excluding other causes of bleeding. The surgical management of GIST can be challenging depending upon the location of the tumor.

Predictors of mortality in patients with rib fractures.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for morbidity and mortality in patients with rib fractures with focus on identifying a more exact age-dependent cut-off for increased morbidity and mortality.

Methods: Retrospective study of patients 16 years or older with rib fractures from blunt trauma.

Exclusion Criteria: patients undergoing rib plating.

Mortality rates of severe traumatic brain injury patients: impact of direct versus nondirect transfers.

Background: Direct transport of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) to trauma centers (TCs) that can provide definitive care results in lower mortality rates. This study investigated the impact of direct versus nondirect transfers on the mortality rates of patients with sTBI.

Methods: Data on patients with TBI admitted between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2013, to our Level I TC were obtained from the trauma registry.

The impact of early flow and brain oxygen crisis on the outcome of patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Background: Multimodality monitoring and goal-directed therapy may not prevent blood flow and brain oxygen (Flow/BrOx) crisis. We sought to determine the impact of these events on outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI).

Methods: Twenty-four patients with sTBI were treated to maintain intracranial pressure (ICP) less than or equal to 20 mm Hg, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) greater than or equal to 60 mm Hg, brain oxygen greater than or equal to 20 mm Hg, and near infrared spectroscopy greater than or equal to 60%.

Effects of sensory-enhanced yoga on symptoms of combat stress in deployed military personnel.

Objective: We examined the effects of sensory-enhanced hatha yoga on symptoms of combat stress in deployed military personnel, compared their anxiety and sensory processing with that of stateside civilians, and identified any correlations between the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scales and the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile quadrants.

Method: Seventy military personnel who were deployed to Iraq participated in a randomized controlled trial. Thirty-five received 3 wk (≥9 sessions) of sensory-enhanced hatha yoga, and 35 did not receive any form of yoga.

Computed tomography in complicated cholecystitis.

The computed tomographic (CT) findings in 23 patients with complicated cholecystitis verified at surgery in 20 cases or autopsy in three cases were analyzed. Gallbladder size, wall thickness, and bile density as determined by CT are nonspecific. Gallstones as the leading diagnostic sign are difficult to identify by CT.

Long-term effects of negative pions in female mice exposed to whole-body irradiation.

Long-term effects, especially the incidence of tumors, of whole-body exposure of female NMRI mice with either negative pions (peak or plateau region) or X rays have been studied in comparison to controls. Animals were irradiated at the age of 10 days after birth. The mice were then regularly examined for deaths and signs of severe disease, moribund animals being killed.