Factors associated with postoperative complications and costs for adrenalectomy in benign adrenal disorders.

Background: The incidence of adrenal incidentaloma has been increasing, and indications of and approaches to adrenalectomy are diverse. Drivers of complications and costs are not well identified.

Methods: The 2016 National Inpatient Sample data were used to identify patients who underwent adrenalectomy for benign adrenal disorders, such as Cushing syndrome, primary hyperaldosteronism, pheochromocytoma, and other benign neoplasms defined using the 10th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases.

Racial and ethnic inequities in the early distribution of U.S. COVID-19 testing sites and mortality.

Background: In 2020, early U.S. COVID-19 testing sites offered diagnostic capacity to patients and were important sources of epidemiological data about the spread of the novel pandemic disease.

Racial disparities in the utilization of parathyroidectomy among patients with primary hyperparathyroidism: Evidence from a nationwide analysis of Medicare claims.

Background: Among patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, parathyroidectomy offers a chance of cure and mitigation of disease-related complications. The impact of race/ethnicity on referral and utilization of parathyroidectomy has not been fully explored.

Methods: Population-based, retrospective cohort study using 100% Medicare claims from beneficiaries with primary hyperparathyroidism from 2006 to 2016.

Probability of positive genetic testing in patients diagnosed with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma: Criteria beyond a family history.

Background: Genetic testing for germline pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma susceptibility genes is associated with improved patient management. However, data are currently sparse on the probability of a positive testing result based on an individual's clinical presentation. This study evaluates clinical characteristics for association with testing positive for known pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma susceptibility genes.

Splenectomy for benign and malignant hematologic pathology: Modern morbidity, mortality, and long-term outcomes.

Background: The role of splenectomy to diagnose and treat hematologic disease continues to evolve. In this single-center retrospective review, we describe modern morbidity, mortality, and long-term outcomes associated with splenectomy for benign and malignant hematologic disorders.

Methods: We analyzed all nontrauma splenectomies performed for benign or malignant hematologic disorders from January 2009 to September 2018.

Racial disparities in knowledge, attitudes and practices related to COVID-19 in the USA.

Background: Recent reports indicate racial disparities in the rates of infection and mortality from the 2019 novel coronavirus (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]). The aim of this study was to determine whether disparities exist in the levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) related to COVID-19.

Methods: We analyzed data from 1216 adults in the March 2020 Kaiser Family Foundation 'Coronavirus Poll', to determine levels of KAPs across different groups.

Adrenal Vein Sampling to Distinguish Between Unilateral and Bilateral Primary Hyperaldosteronism: To ACTH Stimulate or Not?

The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy of adrenal vein sampling (AVS) with and without adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation to distinguish between unilateral and bilateral primary hyperaldosteronism (PA). Retrospective analysis of a prospective database from a referral center between 1984 and 2009, 76 patients had simultaneous cannulation of bilateral adrenal veins and AVS with and without ACTH stimulation. All patients had adrenalectomies.

Surgery for adrenocortical carcinoma: When and how?

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy that is frequently asymptomatic at presentation, yet has a high rate of metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Prognosis is overall poor, particularly with cortisol-producing tumors. While the treatment of ACC is guided by stage of disease, complete surgical resection is the most important step in the management of patients with primary, recurrent, or metastatic ACC.

An update on familial nonmedullary thyroid cancer.

Familial nonmedullary thyroid cancer (FNMTC) constitutes 3-9% of all thyroid cancer cases. FNMTC is divided into two groups: syndromic and nonsyndromic. Nonsyndromic FNMTC is more common as compared with syndromic FNMTC.

Incidence of metastasis and prostate-specific antigen levels at diagnosis in Gleason 3+4 versus 4+3 prostate cancer.

Aims: The aim is to assess for a difference in the incidence of metastasis (IM) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels at diagnosis in patients with Gleason score (GS) 3+4 versus 4+3 prostate cancer using a large veterans affairs database.

Subjects And Methods: A retrospective review of 1402 medical records from 5 VA hospitals was conducted. The study period was from 2009 to 2014.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Vector-borne Diseases in Western Jamaica.

Background: Outbreaks of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) such as dengue and malaria can overwhelm health systems in resource-poor countries. Environmental management strategies that reduce or eliminate vector breeding sites combined with improved personal prevention strategies can help to significantly reduce transmission of these infections.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of residents in western Jamaica regarding control of mosquito vectors and protection from mosquito bites.

Axon degeneration is key component of neuronal death in amyloid-β toxicity.

Depending upon the stimulus, neuronal cell death can either be triggered from the cell body (soma) or the axon. We investigated the origin of the degeneration signal in amyloid β (Aβ) induced neuronal cell death in cultured in vitro hippocampal neurons. We discovered that Aβ1-42 toxicity-induced axon degeneration precedes cell death in hippocampal neurons.

Endonuclease G mediates endothelial cell death induced by carbamylated LDL.

End-stage kidney disease is a terminal stage of chronic kidney disease, which is associated with a high incidence of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease frequently results from endothelial injury caused by carbamylated LDL (cLDL), the product of LDL modification by urea-derived cyanate. Our previous data suggested that cLDL induces mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent mitotic DNA fragmentation and cell death.