Pericardial effusions and cardiac tamponade in hospitalized systemic sclerosis patients: analysis of the national inpatient sample.

Introduction: Clinically significant pericardial effusions and cardiac tamponade in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients is uncommon and the factors that contribute to progression of pericardial involvement in SSc patients have not been well established.

Methods: A review of the national inpatient sample database was performed looking SSc related hospitalizations between 2002 and 2019. Data was collected on patients with pericardial effusions and cardiac tamponade and analyzed to identify and describe patient characteristics and comorbidities.

A branching model of lineage differentiation underpinning the neurogenic potential of enteric glia.

Glial cells have been proposed as a source of neural progenitors, but the mechanisms underpinning the neurogenic potential of adult glia are not known. Using single cell transcriptomic profiling, we show that enteric glial cells represent a cell state attained by autonomic neural crest cells as they transition along a linear differentiation trajectory that allows them to retain neurogenic potential while acquiring mature glial functions. Key neurogenic loci in early enteric nervous system progenitors remain in open chromatin configuration in mature enteric glia, thus facilitating neuronal differentiation under appropriate conditions.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor-associated euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in COVID-19-infected patients: A systematic review of case reports.

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) manifests as hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and ketosis. However, euglycemic DKA (eu-DKA) conceals severe DKA with glucose levels below 200 mg/dL. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can induce eu-DKA in diabetic patients.

Multiplexed experimental strategies for fragment library screening against challenging drug targets using SPR biosensors.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor methods are ideally suited for fragment-based lead discovery.  However, generally applicable experimental procedures and detailed protocols are lacking, especially for structurally or physico-chemically challenging targets or when tool compounds are not available. Success depends on accounting for the features of both the target and the chemical library, purposely designing screening experiments for identification and validation of hits with desired specificity and mode-of-action, and availability of orthogonal methods capable of confirming fragment hits.

Trazodone rescues dysregulated synaptic and mitochondrial nascent proteomes in prion neurodegeneration.

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is rapidly gaining momentum as a therapeutic target for protein misfolding neurodegenerative diseases, in which its overactivation results in sustained translational repression leading to synapse loss and neurodegeneration. In mouse models of these disorders, from Alzheimer's to prion disease, modulation of the pathway-including by the licensed drug, trazodone-restores global protein synthesis rates with profound neuroprotective effects. However, the precise nature of the translational impairment, in particular the specific proteins affected in disease, and their response to therapeutic UPR modulation are poorly understood.

Trends and outcomes of combined percutaneous (TAVI+PCI) and surgical approach (SAVR+CABG) for patients with aortic valve and coronary artery disease: A National Readmission Database (NRD) analysis.

Background: In patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and concomitant severe coronary artery disease (CAD), the relative merits of a combined percutaneous (transcatheter aortic valve implantation [TAVI] and percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]] versus surgical approach (surgical aortic valve replacement [SAVR] and coronary artery bypass graft [CABG]) remain unknown.

Aims: To determine the utility of combined percutaneous versus surgical approaches in patients with severe AS and CAD.

Methods: The National Readmission Database (NRD) (2015-2019) was queried to identify all cases of TAVI+PCI and SAVR+CABG.

Quality Improvement Initiative to Increase Modality Education in a Nephrology Clinic During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Low attendance by patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD stage 4 and 5) to the kidney replacement therapy (KRT) education sessions was noted by our nurse practitioners at a safety net hospital. The main outcome measure was the weekly percentage of patients with advanced CKD seen by the nephrology division weekly that completed KRT education. Process measures were weekly KRT session attendance by scheduled patients and the weekly referral of patients to KRT education sessions.

An examination of undergraduate research in the field of biomechanics across multiple US-based institutions.

Undergraduate research is commonly performed in many STEM disciplines and has a wide array of benefits for students, laboratories, principal investigators, and institutions. While many fields have assessed best practices and the cost-benefit analysis of incorporating undergraduates in research, this has not yet been addressed in biomechanics. This paper represents the perspectives of seven members of the American Society of Biomechanics (ASB) Teaching Biomechanics Interest Group (TBIG).

Chargemaster Pricing Variation for Commonly Billed Procedures in Interventional Cardiology.

Objectives: A chargemaster is a database of all of the billable items offered by a hospital with their base price listings. A 2018 executive order required all American hospitals to publish their chargemasters to increase price transparency and reduce healthcare expenditures. Chargemaster listings, however, demonstrate marked variability and inconsistency and have not been associated with consumer benefit.

A Case Report of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Misdiagnosed as Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia.

After adenocarcinoma, squamous cell lung cancer is the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) among non-smokers. A tissue biopsy followed by imaging (chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT) lung, and positron emission tomography (PET) scan) is the best modality for confirmation and staging of the disease. Sometimes, the histopathological appearance of squamous cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) can be confused with organizing pneumonia.

Rural Location of Residence is Not Associated With Use of Telemedicine for Initial Medical Contact for Gender-Related Healthcare.

Purpose: There is very little information available regarding the health needs of transgender and gender diverse adolescents and young adults with gender dysphoria who reside in rural areas of the United States. This study aims to determine if residing in a rural area is associated with the use of telemedicine services, such as synchronous voice-video appointments, for initial contact for medical interventions for gender-related reasons in adolescents and young adults with gender incongruence.

Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review of patients (N = 176) ages 10-24 years who had an initial medical appointment for gender-related concerns between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2022.

Reduced heart failure-related healthcare costs with Furoscix versus in-hospital intravenous diuresis in heart failure patients: the FREEDOM-HF study.

Compare heart failure (HF) costs of Furoscix use at home compared with inpatient intravenous (IV) diuresis. Prospective, case control study of chronic HF patients presenting to emergency department (ED) with worsening congestion discharged to receive Furoscix 80 mg/10 ml 5-h subcutaneous infusion for ≤7 days. 30-day HF-related costs in Furoscix group derived from commercial claims database compared with matched historical patients hospitalized for <72 h.

Infective endocarditis secondary to Peptoniphilus Indolicus and Corynebacterium: an amalgamation.

Corynebacterium or diphtheroid's are gram-positive aerobic, pleomorphic skin and mucosal membrane components that are not pathogenic in nature. Peptostreptococcus indolicus belongs to the Peptostreptococcus genus and is a Gram-Positive Anaerobic Cocci (GPAC). Less than one percent of endocarditis is caused by gram-positive anaerobic bacteria.

An answered call for aid? Cannabinoid clinical framework for the opioid epidemic.

Background: The opioid crisis continues in full force, as physicians and caregivers are desperate for resources to help patients with opioid use and chronic pain disorders find safer and more accessible non-opioid tools.

Main Body: The purpose of this article is to review the current state of the opioid epidemic; the shifting picture of cannabinoids; and the research, policy, and current events that make opioid risk reduction an urgent public health challenge. The provided table contains an evidence-based clinical framework for the utilization of cannabinoids to treat patients with chronic pain who are dependent on opioids, seeking alternatives to opioids, and tapering opioids.

Dipyridamole-induced STEMI: case report and review of the literature.

Dipyridamole nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging is a safe and useful modality for assessing myocardial ischemia. It is the modality of choice for cardiac risk stratification in patients who are unable to exercise. Intravenous dipyridamole causes coronary vasodilation and may result in heterogeneity of coronary blood flow in significant coronary artery disease.

Teaching antenatal hand expression: a feasibility study in an inner urban U.S. hospital.

Background: Many women have low confidence in breastfeeding and have concerns regarding low milk volume or discomfort with breastfeeding. Antenatal hand expression may be an opportunity to help women feel more comfortable with breastfeeding and help promote exclusive breastfeeding. A study at a hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.

Mix-and-extrude: high-viscosity sample injection towards time-resolved protein crystallography.

Time-resolved crystallography enables the visualization of protein molecular motion during a reaction. Although light is often used to initiate reactions in time-resolved crystallography, only a small number of proteins can be activated by light. However, many biological reactions can be triggered by the interaction between proteins and ligands.

Left Bundle Branch Pacing: A Paradigm Shift in Physiological Pacing for Patients With Atrioventricular Block and Preserved Left Ventricular Systolic Function, A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

His-Purkinje conduction system pacing (HPCSP) via His bundle pacing (HBP) and Left Bundle Branch Pacing (LBBP) offer a physiological approach to pacing by restoring normal ventricular activation. This meta-analysis compares the feasibility, outcomes, and success rates of HBP and LBBP in patients with atrioventricular block (AVB) and preserved left ventricular function. A systematic search identified studies comparing LBBP with HBP in AVB patients with preserved systolic function.

Pituitary Adenoma With Apoplexy Presenting As Unilateral Third Nerve Palsy.

Pituitary adenomas are one of the most common intracranial tumors. Non-functioning macroadenomas are usually diagnosed when they cause symptoms due to the mass effect on surrounding structures. We present the case of a 48-year-old man who presented with a headache associated with ptosis of the right eye and right-sided blurry vision for three days.

COVID-19-associated MRSA infective endocarditis and mitral valve perforation: a case report.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global pandemic, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The interplay between COVID-19 and other medical conditions can complicate diagnosis and management, necessitating further exploration.

Case Presentation: This case report presents a patient with COVID-19 who developed infective endocarditis (IE) and mitral valve perforation caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on a native mitral valve.