Gel immersion in endoscopy: Exploring potential applications.

The challenge of effectively eliminating air during gastrointestinal endoscopy using ultrasound techniques is apparent. This difficulty arises from the intricacies of removing concealed air within the folds of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in artifacts and compromised visualization. In addition, the overlap of folds with lesions can obscure their depth and size, presenting challenges for an accurate assessment.

Effective and Engaging Active Learning in the Medical School Classroom: Lessons from Case-Based Collaborative Learning.

Large group collaborative teaching approaches are rapidly gaining popularity in undergraduate medical education. The case-based collaborative Learning (CBCL) pedagogy was instituted for pre-clerkship teaching at Harvard Medical School in 2015 with subsequent implementation at other medical schools. CBCL emphasizes inductive reasoning, integrates basic and clinical sciences, stimulates curiosity, and fosters teamwork.

Naxos Disease and Related Cardio-Cutaneous Syndromes.

Naxos disease is a rare autosomal recessive condition combining arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, woolly hair, and palmoplantar keratoderma. The first identified causative variant was in the gene encoding the desmosomal protein plakoglobin. Naxos disease exhibits fibro-fatty myocardial replacement with immunohistological abnormalities in cardiac protein and signaling pathways, highlighting the role of inflammation and potential anti-inflammatory treatments.

COVID-19 Stress is Associated with Increased Smoking among People with HIV in Western Washington: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: People living with HIV (PWH) frequently have co-morbid substance use disorders that may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined associations between COVID-related stress and increased substance use among PWH in Washington State.

Methods: Between August 2020 and March 2021, we conducted an online survey of 397 PWH in Western Washington.

Mating system of a vector of .

snails are intermediate hosts for schistosome parasites, which cause morbidity and mortality in humans worldwide. We aimed to determine the mating system of , a hermaphroditic vector of schistosomiasis in the African Great Lakes, with the goal of informing the design of genetic studies such as linkage mapping to improve genome assembly and genetic association studies to identify snail resistance genes. To determine the relative rates of outcrossing selfing, we assayed the progeny of experimental crosses of snails in the laboratory using a PCR and restriction enzyme digest to determine snail genotype and parentage.

Clustering Sequence Data with Mixture Markov Chains with Covariates Using Multiple Simplex Constrained Optimization Routine (MSiCOR).

Mixture Markov Model (MMM) is a widely used tool to cluster sequences of events coming from a finite state-space. However, the MMM likelihood being multi-modal, the challenge remains in its maximization. Although Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm remains one of the most popular ways to estimate the MMM parameters, however, convergence of EM algorithm is not always guaranteed.

Quality of care delivery in patients with acute heart failure: insights from the international REPORT-HF registry.

Background: Heart Failure (HF) quality of care (QoC) is associated with clinical outcomes. Therefore, we investigated differences in HF QoC across worldwide regions (with differing national income) and the association of quality indicators with outcomes.

Methods: We examined the quality of care (QoC) in acute heart failure (HF) patients across different regions using quality indicators (QIs) from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) to evaluate QoC.

Expanded Uses of the Dorsal Nasal Flap: Redefining the Nasal Reconstruction Algorithm.

Background: Defects of the nose present complex reconstructive challenges to the plastic surgeon. We present our experience with using the dorsal nasal flap (DNF) to provide a durable reconstruction even in sizable defects that would otherwise be considered necessitating a paramedian forehead flap.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent reconstruction by DNF following resection of skin cancers on the nose.

The health-related experiences of detained immigrants with and without mental illness.

Background: Incarcerated individuals with mental illness face unique health challenges, yet we know little about individuals with mental illness who are detained by US immigration authorities. We aimed to describe the health-related experiences of detained immigrants with and without mental illness.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey in 2021 with a sample of recently detained immigrants who were detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and released in the United States in 2020-2021 ( = 203).

The clinical impact of conventional therapies for adults and adolescents suffering from eosinophilic esophagitis, a type 2 inflammatory chronic disease, and their economic consequences in Italy: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disorder marked by eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal mucosa. Despite advances in understanding and management, optimal therapeutic strategies remain unclear, with conflicting guidelines.

Objective: We sought to evaluate effectiveness and safety of topical corticosteroids (TCSs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in managing EoE and their economic implications in Italy.

Second-line treatment patterns and outcomes in advanced HCC after progression on atezolizumab/bevacizumab.

Background & Aims: Atezolizumab/bevacizumab (A/B) is now a standard first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the optimal second-line regimen is not known. We evaluated real-world treatment patterns and outcomes to investigate factors associated with post-progression survival (PPS).

Methods: In this multicenter, international, retrospective study, we examined clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with advanced HCC who progressed on first-line A/B.

Predictive value of CT-based and AI-reconstructed 3D-TAPSE in patients undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve repair.

Background: The tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) assessed by echocardiography has failed in predicting outcomes in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI). Considering the complex shape of the tricuspid annulus and right ventricle, as well as the difficult echocardiographic image acquisition of the right heart, cardiac computed tomography (CT) might be superior for the analysis of the annular excursion. Thus, this study aimed to analyze whether CT-captured TAPSE provides additional value in predicting outcomes after TTVI.

Atrial Tachyarrhythmia in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a heritable myocardial condition that mostly affects the right ventricle (RV). Atrial involvement is poorly understood and the evidence for atrial involvement remains limited. In this case report, we describe an 18-year-old woman who had ARVC with the atrial tachyarrhythmia and initially presented with palpitations.

Descriptive Analysis of Preoperative Breast Reconstruction Patient Expectations Using the BREAST-Q Expectations Module.

Patient expectations have been shown to influence postoperative outcomes across surgical specialties. However, the impact of expectations in breast reconstruction is not well understood. The purpose of this project is to perform the first large-scale analysis and classification of BREAST-Q Expectations responses in patients undergoing implant-based reconstruction.

Empowerment in prevention: a qualitative inquiry into Black girl-centred strategies for reducing HIV/STI and drug misuse risk.

Black girls in the United States are disproportionately diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which can increase the risk of contracting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), compared to adolescent girls of other races. Therefore, this study was designed to understand barriers to impactful HIV/STI and substance use prevention programmes for Black girls. Data was collected between October 2021 and June 2022 from twelve focus groups which included (N = 62) participants who identified as Black and female between the ages of 13 and 18 years old.

Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of High-Dose Ondansetron on Clinical Symptoms and Brain Connectivity in Obsessive-Compulsive and Tic Disorders.

Objective: Sensory phenomena (SP) are aversive sensations driving repetitive behaviors in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette's disorder that are not well addressed by standard treatments. SP are related to the functioning of an interoceptive-sensorimotor circuit that may be modulated by the 5-HT receptor antagonist ondansetron. The present study employed an experimental medicine approach to test the effects of 4 weeks of high-dose ondansetron compared to placebo on SP severity and brain connectivity in a cohort of individuals with OCD and/or Tourette's disorder.

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Invasive Candida Infections in Heart Transplant Recipients: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Invasive Candida infections (ICI) are the most common invasive fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients. There are limited contemporary data on the risk factors for infection in heart transplant (HT) recipients especially since the expansion of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) use.

Methods: This was a case-control study conducted at a tertiary care academic hospital of HT recipients from January 2022 to January 2024.

Robotic versus laparoscopic colorectal surgery for patients with obesity: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Obesity poses significant challenges in colorectal surgery, affecting operative difficulty and postoperative recovery. The choice of minimally invasive approach for this patient population remains a challenge during preoperative planning. This review aims to provide an updated synthesis of studies comparing laparoscopic and robotic approaches for adult patients with obesity undergoing colorectal surgery.

Longitudinal Changes in Patient- and Clinical-Reported Outcomes in Early Spinocerebellar Ataxia Types 1, 2, 3, and 6 from the IDEA Study.

Background: Clinical outcomes assessments (COAs) in spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) need to be standardized, ataxia-specific, sensitive to change, clinically relevant, and meaningful to patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the longitudinal 1- and 2-year performances of different patient reported outcomes, including the Patient Reported Outcome Measure of Ataxia (PROM-Ataxia), and clinician reported outcomes, including FARS and SARA, in those with early manifest symptoms of SCA 1, 2, 3, and 6.

Methods: We studied 53 patients with early stage SCA1-3 and SCA6 from The Instrumented Data Exchange for Ataxia Study and 24 age-matched healthy controls.

Triangular Margin: Reliable Imaging Feature of Fibrous Dysplasia in Long Bones?

Objective: To determine the utility of a triangular margin as an imaging diagnostic feature for fibrous dysplasia.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all surgically biopsied or managed benign and malignant bone tumors by a single orthopedic oncologist over 19 years (2003 to 2022). A musculoskeletal radiologist and an orthopedic oncologist, both with >10 years of experience, retrospectively evaluated all imaging in consensus.

Plant-based eating pattern and psychological symptoms: a cross-sectional survey among patients with migraine.

Objectives: The present study evaluated the association between plant-based diet index (PDI) and psychological symptoms, including depressive symptoms, stress, and anxiety among Iranian women diagnosed with migraine headaches.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 262 patients with migraine (aged 20-50 years; body mass index, 18.5-30 kg/m²).

Residential Exposure to PM Constituents and Fecundability in a Danish Preconception Cohort.

Background: Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that ambient concentrations of particulate matter < 2.5 μm (PM) are associated with reduced fecundability, the per cycle probability of conception. The specific constituents driving this association are unknown.