Umbilical Cord Amniotic Membrane Graft as a Skin Substitute in Periocular Reconstruction: A Case Series.

Loss of periocular skin due to cancer, trauma, or surgery is a major reconstructive challenge; resultant tissue contracture can cause eyelid malposition with poor functional and aesthetic outcomes. We describe the successful use of cryopreserved umbilical cord amniotic membrane as a wound covering and scaffold for periorbital anterior lamellar defects. This is a retrospective case series of 4 patients (mean 21 years, range 9-30 years, 3 male) who underwent periocular reconstruction with umbilical cord amniotic membrane of 9 different sites.

Modeling bladder mechanics with 4D reconstruction of murine ex vivo bladder filling.

This study presents a novel methodology for high-resolution 3D bladder modeling during filling, developed by leveraging improved imaging and computational techniques. Using murine bladder filling data, the methodology generates accurate 3D geometries across time, enabling in-depth mechanical analysis. Comparison with a traditional spherical model revealed similar stress trends, but the 3D model permitted nuanced quantifications, such as localized surface curvature and stress analysis.

Inflammatory Markers and Measures of Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in Type 1 Diabetes.

Background: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and inflammation predict more severe outcomes in type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the link between CAN and inflammation in T1D remains unclear. We examined associations between CAN measures and inflammatory biomarkers in individuals with T1D.

Safety and efficacy of cerebral embolic protection systems in transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Stroke is a potential complication of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). Recent trials evaluating Cerebral Embolic Protection Systems (CEPS) to reduce the incidence of stroke after TAVR have been conflicting.

Methods: Multiple databases were searched for studies comparing TAVR with or without CEPS and that reported on the primary outcome of periprocedural stroke.

Cardiovascular mortality trends and disparities in U.S. breast cancer patients, 1999-2020: a population-based retrospective study.

Background: Breast cancer survivors face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to non-breast cancer patients, yet contemporary data on CVD-related mortality within this group remains scarce.

Objective: To investigate trends and disparities in CVD mortality among breast cancer patients.

Methods: We queried the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC Wonder) and conducted serial cross-sectional analyses on national death certificate data for CVD mortality in breast cancer patients aged 25 and above from 1999 to 2020.

Gene Therapy With URO-902 (pVAX/) for the Treatment of Female Patients With Overactive Bladder and Urge Urinary Incontinence: Safety and Efficacy From a Randomized Phase 2a Trial.

Purpose: To assess efficacy and safety of URO-902, an investigational gene therapy expressing the α subunit of the large-conductance Ca-activated K channel, in a phase 2a placebo-controlled trial in women with overactive bladder (OAB).

Materials And Methods: Women, age 40 to 79 years, with OAB and urge urinary incontinence who were refractory to OAB medications were randomized to single-dose URO-902 24 and 48 mg or placebo administered by intradetrusor injection by cystoscopy under local anesthesia. Efficacy end points included change from baseline to week 12 in mean daily micturitions, urgency episodes, urge urinary incontinence episodes, and patient-reported outcomes.

Advancing Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) Diagnosis: A Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Methodologies.

This study aimed to improve machine learning models for diagnosing interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) by comparing classical machine learning methods with newer AutoML approaches, utilizing biomarker data and patient-reported outcomes as features. We applied various machine learning techniques to biomarker data from the previous IP4IC and ICRS studies to predict the presence of IC/BPS, a disorder impacting the urinary bladder. Data were sourced from two nationwide, crowd-sourced collections of urine samples involving 2009 participants.

The "pseudo-pulmonary AVM sign": an aid to the diagnosis of histoplasmosis and differentiation from pulmonary arteriovenous malformations.

The diagnostic algorithm for histoplasmosis highlights the importance of imaging and emphasizes the role of the radiologist in the diagnostic workup. Here we describe a case series of patients with a novel sign of lung involvement in histoplasmosis which we have coined the Pseudo-Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation (PAVM) sign, the usage of which would help in the imaging diagnosis of histoplasmosis aid by distinguishing it from PAVMs. PAVMs carry risk for serious complications such as systemic emboli and may require treatment; whereas, histoplasmomas do not.

Gastric remnant volvulus following gastric sleeve conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a case report.

Gastric remnant volvulus following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is rare, with only two previously reported cases. Herein, we present the first case of gastric remnant volvulus following gastric sleeve conversion to RYGB in a 32-year-old female. Management for gastric remnant volvulus has not been clearly described in the literature due to the rarity of cases; however, previously documented cases of gastric remnant volvulus following RYGB were managed with gastropexy or resection of the gastric remnant.

Long-Term Urinary and Sexual Outcomes in Pediatric Genitourinary Rhabdomyosarcoma Survivors: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose: Genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma (GU-RMS) often requires multimodal therapy treatment including radiation, chemotherapy, and radical surgery for disease control. The long-term effects of the disease and associated treatments are unclear. We sought to investigate the long-term genitourinary quality of life for adult survivors of pediatric GU-RMS.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy as a treatment option for persistent clitoral priapism: a case report.

Introduction: Clitoral priapism is persistent clitoral engorgement without sexual stimulation. Presentation is sparse, and therefore limited treatment options have been investigated.

Aim: We present a case report of a 34-year-old female presenting with persistent nonischemic clitoral priapism 5 years after aggressive clitoral stimulation.

Effective remote clinical teaching: leveraging technology to improve Radiology Case readouts.

The shift to remote learning in medical education is rapidly evolving and likely permanent. The recent increase in remote radiology staffing presents challenges for both educators and trainees. However, many of the barriers to teaching can be overcome by technology.

Rotationally Intensified Proton Lattice: A Novel Lattice Technique Using Spot-Scanning Proton Arc Therapy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and dosimetric advantage of using spot-scanning proton arc (SPArc) for lattice radiation therapy in comparison with volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) lattice techniques.

Methods: Lattice plans were retrospectively generated for 14 large tumors across the abdomen, pelvis, lung, and head-and-neck sites using VMAT, IMPT, and SPArc techniques. Lattice geometries comprised vertices 1.

Interlaboratory comparison of standardised metabolomics and lipidomics analyses in human and rodent blood using the MxP Quant 500 kit.

Metabolomics and lipidomics are pivotal in understanding phenotypic variations beyond genomics. However, quantification and comparability of mass spectrometry (MS)-derived data are challenging. Standardised assays can enhance data comparability, enabling applications in multi-center epidemiological and clinical studies.

Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) and Emerging Intralesional Immunotherapies for Metastatic Melanoma: A Review.

Purpose Of Review: As the incidence of cutaneous melanoma continues to rise worldwide, its heterogeneous presentation proves challenging for managing and preventing relapse.

Recent Findings: While surgery remains a mainstay in staging and treatment of locoregional metastatic melanoma, intralesional therapies have emerged as a new tool to treat unresectable in-transit and nodal metastases and reduce the risk of relapse through immunomodulatory mechanisms. In this review, we will provide an overview of intralesional therapies for melanoma with a particular focus on talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) and its future uses.

Prognostic value of central gland volume on MRI for biochemical recurrence after prostate radiotherapy.

Purpose: This study evaluates pretreatment prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics and clinical characteristics in predicting biochemical recurrence (BCR) after prostate radiotherapy (RT).

Methods: In this retrospective single institution study, we identified men in our prostate cancer database who underwent MRI within 6 months prior to completing definitive RT from May 2011 to February 2023. Central gland volume and peripheral zone volume were measured by a radiologist using manual segmentation, along with Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostic Radiology.

This article explores the significant impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on radiology through a comprehensive analysis of eight articles published between 2018 and 2024. With the rapid progress of modern science, the diagnostic methods in medicine are subject to change, which creates the need to consider and evaluate new diagnostic techniques such as artificial intelligence. In our study, we will evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence and radiological image interpretation, as well as the pros and cons of its use and future development prospects in this field.

Technical note: Optimizing spot-scanning proton arc therapy with a novel spot sparsity approach.

Background: One of the main challenges of utilizing spot-scanning proton arc therapy (SPArc) in routine clinics is treatment delivery efficiency. Spot reduction, which relies on spot sparsity optimization (SSO), is crucial for achieving high delivery efficiency in SPArc.

Purpose: This study aims to develop a novel SSO approach based on the alternating directions method of multipliers (ADMM) for SPArc to achieve high treatment delivery efficiency and maintain optimal dosimetric plan quality.

Histopathologic Comparisons of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus and Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides in a Series of 43 Cases.

Background: Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is a rare cutaneous malignancy that can be mistaken for inflammatory diseases, such as discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), due to the variability of histopathological findings.

Methods: This study aims to provide dermatopathologists with evidence-based histopathologic criteria to distinguish DLE from FMF by reporting overlapping and distinguishing microscopic features. Forty-three biopsies from patients with a confirmed diagnosis of DLE or FMF were graded for the presence or absence of 18 histopathologic features.

Clinical Performance of an N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Assay in Acute Heart Failure Diagnosis.

Background: We evaluated the Vitros® Immunodiagnostic Products N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) II assay for aiding in diagnosis of heart failure (HF) in patients with acute dyspnea.

Methods: Serum concentrations of NT-proBNP were measured in patient samples from 20 emergency departments across the United States. Study endpoints included sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and predictive values for diagnosis of acute HF according to age-stratified cutoffs (450, 900, and 1800 pg/mL), and a rule-out age-independent cutoff (300 pg/mL).

Physical Activity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Part 2.

Background: In this second section of our 2-part review on the role of physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in preventing and treating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), we expand on topics covered in part 1, including a comparison of moderate-intensity continuous training versus high-intensity interval training, the beneficial role of PA and CRF in heart failure, potential mal-adaptations that may result from extreme endurance exercise regimens, and the incidence of cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death during marathon running and triathlon participation. Further, we review the principles of exercise prescription for patients with known or suspected CVD, with specific reference to exercise modalities, contemporary guidelines, the minimum exercise training intensity to promote survival benefits, and long-term goal training intensities, based on age-, sex-, and fitness-adjusted targets. Finally, we provide practical "prescription pearls" for the clinician, including a simple rule to estimate metabolic equivalents (METs) during level and graded treadmill walking, research-based exercise training recommendations, using steps per day, MET-minutes per week, and personal activity intelligence to achieve beneficial treatment outcomes, as well as the heart rate index equation to estimate energy expenditure, expressed as METs, during recreational and leisure-time PA.