Comparative Effects of Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin Loading Doses on Immediate Post-percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Flow in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Patients.

Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is crucial in managing acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), emphasizing the importance of optimal myocardial reperfusion.

Objective: The goal of this research was to determine how loading doses of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin affected the flow rate of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) immediately post-perfusion thrombolysis in patients undergoing primary PCI.

Methodology: This prospective, comparative study was carried out over a one-year period (January 2023 to December 2023) in Pakistan.

Comparing Holotranscobalamin and Total Vitamin B12 in Diagnosing Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Megaloblastic Anemia Patients.

Background Megaloblastic anemia is characterized by abnormally large red blood cells caused by a deficiency in either vitamin B12 or folic acid, both of which are essential for DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 insufficiency can lead to severe neurological damage, making early identification of vitamin B12 deficiency crucial to prevent irreversible harm. Vitamin B12 deficiency results in decreased levels of holotranscobalamin (Holo-TC) and increased levels of methylmalonic acid (MMA).

The role of a specialized urethral catheter in early detection of intra-abdominal hypertension: a case report.

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) impact morbidity and mortality in burn patients, exacerbated by extensive fluid resuscitation required for more than 20% of total body surface area burns. We report a case of a 28-year-old male with severe burns and a TBSA of 49% who presented after a fire incident. The trauma team managed the patient's fluid resuscitation, followed by early burn debridement.

A Case of Plasma Cell Leukemia Arising De Novo: A Rare and Fatal Disease.

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is an aggressive form of multiple myeloma characterized by an increasing number of circulating plasma cells in the peripheral (circulating) blood. Primary PCL (pPCL) is the form of monoclonal gammopathy that is the most severe with a high mortality rate. Its incidence will be increasing, given the expected changes in clinical criteria for diagnosis.

Empowering the future: improving community wellbeing and health literacy through outreach and service-learning.

Institutions training future healthcare professionals in healthcare and community engagement play a crucial role beyond traditional classroom settings. Recognizing their potential to support under-represented groups and minorities, institutions increasingly encourage engagement with schools and community organizations. However, work remains to advance meaningful and impactful educational outreach and service-learning programs.

Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Education: A Narrative Review of Reports from Selected Countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to medical training worldwide. Many studies examining barriers, such as student safety concerns and technological issues for adaptability to a virtual learning mode, were conducted during social distancing and described the pandemic's impact on medical education. This narrative sought to review how medical schools adapted to the pandemic and to provide a unique analysis of the challenges faced in delivering medical curricula worldwide.

X-Linked Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (XLHED): A Case Report and Overview of the Diagnosis and Multidisciplinary Modality Treatments.

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a rare genetic disorder caused by a mutation in either the ectodysplasin (EDA), ectodysplasin A receptor (EDAR), EDAR associated via death domain (EDARADD), or Wnt family member 10A (WNT10A) genes that result in impaired development of ectodermal-derived structures. The literature defines two types of ectodermal dysplasia, which are hypohidrotic and hidrotic. X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED), also known as Christ-Siemens-Touraine syndrome, is the most common form and is a variant of ectodermal dysplasia characterized by a classical triad of hypo/adontia, hypohidrosis, and hypotrichosis; whereas, hidrotic type of ectodermal dysplasia, also known as Clouston syndrome, is characterized by a triad of onychodysplasia, hypotrichosis, and palmoplantar hyperkeratosis while sparing the sweat glands.

Embolization of Renal Cell Carcinoma Skeletal Metastases Preceding Orthopedic Surgery.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of renal malignancy in adults. Bone is a major site of metastatic disease from RCC. Osseous metastatic disease from RCC is often seen in the spine, pelvis, and femur, and is usually hypervascular in nature like its primary tumor source.

Iatrogenic Cardiac Tamponade Secondary to Central Venous Catheter Placement: A Literature Review.

Cardiac tamponade is the fluid accumulation within the pericardial sac that compresses the heart and decreases cardiac output. More than 20% of the cases are surgical or non-surgical iatrogenic causes. Cardiac tamponade has been described as a rare complication of central venous catheter placement with an incidence in adults as low as less than 1% but with significantly high mortality of more than 60%.

Natriuretic Peptides as Biomarkers: Narrative Review and Considerations in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Dysfunctions.

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) encompass a family of structurally related hormone/paracrine factors acting through the natriuretic peptide system regulating cell proliferation, vessel tone, inflammatory processes, neurohumoral pathways, fluids, and electrolyte balance. The three most studied peptides are atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-Type natriuretic peptide (CNP). ANP and BNP are the most relevant NPs as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure and underlying cardiovascular diseases, such as cardiac valvular dysfunction, hypertension, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, persistent arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathies.

A Rare Case of Left Inguinoscrotal Hernia Containing Stomach.

This is the case of a 71-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with the chief complaint of left inguinoscrotal swelling and pain. The patient stated that he had nausea, vomiting, and constipation for a few weeks prior to the presentation. He also reported that he had a reducible, asymptomatic left inguinal hernia for the past 20 years.

Oncocytic Cell Carcinoma of the Thyroid: A Case Report and an Overview of the Diagnosis, Treatment Modalities, and Prognosis.

Cancers of the thyroid gland are uncommon, accounting for 1% of malignant tumors. Oncocytic carcinoma of the thyroid (OCA), previously known as "Hürthle cell" carcinomas, make up 3% to 5% of all thyroid cancers and are extremely rare. In the United States, the incidence of thyroid cancer is approximately 12 per 100,000 per year and increases with age.

Endovascular Management of a Large Femoral Pseudoaneurysm: A Case Report and Literary Review.

Femoral artery pseudoaneurysms have an increased incidence over the past few years due to the rise in percutaneous catheterization and so have the potential treatment options. Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection has been strongly studied, and data have shown its efficacy, safety, and superiority to ultrasound-guided compression therapy as well as open surgical repair; however, a less well-studied approach that appears to be burgeoning is endovascular stent repair. Many small studies and case reports have shown this option to be not only effective but also safe and might be the treatment option of choice in patients who are deemed high risk for surgical intervention or with complicated anatomical considerations at the site of injury.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): A Life Saver in Near-Fatal Asthma.

Near-fatal asthma (NFA) is a life-threatening condition that represents the most severe clinical phenotype of asthma and can progress to fatal asthma. Patients with NFA do not respond adequately to conventional medical therapy and urgent intervention is needed to provide adequate oxygenation by invasive mechanical ventilation. While mechanical ventilation is a potentially life-saving intervention, it could cause lung injury, barotrauma, and dynamic hyperinflation due to high ventilator settings resulting in hemodynamic instability.

Light Chain (AL) Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

Amyloidosis is a clinical condition characterized by amyloid fibril deposition into different organ systems. The most common types are light chain (AL) amyloidosis and transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) amyloidosis. Amyloidosis involves the heart with an incidence of 1.

Type I Gastric Neuroendocrine Tumor Presenting as Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleed.

Gastric neuroendocrine tumors (GNETs) are rare and subdivided into type I, type II, and type III. Types I and II are gastrin-dependent and are usually benign, whereas type III is gastrin-independent and more aggressive. Type I accounts for 70-80% of all GNETs.

Horner Syndrome Secondary to Osteochondroma of the First Rib: A Case Report.

Osteochondroma is the most common benign tumor of bone that often produces no symptoms unless the enlarged mass affects nearby structures. Rarely, Horner syndrome can be caused by an osteochondroma. A five-year-old female with a past medical history of seizure-like activity presented to the emergency department on three separate occasions within one month.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung in McCune-Albright Syndrome.

McCune Albright Syndrome (MAS) is caused by a mutation in the GNAS gene that results in multiple endocrinopathies such as Cushing syndrome, acromegaly, hyperthyroidism, and precocious puberty. Despite the presence of pleiotropy coupled with a GNAS gene mutation, malignancy is a rare occurrence in MAS. There is minimal literature showcasing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung in patients with MAS.

Recurrent Spontaneous Pneumothorax Associated With Marijuana Abuse: Case Report and Literature Review.

Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit recreational drug in the United States. Growing public support for marijuana law reform has resulted in a significant increase in its use. The harmful pulmonary consequences of chronic marijuana smoking are less researched and discussed than those of tobacco smoking.

Small Intestinal Adenocarcinoma in a Patient With Celiac Disease.

Celiac disease (CD) is a systemic immune-mediated disorder against gluten, leading to an autoantibody response causing damage to the small intestinal mucosa. CD has been associated with gastrointestinal malignancies, most commonly gastrointestinal lymphoma. Rare malignancies have also been reported, such as small intestinal adenocarcinoma.

Improving clinical outcomes for women with overactive bladder or urinary retention symptoms: a comparison of motor response voltages (1-9 V) during Stage 1 sacral neuromodulation.

Objective: To assess whether the utilisation of a motor response of <3 V during Stage 1 sacral neuromodulation (SNM) results in better clinical outcomes compared to >4 V in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) or urinary retention symptoms.

Patients And Methods: An observational, retrospective, double cohort review was conducted of 339 female patients who had experienced medically recalcitrant OAB or urinary retention symptoms. Between September 2001 and September 2014, both cohorts underwent successful Stage 1 to Stage 2 SNM placement.

Physeal-sparing technique for femoral tunnel drilling in pediatric anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a posteromedial portal.

Pediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears present a technical dilemma for orthopaedic surgeons. Multiple surgical techniques have been described to protect the distal femoral and proximal tibial physes. We present an ACL reconstruction technique performed on a 12-year-old girl with open physes who sustained an ACL tear after a noncontact twisting injury while playing soccer.

Health literacy: a primer for pharmacists.

Purpose: The literature surrounding health literacy and its importance in everyday practice are reviewed.

Summary: Health literacy includes a patient's reading, writing, and numeracy skills, as well as his or her cultural experiences, understanding of health concepts and pathophysiology, and basic communication skills. Over one third of the American population lack the skills necessary to understand health information, make health care decisions, or follow medication instructions.