Characterizing the Native Microbiome Using Next-Generation Sequencing of Bilateral 'Aseptic' Knees.

Background: Next generation sequencing (NGS) has proven ability to identify organisms beyond those identified through traditional culture-based techniques in cases of suspected prosthetic joint infection. However, there is concern that some microorganisms identified may represent the natural joint microbiome rather than pathogenic agents. This work sought to evaluate the presence of microorganisms identified with NGS in bilateral native, presumed "aseptic" knees with osteoarthritis.

Return to Sport After Arthroscopic Capsular Repair in Elite Baseball Players.

Background: Chronic attritional midsubstance capsular tears arising from repetitive throwing stress are a rare but important source of pain and dysfunction in elite baseball players; however, little is known regarding outcomes after arthroscopic capsular repair.

Purpose: To evaluate the patient-reported outcomes and return-to-sport (RTS) rates after arthroscopic capsular repair in elite baseball players.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Clinical Oncology Nurse Best Practices: Palliative Care and End-of-Life Conversations.

Background: Clinical oncology nurses (CONs) support and guide patients and caregivers by encouraging open dialogue and using effective communication skills. Palliative care (PC) and preparing for the end of life require that CONs apply experienced communication skills that are focused, nuanced, and helpful.

Objectives: The aim of this article is to review communication methods and competencies, which can contribute to a best practices foundation for PC-focused conversations with patients and caregivers.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Transition to Digital Health in Clinical Oncology Care.

Background: Clinical oncology care is complex, and new technologies can improve efficiency, contribute to safe treatment delivery, and enhance care for the patient. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a shift to the use of digital health technologies to provide care. Oncology care providers can ensure that technology is integrated with the patient's plan of care.

Preclinical evidence for pioglitazone and bexarotene combination in oral cancer chemoprevention.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) requires new treatments and targeted approaches to improve survival. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and retinoic X receptor alpha (RXRα) nuclear receptor pathways may be targetable with repurposed Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved agents for prevention and treatment.

Methods: Oral cancer and leukoplakia cell lines were treated with the PPARγ agonist (pioglitazone) and RXRα activator (bexarotene).

Treatment of generalized infantile myofibromatosis with sorafenib and imatinib: A case report.

Infantile myofibromatosis (IM) is characterized by solitary musculoskeletal nodules presenting during infancy but can manifest as multiple lesions with visceral involvement. Multicentric IM with visceral involvement carries a high risk of mortality and there is no consensus on treatment. We present a case of a patient with multicentric IM and pulmonary involvement who progressed on several chemotherapeutic regimens and subsequently had a complete response to sorafenib and later imatinib.

The prognostic utility of ICH-score in anticoagulant related intracerebral hemorrhage.

Although intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) score is used to provide an estimate on the probability of mortality following spontaneous ICH of any cause, its utility has not been exclusively tested in ICH patients with history of treatment with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs). The aim of the present report is to investigate the utility of ICH score for mortality prognostication of VKA-ICH and NOAC-ICH patients. We used receiver operating characteristic curve analyses to estimate the accuracy parameters for the different values of ICH score in the prognosis of mortality within 30-days after the onset of NOAC-ICH or VKA-ICH.

Baseline characteristics and long-term outcomes of eosinophilic fasciitis in 89 patients seen at a single center over 20 years.

Aim: Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a rare, fibrosing disorder of skin and subcutaneous tissue. This study was undertaken to describe its clinical and laboratory features and identify prognostic factors associated with outcome.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all EF patients evaluated at our institution from 1 January1997 to 30 December 2016.

A Cost-Minimization Analysis of Intraoperative Costs in Arthroscopic Bankart Repair, Open Latarjet, and Distal Tibial Allograft.

Background: The optimal surgical treatment of anterior shoulder instability remains controversial.

Hypothesis: (1) Implants and facility-related costs are the primary drivers of variation in direct costs between arthroscopic Bankart and Latarjet procedures, and (2) distal tibial allograft (DTA) is more costly than Latarjet as a function of the graft expense.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Microbleed prevalence and burden in anticoagulant-associated intracerebral bleed.

Prior studies suggest an association between Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs); less is known about nonvitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs). In this observational study we describe CMB profiles in a multicenter cohort of 89 anticoagulation-related intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients. CMB prevalence was 51% (52% in VKA-ICH, 48% in NOAC-ICH).

National Survey Assessment of the United States' Pediatric Residents' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Newborn Screening.

A pediatrician's approach to newborn screening (NBS) impacts patient care. Some physicians have reported not being well prepared to inform families about a positive NBS and recommend further follow-up. The knowledge and approach of categorical pediatric residents (RES) in the United States regarding NBS is not known.

Adolescent survivors' information needs for transitions to postsecondary education and employment.

Background: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of cancer and central nervous system (CNS) tumors endure major life disruptions with their diagnosis, treatment, and the burden of emerging learning difficulties. Survivors and their parents often struggle to obtain more academic support as survivors transition through school. This study explored the knowledge and experience survivors and their parents need as they progress through school to college.

Clinical Outcomes and Neuroimaging Profiles in Nondisabled Patients With Anticoagulant-Related Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background and Purpose- The aim of this study was to prospectively validate our prior findings of smaller hematoma volume and lesser neurological deficit in nonvitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) compared with Vitamin K antagonist (VKA)-related intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods- Prospective 12-month observational study in 15 tertiary stroke centers in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Consecutive patients with premorbid modified Rankin Scale score of <2 with acute nontraumatic anticoagulant-related ICH divided into 2 groups according to the type of anticoagulant: NOAC versus VKA.

Preventing Exercise-Associated Collapse Using Online Runner Education: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Objective: To determine whether online exercise-associated collapse (EAC) prevention education decreases medical tent EAC visits among first-time marathoners.

Design: A prospective controlled study, with age- and sex-stratified randomization, evaluated rates of medical tent diagnosed EAC among runners randomized to the intervention group and intervention participants, compared with a control group.

Setting: Grandma's Marathon Medical Tent in Duluth, MN, June 2016.

The current status of robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy in the United States: an experience from two centers.

Background: Few studies exist regarding the state of robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy (RT) and its outcomes at high-volume institutions.

Methods: Eighty-nine patients underwent RT between January 2009 and September 2015 at two tertiary centers. Data were collected from prospectively-maintained IRB-approved databases.

Understanding the experience of care managers and relationship with patient outcomes: the COMPASS initiative.

Objective: To understand how care managers implemented COMPASS and if this was related to patient health outcomes.

Methods: A total of 96 COMPASS care managers were approached to participate in the online survey and 93 (97%) provided responses. Correlations were generated between key survey responses and the average number of care management contacts, patient depression, blood pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin outcomes.

Larazotide acetate for persistent symptoms of celiac disease despite a gluten-free diet: a randomized controlled trial.

Background & Aims: Celiac disease (CeD) is a prevalent autoimmune condition. Recurrent signs and symptoms are common despite treatment with a gluten-free diet (GFD), yet no approved or proven nondietary treatment is available.

Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we assessed larazotide acetate 0.

Nutrient intake from thickened beverages and patient-specific implications for care.

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, affects more than 15 million Americans and can result in adverse and potentially fatal consequences, including poor quality of life, depression, dehydration, malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, and airway obstruction. Although many treatment options are available, provision of thickened liquids is a common intervention for achieving slower, more controlled bolus manipulation and propulsion. To meet this therapeutic demand, commercially available products containing starch and/or gum-based components have been developed for use by patients and institutions.

Fecal microbiome transplantation for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection: report on a case series.

Background: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) continues to increase in incidence and severity, and was the most common nosocomial infection in the USA in 2010. Most cases of CDI respond to a standard course of antibiotics, but recurrent C. difficile infection (RCDI) has become increasingly frequent, and alternative treatments are needed.