Lobectomy verses Sublobar Resection in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database: Importance of Patient Factors and Lymph Node Evaluation.

Background: Prospective randomized trials have demonstrated noninferior survival between sublobar resection and lobectomy in healthy non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with tumors ≤2cm. However, some patient attributes are not well represented in randomized trials and uncertainty remains in the widespread applicability of randomized trial nodal dissection protocols.

Methods: Patients with ≤2cm, node-negative NSCLC (cT1N0) in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons prospective database were linked to Medicare survival data using a probabilistic matching algorithm.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Intermacs Database Risk Model for Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Background: Statistical risk models for durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation inform candidate selection, quality improvement, and evaluation of provider performance. We developed a 90-day mortality risk model utilizing The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Intermacs Database (STS Intermacs).

Methods: STS Intermacs was queried for primary durable LVAD implants from 1/ 2019 - 9/2023.

TFII-I/GTF2I regulates globin gene expression and stress response in erythroid cells.

Transcription factor TFII-I/GTF2I is ubiquitously expressed and has been shown to play a role in the differentiation of hematopoietic cells and in the response to various cellular stressors. We previously demonstrated that TFII-I acts as a repressor of adult β-globin gene transcription and positively regulates expression of stress response proteins, including ATF3. Here we analyzed the function of TFII-I in TF-1 cells during erythroid differentiation and in response to cellular stress, including unfolded protein response, hypoxia, and oxidative stress.

Future directions in the evaluation and management of newly diagnosed metastatic cancer.

There is a much debate regarding optimal selection in patients with metastatic cancer who should undergo local treatment (surgery or radiation treatment) to the primary tumor and/or metastases. Additionally, the optimal treatment of newly diagnosed metastatic cancer is largely unclear. Current prognostication systems to best inform these clinical scenarios are limited, as all metastatic patients are grouped together as having Stage IV disease without further incorporation of patient and disease-specific covariates that significantly impact patient outcomes.

Communication-efficient federated learning of temporal effects on opioid use disorder with data from distributed research networks.

Objective: To develop a distributed algorithm to fit multi-center Cox regression models with time-varying coefficients to facilitate privacy-preserving data integration across multiple health systems.

Materials And Methods: The Cox model with time-varying coefficients relaxes the proportional hazards assumption of the usual Cox model and is particularly useful to model time-to-event outcomes. We proposed a One-shot Distributed Algorithm to fit multi-center Cox regression models with Time varying coefficients (ODACT).

Does maintaining external fixators during definitive fixation of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures influence fracture alignment and deep infection rates?

Introduction: External fixators are utilized to temporarily stabilize bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. They can be prepped during definitive surgery to help maintain fracture length and alignment. However, there is a potential for increased infection by leaving the external fixator on during the surgery.

Factors associated with development of depression in adult patients with brain arteriovenous malformations.

Objective: Cerebrovascular diseases are often associated with the development of depression, but few studies have assessed this association with brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs). We aim to explore the association of brain arteriovenous malformation(bAVM) with new onset depression at follow-up.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study on adult bAVMs patients using an institutional bAVM database.

PEN-FAST-ED: Utilizing the PEN-FAST decision tool to guide antibiotic prescribing in the emergency department.

Background: Patient-reported penicillin allergies are frequently encountered in the emergency department (ED), which often lead to non-beta-lactam antibiotic use despite beta-lactams' place as first-line therapy in most bacterial infections. The PEN-FAST clinical decision tool was developed and validated to identify patients with a low risk of true penicillin allergies that do not require formal skin testing for rechallenging. The tool consists of four questions that add up to a total score ranging from 0 to 5.

Trends and Disparities in Prostate Cancer Mortality in the United States (1999-2020).

Background: Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men in the United States. Over the past two decades, the observed decline in prostate cancer mortality can be attributed to advancements in screening, early detection, and treatment. However, persistent disparities related to race, geography, and age highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve outcomes.

Comparing answers of ChatGPT and Google Gemini to common questions on benign anal conditions.

Introduction: Chatbots have been increasingly used as a source of patient education. This study aimed to compare the answers of ChatGPT-4 and Google Gemini to common questions on benign anal conditions in terms of appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and language level.

Methods: Each chatbot was asked a set of 30 questions on hemorrhoidal disease, anal fissures, and anal fistulas.

How low should we go? Outcomes of ECMO in neonates with low gestational age or birth weight.

Purpose: Initial recommendations for ECMO had relative contraindications for low birth weight (BW) or low gestational age (GA) babies. However, more recent literature has demonstrated improved and acceptable outcomes of ECMO in smaller neonates. The purpose of this study was to understand both utilization and survival in patients with lower GA and BW.

Comparison of the diagnostic performance of non-contrast MR angiography and planar V/Q scintigraphy for pulmonary embolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To conduct a meta-analysis of the diagnostic performance of non-contrast magnetic resonance pulmonary angiography (NC-MRPA) and ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy for the detection of acute pulmonary embolism (PE).

Materials And Methods: Systematic searches of electronic databases were conducted from 2000 to 2024. Primary outcomes were per-patient sensitivity and specificity of NC-MRPA and V/Q scintigraphy.

Development and characterization of in vitro inducible immortalization of a murine microglia cell line for high throughput studies.

There are few in vitro models available to study microglial physiology in a homeostatic context. Recent approaches include the human induced pluripotent stem cell model, but these can be challenging for large-scale assays and may lead to batch variability. To advance our understanding of microglial biology while enabling scalability for high-throughput assays, we developed an inducible immortalized murine microglial cell line using a tetracycline expression system.

Liquid-based encapsulation for implantable bioelectronics across broad pH environments.

Wearable and implantable bioelectronics that can interface for extended periods with highly mobile organs and tissues across a broad pH range would be useful for various applications in basic biomedical research and clinical medicine. The encapsulation of these systems, however, presents a major challenge, as such devices require superior barrier performance against water and ion penetration in challenging pH environments while also maintaining flexibility and stretchability to match the physical properties of the surrounding tissue. Current encapsulation materials are often limited to near-neutral pH conditions, restricting their application range.

Evaluation of an indirect Na1.7 inhibitor as adjunctive analgesic in burn-related neuropathic pain in a cat.

Burn-related neuropathic pain (BRNP) can arise following burn-induced nerve damage, affects approximately 6% of burned human patients and can result in chronic pain. Although widely studied in humans, data on BRNP or its treatment in animals is lacking. A 4-year-old domestic shorthair cat was presented with an infected, non-healing wound suspected to be a caustic burn.

Adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment in high compared to low TB burden countries: study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis with a qualitative meta-synthesis of themes.

Introduction: Non-adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment poses a significant challenge to effective TB management globally and is a major contributor to the emergence of multidrug-resistant TB. Although adherence to TB treatment has been widely studied, a comprehensive evaluation of the comparative levels of adherence in high- versus low-TB burden settings remains lacking. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the levels of adherence to TB treatment in high-TB burden countries compared to low-burden countries.

A Multivariate Analysis of a Modified Frailty Index on Perioperative Morbidity and Mortality Following Non-Emergent Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Objective: Frailty has become an increasingly recognized perioperative risk stratification tool. While frailty has been strongly correlated with worsening surgical outcomes, the individual determinants of frailty have rarely been investigated in the setting of aortic disease. The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of an 11-factor modified frailty index (mFI-11) on mortality and postoperative complications in patients undergoing endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Anatomic and Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Osteoarthritis: Outcomes in Patients 80 Years Old and Older.

Background: There has been an increase in both primary anatomic (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) over the last decade, with rates peaking for patients aged 75 years and older. Despite aTSA being the mainstay of treatment for patients with glenohumeral arthritis in the absence of rotator cuff insufficiency, there has been an upward trend of rTSA utilization in the elderly due to concerns about rotator cuff integrity, regardless of deformity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate outcomes including pain, function, range of motion, satisfaction, and complications in patients 80 years or older following primary anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for osteoarthritis without full thickness rotator cuff tears.

Racial and ethnic enrollment disparities in clinical trials leading to FDA approvals for gynecologic malignancies.

Background: Black women and other minorities have higher age adjusted incidence risk for cervical and endometrial cancer than White women. However, the extent of racial and ethnic disparities in clinical trial enrollment among studies performed mainly in North America and Europe for gynecologic malignancy is unknown.

Objective: This study analyzed enrollment rates by race/ethnicity in trials that led to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals for gynecological cancers from 2010 to 2024.

Trends in Neurosurgeons Signing Medicare Opt-Out Affidavits.

Objective: In recent decades, many physicians have chosen to opt out of Medicare, allowing them to set their own pricing models for their patients. Characterization of Medicare opt-outs has not been thoroughly studied in any surgical specialty, including Neurosurgery. Our study characterizes the factors that may influence a neurosurgeon's decision to opt out of Medicare acceptance and contextualizes them both within the field and across various surgical specialties.