Relationship between nurse staffing during labor and cesarean birth rates in U.S. hospitals.

Background: Cesarean birth increases risk of maternal morbidity and mortality.

Purpose: Examine the relationship between labor and delivery staffing and hospital cesarean and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) rates.

Methods: Survey of U.

Case report: Dirofilarial infection of the face.

An 18-year-old male patient from Ukraine, living in Germany for 2 years, presented with a painless subcutaneous swelling on the left cheek that had been present for several months. Finally, the diagnosis of subcutaneous dirofilariasis caused by was confirmed by 12S rRNA gene PCR and sequencing from tissue by nematode-specific PCRs followed by sequencing after surgical resection of the lesion. Microfilaremia was ruled out and no further treatment was required.

Biochemical markers in hand osteoarthritis: a path to precision medicine.

Hand osteoarthritis (HOA) is a heterogeneous joint disease with high radiographic and symptomatic prevalence. The diagnosis of HOA is based on clinical and radiographic features. The identification of potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, disease severity assessment, and therapeutic efficacy evaluation of НОА remains an active area of research.

Impact of adherence to quality indicators and effects of targeted treatment with cefazolin or flucloxacillin on in-hospital mortality in patients with methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bloodstream infections: a retrospective observational study.

Purpose: To analyze the associations between adherence to quality indicators (QIs) in the treatment of bloodstream infections caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (MSSA) and in-hospital mortality.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in patients admitted between 2019 and 2023 to Hospital St.

Transcription enhanced associate domain factor 1 (TEAD1) predicts liver regeneration outcome of ALPPS-treated patients.

Background: The two-stage surgical technique of associated liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) enables extensive liver resection and promotes future liver remnant regeneration (FLR), in part by inhibiting the Hippo signalling pathway. Its main effector, Yes-associated protein (YAP), has low intrinsic transcriptional activity and requires the transcription enhanced associated domain factor (TEAD) family members as cofactors for target gene transcription. We evaluated the intracellular localization and expression of TEAD1-4, hypothesized to regulate the activity of YAP and, consequently, liver regeneration.

Prevalence of Ishihara Test Failures in a Large Cohort of Military Conscripts.

Purpose: Color vision deficiency (CVD) is a common vision disorder. It is predominantly caused by inherited photopigment abnormalities in the retina. The absolute number of cases with CVD is expected to increase worldwide with the growing population.

A national survey on gastroenterology and hepatology training reveals dissimilar perceptions between trainees and trainers and an important need for improvement in training programs.

Objective: We aimed to collect data on gastroenterology and hepatology training from the viewpoint of trainees and trainers.

Methods: A national online survey was distributed among trainees and specialists at certified training institutions between February and May 2024.

Results: Overall, 226 respondents - 98 trainees, 78 trainers, 50 program directors, and department heads responded, with a national coverage of 70% of trainees and 85% of specialty-department heads.

Desensitization With Imlifidase for HLA-Incompatible Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Delphi International Expert Consensus.

Highly sensitized (HS) patients in need of kidney transplantation (KTx) typically spend a longer time waiting for compatible kidneys, are unlikely to receive an organ offer, and are at increased risk of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Desensitization using imlifidase, which is more rapid and removes total body immunoglobulin G (IgG) to a greater extent than other methods, enables transplantation to occur between HLA-incompatible (HLAi) donor-recipient pairs and allows patients to have greater access to KTx. However, when the project was launched there was limited data and clinical experience with desensitization in general and with imlifidase specifically.

Comparative Assessment of CMR-Determined Extracellular Volume Metrics in Predicting Adverse Outcomes.

Extracellular volume (ECV) by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is associated with disease burden and clinical outcomes. Recent studies in patients with valvular heart disease (VHD) have suggested that the indexed total ECV (iECV) = ECVx(LV/1.05)/body surface area may supersede ECV in terms of prognostication.

Does Total Neoadjuvant Therapy Impact Surgical Precision in Total Mesorectal Excision? A Nationwide Survey of the Experiences of Expert Surgeons.

Background: The treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) has steadily progressed over the past four decades, with recent focus shifting towards total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT). This survey aims to elucidate the perceived surgical challenges faced by Austrian colorectal surgeons performing total mesorectal excision (TME), focusing on the increased complexity and surgical difficulty introduced by intensified treatment regimens.

Methods: A comprehensive survey was conducted among Austrian colorectal surgeons to explore various aspects of managing and performing TME following TNT.

Foreign Bodies in Lower Airway in Children: Brief Review and Clinical Experience.

Background: Foreign body aspiration is a preventable occurrence that carries a high risk of mortality in the pediatric population. Clinically, foreign body aspiration manifests as cough, followed by choking, which might not be given any consideration by the caregivers of the child. An episode of sudden wheezing can also raise the suspicion of a foreign body in the lower respiratory tract.

Influence of parkinson's disease on complications and revisions in total hip and knee arthroplasty: insights from a matched pair analysis.

Purpose: The outcome of elective total joint arthroplasty (TJA) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is controversial due to the concomitant risk profile. This study investigated postoperative complications and revision rates following total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with PD.

Methods: Ninety-six patients with PD undergoing THA or TKA were matched 1:1 with non-PD patients using propensity score matching for age, sex and comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity index, CCI).

An increase in flow-diverter oversizing values as an independent risk factor for developing more severe in-stent stenosis. A retrospective single-center study based on flow diversion of supraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysms.

Introduction: In the past decade, flow diverters (FDs) have increasingly been used to treat cerebral aneurysms with unfavorable morphology in which other endovascular techniques fall short of being as effective. In-stent stenosis (ISS) is one of the most puzzling and frequent risks of flow diversion therapy observed on follow-ups. This complication, although mostly placid in its clinical course, can have dire consequences if patients become symptomatic.

Unusual presentation of a giant recurrent inguinal hernia: a case report.

The recurrence rate of inguinal hernia is 1-10%, most often in the inguinal region, and seldom in different locations. A 72-year-old man with a large soft swelling in the right ventrolateral abdominal region without swelling in the scrotum, operated on right inguinal hernia at pediatric age. Clinical findings revealed a giant right ventrolateral hernia and abdominal CT showed weakness of the abdominal wall with a 25 cm long hernial sac with an apex under the right costal arch and a base at the deep inguinal opening, that was diagnosed as a recurrent inguinal hernia with unusual presentation.

Circumstances in a young German cohort with sudden cardiac arrest: systematic insights and implications.

Introduction: Data on circumstances of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in Germany are limited. The present study aimed to investigate systematically the current pre- and in-hospital circumstances of a SCA cohort at young age (65 years or younger) in Germany.

Methods: In the period from 2010 to 2021, we enrolled 191 consecutive patients with SCA at a university hospital in the Ruhr area, Germany.

The Multicentre Acute ischemic stroke imaGIng and Clinical data (MAGIC) repository: rationale and blueprint.

Purpose: The Multicentre Acute ischemic stroke imaGIng and Clinical data (MAGIC) repository is a collaboration established in 2024 by seven stroke centres in Europe. MAGIC consolidates clinical and radiological data from acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who underwent endovascular therapy, intravenous thrombolysis, a combination of both, or conservative management.

Participants: All centres ensure accuracy and completeness of the data.

Comparison of long-term outcomes in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis treated with different immunosuppressive drugs.

Background: We compared long-term clinical outcomes between patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) who received no treatment (NT), steroid treatment (ST), disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), or tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNF).

Methods: Patients from SSM healthcare system's data warehouse were identified using ICD codes. Inclusion criteria included at least 6 months of follow-up.

Retrospective multicenter analysis of the Trenza Embolization Device for endovascular therapy of intracranial aneurysms: initial results and short-term follow-up.

Background: Intrasaccular devices are increasingly used in endovascular therapy of intracranial aneurysms, in particular wide-necked and ruptured aneurysms. The Trenza Embolization Device (TED) is an innovative intrasaccular device for medium- to large-sized aneurysms. Currently, literature about the TED is scarce.

Standardized measurement of the piriformis muscle and the proximal portion of the sacral nerve roots using transvaginal ultrasound.

Objective: To identify the sonomorphological appearance and to measure the thickness of the piriformis muscle (PM) and the proximal portion of the sacral nerve roots S1-S3 in healthy premenopausal women.

Materials And Methods: This prospective multicentric observational study included a consecutive series of women undergoing transvaginal sonography (TVS) at two tertiary gynecological referral centers. Standardized assessment of the pelvic organs was performed followed by an attempt to visualize the right and left PM and sacral nerve roots S1-S3 at their origin in proximity to the sacral neuroforamen.

National Consensus on the Assessment of Visual Function for Driving in Switzerland.

Purpose: To establish a national consensus on assessing visual function for fitness to drive in Switzerland.

Methods: The minimum medical requirements for visual function for fitness to drive are regulated by Swiss Federal Law, namely, by the Traffic Licensing Ordinance (TLO). The medical examination techniques relevant in this context and their assessment are not further specified therein, which leads to legal inequality among drivers and uncertainty among examiners.

Long-term outcomes of sleeve gastrectomy in a patient group with mainly high BMI: a single-center study.

Since long-term results after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are rather scarce, this study aims to add LSG results with a minimum of 5 years of follow-up. Prospectively collected data from primary LSG in a tertiary bariatric center from 08/2007 to 12/2018 with follow-up ≥ 5 years were analyzed retrospectively. Primary endpoints included total body weight loss (%TBWL) and excess weight loss (%EWL), insufficient weight loss (IWL), weight regain (WR), remission of associated diseases, development of new-onset gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and nutritional deficiencies.

Hospitalizations during the 30-day period preceding admissions with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Insights from the Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD).

Introduction: The extent and associated reasons or characteristics related to patients presenting to hospital prior with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are unknown.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed the Nationwide Readmission Database from 2018 to 2020 to evaluate hospitalizations within 30 days preceding a hospitalization with the diagnosis of STEMI in order to determine how often this occurs and what are the causes and factors associated with the recent admission.

Results: There were 1,355,765 hospital admissions with a diagnosis of STEMI and 54,545 (4.

Repeat Procedures After Pulsed Field Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: MANIFEST-REDO Study.

Background: Initial clinical studies of pulsed field ablation (PFA) to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) indicated a >90% durability rate of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). However, these studies were largely conducted in single centers and involved a limited number of operators. The electrophysiological findings and outcomes in patients undergoing repeat ablation after an initial PF ablation for AF are incompletely understood.