Left Atrial Strain in Omicron-Type COVID-19 Patients.

Background: Information about left atrial (LA) 2-dimensional (2D) strain parameters in patients with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate LA strain (LAS) in COVID-19 patients with the Omicron variant and compare it to that of propensity-matched patients with the wild-type (WT) variant.

Methods: A total of 148 consecutive patients who were hospitalized with Omicron COVID-19 underwent an echocardiographic evaluation within the first day after hospital admission and were compared to propensity-matched patients (1:1) with the WT variant.

Floorplanning with I/O Assignment via Feasibility-Seeking and Superiorization Methods.

The feasibility-seeking approach offers a systematic framework for managing and resolving intricate constraints in continuous problems, making it a promising avenue to explore in the context of floorplanning problems with increasingly heterogeneous constraints. The classic legality constraints can be expressed as the union of convex sets. However, conventional projection-based algorithms for feasibility-seeking do not guarantee convergence in such situations, which are also heavily influenced by the initialization.

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Polyaryl-Ether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK) Spinal Fixation System: Technical Features and Preliminary Clinical Trial.

Objective: To present the clinical result of spinal fixation system made entirely of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced (CFR)-Hybrid Polyaryl-Ether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK).

Summary Of Background Data: Fusion surgery has been used to treat chronic low back pain caused by degenerative disk disease (DDD). The traditional pedicle screw system made of titanium, though biocompatible, can lead to complications, such as stress shielding and implant failure.

A local-to-global inequality for spectral invariants and an energy dichotomy for Floer trajectories.

We study a local-to-global inequality for spectral invariants of Hamiltonians whose supports have a "large enough" disjoint tubular neighborhood on semipositive symplectic manifolds. As a corollary, we deduce this inequality for disjointly supported Hamiltonians that are -small (when fixing the supports). In particular, we present the first examples of such an inequality when the Hamiltonians are not necessarily supported in domains with contact-type boundaries, or when the ambient manifold is irrational.

Virtual versus in-person didactic modalities: A national survey of emergency medicine residencies.

Background: Following the widespread shift from in-person to virtual delivery of didactics during the COVID-19 pandemic, some emergency medicine (EM) residency programs have retained virtual didactic time while others have returned exclusively to in-person didactics. In this national survey of EM residency programs, we explored the current national distribution of virtual versus in-person didactic time and the circumstances and motivators for use of each.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey with branched logic was designed via Qualtrics.

Revisiting Injectable Estrogen Dosing Recommendations for Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy.

Injectable estrogens are options for gender-affirming hormone therapy per guidelines, which suggest intramuscular dosages of 5-30 mg every 2 weeks or 2-10 mg weekly with estradiol cypionate or valerate interchangeably. Data among transgender and gender-diverse patients are limited due to local unavailability and concerns around laboratory assay variability and estradiol (E2) level fluctuation. We note a concerning trend where patients are prescribed high-dose injections based on the guidelines leading to serum E2 levels well above the range recommended in the same guidelines.

Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy Is Associated with Increased Odds of Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections in a Clinical Cohort of Transgender and Nonbinary Adults.

Purpose: Transgender and nonbinary adults (TNB) are disproportionately burdened by sexually transmitted infections (STI) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study investigated whether gender-affirming hormone therapy was associated with TNB adults' odds of screening for STI and HIV.

Methods: Longitudinal data came from the electronic medical records of TNB primary care patients receiving care at two community health centers located in Boston, Massachusetts, and New York City, New York, between January 2013 and December 2019.

Racial Disparities in Clinical Trial Enrollment Among Patients Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer: A Population-Based Cohort of Oncology Practices.

Although clinical trials should be accessible to all patients, persistent racial and ethnic disparities in clinical trial enrollment exist. Herein, we examine racial disparities in clinical trial enrollment among prostate cancer patients from a large population-based cohort of oncology practices in the United States. Using CancerLinQ Discovery, we identified men with regional (N1+) and/or metastatic (M1) prostate cancer diagnosed from 2011 to 2023.

Systolic Anterior Motion of the Mitral Valve Post-Heart Transplant Secondary to an Unusual Mechanism.

In this case report, we discuss the critical interdependence of structure and function in demonstrating systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve after repeat heart transplantation, where residual apical tissue of the explanted heart remained in place. The resulting conformational changes led to anterior displacement of the mitral valve and persistent SAM.

Pushing the Boundaries of Minimally Invasive Surgery: Fully Laparoscopic Left Hepatectomy Extended to Segment 8 for Bilobar Colorectal Liver Metastases.

The surgical management of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer may range from segmental resections to major or extended hepatectomies. The aim is to achieve complete removal of metastatic lesions while preserving adequate liver function. We present the case of a 42-year-old male patient with a history of glucose intolerance who presented with altered bowel movements and abdominal pain.

Association between atherosclerosis and the development of multi-organ pathologies.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the vascular system, characterised by the accumulation of modified lipoproteins, immune cell aggregation and the development of fibrous tissue within blood vessel walls. As atherosclerosis impacts blood vessels, its adverse effects may manifest across various tissues and organs. In this review, we examine the association of atherosclerosis with Alzheimer's disease, stroke, pancreatic and thyroid dysfunction, kidney stones and chronic kidney diseases.

Therapeutic treatments targeting communication between angiogenic and immune microenvironments in thyroid cancers.

Thyroid cancer treatment has recently been revolutionized by the introduction of specific targeted therapies (e.g. BRAF or highly selective RET inhibitors), anti-angiogenic agents (e.

Comprehensive list of preventative migraine headache medications without significant drug-drug interactions.

Background/objective: Preventive medications are crucial in migraine prevention. In cases of refractory migraine headaches, multiple medications may be required. We seek to identify a comprehensive list of preventive migraine headache medications that can be used as two, three, and four drug combinations without drug-drug interactions.

Successful Radiofrequency Ablation of an Intrathyroidal Parathyroid Adenoma After Failed Parathyroidectomy.

Background/objective: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been increasingly used as an alternative to surgery in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who are unable or unwilling to have surgery.

Case Report: We present a case of a 64-year-old woman who had surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism complicated by osteoporosis. Preoperative imaging with 4-dimensional computed tomography scan suggested multigland disease; however, she had persistent hyperparathyroidism after parathyroid exploration.

Polygenic score distribution differences across European ancestry populations: implications for breast cancer risk prediction.

Background: The 313-variant polygenic risk score (PRS) provides a promising tool for clinical breast cancer risk prediction. However, evaluation of the PRS across different European populations which could influence risk estimation has not been performed.

Methods: We explored the distribution of PRS across European populations using genotype data from 94,072 females without breast cancer diagnosis, of European-ancestry from 21 countries participating in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) and 223,316 females without breast cancer diagnosis from the UK Biobank.

Comparison of ELISA and IFAT for Leishmania infantum by European and Middle Eastern diagnostic laboratories.

Background: Visceral leishmaniosis (VL) is the most severe form of human leishmaniosis, with an estimated 95% case fatality if left untreated. Dogs act as peridomestic reservoir hosts for the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum, a causative agent for human leishmaniosis, endemic throughout the Mediterranean basin. To assure consistent and accurate surveillance of canine infection and prevent transmission to people, consistent diagnosis of canine L.

Differential impact of TyG and TyG-BMI indices on short- and long-term mortality in critically ill ischemic stroke patients.

Background: Ischemic stroke is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality, particularly in critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). While advances in stroke management have improved outcomes, predicting mortality remains challenging due to the involvement of complex metabolic and cardiovascular factors. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a marker for insulin resistance, has gained attention for its potential to predict adverse outcomes in stroke patients.

Yes, We Can! Ensuring That our Graduating Resident's Procedural Skills Meet the Needs of Their Patients.

Objectives: There is a burgeoning discrepancy between the procedural competency of graduating diagnostic radiology residents and the needs of our patient population. The causes of this mismatch and opportunities for improvement are explored by the APDR Procedural Competency of Graduating DR Residents Task Force.

Materials And Methods: The APDR convened a task force consisting of diverse broad stakeholder viewpoints, drawing from organized radiology, academic and private practices.

Digital planning and decision making for severe congenital oligodontia with Angle class-III malocclusion - Case series.

As maxillofacial surgery becomes increasingly digitized and the transformative impact of pre-surgical scanning and computer simulation is recognized, this clinical paper presents an algorithm for the selection of interventions in severe congenital oligodontia with Angle class-III malocclusion (OCIII) utilizing such technologies. A complex, multifactorial condition with varying degrees of craniofacial involvement, OCIII is associated with edentulous facial appearance, mandibular prognathism and deep underbite, as well as malocclusion. Our methodology involves the integration of CBCT imaging, intra- and extra- oral scanning, and 3D planning with the assessment of bone volume, number of missing teeth, skeletal discrepancies, and patient compliance in the selection of suitable treatments.

The Relationships Between Spirituality, Tendency to Forgive, Social Support, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Stress Among Female Survivors of Sexual Assault.

Over the past few years, there has been a growing awareness of the extent and consequences of sexual assault. Sexual assault has long-term consequences for the survivor's mental health and brings into question the resources available to survivors for dealing with the consequences of the assault. The positive effects of spirituality and forgiveness on mental health are well documented; however, few studies have examined how sexual assault survivors use spiritual beliefs and forgiveness to cope with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and stress symptoms.

Maternal Colonization of Extended-Spectrum-Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Preterm Rupture of Membranes.

Aim: Maternal colonization by Enterobacteriaceae that produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL-E) has risen, and the antimicrobial resistance of ESBL-E is significant. We aimed to evaluate the rates of ESBL-E colonization among women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and of maternal-neonatal vertical transmission. We also aimed to compare obstetrical and neonatal complications among ESBL-E positive versus negative maternal colonization in pregnancies complicated by PPROM.

A review on the recovery of humic substances from anaerobic digestate of sludge as a potential fertilizer: Quantification, efficiency and interaction with pollutants.

This study reviewed the recovery of humic substances (HS) from anaerobic digestate of sludge as a potential fertilizer, focusing on the quantification of HS, the efficiency of HS recovery, and its interaction with pollutants. The potential pitfalls of current misunderstanding for HS quantification in sludge were pointed out. HS present in sludge showed potential to be used as a fertilizer, which solubilized insoluble phosphates for enhanced soil fertility.

Defining an Undergraduate Radiation Oncology Microclerkship via the Delphi Method.

Purpose: Many medical students in the U.S. lack formal exposure to radiation oncology (RO).

Physicians' Preference for Carotid Revascularization Impacts Postoperative Stroke and Death Outcomes.

Background: TransCarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is a safe minimally invasive option for patients with carotid artery stenosis who are not appropriate candidates for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Many physicians have not yet adopted this technique in the management of carotid artery stenosis. The aim of this study is to explore overall outcomes of carotid revascularization based on physicians' practices in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI).