Impact of race and ethnicity on clinical outcomes and recurrence post-ureteral reconstruction.

Introduction: Ureteral stricture disease (UTSD) poses significant challenges in reconstructive urology, with recent advances highlighting disparities in healthcare outcomes based on race and ethnicity. This study investigates the impact of race and ethnicity on clinical outcomes following ureteral reconstruction.

Methods: We conducted a single-centre prospective analysis of 233 patients who underwent ureteral reconstruction for UTSD from 2014 to 2023.

Hysterotomy for retained placenta in suspected angular pregnancy.

Background: Angular pregnancy is a rare event and is a commonly missed diagnosis in the antepartum period. Data regarding the optimal mode of delivery and management of the placenta are limited.

Case Description: A patient in her 30s, gravida 3, para 1 presented at 37 weeks with severe range blood pressure and was admitted for induction of labour due to preeclampsia.

Racial Disparities in Opioid Prescribing in the United States from 2011 to 2021: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: This meta-analysis is an update to a seminal meta-analysis on racial/ethnic disparities in pain treatment in the United States (US) published in 2012. Since then, literature has accumulated on the topic and important policy changes were made.

Objective: Examining racial/ethnic disparities in pain management and investigating key moderators of the association between race/ethnicity and pain outcomes in the US.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes in South Asia: A Systematic Review.

Background: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are a helpful tool for the evidence-based management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D). The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize and appraise the scope and quality of South Asian T2D CPGs.

Methods: This PROPSERO registered (CRD42023425150) systematic review adhered to the 2020 PRISMA guidelines.

Exploration of Latina/Hispanic women's experiences living with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a qualitative study with patients in Houston.

Objectives: A deeper understanding of the lived experiences of Hispanic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can help guide the development of behavioural programmes that facilitate NAFLD management. This paper explores Hispanic women's experiences living with NAFLD.

Design, Setting, Participants: We collected brief sociodemographic questionnaires and conducted in-depth interviews with 12 low-income (all had household income ≤USD$55 000 per year) Hispanic women with NAFLD from the Houston area.

Overweight and obese women's symptoms, knowledge, and preferences regarding endometrial biopsy for endometrial cancer detection: A threshold technique survey.

Background: The incidence of endometrial cancer (EC) in the United States continues to rise, driven mainly by the obesity epidemic. We sought to determine overweight and obese women's cancer risk knowledge and preferences regarding diagnostic endometrial biopsy (EMB) for EC detection.

Methods: An online survey was administered to overweight and obese women without EC recruited through the electronic medical record's online patient portal.

Chatbot Performance in Defining and Differentiating Palliative Care, Supportive Care, Hospice Care.

Context: Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot platforms are increasingly used by patients as sources of information. However, there is limited data on the performance of these platforms, especially regarding palliative care terms.

Objectives: We evaluated the accuracy, comprehensiveness, reliability, and readability of three AI platforms in defining and differentiating "palliative care," "supportive care," and "hospice care.

Alanine Scanning of the Unstructured Region of Ara h 2 and of a Related Mimotope Reveals Critical Amino Acids for IgE Binding.

Scope: The unstructured region of Ara h 2, referred to as epitope 3, contains a repeated motif, DYPSh (h = hydroxyproline) that is important for IgE binding.

Methods And Results: IgE binding assays to 20mer and shorter peptides of epitope 3, defines a 16mer core sequence containing one copy of the DPYSh motif, DEDSYERDPYShSQDP. This study performs alanine scanning of this and a related 12mer mimotope, LLDPYAhRAWTK.

Approaching Artificial Intelligence in Orthopaedics: Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning to Prognosticate Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Surgical Outcomes.

Machine learning (ML) has not yet been used to identify factors predictive for post-operative functional outcomes following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). We propose a novel algorithm to predict ARCR outcomes using machine learning. This is a retrospective cohort study from a prospectively collected database.

Fecal microbiota transplantation in Parkinson's disease-A randomized repeat-dose, placebo-controlled clinical pilot study.

Background And Purpose: The intestinal microbiome plays a primary role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders and may provide an opportunity for disease modification. We performed a pilot clinical study looking at the safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), its effect on the microbiome, and improvement of symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study, wherein orally administered lyophilized FMT product or matching placebo was given to 12 subjects with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease with constipation twice weekly for 12 weeks.

Functional outcomes after prostate cancer treatment: A comparison between single and multiple modalities.

Prostate cancer is a widely common and treatable disease, and functional outcomes can greatly affect survivor quality of life. A retrospective review of the SEER-Medicare database was performed to identify patients who underwent prostate cancer treatment between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2013 and review the rates of diagnosis and treatment of common functional side effects of surgery, radiation, or a combination of the 2 and perform a comparison of the outcomes. A total of 67,527 patients were included in the analysis.

Nonarthroplasty options for massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears have improvement in range of motion and patient-reported outcomes at short-term follow-up: a systematic review.

Purpose: To compare various nonarthroplasty treatment options for massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears, including allograft bridging/augmentation, debridement, partial repair, superior capsule reconstruction (SCR), subacromial balloon spacer, and tendon transfer.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted through the PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases for all articles pertaining to nonarthroplasty treatment options for irreparable rotator cuff tears. Inclusion criteria included manuscripts published between 2009 and 2020 with at least 1 year follow-up and Level I-IV evidence.

Thoracic Aortic Graft Salvage after Sternal Wound Infection with Antibiotic Beads and Flap Coverage.

Infections involving thoracic aortic grafts are difficult to treat and have devastating consequences. The traditional approaches to surgical management include aggressive debridement with graft explantation and replacement. Despite treatment, the reported morbidity and mortality rates are high.

Ankle Arthroscopy as an Adjunct to the Management of Ankle Fractures.

Background: Ankle fractures are one of the most common injuries managed by orthopedic surgeons. Although the etiology of posttraumatic osteoarthritis in anatomically reduced ankle fractures is not completely known, several studies suggest that undetected intra-articular pathology at the time of injury may play a role. The purpose of this study is to report the operative findings of ankle arthroscopy as an adjunct to ankle fracture open reduction and internal fixation.

Clinical Predictors of Failed Medical Treatment in Patients with Tubo-ovarian Abscess: External Validation of a Recently Published Risk Score.

Study Objective: To assess the external validity of a recently published clinical risk score estimating the risk of failed medical treatment in patients with tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) based on 4 clinical variables on admission.

Design: The probability of failed medical treatment predicted from the reference risk score was compared with the observed rates in a retrospective cohort of patients with TOA. Results were assessed using rigorous methods for clinical prediction models.

The Effect of Introduction of Motorized Stretchers on Hospital-Based Patient Transporter Injuries and Resultant Workers' Compensation Costs.

Unlabelled: Manual stretchers cause more injuries than hydraulic stretchers in workers who transport patients.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of introducing motorized stretchers on transporter injuries and resultant workers' compensation costs.

Methods: The number of transporters who sustained injuries related to stretcher manipulation, and associated workers' compensation costs, before and after the introduction of motorized stretchers, was determined.

Free latissimus dorsi flap for upper extremity reconstruction in a 9-month-old.

Successful outcomes for free tissue transfer are well-documented in pediatric patients but less so in infants. Challenges with infants are unique and include implications of prolonged anesthetic exposure. We present a 9-month-old female who underwent a free latissimus dorsi flap to reconstruct a congenital upper extremity lesion threatening limb development.

MPLA Case 1: Implementing Cone-Beam CT in a Community Hospital.

This fictional case describes a managerial situation of implementing cone-beam computed tomography faced by a solo medical physicist in a rural community hospital. The intended use of the case study, in either a facilitated learning session or self-study, is to inspire the readers to discuss the situation, analyze the institutional and personal factors, apply relevant leadership skills, and propose action plans. This case study falls under the scope of, and is supported by, the Medical Physics Leadership Academy (MPLA).

Cancer-related cognitive impairment in patients with non-central nervous system malignancies: an overview for oncology providers from the MASCC Neurological Complications Study Group.

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is commonly experienced by individuals with non-central nervous system cancers throughout the disease and treatment trajectory. CRCI can have a substantial impact on the functional ability and quality of life of patients and their families. To mitigate the impact, oncology providers must know how to identify, assess, and educate patients and caregivers.