Gender, Marital, and Parental Barriers to Pursuing Gastroenterology Fellowship: A Multicenter Analysis of a National Survey and Actionable Solutions.

Introduction: Female gastroenterologists comprise 19% of the gastroenterology (GI) workforce, despite females making up 30% of GI fellows and over 50% of medical students in the USA. Barriers to pursuing GI fellowship have not been studied at the resident level. We aimed to determine multiple barriers that may prevent internal medicine (IM) residents from pursuing GI fellowship.

Influence of Obesity, Race and Gender on Radiation Exposure for Epidural Procedures.

Purpose Of Review: This retrospective, case controlled, comparative evaluation review of radiation exposure during epidural procedures in interventional pain management assessed variations in radiation exposure based on obesity, race, and gender.

Recent Findings: Numerous publications have shown increasing radiation exposure based on body mass index (BMI). However, the influence of race and gender have not been studied.

Enhancing immune response and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma with novel oncolytic Jurona virus and immune checkpoint blockade.

Members of the genus including Jurona virus (JURV) have emerged as promising immunotherapeutic agents, characterized by their tumor selectivity, fast kinetics, low seroprevalence, and minimal toxicity in humans. Here, we demonstrate that the administration of JURV leads to tumor regression in both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft and syngeneic models. Furthermore, our findings indicate that combining JURV and anti-PD-1 therapy reduced tumor burden and improved survival rates over JURV or anti-PD-1 alone in an orthotopic HCC model.

Psoriasis treatments in the stabilization of atherosclerosis: a systematic review.

This systematic review explores the relationship between achieving minimal disease activity in psoriasis and the progression of atherosclerosis. It investigates how biologic therapies and other treatments impact atherosclerosis markers, offering insights into therapeutic strategies. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted from January 1, 2000, to April 1, 2023, using terms such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, atherosclerosis, biologic therapy, vascular stiffness, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: microRNA Takes Center Stage.

The Journal Editorial Board Members would like to congratulate Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, who were jointly awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNAs and the role of microRNAs in post-transcriptional gene regulation, uncovering a previously unknown layer of gene control in eukaryotes [...

Building Research Capacity (BRC): Purposes, Components, and Activities to Date.

The Building Research Capacity (BRC) initiative was founded in 2015 as a collaboration between the Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM) and the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). It aims to enhance family medicine research engagement by helping develop researchers, research educators, and research leaders. Through consultations, a fellowship, tailored presentations at national conferences, and ongoing assessment, BRC addresses the dynamic needs of various stakeholders in family medicine research.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Prevention and Treatment of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia: A Narrative Review.

The present investigation evaluated transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for the non-pharmacological treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN is the most common complication of the Herpes Zoster virus, affecting one in every five patients with shingles, and presents as intense neuropathic pain that can persist for 90 days or longer after the initial onset of symptoms. Current pharmacological treatment options are mainly limited to symptom management, including oral medications such as tricyclic antidepressants and gabapentinoid preparations, as well as topical options such as lidocaine or capsaicin.

Decoding RAS mutations in thyroid cancer: A meta-analysis unveils specific links to distant metastasis and increased mortality.

Background/objectives: RAS mutations are common in thyroid cancer, but their impact on clinical outcomes remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of RAS mutations in thyroid cancer and their association with various clinical and pathological features.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting on RAS mutations in thyroid cancer.

Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 promotes atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the leading cause of mortality worldwide, is driven by endothelial cell inflammatory activation and counter-balanced by anti-inflammatory transcription factors Klf2 and Klf4 (Klf2/4). Understanding vascular endothelial inflammation to develop effective treatments is thus essential. Here, we identify, Polycomb Repressive Complex (PRC) 2, which blocks gene transcription by trimethylating histone3 Lysine27 in gene promoter/enhancers, as a potent, therapeutically targetable determinant of vascular inflammation and ASCVD progression.

Effectiveness of Intradiscal Regenerative Medicine Therapies for Long-Term Relief of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Recent research underscores the potential of intradiscal biologics, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and alpha-2-macroglobulin, in promoting chondrogenesis within lumbar intervertebral discs as a treatment for discogenic low back pain. Studies indicate significant improvements in pain relief, physical function, and overall quality of life following these interventions.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of intradiscal injections of MSCs and PRP in managing low back and lower extremity pain.

A 24% Decline in the Utilization of Epidural Procedure Visits for Chronic Spinal Pain Management in the Medicare Population from 2019 to 2022: Updated Analysis of the Effect of Multiple Factors.

Background: The analysis of epidural procedure utilization has revealed several notable trends over recent years. Utilization increased significantly until 2004, then rose minimally until 2011, followed by gradual declines up to 2019 in the Medicare population. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a marked 19% decline in usage from 2019 to 2020.

Escalating Growth to Rapid Decline of Utilization Patterns of Facet Joint Interventions in Managing Spinal Pain in the Medicare Population: Updated Analysis of the Effect of Multiple Factors from 2000 To 2022.

Background: The use of facet joint interventions for spinal pain management experienced rapid growth between 2000 and 2010, with an annual increase of 14.2%. However, this trend slowed significantly from 2010 to 2019, with a reduced growth rate of just 2.

Home dialysis: there's no place like home.

Purpose Of Review: The rapid rise in incidence and prevalence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) over the past 50 years was matched by a drop-off in use of home dialysis and a proliferation of in-center hemodialysis across the United States. There is renewed interest in improving access to home dialysis modalities for patients with ESKD. The aim of this review is to update kidney care providers with clinical outcome data and new guidelines that promote patient-centered choices, and to address barriers to home dialysis uptake and continued use.

LIV selection in 'tweener' patients treated with magnetically controlled growing rods vs. posterior spinal fusion.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the LIV selection in 'tweener' patients treated with MCGR or PSF.

Methods: A multicenter pediatric spine database was queried for ambulatory patients ages 8-11 years treated by MCGR or PSF with at least 2-year follow-up. The relationship between the LIV and preoperative spinal height, curve magnitude, and implant type were assessed.

Existing and Evolving Therapies for Arteriovenous Fistula and Graft Dysfunction.

A functional vascular access (VA) is of paramount importance to patients on hemodialysis therapy. While arteriovenous fistula (AVF) remains the preferred VA, their long-term patency is unpredictable. A dysfunctional VA contributes to a high morbidity rate, an increased susceptibility to major adverse cardiovascular events, recurrent hospitalization, and a poor quality of life.

A unique strain to study gastric cancer development.

colonizes a majority of the human population worldwide and can trigger development of a variety of gastric diseases. Since the bacterium is classified as a carcinogen, elucidation of the characteristics of that influence gastric carcinogenesis is a high priority. To this end, the Mongolian gerbil infection model has proven to be an important tool to study gastric cancer progression.

Spinal Cord Stimulator Complication Rates: A Single-Institution, 22-Year Study (1999-2021).

Background: Since the initial introduction in 1967 of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in the field of neuromodulation, SCS has been utilized to treat a multitude of chronic pain disorders refractory to both conservative and surgical management. Although efficacious when indicated, SCS has associated risks.

Objectives: The goals of this study are to explore the trend of rates of SCS complications in 2 approximately equally sized cohorts (1999-2015 and 2016-2021) within a single institution over a 22-year period.

Exponential Decline of 28.9% in Utilization of Interventional Pain Management Techniques Among Medicare Beneficiaries From 2019 to 2022: Updated Analysis on the Ongoing Effects of COVID-19, Economic Decline, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and Medical Policies.

Background: Numerous studies have highlighted the escalating costs associated with managing low back and neck pain, as well as other musculoskeletal disorders. In the past, there was a notable increase in the use of interventional techniques to address these disorders. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted various chronic pain treatment approaches, including interventional procedures and opioid use, following a broader trend of reduced healthcare services.

From Surviving to Thriving: Key Considerations for Weight Control Across Diverse Cancer Survivorship Populations.

Background: Obesity is a chronic, relapsing, progressive disease of excess adiposity that increases the risk of dying from at least 16 types of cancer. The prevalence of obesity has increased more rapidly in cancer survivors compared with the general population. Tailored weight management strategies are needed to improve prognosis and health outcomes in the growing population of cancer survivors.

Upregulating ANKHD1 in PS19 mice reduces Tau phosphorylation and mitigates Tau-toxicity-induced cognitive deficits.

Abnormal accumulation of Tau protein in the brain disrupts normal cellular function and leads to neuronal death linked with many neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. An attractive approach to mitigate Tau-induced neurodegeneration is to enhance the clearance of toxic Tau aggregates. We previously showed that upregulation of the fly gene protects against FUS- and Tau-induced photoreceptor degeneration in fly disease models.