Development and Implementation of a Pediatric Pulmonary-Focused Active Learning Curriculum.

Introduction: During the pediatric pulmonary rotation, trainees reported that while the clinical experience was robust, they desired more structured didactic sessions. Self-paced online modules can be an alternative but equally effective teaching tool. Multiple studies demonstrate the benefits of e-learning in medical education.

Effect of COVID-19 on pediatric gunshot wounds to the head at a level 1 trauma center.

Background: The United States (US) has one of the highest rates of gunshot-related incidents in the world. Gunshot wounds to the head (GSWH) in the pediatric population are also common, with high morbidity and mortality rates.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study to analyze if there was a notable change in trends in pediatric GSWH at our Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lung contusion complicated by pneumonia worsens lung injury via the inflammatory effect of alveolar small extracellular vesicles on macrophages and epithelial cells.

Background: Lung contusion (LC) complicated by pneumonia is associated with a higher risk of acute lung injury (ALI) mediated by activation of immune cells and injury to the lung epithelium. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are essential mediators of cellular crosstalk; however, their role in the development of postinjury ALI remains unclear. We hypothesized that LC complicated by pneumonia increases the pro-inflammatory effect of alveolar sEVs on macrophages and the cytotoxicity of alveolar sEVs to pulmonary epithelial cells, worsening the severity of ALI.

Rad-mediated inhibition of Ca1.2 channel activity contributes to uterine artery haemodynamic adaptation to pregnancy.

The striking increase of uterine blood flow during pregnancy is essential for normal fetal development as well as for cardiovascular well-being of the mother. Yet, the underlying mechanisms of pregnancy-mediated vasodilatation of the uterine artery are not fully understood. In this study, we test the hypothesis that Rad, a monomeric G protein, is a novel regulatory mechanism in inhibiting Ca1.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Practices of Graduates of a Blended-Learning Program: A Survey of Rheumatologists From the United States.

Objective: Not much is known regarding musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) practices of rheumatologists in the United States. We sought to determine the current use of MSUS among past participants of the Ultrasound School of North American Rheumatologists (USSONAR) training program and, by extension, MSUS-practicing rheumatologists and to understand barriers to its MSUS use.

Methods: An online survey was sent to 374 participants in the eight-month USSONAR blended course (Fundamentals in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound and Train the Trainer) between 2009 and 2020.

Unsuspected Malignant Mimicry From Topical Vitamin E and Micro Spike Roller.

Background: Topical vitamin E is commonly used for its antioxidant properties in a rapidly expanding anti-aging market. Cutaneous reaction to vitamin E is rare and can present a difficult diagnosis.

Methods: We report a unique case of a 46-year-old female who developed a severe cutaneous inflammatory chin lesion after topical use of vitamin E oil with a micro-spike roller.

Impact of Hearing Loss and Restricted Access to Care on the Karen People Living in a Conflict Setting Near the Thai-Burma Border.

Purpose: The rate of moderate-to-severe hearing loss in Southeast Asia is 5.8%, among the world's most prevalent. However, it is difficult to measure for people whose healthcare access is limited by the ongoing civil war.

Long-term hypoxia modulates depolarization activation of BK currents in fetal sheep middle cerebral arterial myocytes.

Introduction: Previous evidence indicates that gestational hypoxia disrupts cerebrovascular development, increasing the risk of intracranial hemorrhage and stroke in the newborn. Due to the role of cytosolic Ca in regulating vascular smooth muscle (VSM) tone and fetal cerebrovascular blood flow, understanding Ca signals can offer insight into the pathophysiological disruptions taking place in hypoxia-related perinatal cerebrovascular disease. This study aimed to determine the extent to which gestational hypoxia disrupts local Ca sparks and whole-cell Ca signals and coupling with BK channel activity.

Hips Do Not Lie: Atypical Pain From Peripartum Pubic Symphysis Diastasis.

Pubic symphysis diastasis (PSD) is the widening of the pubic symphysis which can occur during the peripartum period. PSD commonly presents as pelvic pain with associated neuropathies rarely reported. In this report we describe the unique presentation of PSD with associated motor and sensory deficits in a 19-year-old postpartum patient.

Dementia and Cognitive Decline: A HEALM Approach.

Dementia and cognitive decline pose significant global public health challenges, with prevalence expected to rise in the coming decades. Lifestyle medicine offers a promising approach to mitigating cognitive issues through six key interventions: diet, physical activity, restorative sleep, social connections, stress management, and avoiding risky substances. Traditional methods like randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have limitations in capturing the long-term impacts of these interventions.

Drainage of middle cranial fossa epidural abscess through mastoidectomy: Our experience and review of the literature.

Background: Otitis media (OM) can uncommonly lead to intracranial complications. Epidural abscesses represent a large proportion of cases; however, literature regarding the optimal surgical management of otogenic epidural abscesses is sparse. Favorably located epidural abscesses may be amenable to drainage through a transmastoid approach because the tegmen mastoideum lies immediately inferior to the middle cranial fossa (MCF).

STZ-induced gestational diabetes exposure alters PTEN/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy signaling pathway leading to increase the risk of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy has significant consequences for the unborn baby and newborn infant. However, whether and how GDM exposure induces the development of neonatal brain hypoxia/ischemia-sensitive phenotype and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we used a late GDM rat model induced by administration of streptozotocin (STZ) on gestational day 12 and investigated its effects of GDM on neonatal brain development.

Nonunion Fractures: Trends in Epidemiology and Treatment of Femur Fractures, 2017-2022.

Background: The incidence of femur fractures has increased in recent years, along with the rate of surgery and subsequent nonunion following these fractures. Nonunion is a significant concern due to the burden it places on both patients and the healthcare system. This study aims to investigate the demographic factors associated with femoral shaft fracture nonunion by comparing two surgical management approaches: open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) with plating versus closed reduction and fixation using intramedullary nailing (IMN).

Health care resource utilization and costs across stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the United States.

Background: People living with ALS (plwALS) experience motor control loss, speech/swallowing difficulties, respiratory insufficiency, and early death. Advancing disease stage is typically associated with a greater burden on the health care system, and delays in diagnosis can result in substantial health care resource utilization (HCRU).

Objective: To estimate HCRU and cost burden of plwALS across disease stages from a US payer perspective we assessed HCRU and costs in early-, mid-, and late-stage ALS.

Effects of positive mGlu5 modulation on D signaling and nicotine-conditioned place preference: Mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance in a transgenerational model of drug abuse vulnerability in psychosis.

Background: The metabotropic glutamate type 5 (mGlu5) receptor has emerged as a potential target for the treatment of psychosis that is suggested to have greater efficacy than antipsychotic medications that are currently utilized.

Aims: This study sought to elucidate mechanisms of therapeutic action associated with the modulation of the mGlu5 receptor in a disordered system marked by dopamine dysfunction. We further explored epigenetic mechanisms contributing to heritable transmission of a psychosis-like phenotype in a novel heritable model of drug abuse vulnerability in psychosis.

Diagnosis and Management of Thoracolumbar Spinal Disorders Presenting as Cardiac, Gastrointestinal, and Other False Pain Syndromes.

Summary Of Background Data: Although pseudoangina is most commonly caused by cervical disc herniation, several cases have been described where thoracic herniation produced symptoms of pseudoangina. If thoracic herniation can produce angina-like pain, then it is important to consider whether pathology of the thoracolumbar spine, in general, can trigger false pain syndromes distinct from pseudoangina.

Objective: We seek to provide the most comprehensive study regarding the diagnosis and treatment of spinal conditions causing false pain syndromes.