Rural Communities in the Deep South: Examining the Relationship Between Social Function and General Health Perceptions in Older Black Americans.

Background: Increased mortality in rural southern areas has persisted and worsened among older Black adults due to high prevalence of chronic conditions combined with limited healthcare access resulting from social and structural factors.

Objective: Our objective was to examine the relationship between general health perceptions, social functioning, mental health, and demographic characteristics among Black adults living in the rural south.

Methods: This cross-sectional study examined health perceptions in older Black Americans residing in four rural towns within Alabama (Clayton, Fort Deposit, Hobson City, and York).

Outcomes of catheter ablation in cardiac sarcoidosis patients with ventricular tachycardia: a propensity score-matched retrospective analysis.

Background: Ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) can lead to sudden cardiac death. The role of ventricular tachycardia ablation (VTA) in CS has been investigated in a few small, single-center, and larger observational studies, but the evidence still needs to be provided. This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of VTA in patients with CS admitted with a diagnosis of VT.

Circulating metabolomic biomarkers of 5-year body weight and composition change in a biracial cohort of community-dwelling older adults.

Unintentional weight loss in older populations is linked to greater mortality and morbidity risks. This study aims to understand the metabolic mechanisms of unintentional weight loss and their relationship with body composition changes in older adults. We investigated plasma metabolite associations with weight and body composition changes over 5 years in 1335 participants (mean age 73.

Implementation of carceral medicaid suspension and enrollment programs: perspectives of carceral and medicaid leaders.

Background: Medicaid expansion via the Affordable Care Act, more recent legislation and Medicaid 1115 waivers offer opportunity to increase health care access among individuals involved in the carceral system. Effective enrollment of new beneficiaries and temporary suspension and reactivation of existing Medicaid benefits upon release is key to the success of these efforts. This study aims to characterize how jails, prisons and Medicaid agencies are implementing Medicaid suspension and enrollment programs and identifies barriers and facilitators to implementation.

The Challenging Problems of Cancer and Serious Mental Illness.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Patients with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) are reported to be at higher risk for somatic disorders (e.g. cardiovascular and metabolic diseases) and higher mortality, compared to the general population, because of the consequences of SMI including psychotropic medication side effects, sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle, difficult access to physical health care.

Survival benefit of cancer-directed surgery and the role of adjuvant therapy in malignant major salivary gland cancers: a propensity score matched retrospective analysis.

Background: The primary objective of this study was to assess the benefit of cancer-directed surgery (CDS) on both overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of patients with malignant major salivary gland cancers (MMSGCs). The secondary objective was to explore the benefits of adjuvant therapy on the survival outcomes of these patients.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with MMSGC were extracted from the SEER database and subsequently categorized into two cohorts: CDS and non-CDS.

Multimodal deep learning for predicting in-hospital mortality in heart failure patients using longitudinal chest X-rays and electronic health records.

Amid an aging global population, heart failure has become a leading cause of hospitalization among older people. Its high prevalence and mortality rates underscore the importance of accurate mortality prediction for swift disease progression assessment and better patient outcomes. The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) presents new avenues for predicting heart failure mortality.

The tumor distance to the main hepatic vessels is a predictor of recurrence-free survival and overall survival in hepatocellular cancer.

Introduction: The impact of the distance of the tumor from the main hepatic vessels (DTV), such as the Glissonean pedicle or hepatic veins, on oncological outcomes for Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients is relatively understudied. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore the correlation between DTV and survival in patients with HCC after curative hepatic resection.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent curative-intent liver surgery for HCC between April 2018 and May 2023 were identified from a prospective database.

Environmental factors inducing gastric cancer: insights into risk and prevention strategies.

Gastric cancer, a prevalent malignant tumor worldwide, poses a significant challenge to global health. Despite ongoing advancements in treatment methods, its high incidence and mortality rates remain concerning. Although progress in treating gastric cancer is encouraging, a more critical focus is on enhancing prevention efforts.

Assessment of the financial gaps in cardiothoracic surgery in africa.

Objectives: This study accessed the challenges with financing cardiothoracic surgical care in Africa, highlighting the present state of funding, and proffering probable solutions to adequate and effective funding in the region.

Methods: Through a literature review, the authors elaborate on key points such as; areas of financial funding in cardiothoracic surgery, barriers to appropriate allocation of financial resources for cardiothoracic surgery in Africa, and the needs and available resources for cardiothoracic surgery in Africa. Multiple search engines and databases were used, like: PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, Scopus, and Google Scholar.

Adaptation in the Alleyways: Candidate genes under potential selection in urban coyotes.

In the context of evolutionary time, cities are an extremely recent development. Although our understanding of how urbanization alters ecosystems is well-developed, empirical work examining the consequences of urbanization on adaptive evolution remains limited. To facilitate future work, we offer candidate genes for one of the most prominent urban carnivores across North America.

C-Reactive Protein Levels and Outcomes in Infarct-Related Cardiogenic Shock: Data from the ECLS-SHOCK Trial.

Background: The impact of systemic inflammation in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) is still a matter of debate. The present ECLS-SHOCK sub-study investigates the association of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with short-term outcomes in patients with AMI-CS.

Methods: Patients with AMI-CS enrolled in the multicenter, randomized ECLS-SHOCK trial between 2019 and 2022 were included.

Self-assessed improved sun protection after diagnosis of melanoma is associated with improved survival.

Background: Although ultraviolet radiation is the most important risk factor for skin cancer in general, its role in disease control after the diagnosis of melanoma remains to be elucidated.

Objectives: To analyse the association between survival and self-assessed sun protection behaviour after a melanoma diagnosis.

Methods: This was a questionnaire-based pilot study.

Predictors and outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for acute type A aortic dissection requiring concomitant veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support-a retrospective multicenter cohort study.

Objectives: The study aim was to investigate the outcomes and risk factors for mortality in patients undergoing surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) receiving concomitant veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support.

Methods: Patients from five European centers who underwent surgery for ATAAD and received perioperative veno-arterial ECMO support were included. A multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for thirty-day mortality.

The Screening Tomosynthesis Trial with Advanced Reader Methods (STREAM): design and rationale of a population-based breast cancer screening trial.

Objectives: It is uncertain what the effects of introducing digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in the Dutch breast cancer screening programme would be on detection, recall, and interval cancers (ICs), while reading times are expected to increase. Therefore, an investigation into the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of DBT screening while optimising reading is required.

Materials And Methods: The Screening Tomosynthesis trial with advanced REAding Methods (STREAM) aims to include 17,275 women (age 50-72 years) eligible for breast cancer screening in the Netherlands for two biennial DBT screening rounds to determine the short-, medium-, and long-term effects and acceptability of DBT screening and identify an optimised strategy for reading DBT.

Melanoma detection, treatment, survival, and mortality through year 2 of the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the timely diagnosis and treatment of many cancers, including melanoma, the fifth most common cancer in the U.S. This study aimed to quantify the disruption and recovery of melanoma detection, treatment, survival, and mortality during the pandemic by analyzing data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program from 2000 to 2021.

Evaluating Harms Associated with Prolonged Antibiotic Duration of Therapy in Community Dwelling Older Adults: A Cohort Study using Instrumental Variable Analysis.

Background: Shorter courses of antibiotic therapy are increasingly recommended to reduce antibiotic exposure. However quantifying the real-world impact of duration of therapy is hindered by bias common in observational studies. We aimed to evaluate the harms and benefits of longer versus shorter duration of therapy in older adults.

Hospitalized upper extremity artery disease patients: treatment and long-term outcomes.

Background And Aims: Current knowledge about upper extremity artery disease (UEAD) is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, treatment patterns, and short- and long-term outcomes of patients suffering from UEAD.

Methods: Retrospective health claims data of patients who were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of UEAD between 2010 and 2017 were analysed.

Lymphatic leaks - success of intranodal lymphangiogram first strategy.

Background: Lymphatic leaks are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Intranodal lymphangiography (ILAG) involves the direct injection of ethiodised lipid into the hilum of lymph nodes. It is diagnostic procedure that can have therapeutic effects secondary to a local sclerosant effect.

Post-ERCP clearance of bile duct stones: should the gallbladder be left in-situ?

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has become the gold standard management for patients who present with common bile duct stone (CBDS). Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is generally recommended for patients who have CBDS clearance, there is still a significant proportion of patients who are managed expectantly. Our study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of expectant management (EM) versus prophylactic cholecystectomy after initial endoscopic removal of CBDS.

Central Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease State-of-the-Art.

Central sleep apnea (CSA), a rare polysomnographic finding in the general population, is prevalent in certain cardiovascular conditions including systolic and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, carotid artery stenosis, stroke and use of certain cardiac-related medications. Polysomnographic findings of CSA with adverse cardiovascular impacts include nocturnal hypoxemia and arousals, which can lead to increased sympathetic activity both at night and in the daytime. Among cardiovascular diseases, CSA is most prevalent in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction; a large study of more than 900 treated patients has shown a dose dependent relationship between nocturnal desaturation and mortality.

Development and validation of nomograms and integrated software incorporating preoperative C-reactive protein level for prognostic prediction of nonmetastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma: Results from the International Marker Consortium for Renal Cancer (INMARC) Registry.

Purpose: Preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) is a valuable prognostic biomarker in nonmetastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (nmccRCC). Incorporation of CRP into prognostic models may improve the prediction of oncologic outcomes. Herein, we aimed to develop and validate prognostic nomograms and an integrated software incorporating preoperative CRP level in nmccRCC.

Targeted Enrichment Sequencing Utilizing a Respiratory Pathogen Panel for Genomic Wastewater-Based Viral Epidemiology in Uruguay.

Human respiratory and enteric viruses are responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Wastewater-based epidemiology utilizing next-generation sequencing serves as an effective tool for monitoring viral circulation dynamics at the community level. However, these complex environmental samples are often laden with other microorganisms and host genomic material, which can hinder the sensitivity of viral detection.

Outcomes of Older Adults and Frail Patients Receiving Idecabtagene Vicleucel: A CIBMTR Study.

Idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) is an anti-BCMA CAR-T cell therapy approved for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) after 2 prior lines of therapy. There is limited data on outcomes of CAR T in older adults and frail patients with RRMM. In this study, we utilized data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry to describe the safety and efficacy of ide-cel in these clinically important subgroups.

ST6GAL1-Mediated Sialylation of PECAM-1 Promotes a Transcellular Diapedesis-Like Process that Directs Lung Tropism of Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Metastasis is the leading cause of mortality in breast cancer, with lung metastasis being particularly detrimental. Identification of the processes determining metastatic organotropism could enable the development of approaches to prevent and treat breast cancer metastasis. Here, we found that lung-tropic and non-lung-tropic breast cancer cells differ in their response to sialic acids, affecting the sialylation of surface proteins.