Epigenetics: new insights into postoperative adhesion development.

Background: The link between post-operative adhesion development and epigenetic modifications is important in understanding the mechanism behind their formation. The aim of this study was to determine whether epigenetic differences exist between primary fibroblasts of normal peritoneum and adhesion tissues isolated from the same patient(s).

Methods: DNA from fibroblasts isolated from normal peritoneum and adhesion tissues was isolated using Qiagen's EZ1 Advanced Kit.

Multiple cryoprotectant toxicity model for vitrification solution optimization.

Vitrification is a promising cryopreservation technique for complex specimens such as tissues and organs. However, it is challenging to identify mixtures of cryoprotectants (CPAs) that prevent ice formation without exerting excessive toxicity. In this work, we developed a multi-CPA toxicity model that predicts the toxicity kinetics of mixtures containing five of the most common CPAs used in the field (glycerol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and formamide).

Temporal Trends, Predictors, and Outcomes of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in Hospitalizations With Sepsis.

Background This retrospective study was conducted to analyze the temporal trends, predictors, and impact of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) on outcomes among septicemic patients using a nationally representative database. Methods We derived data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) for the years 2008-2017 for adult hospitalizations due to sepsis. The primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and discharge to facility.

Tokyo Guidelines (TG18) for Acute Cholangitis Provide Improved Specificity and Accuracy Compared to Fellow Assessment.

Background Acute cholangitis results in significant mortality unless treated promptly. The diagnostic grading criteria of the 2018 Tokyo Guidelines (TG18) are used worldwide as the standard for acute cholangitis (AC) management but validation in clinical practice is required. Aim Use of the Tokyo 2018 (TG18) guidelines in improving the diagnostic accuracy and early detection of AC compared to fellow clinical assessment.

Is time to castration resistant prostate cancer a potential intermediate end-point for time to metastasis among men initiating androgen deprivation therapy for non-metastatic prostate cancer with rapid PSA doubling time (<9 months)?

Purpose: Metastasis-free survival (MFS) is a surrogate for overall survival (OS) in men with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), but this endpoint may take years to develop in men with non-metastatic castrate-sensitive disease. The study objective was to examine whether progression to CRPC is a potential intermediate endpoint for developing metastatic disease in patients with biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Materials And Methods: Men with BCR following RP who had PSA doubling times (PSADT) < 9 months and no metastasis at the time of initiating androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) (n = 210) were included.

Are higher pre-diagnosis follicle stimulating hormone levels associated with long-term prostate cancer risk?

Background: Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a pituitary hormone that helps regulate testosterone homeostasis. Although it is generally accepted that FSH levels increase with LHRH-agonist therapy for prostate cancer (PC), the specific impact of FSH levels on risk of PC diagnosis is largely unknown. The objective of this study was to perform a population-level analysis to assess the association between FSH levels and PC diagnosis.

Natural trajectory of recovery of COVID-19 associated olfactory loss.

Importance: Prevalence of post-viral olfactory loss has increased dramatically due to the frequency and severity of olfactory dysfunction associated with infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Objective: To determine the trajectory of COVID-19 olfactory loss over a six-month period. A key secondary objective is to assess predictive factors associated with the recovery of olfaction.

Cystic fibrosis exacerbations treated with medical therapy with and without concurrent sinus surgery.

Objective: This analysis investigates any potential differences in pulmonary function test (PFT) outcomes among pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) receiving both medical management (MM) and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) versus MM alone for CF exacerbation.

Study Design: Prospective cohort.

Setting: Pediatric tertiary care facility.

The Role of Serial Liquid Biopsy in the Management of Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Surgery remains the best option to treat lung cancer when feasible. However, many cases are diagnosed beyond the initial stages.

Association Between Surgeon and Anesthesiologist Sex Discordance and Postoperative Outcomes: A Population-based Cohort Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of surgeon-anesthesiologist sex discordance on postoperative outcomes.

Summary Background Data: Optimal surgical outcomes depend on teamwork, with surgeons and anesthesiologists forming two key components. There are sex and sex-based differences in interpersonal communication and medical practice which may contribute to patients' perioperative outcomes.

Preclinical evaluation of circadian rhythm in ischemic stroke outcomes.

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. There is evidence that there is a circadian rhythm in stroke with peak occurrence in the morning (6 to 10 am). However, it is not clear if the size of infarcts and the outcome of stroke also varies during the 24-hour period.

An Unusual Long-Term Complication of Bariatric Surgery.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RNYGB) has become the standard of care in treating obesity, a global health concern with associated comorbidities contributing to rising health care costs [1]. The positive outcomes of RNYGB have been well documented along with adverse effects such as nutrient deficiencies, hernia, postprandial dumping syndrome, chronic kidney disease and hypoglycemia. A lesser-known long term complication of RNYGB is liver failure.

Clinical outcomes and patterns of population-based management of urachal carcinoma of the bladder: An analysis of the National Cancer Database.

Background: Given the low incidence of urachal carcinoma of the bladder (UCB), there is limited published data from contemporary population-based cohorts. This study aimed to describe demographic, clinicopathological features, and survival outcomes of patients diagnosed with UCB.

Methods: The National Cancer Database (2004-2016) was queried for UCB patients.

Trends and Factors Associated With Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A National Perspective.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a hospital-acquired pneumonia that occurs more than 48 hours after mechanical ventilation. Studies showing temporal trends, predictors, and outcomes of VAP are very limited.

Objective: We used the National database to delineate the trends and predictors of VAP from 2009 to 2017.

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)-Negative Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Kidney in a Nine-Month-Old Girl.

An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is an uncommon, benign tumor of myofibroblastic spindle cells. An IMT can occur in any part of the body. However, involving kidney is exceedingly rare.

An evaluation of patient-reported outcomes in sickle cell disease within a conceptual model.

Purpose: To examine the relations between patient-reported outcomes (PROs) within a conceptual model for adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) ages 18 - 45 years enrolled in the multi-site Sickle Cell Disease Implementation Consortium (SCDIC) registry. We hypothesized that patient and SCD-related factors, particularly pain, and barriers to care would independently contribute to functioning as measured using PRO domains.

Methods: Participants (N = 2054) completed a 48-item survey including socio-demographics and PRO measures, e.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Challenges in the Recent Afghan Refugee Population: A Comprehensive Review Article.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is more prevalent in south-central Asian countries, particularly the Afghan population. Screening for CRC in the Afghan population has always been challenging, primarily due to the tribal and social cultures, lack of facilities, and lack of education. The United States (US) will soon face a significantly massive influx of Afghan refugees.

Risk Factors and Consequences of Lower Extremity Fracture Nonunions in Veterans With Spinal Cord Injury.

We used Veterans Health Administration (VHA) national administrative data files to identify a cohort (fiscal years 2005-2014) of veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCID) to determine risk factors for and consequences of lower extremity fracture nonunions. Odds ratios (OR) for fracture nonunion were computed using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. We identified three risk factors for nonunion: (i) older age (OR = 2.

Migraine-Associated Otalgia: An Underappreciated Entity.

Background And Objectives: Otalgia can be primary/otogenic or secondary as a referred pain from another site, which can be difficult to establish owing to various causes and the complex innervation of the ear. In our center, we observed a large group of patients with unexplained otalgia that had a higher prevalence of migraine. We hypothesized that migraine may cause secondary otalgia.