A Rare Case of Pneumomediastinum, Pneumoretroperitoneum and Subcutaneous Emphysema Due to Crystal Methamphetamine Abuse.

Background: Crystal methamphetamine abuse is a growing concern due to its significant adverse effects on various organ systems.

Case Description: This report presents a rare case of pneumomediastinum, pneumoretroperitoneum and subcutaneous emphysema resulting from crystal methamphetamine abuse. The exact mechanism linking methamphetamine abuse to pneumomediastinum remains ambiguous.

A Rare Case of Adrenal Gland Metastasis from Parotid Adenocarcinoma: Unveiling the Potential Augmented Utility of FAPI PET/CT.

Conventional imaging techniques, while essential, occasionally fall short in identifying elusive metastatic lesions, leading to delayed diagnoses and compromised patient outcomes. Gallium-68 fibroblast activating protein inhibitor (Ga-FAPI) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), leveraging the distinct affinity of fibroblast activation protein for cancer-associated fibroblasts, emerges as a promising solution to bridge this diagnostic gap. Parotid gland adenocarcinoma is a relatively rare malignancy with metastasis typically occurring in regional lymph nodes and distant sites such as the lungs and bones.

A systemic evaluation of COVID-19 vaccination drives in LICs, LMICs, UMICs, and HICs: Preparedness for future pandemics.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global healthcare systems. Vaccination is an effective strategy to battle the disease. Policies and distribution frameworks have varied widely across countries.

Family adoption programme implementation feedback from undergraduate medical students in Almora: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The Family Adoption Programme (FAP) aims to provide a learning opportunity to Indian medical graduates towards community-based health care. This study describes the perspective of medical undergraduate students towards the FAP implementation at the government medical college in Almora.

Methods: An observational study was conducted on the students of phases I and II in the government medical college, Almora, on the hurdles and facilitators of FAP via Google Form.

Prevalence and control of hypertension in COVID-19 positive cases.

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the newly discovered SARS-CoV-2 virus. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 experience several complications including hypertension or elevated blood pressure which is a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risks of heart, brain, and kidney diseases.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and control of hypertension in COVID-19 patients.

A Highly Divergent Mitochondrial Genome in Extant Cape Buffalo From Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa.

The reduced cost of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has allowed researchers to generate nuclear and mitochondrial genome data to gain deeper insights into the phylogeography, evolutionary history and biology of non-model species. While the Cape buffalo () has been well-studied across its range with traditional genetic markers over the last 25 years, researchers are building on this knowledge by generating whole genome, population-level data sets to improve understanding of the genetic composition and evolutionary history of the species. Using publicly available NGS data, we assembled 40 Cape buffalo mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) from four protected areas in South Africa, expanding the geographical range and almost doubling the number of mitogenomes available for this species.

Severe neonatal hypotonia due to variant affecting function of ZnT5 zinc transporter.

The tightly-regulated spatial and temporal distribution of zinc ion concentrations within cellular compartments is controlled by two groups of Zn transporters: the 14-member ZIP/SLC39 family, facilitating Zn influx into the cytoplasm from the extracellular space or intracellular organelles; and the 10-member ZnT/SLC30 family, mobilizing Zn in the opposite direction. Genetic aberrations in most zinc transporters cause human syndromes. Notably, previous studies demonstrated osteopenia and male-specific cardiac death in mice lacking the ZnT5/ zinc transporter, and suggested association of two homozygous frameshift variants with perinatal mortality in humans, due to hydrops fetalis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Mille Feuille Method as a Novel Surgical Technique for Intractable Pneumothorax.

Most cases of intractable pneumothorax are complicated by underlying lung diseases, which lead to poor intrathoracic conditions. Therefore, the treatment becomes even more challenging, and standard surgical techniques cannot always be applied to treat pneumothorax. We report a novel surgical technique using polyglycolic acid mesh and fibrin glue for intractable pneumothorax, named the mille feuille method.

Successful Closure of Outlet Muscular Ventricular Septal Defect Through Left Anterior Thoracotomy.

Closure of an adult doubly committed juxta-arterial ventricular septal defect (VSD) by left anterior mini-thoracotomy through the second or third intercostal space has been reported occasionally. However, the repair of an outlet muscular VSD, which is remote from the pulmonic valve annulus, by this approach remains controversial because of the limited operative field. Herein, we present the case of a 16-year-old boy weighing 65 kg with an outlet muscular VSD that was successfully repaired by a left anterior mini-thoracotomy approach.

Mapping the chromothripsis landscape in urothelial carcinoma unravels great intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity.

Chromothripsis, a hallmark of cancer, is characterized by extensive and localized DNA rearrangements involving one or a few chromosomes. However, its genome-wide frequency and characteristics in urothelial carcinoma (UC) remain largely unknown. Here, by analyzing single-regional and multi-regional whole-genome sequencing (WGS), we present the chromothripsis blueprint in 488 UC patients.

Bridging health registry data acquisition and real-time data analytics.

The number of clinical studies and associated research has increased significantly in the last few years. Particularly in rare diseases, an increased effort has been made to integrate, analyse, and develop new knowledge to improve patient stratification and wellbeing. Clinical databases, including digital medical records, hold significant amount of information that can help understand the impact and progression of diseases.

Digital light processing printing of non-modified protein-only compositions.

This study explores the utilization of digital light processing (DLP) printing to fabricate complex structures using native gelatin as the sole structural component for applications in biological implants. Unlike approaches relying on synthetic materials or chemically modified biopolymers, this research harnesses the inherent properties of gelatin to create biocompatible structures. The printing process is based on a crosslinking mechanism using a di-tyrosine formation initiated by visible light irradiation.

The proteomic response of to amphotericin B (AmB) reveals the involvement of the RTA-like protein RtaA in AmB resistance.

The polyene antimycotic amphotericin B (AmB) and its liposomal formulation AmBisome belong to the treatment options of invasive aspergillosis caused by . Increasing resistance to AmB in clinical isolates of species is a growing concern, but mechanisms of AmB resistance remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a proteomic analysis of exposed to sublethal concentrations of AmB and AmBisome.

Complications on the feeding artery after an arterio-venous fistula closure in patients after kidney transplantation - a national cohort study.

Background: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in kidney transplant recipients are sometimes closed, either as a policy or due to complications. We collected data on the incidence of complications after AVF closure in a national cohort of transplanted patients.

Methods: Patients who received a kidney transplant between 2000 and 2015 and had a functional AVF that was later ligated or extirpated were included.

Applying the Social Cognitive Theory to Design a Health Education Program on Weight-Loss Behaviors Among Police Officers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Being overweight/having obesity is a prevalent condition not only among the general population but also among individuals with special occupations such as police officers, where fitness is often a necessity. The present study's aim was to assess how much a psychoeducational intervention based on social cognitive theory (SCT) would be helpful for encouraging weight loss behaviors among police officers.

Methods: In a randomized control trial, 102 police officers who were overweight or had obesity voluntarily registered for a weight loss program and were assigned to either an intervention or control group.

State of Lung Cancer in Egypt: Moving Towards Improved Guidelines for Prevention, Screening, Treatment, and Clinical Care Programs.

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally and presents significant challenges in Egypt. In 2023, the first annual meeting of the Thoracic Oncology Multidisciplinary Faculty, organized by the Egyptian Cancer Research Network and the Egyptian Society of Respiratory Neoplasms, was held in Cairo, Egypt. The meeting aimed to address gaps in lung cancer management across Egypt and the broader Middle East and North Africa region.

Mental health amid climate crisis: A narrative review.

The global community is currently facing a pressing challenge posed by climate change, which is profoundly impacting both human life and biodiversity. This encompasses issues such as rising global temperatures, heightened sea levels, amplified ultraviolet radiation exposure, more frequent and intense natural calamities, and the subsequent health risks. Additionally, mental health is also being impacted by these environmental changes.

Undergraduate psychiatry CBME curriculum revision: The process and the way ahead.

Nationa Medical Commission (NMC) had recently undertook the revision of Undergraduate CBME curriculum. the Authors were involved in Psychiatry curriculum revision. In this paper, authors explain the process of revision, the rationale behind the changes made and make specific suggestions for the better implementation of the revised curriculum.

Early Career Experiences of Cardiothoracic Surgery Graduates by Training Model: A National Survey.

Background: As the practice of cardiothoracic surgery continues to evolve, the optimal training model represents an area of uncertainty. We sought to describe and to compare the early career experiences of cardiothoracic surgery graduates from the 3 training models.

Methods: An anonymous survey with questions pertaining to an individual's demographic characteristics, training model, first employment experience, experience as junior faculty, career satisfaction, and personal reflection was sent to graduates from US cardiothoracic surgery training programs between 2012 and 2020.

Active and Passive Smoking as Catalysts for Cognitive Impairment in Rural Indonesia: A Population-based Study.

Objectives: Research indicates that active smokers are at risk of cognitive impairment. However, the correlation between chronic passive smoking and the risk of cognitive impairment remains underexplored. This study aimed to determine the association between smoking, passive smoking, and cognitive impairment and examined the dose-response effect.

The impact of rhythm perception on chest compression rate during CPR: Insights from a pilot simulation study.

Objective: This pilot study aims to assess how individuals with rhythm perception, particularly musicians, are able to maintain the predefined chest compression rate during cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared to people without rhythm perception.

Methods: The study was conducted at the Pilsen Emergency Medicine Conference (Czechia) using a simulation-based cohort design. Participants performed chest compressions on a manikin for 120 s, with the first 10 s guided by a metronome.

Social anxiety undermines prosocial behaviors when required effort.

Social anxiety impairs interpersonal relationships, which rely heavily on prosocial behaviors essential for healthy social interactions. The influence of social anxiety on the dynamics of helping others, through stages of prosocial choice stimulus presentation and effort, is not well understood. This study combines two experiments that integrate effort-based decision-making tasks with electroencephalography to distinguish between the choice stimulus presentation and effort phases of prosocial behavior.

Modified Circuit for Left-Sided Heart Bypass in Thoracoabdominal Surgery.

Left-sided heart bypass may be run with a complete cardiopulmonary bypass circuit or a venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit in thoracoabdominal surgery. Both configurations have specific disadvantages. We describe a modified circuit for left-sided heart bypass that can be run as an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-like circuit, allowing lower activated clotting time targets and simplified perfusion while improving blood conservation and facilitating visceral perfusion.

Challenges and Choices Amidst Military Conflict: The Present and Future of Medical Education and Healthcare in Sudan.

Background: The situation for medical education and healthcare in Sudan has been challenging for the recent years, and emigration of physicians is an ongoing problem threatening the healthcare system. We conducted this study to understand the future plans of medical students and their perceptions regarding their medical education and healthcare system.

Method: We performed this cross-sectional study at five public and private Sudanese medical schools in November 2023.