Popliteal access for iliofemoral occlusive disease in the office-based catheter laboratory.

Objective: Popliteal access as an alternative to conventional femoral access has not been reported in the office-based catheter laboratory setting (OBL) and may be perceived to have higher risks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of popliteal access for the endovascular treatment of iliofemoral arterial occlusive disease in an OBL setting.

Methods: From October 2018 to October 2023, a total of 1408 interventions for peripheral artery disease were performed in our OBL.

Caregiver and student perspectives on school services for students with traumatic brain injury during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify unique challenges created by COVID-19 school closures for students with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their families with relation to special education accommodations, therapy services, social support systems, and mental health complications.

Methods: Forty-one caregivers and students participated in semi-structured, virtual interviews. Families had students in kindergarten through 12th grade who experienced a TBI prior to spring 2020 and were receiving support services at schools in Pennsylvania (US).

The Evolving Stethoscope: Insights Derived from Studying Phonocardiography in Trainees.

Phonocardiography (PCG) is used as an adjunct to teach cardiac auscultation and is now a function of PCG-capable stethoscopes (PCS). To evaluate the efficacy of PCG and PCS, the authors investigated the impact of providing PCG data and PCSs on how frequently murmurs, rubs, and gallops (MRGs) were correctly identified by third-year medical students. Following their internal medicine rotation, third-year medical students from the Georgetown University School of Medicine completed a standardized auscultation assessment.

Acetylation of Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein Sensitizes 17β-Estradiol Regulation in Hormone-Sensitive Breast Cancer Cells.

An imbalance in estrogen signaling is a critical event in breast tumorigenesis. The majority of breast cancers (BCs) are hormone-sensitive; they majorly express the estrogen receptor (ER+) and are activated by 17β-estradiol (E2). The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mediates the rate-limiting step in steroid biosynthesis.

Significance of Artificial Intelligence in the Study of Virus-Host Cell Interactions.

A highly critical event in a virus's life cycle is successfully entering a given host. This process begins when a viral glycoprotein interacts with a target cell receptor, which provides the molecular basis for target virus-host cell interactions for novel drug discovery. Over the years, extensive research has been carried out in the field of virus-host cell interaction, generating a massive number of genetic and molecular data sources.

Student Stress, Coping, and APPE Readiness at Two Public Institutions before and during the Pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted pharmacy students' education and well-being. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the pandemic on students' perceived stress by comparing third- and fourth-year students from the pre-pandemic Class of 2019 with mid-pandemic Class of 2021 at two public institutions. Secondary aims were to evaluate the pandemic effects on students' academic and professional development skills and practice readiness.

Exploring opportunities beyond clinical practice: The need for PA educators.

Opportunities outside patient care are expanding for physician associates/assistants (PAs). Exploring new roles beyond clinical practice has the potential for improved career fulfillment as clinicians experience increasing levels of burnout and declining satisfaction with patient care. The decision to shift to a nonclinical role may be overwhelming without knowing what positions PAs are qualified to consider.

Physician Associate/Assistant Program Medical Directors Are Important Advocates for the Physician Associate/Assistant Profession: Results From a National Pilot Study.

Introduction: This pilot study aimed to evaluate whether and how physician associate/assistant (PA) program medical directors play a role in advocating on behalf of PAs and what factors correlate with this.

Methods: The study used a mixed-methods grounded theory approach and was deemed institutional review board exempt. After literature review, a survey was developed and piloted by study personnel and faculty to affirm validity.

Enhancing Clinical Diagnosis With Convolutional Neural Networks: Developing High-Accuracy Deep Learning Models for Differentiating Thoracic Pathologies.

Background The use of computational technology in medicine has allowed for an increase in the accuracy of clinical diagnosis, reducing errors through additional layers of oversight. Artificial intelligence technologies present the potential to further augment and expedite the accuracy, quality, and efficiency at which diagnosis can be made when used as an adjunctive tool. Such techniques, if found to be accurate and reliable in their diagnostic acuity, can be implemented to foster better clinical decision-making, improving patient quality of care while reducing healthcare costs.

Utilization of telemedicine for diagnosis and follow-up within foot and ankle orthopaedic surgery: A narrative review of the literature.

Background: Telemedicine has seen increasing adoption in healthcare over the past two decades, with proven clinical efficacy in several medical specialties. Orthopedics surgery has shown potential benefits from telemedicine implementation.

Objective: This review aims to evaluate the impact of telemedicine on clinical outcomes and patient and physician preferences in foot and ankle orthopedics, providing insight into the potential role of telemedicine within this subspecialty.

Novel COL5A1 variants and associated disease phenotypes in dogs with classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Background: Human patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) are categorized into subtypes based on causative genetic variants and phenotypes. The classical form of EDS, primarily caused by variants in COL5A1 or COL5A2, is a very common subtype in people but is poorly characterized in dogs.

Objective: Describe likely causal COL5A1 variants in dogs with classical EDS, summarize clinical histories, discuss potential disease mechanisms, and draw conclusions about disease prognosis.

Delayed Lower Extremity Monoplegia After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Report of a Rare Case of Cervical Spinal Ischemic Reperfusion Injury.

White cord syndrome is an extremely rare type of cervical spinal cord ischemia characterized by sudden neurological deterioration following surgical spinal decompression. The underlying cause is believed to be immediate relief from chronic compression on the spinal cord, triggering an inflammatory response known as ischemic reperfusion injury. A 49-year-old male presented in the office with neck pain and chronic symptoms of progressive cervical myelopathy: clumsiness, gait instability, and dropping things.

Meta-analysis on safety of standard vs. prolonged infusion of beta-lactams.

Background: Efficacy for prolonged infusion beta-lactam dosing schemes has been previously described, but there has been less focus on the safety of standard vs. prolonged infusion protocols of beta-lactams. This study explored differences in adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported for beta-lactams between each of these infusion protocols.

Pharmacokinetic profile and physiological effects of oral and compounded intravenous gabapentin in goats.

Objective: To determine the pharmacokinetics and physiological effects following oral and intravenous (IV) administration of gabapentin in goats.

Study Design: Prospective, crossover study with a 3 week washout period between treatments.

Animals: A total of eight healthy, client-owned, female goats.

Differential Access to Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compared with Mammography and Ultrasound.

Introduction: For high-risk women, breast magnetic resonance (MR) is the preferred supplemental imaging option, but spatial access differences may exacerbate disparities in breast care.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study examining distance between ZIP codes and the nearest breast imaging facility (MR, mammography, ultrasound) using 2023 data from the Food and Drug Administration and the American College of Radiology. Linear regression was used to assess distance differences controlling for Area Deprivation Index (ADI), urbanicity, and population size.

Effect of Lipiflow (Thermal Pulsation) on Ocular Surface Disease Management After Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of Thermal pulsation treatment, completed one month prior to cataract surgery, as a means of eliminating or significantly mitigating the exacerbating effects of cataract surgery on dry eye patients.

Setting: Glendale, Arizona.

Design: Prospective, longitudinal, non-masked, randomized clinical investigation.

Endosomal Toll-Like Receptors intermediate negative impacts of viral diseases, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory immune responses on the cardiovascular system.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity globally, with chronic inflammation as a key modifiable risk factor. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), pivotal components of the innate immune system, including TLR-3, -7, -8, and -9 within endosomes, trigger intracellular cascades, leading to inflammatory cytokine production by various cell types, contributing to systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis. Recent research highlights the role of endosomal TLRs in recognizing self-derived nucleic acids during sterile inflammation, implicated in autoimmune conditions like myocarditis.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Cancer Care: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) come directly from the patient, without clinician interpretation, to provide a patient-centered perspective.

Objective: To understand the association of PROM integration into cancer care with patient-related, therapy-related, and health care utilization outcomes.

Data Sources: Searches included MEDLINE and MEDLINE Epub ahead of print, in-process, and other nonindexed citations; Embase databases (OvidSP); PsychINFO; CENTRAL; and CINAHL from January 1, 2012 to September 26, 2022.

Transungual Penetration and Antifungal Activity of Prescription and Over-the-Counter Topical Antifungals: Ex Vivo Comparison.

Introduction: Topical antifungals for toenail onychomycosis must penetrate the nail to deliver an inhibitory concentration of free drug to the site of infection. In two ex vivo experiments, we tested the ability of topical antifungals to inhibit growth of Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the most common causative fungi in toenail onychomycosis.

Methods: Seven topical antifungals were tested: three U.