Smoking Increases Mortality Risk Among African Americans With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Smoking and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a disproportionately high prevalence among African American (AA) adults, but their impact on mortality among AA adults is not well known.

Methods: Given the lack of evidence in published literature on specific factors affecting the relationship between CKD and mortality among AA adults, we examined the influence of smoking on mortality among AA adults with CKD. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1999-2010) data were analyzed with study participants prospectively followed up for mortality analysis through December 31, 2019, using National Death Index (NDI) death certificate records.

Risk of avascular necrosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Insights from a nationwide cohort study and the impact of corticosteroid use.

Background And Aim: Corticosteroid use is a risk factor for avascular necrosis (AVN) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are often exposed to higher corticosteroid usage. We investigated the epidemiology and risk factors of AVN in a nationwide population-based cohort of IBD patients.

Methods: Patients newly diagnosed with IBD were identified, and sex- and age-matched participants from the general population were selected in a 1:3 IBD:non-IBD ratio.

The Role of Patient Satisfaction Scores in Clinical Care and Physician Wellness.

Patient satisfaction scores have become an integral part of the vocabulary of medical practitioners. Patient satisfaction scores are a domain far ignored, but which have recently gained prominence as patients have demanded a fair share of their own assessments of their medical caregivers. This has created a complex interplay of meeting patients' demands and satisfying their wants and needs, which at times may not completely align with the best possible approach to management and standard of care algorithms.

Aortic valve cusp size and shape in dilated trileaflet aortic roots.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to quantify the differences in cusp size and shape in patients with normal and dilated trileaflet aortic roots and in dilated roots with or without aortic regurgitation.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of computed tomography studies in patients with normal and dilated trileaflet aortic roots was performed measuring root and cusp dimensions. Normal root size was defined as sinuses of Valsalva diameter less than 40 mm, dilated as 45 mm or greater.

Analyzing Google Search Trends for Migraine Surgery and Nurtec in Response to Public Announcements.

Background: Nurtec, a versatile migraine medication, has gained popularity. However, the awareness of migraine surgery remains uncertain.

Methods: Following a descriptive approach, this cross-sectional study used Google Trends data as of December 1, 2023, to analyze internet search patterns.

Li-Fraumeni Syndrome: Imaging Features and Guidelines.

Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a rare autosomal dominant familial cancer syndrome caused by germline mutations of the tumor protein p53 gene which encodes the p53 transcription factor, also known as the "guardian of the genome." The most common types of cancer found in families with LFS include sarcomas, leukemia, breast malignancies, brain tumors, and adrenocortical cancers. Osteosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma are the most common sarcomas.

Randomized Feasibility Study Evaluating Multiple FDA-approved Microbubbles for CEUS Lymphography.

Prior studies on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) lymphography for preoperative mapping before lymphaticovenous anastomosis surgery in patients with extremity lymphedema have been limited to using only Lumason and Sonazoid as microbubble contrast agents. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using two other Food & Drug Administration-approved microbubble agents, Optison and Definity, for imaging lymphatic vessels in the upper extremities. Nine female adults with unilateral upper extremity lymphedema anticipating lymphaticovenous anastomosis surgery underwent CEUS lymphography of the unaffected upper extremity randomized to either Lumason, Definity, or Optison.

Reproductive health among women of child-bearing age after surgery for rheumatic heart disease in Rwanda.

Objective: To determine maternal and fetal outcomes in postoperative women with rheumatic heart disease who become pregnant after valve surgery and evaluate current anticoagulation management during pregnancy.

Methods: Data from the Rwandan rheumatic heart disease cardiac surgical registry identified all female patients who underwent valve surgery before or during childbearing age since 2006. In total, 136 participants completed a mixed-methods questionnaire detailing each pregnancy after surgery, including anticoagulation regimen and outcomes.

Benefits of dermoscopy in primary care.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with an estimated 9,500 new diagnoses made each day. Dermoscopy (also called dermatoscopy) is an established clinical approach to improving skin cancer evaluation. However, only 8% to 9% of primary care physicians use it, and no data are available for physician associate/assistant or NP use.

Bayesian estimation of covariate assisted principal regression for brain functional connectivity.

This paper presents a Bayesian reformulation of covariate-assisted principal regression for covariance matrix outcomes to identify low-dimensional components in the covariance associated with covariates. By introducing a geometric approach to the covariance matrices and leveraging Euclidean geometry, we estimate dimension reduction parameters and model covariance heterogeneity based on covariates. This method enables joint estimation and uncertainty quantification of relevant model parameters associated with heteroscedasticity.

The effect of exercise and disease status on mobilization of anti-tumorigenic and pro-tumorigenic immune cells in women with breast cancer.

Background: Mobilization of certain immune cells may improve the ability of the immune system to combat tumor cells, but the effect of acute exercise on mobilizing immune cells has been sparsely investigated in cancer patients. Therefore, we examined how acute exercise influences circulating immune cells in breast cancer patients.

Methods: Nineteen newly diagnosed breast cancer patients aged 36-68 performed 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise with a cycle ergometer.

LM1001 Improves Digestibility of Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Whey Proteins and Promotes Myogenesis in C2C12 Myotubes.

is a valuable potential probiotic species with various proven health-beneficial effects. LM1001 strain was selected among ten strains of based on proteolytic activity on whey proteins. LM1001 produced higher concentrations of total free amino acids and branched-chain amino acids (Ile, Leu, and Val) than other strains.

Mechanical or biological prosthesis for aortic valve replacement in patients aged 45 to 74 years.

Objective: The selection of valve prostheses for patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement remains controversial. In this study, we compared the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with biological or mechanical aortic valve prostheses.

Methods: We evaluated late results among 5762 patients aged 45 to 74 years who underwent biological or mechanical aortic valve replacement with or without concomitant coronary artery bypass from 1989 to 2019 at 4 medical centers.

Changes in left ventricular-aortic angulation are associated with the development of obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Objective: To characterize changes in ventricular morphology in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who develop left ventricular (LV) outflow tract obstruction.

Methods: We reviewed patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with LV outflow tract obstruction who underwent septal myectomy from May 2012 to June 2023. Among 68 patients initially without obstruction documented up to 7.

For your consideration: Benefits of listing as willing to consider heart offers from donors with hepatitis C.

Background: Despite excellent outcomes of heart transplants from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive donors (D+), many candidates are not listed to even consider HCV D+ offers.

Methods: Using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we identified adult (age ≥18 years) heart transplant candidates prevalent on the waitlist between 2018 and March 2023. We compared the likelihood of waitlist mortality or heart transplant by candidate willingness to consider HCV D+ offers using competing risk regression.

Outcomes of Children With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Heart Failure on Medical Therapy.

Background: Systemic right ventricle (RV) dysfunction is associated with lower transplant-free survival (TFS) in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), but the likelihood of functional improvement and utility of heart failure (HF) medications is not understood.

Objectives: The authors aimed to describe TFS, HF medication use, and surgical interventions in HLHS patients with RV dysfunction with and without subsequent improvement in function.

Methods: The SickKids HF Database is a retrospective cohort that includes all pediatric HLHS patients with RV dysfunction lasting >30 days.

PROMER technology: A new real-time PCR tool enabling multiplex detection of point mutation with high specificity and sensitivity.

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) is a powerful tool for the precise quantification of nucleic acids in various applications. In cancer management, the monitoring of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from liquid biopsies can provide valuable information for precision care, including treatment selection and monitoring, prognosis, and early detection. However, the rare and heterogeneous nature of ctDNA has made its precise detection and quantification challenging, particularly for ctDNA containing hotspot mutations.

Pharmacologic interventions for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis.

Primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis is a multifactorial condition with a complex cause that affects patients across different age groups, impairing physiologic and psychologic well-being, and substantially reducing patient quality of life and overall productivity. To effectively manage this condition, healthcare providers need to be well informed about treatment guidelines, as well as the available therapeutic options and the evidence supporting their use. Nonsurgical interventions should be regarded as the primary treatment option, particularly for patients in the initial phases of this condition.

An Allergic Reaction in Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound Lymphography for Lymphovenous Bypass Surgery.

Lymphedema following oncologic intervention can cause significant lifelong morbidity for patients in whom conservative management fails. The associated swelling, discomfort, pain, and recurrent cellulitis greatly diminish quality of life. Surgical procedures, including suction-assisted lipectomy, lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA), and vascularized lymph node transfers, show effectiveness in both volume reduction in affected extremities and symptom relief.