E-cigarettes and arterial health: A review of the link between vaping and atherosclerosis progression.

Recent studies have suggested an evolving understanding of the association between vaping, specifically electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, and the progression of atherosclerosis, a significant contributor to cardiovascular disease. Despite the prevailing perception of vaping as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco smoking, accumulating evidence suggests that the aerosols emitted by e-cigarettes contain harmful constituents that may promote endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and dyslipidemia-key mechanisms implicated in atherosclerosis pathogenesis. While past research, including experimental studies and clinical investigations, has shed light on the potential cardiovascular risks associated with vaping, gaps in knowledge persist.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Diabetes Management in the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Setting.

The newly revised Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for Diabetes Management in the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (PALTC) Setting is an extremely useful resource that incorporates new evidence and perspectives related to overall goals in diabetes care. The CPG provides detailed information in usable Tables for how to use and manage the increasing number of medication alternatives for PALTC patients with diabetes. In addition, the CPG addresses the critical roles of all members of the interprofessional team for the optimal management of older adults living with diabetes.

Publication Bias in Upper Gastrointestinal Oncology Clinical Trials.

Purpose: Evidence-based medicine requires evaluation of the medical literature to guide clinical reasoning and treatment recommendations. The presence of publication bias towards exclusion of non-statistically significant clinical trials may be leading to an incomplete evaluation of the literature and cause potentially incomplete guidance for patients. We aimed to compare publication rates and impact of publications of positive and negative outcome clinical trials.

Assessing Patterns in Childhood Obesity Patient Education: A Quality of Online Health Information and Google Trends Analysis.

Childhood obesity (CO) is rapidly increasing in prevalence and developing into a health crisis of developed nations. The condition is associated with increased risk of developing various comorbidities later in life. Current treatment algorithms primarily target family education.

Delirium in a Relatively Young Person due to COVID-19 Infection.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2 virus), has significantly impacted global health. It can present a range of complications, from asymptomatic to severe respiratory distress syndrome. It has also been linked to complications in multiple organ systems, including neurological symptoms such as headaches and encephalopathy.

Hepatic Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma With Unique Metastasis to the Superior Vena Cava Found on CT Imaging: A Case Study.

Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) is a rare malignant tumor of vascular origin. Classically, HEHE is typically associated with imaging demonstrating multifocal heterogeneously enhancing hepatic nodules and histologic examination revealing mixed epithelioid and dendritic cells in a proliferative fibrous stromal background. While generally described as a low-to-intermediate grade indolent tumor, it is essential to establish the presence or absence of extrahepatic spread when considering transplant candidacy.

Bullous Pemphigoid: A Spontaneous Presentation in a Patient With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering pathology characterized by the development of pruritic, tense bullae and blisters on the lower extremities, axilla, and trunk. Its dermatopathology entails autoantibodies that target hemidesmosomes located in the basement membrane. The disease typically manifests in individuals over 50 years old with a higher prevalence in patients with concurrent neurological or dermatological autoimmune diseases.

Clinical Presentation and Treatment of Thromboangiitis Obliterans With Superimposed Osteomyelitis.

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is an autoimmune vasculitis that typically presents in male smokers between the ages of 25 and 40. Although TAO primarily affects medium-sized blood vessels, it can also infiltrate small blood vessels as well as nerves and veins. The inflammation can cause segmental thrombosing and occlusion of the blood vessels leading to gangrene and eventual amputations.

Novel Presentation of Cardiotoxicity and Other Complications in Tricyclic Antidepressant Poisoning.

Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) is a known frequently used and highly potent antidepressant that serves as an unsuspecting source of acute human poisoning. We present a case of an Asian female in her mid-30s who suffered TCA toxidrome that manifested as severe cardiovascular toxicities including arrhythmia characterized by QT elongation that was managed emergently. Hemodynamics and ECG findings improved gradually following appropriate therapy in the intensive care unit.

Internal Hernia as a Cause of Acute Abdomen in a Pediatric Patient.

An acute abdomen is a complex case with multiple possible etiologies and requires the help of many different disciplines. We present the case of a two-year-old female who presented to the emergency department in acute distress, pale in complexion, and continuously guarding her abdomen. Physical examination revealed a distended, rigid abdomen with tenderness to palpation of the abdomen in all four quadrants.

Superficial Clear Cell Sarcoma (Melanoma of Soft Parts) of the Large toe in an 80-Year-Old Female With a Rare Cytogenetic Translocation.

We present a case of clear cell sarcoma (CCS) on the left large toe of an 80-year-old female. CCS, also known as "melanoma of soft parts," is a rare soft tissue neoplasm that exhibits melanocytic differentiation. Most cases occur on the distal extremities of young female adults.

Not All Fun and Games: A Case Report of Contact Dermatitis Related to Slime and Play-Doh.

Slime and Play-Doh have been gaining popularity among adolescents and preteens. Both are gooey, viscoelastic substances that can be morphed and molded into virtually anything imaginable. Slime can be made from several household products including school glue and borax, which have both been linked to cases of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, conditions that historically involve activation of many immune-regulatory cells such as Langerhans' cells and T cells.

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma: A Rare Variant With Unique Diagnostic Challenges.

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), named for its location and histological growth pattern, is a rare variant of melanoma. ALM presents on palms, soles, or in association with the nail unit. While ALM accounts for approximately 5% of melanomas diagnosed each year, it is the most commonly diagnosed subtype of melanoma in non-Caucasian patients, and it is most likely to be diagnosed in the seventh decade of life.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: an update of current literature.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiologic agent for the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, has caused a public health emergency. The need for additional research in viral pathogenesis is essential as the number of cases and deaths rise. Understanding the virus and its ability to cause disease has been the main focus of current literature; however, there is much unknown.

Gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic manifestations of COVID-19.

There is an increasing number of confirmed cases and deaths caused by the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contributing to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. At this point, the need for further disease characterization is critical. COVID-19 is well established as a respiratory tract pathogen; however, recent studies have shown an increasing number of patients reporting gastrointestinal manifestations such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Encrusted Ureteral Stent in a Spanish Speaking Female: A Case of a Forgotten Stent Lost in Translation.

Ureteral stents are used to establish patency in a non-draining ureter, as they are commonly placed in etiologies such as ureteral obstruction and urological surgery. One complication that occurs with stent placement is the absence of follow-up to remove the device. This may be due to a myriad of reasons, including non-compliance and lack of patient education.

Primary amyloidosis of the bladder mimicking probable malignancy: A case report.

Primary amyloidosis of the bladder is a rare clinical occurrence, with only a limited number of cases documented in literature thus far. Herein, is the presentation of a case involving a 75 year old male who presented with painless gross hematuria. Subsequent laboratory results and imaging completed were misleading, creating a high suspicion for bladder malignancy.