Radiodensity Analysis of Lateral Column Superconstruct Fixation Sites in Midfoot Charcot Neuroarthropathy.

Lateral column deterioration and subsequent loss of function poses a challenge for limb preservation in patients with Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN). Application of "superconstructs" provides stability and clinical improvement to an often-ulcerated lateral foot. This study examines radiodensity in Hounsfield units (HU) to compare bone quality of lateral column fixation targets using computed tomography (CT) scans between patients with and without midfoot CN.

Chaperonin containing TCP-1 (CCT/TRiC) is a novel therapeutic and diagnostic target for neuroblastoma.

Chaperonin containing TCP1 (CCT/TRiC) is a multi-subunit protein folding complex that enables the cancer phenotype to emerge from the mutational landscape that drives oncogenesis. We and others linked increased expression of CCT subunits to advanced tumor stage and invasiveness that inversely correlates with cancer patient outcomes. In this study, we examined the expression of the second CCT subunit, CCT2, using genomic databases of adult and pediatric tumors and normal tissues, and found that it was highly expressed in pediatric cancers, showing a significant difference compared to normal tissues.

Impact of Piperacillin-Tazobactam Dosing in Septic Shock Patients Using Real-World Evidence: An Observational, Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Sepsis and septic shock are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Rapid initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy is essential, as inadequate therapy early during septic shock has been shown to increase the risk of mortality. However, despite the importance of appropriate antibiotic initiation, in clinical practice, concerns for renal dysfunction frequently lead to antibiotic dose reduction, with scant evidence on the impact of this practice in septic shock patients.

Effect of Antidepressants on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist-Related Weight Loss.

Background: Depression and obesity have a bidirectional relationship making the management of one, without the other, problematic. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are a preferred medication class for diabetes and obesity treatment given their weight loss effect; however, it is not known how antidepressants impact this effect.

Objective: To assess the impact of antidepressant use on GLP-1 RA-associated weight loss in patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Chaperonin containing TCP1 as a marker for identification of circulating tumor cells in blood.

Herein we report the use of Chaperonin-Containing TCP-1 (CCT or TRiC) as a marker to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that are shed from tumors during oncogenesis. Most detection methods used in liquid biopsy approaches for enumeration of CTCs from blood, employ epithelial markers like cytokeratin (CK). However, such markers provide little information on the potential of these shed tumor cells, which are normally short-lived, to seed metastatic sites.

Squamous cell carcinoma of verrucous type in the setting of prior pyoderma gangrenosum: a case report.

Introduction: Pyoderma gangrenosum and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma are two conditions well reported in the literature and may exist concurrently in the same patient. In fact, there have been reports of misdiagnosis of one for the other. The two conditions occurring in the same location, however, has not yet been reported.

Induction of pancreatitis in mice with susceptibility to pancreatic cancer.

Chronic inflammation is known to be associated with pancreatic cancer, however a complete picture regarding how these pathologies intersect is still being characterized. In vivo model systems are critical for the study of mechanisms underlying how inflammation accelerates neoplasia. Repeat injection of cerulein, a cholecystokinin (CCK) analog, is widely used to experimentally induce acute and chronic pancreatitis in vivo.

Cardiovascular Imaging for Ischemic Heart Disease in Women: Time for a Paradigm Shift.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women. Women have a unique phenotype of ischemic heart disease with less calcified lesions, more nonobstructive plaques, and a higher prevalence of microvascular disease compared with men, which may explain in part why current risk models to detect obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) may not work as well in women. This paper summarizes the sex differences in the functional and anatomical assessment of CAD in women presenting with stable chest pain and provides an approach for using multimodality imaging for the evaluation of suspected ischemic heart disease in women in accordance to the recently published American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines for the evaluation and diagnosis of chest pain.

DFMO Improves Survival and Increases Immune Cell Infiltration in Association with MYC Downregulation in the Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has an extremely poor five-year survival rate of less than 10%. Immune suppression along with chemoresistance are obstacles for PDAC therapeutic treatment. Innate immune cells, such as tumor-associated macrophages, are recruited to the inflammatory environment of PDAC and adversely suppress cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Differential Expression of Polyamine Pathways in Human Pancreatic Tumor Progression and Effects of Polyamine Blockade on Tumor Microenvironment.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death. Existing therapies only moderately improve pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patient prognosis. The present study investigates the importance of the polyamine metabolism in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment.

Paracervical Block or Uterosacral Ligament Infiltration for Benign Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the efficacy of preemptive paracervical block or uterosacral ligament infiltration in reducing postoperative pain and opioid consumption after benign minimally invasive hysterectomy.

Data Sources: We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar from inception until February 2020.

Racial and ethnic disparities in coronary, vascular, structural, and congenital heart disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States. However, percutaneous interventional cardiovascular therapies are often underutilized in Blacks, Hispanics, and women and may contribute to excess morbidity and mortality in these vulnerable populations. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) is committed to reducing racial, ethnic, and sex-based treatment disparities in interventional cardiology patients.

Three case studies of community behavioral health support from the US Department of Veterans Affairs after disasters.

Background: Community disaster resilience is comprised of a multitude of factors, including the capacity of citizens to psychologically recover. There is growing recognition of the need for public health departments to prioritize a communitywide mental health response strategy to facilitate access to behavioral health services and reduce potential psychological impacts. Due to the US Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) extensive experience providing trauma-informed behavioral healthcare to its Veterans, and the fact that VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) are located throughout the United States, the VA is well situated to be a key partner in local communities' response plans.

Perioperative and anaesthetic considerations of marijuana use.

The psychoactive substance cannabis is the most-commonly used drug around the world, and its use is becoming more prevalent globally. Additionally, it is becoming available in an increasing variety of forms. As such, it is imperative that perioperative practitioners have an understanding of the drug, its effects, and its implications in perioperative care.

Genetic rhabdomyolysis within the spectrum of the Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 2 responsive to pregabalin.

Background: Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 2 is a slowly progressive adult onset ataxia with a broad clinical presentation.

Case Presentation: We describe a man with Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 2 with chronic, severe, and recurrent rhabdomyolysis, as part of the cerebellar ataxia genetic spectrum. Initially rhabdomyolysis was refractory to multiple medications, but entirely resolved and remained in chronic remission with pregabalin.

Tophaceous gout of the atlantoaxial joint: a case report.

Background: To report the occurrence of tophaceous gout in the cervical spine and to review the literature on spinal gout.

Case Presentation: This report details the occurrence of a large and clinically significant finding of tophaceous gout in the atlantoaxial joint of the cervical spine in an 82-year-old Caucasian man with a 40-year history of crystal-proven gout and a 3-month history of new-onset progressive myelopathy. The patient's American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) criteria score was 15.

Development and Initial Validation of the Perceptual Assessment of Memory (PASSOM): A Simulator Study.

Objective: Performance validity tests (PVTs) are an integral component of neuropsychological assessment. There is a need for the development of more PVTs, especially those employing covert determinations. The aim of the present study was to provide initial validation of a new computerized PVT, the Perceptual Assessment of Memory (PASSOM).

Pomalidomide and dexamethasone in myelomatous pleural effusion.

Myelomatous pleural effusion (MPE) is an uncommon clinical entity and occurs in less than 1% of all patients with multiple myeloma. MPE indicates a progression of disease, therefore is associated with a poor prognosis and estimated median survival of <3 months. Treatment of MPE is challenging, and the data regarding the role of novel agents lack in the literature.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Causing Poor Response to Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Prostate Cancer.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is recommended for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Inadequate suppression of testosterone while on ADT poses a clinical challenge and requires evaluation of multiple potential causes, including adrenal virilizing disorders. We present 2 cases of elderly patients with prostate cancer who had undiagnosed congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) driving persistent testosterone elevation during ADT.

Late Intraocular Lens Dislocation Resulting From Haptic Breakage Following Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

We report a case of an asymptomatic 65-year-old male who on routine eye examination had anterior dislocation of an intraocular lens (IOL) implant placed 23 years prior. Ten months prior to presentation, the patient had cardiac surgery complicated by cardiac arrest requiring chest compressions. Dislocation of an intraocular lens is a rare complication of cataract surgery.

"It's important to me": A qualitative analysis on shared decision-making and patient preferences in older adults with early-stage breast cancer.

Objective: Shared decision-making (SDM) occurs when physicians and patients jointly select treatment that aligns with patient care goals. Incorporating patient preferences into the decision-making process is integral to successful decision-making. This study explores factors influencing treatment selection in older patients with early-stage breast cancer (EBC).

Ceria Nanoparticles Mitigate the Iron Oxidative Toxicity of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium.

Oxidative injury is implicated in retinal damage observed in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as well as other degenerative conditions. Abnormally elevated levels of iron accumulation within the retinal pigment epithelium have been detected in eyes with AMD, and it is suspected to play a role in the pathogenesis through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ceria nanoparticles (CNP) have the ability to scavenge ROS.

Ocular erythema nodosum leprosum: An immunohistochemical study.

Episcleritis, scleritis, and anterior uveitis are common clinical manifestations of ocular leprosy. Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is an acute, exaggerated systemic immunological reaction that complicates the course of this chronic indolent disease. We present an ocular immunohistochemical study of severe form of ENL involving even the ciliary body and choroid resulting in the perforation of the globe on the initiation of anti leprosy therapy.