The Impact of Learning Curve on Robotic Living Donor Nephrectomy Outcomes: Retrospective Analysis.

Background: We aimed to investigate the outcome of patients after RDN at different time points.

Methods: We studied the outcomes of 77 living robotic living donor nephrectomies (RDN). Donors were separated into three groups: learning curve period (LCP), stabilisation period (SP), and teaching period (TP).

Systemic Absorption of Oral and Rectal Vancomycin in a Critically Ill Patient: A Case Report.

Enteral administration of vancomycin is the standard treatment for () colitis and is presumed to have no systemic absorption. In critically ill patients, however, especially with multi-organ failure, enteral absorption of vancomycin is unpredictable and can cause severe toxicity if it remains unrecognized. We therefore report a case of systemic absorption of enteric vancomycin in a patient with severe colitis.

Risk factors for metastatic disease at presentation with chordoma and its prognostic value.

Background: Chordoma is a rare bone cancer arising from the embryonic notochord with special predilection to the axial skeleton. The locally destructive nature and metastatic potential of chordomas can lead to devastating outcomes in terms of survival. The purpose of this study was to examine potential risk factors predictive of metastatic disease at presentation and prognostic factors in patients with metastasis.

Physical function estimates change in pain following IIPT among children with chronic pain.

Introduction: Chronic pain can negatively impact a child's quality of life. Pediatric Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment (IIPT) programs aim to improve overall functioning despite pain through various rehabilitative strategies. It is, however, unclear whether improved function corresponds to self-reported decrease in pain levels.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Who Is At Risk?

Introduction: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a rare but well recognized complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with increased morbidity and poor clinical outcomes. There is a scarcity of literature describing the prevalence and risk factors associated with this complication. The aim of this study was to identify patients who are at risk of developing TCM in non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Expression, purification and characterization of phosphatidylserine-targeting antibodies for biochemical and therapeutic applications.

The externalization of Phosphatidylserine (PS) from the inner surface of the plasma membrane to the outer surface of the plasma membrane is an emblematic event during apoptosis and serves as a potent "eat-me" signal for the efferocytosis of apoptotic cells. Although less well understood, PS is also externalized on live cells in the tumor microenvironment and on live virus-infected cells whereby it serves as an immune modulatory signal that drives tolerance and immune escape. Given the importance of PS in cancer immunology and immune escape, PS-targeting monoclonal antibodies have been characterized with promising immunotherapeutic potential.

The (dys)regulation of energy storage in obesity.

Metabolic energy stored mainly as adipose tissue is homeostatically regulated. There is strong evidence that human body weight () is physiologically regulated, i.e.

Metastatic Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma to the Right Ventricle.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare, yet extremely aggressive form of thyroid cancer characterized by rapid growth and early metastasis to distant sites. Cardiac involvement is very uncommon and the presentation of cardiac metastasis in ATC can vary widely, highlighting the importance of early clinical recognition. We describe an extremely rare case of metastatic ATC that spread to the right ventricle.

Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Into the Right Atrium.

A 40-year-old man with a medical history of hepatitis B presented with abdominal distention and leg swelling. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed cirrhosis and a large mass extending from the liver into the inferior vena cava and extending into the right atrium. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a large right atrial mass extending from the inferior vena cava with possible attachment to the interatrial septum.

Improving reading competence in aphasia with combined aerobic exercise and phono-motor treatment: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Aphasia, a communication disorder caused primarily by left-hemisphere stroke, affects millions of individuals worldwide, with up to 70% experiencing significant reading impairments. These deficits negatively impact independence and quality of life, highlighting the need for effective treatments that target the cognitive and neural processes essential to reading recovery. This Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) aims to test the efficacy of a combined intervention incorporating aerobic exercise training (AET) and phono-motor treatment (PMT) to enhance reading recovery in individuals with post-stroke aphasia.

Looped Penrose Drainages of Acute Hand Infections in Vulnerable Populations.

Purpose: Acute hand infections (AHIs) remain a challenge for hand surgeons and represent a condition for which clinical outcomes are considerably affected by social barriers. We previously described the looped Penrose drainage technique, where a drain is sutured to itself in a loop and the outflow tract of egress is maintained, thus obviating the need for large incisions, wound closure, or repeat packing, thereby reducing the follow-up burden. In the face of escalating numbers of socioeconomically vulnerable patients, especially in urban settings, we aimed to characterize the clinical features and outcomes of this technique in an urban population of patients with AHI.

Palliative Care Initiated in the Emergency Department: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The emergency department (ED) offers an opportunity to initiate palliative care for older adults with serious, life-limiting illness.

Objective: To assess the effect of a multicomponent intervention to initiate palliative care in the ED on hospital admission, subsequent health care use, and survival in older adults with serious, life-limiting illness.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Cluster randomized, stepped-wedge, clinical trial including patients aged 66 years or older who visited 1 of 29 EDs across the US between May 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022, had 12 months of prior Medicare enrollment, and a Gagne comorbidity score greater than 6, representing a risk of short-term mortality greater than 30%.

Diagnostic value of CT scans in pediatric patients with acute non-traumatic altered mental status: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) scans are widely used for evaluating children with acute atraumatic altered mental status (AMS) despite concerns about radiation exposure and limited diagnostic yield. This study aims to assess the efficacy of CT scans in this population and provide evidence-based recommendations.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines.

Gastric Ultrasound in the Management of Emergency Department Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Case Series and Sonographic Technique.

Background: Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a common condition in the emergency department (ED) with high incidence and mortality.

Objectives: Very early risk stratification of GIB patients can sometimes be a challenge. The decision to intubate these patients is multifactorial and requires careful consideration.

Short- and Mid-Term Outcomes Following ALIF and TLIF in L5-S1 Isthmic Spondylolisthesis Patients.

Background: A limited number of studies have compared the outcomes of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) to transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for the treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis. This study aims to compare postoperative complications between these two surgical approaches.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed using a large national database.

Feasibility of real-time fMRI neurofeedback for rehabilitation of reading deficits in aphasia.

Background: Reading impairments, a common consequence of stroke-induced aphasia, significantly hinder life participation, affecting both functional and leisure activities. Traditional post-stroke rehabilitation strategies often show limited generalization beyond trained materials, underscoring the need for novel interventions targeting the underlying neural mechanisms.

Method: This study investigates the feasibility and potential effectiveness of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) neurofeedback (NFB) intervention for reading deficits associated with stroke and aphasia.

An optimized plasmalogen modulating dietary supplement provides greater protection in a male than female mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy.

We previously reported that plasmalogens, a class of phospholipids, were decreased in a setting of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Plasmalogen levels can be modulated via a dietary supplement called alkylglycerols (AG) which has demonstrated benefits in some disease settings. However, its therapeutic potential in DCM remained unknown.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Antibody Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in a Large Cohort of US Children.

Background: Household transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may play a key role in times of increased infection, particularly among children. We aimed to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and identify risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity in children.

Methods: Unvaccinated children aged 18 months to 11 years between August 2022 and June 2023 underwent oral fluid testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Safety, efficacy, and mechanism of action of the temporo-masseteric nerve block.

The objective of the study was to assess the utility and safety of Temporo-masseteric Nerve Block (TMNB), and to explore the mechanism for its apparent sustained pain relief. This manuscript describes, (1) a retrospective study evaluating pain reduction in patients who received the TMNB injection for the management of masticatory myogeneous pain (myalgia, per Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD criteria)), and (2) a motor nerve conduction study (NCS) of the temporalis and masseter, performed in the absence of signs or symptoms of TMD, before and after the TMNB injection. The results were as follows.

Arteriovenous Fistula Creation and Care in an Office-Based Practice Compared to Hospital Based Care.

Objectives: This study evaluates and compares outcomes of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) created in a dialysis access dedicated office-based laboratory (OBL) and outpatient hospital setting.

Methods: All consecutive outpatient surgical autologous AVFs created at an academic hospital, community hospital, and an OBL from 2016-2020 were reviewed. Demographics, comorbidities, surgical procedure, complications, maturation, patency, and procedures for maintenance were assessed from time of surgical evaluation to latest available documentation.

Physical function and perceived pain following inpatient intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment for children and adolescents.

Background: Chronic pain among children and adolescents negatively impacts overall functioning and quality of life. Although Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment (IIPT) programs aim to reduce functional impairment and perceived pain, overall evidence is limited and restricted by small sample sizes and limited diversity in pain diagnoses.

Objective: To determine whether children and adolescents with chronic pain participating in an inpatient IIPT program experience improvements in their physical function and perceived pain.