The Role of Pain Medications in Modulating Peripheral Nerve Injury Recovery.

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) are common, costly, and cause significant pain. Effective management of PNIs involves tailoring medications to the injury type as well as understanding the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics to support nerve regeneration and reduce pain. Opioids act on opioid receptors to significantly reduce pain for many patients, but there are significant addiction risks and side effects.

Geographical Distribution and Trends Analysis of Osteopathic General Surgery Residents.

In recent years, the number of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) residents entering general surgery has increased. As DOs continue to solidify their role within the surgical domain, understanding their distribution, preferences, and the dynamics of their integration into residency programs becomes crucial for general surgery applicants. Publicly available data were gathered for each DO general surgery resident from residency programs across the nation, including details such as post-graduate year, degrees held, and residency program location.

Decreasing the Anxiety and Shame of Medical Students Not Placing into a Residency Using an Innovative Fifth-Year Educational Intervention.

US medical students, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, exhibited higher rates of mental health challenges than age-matched cohorts. The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) match process, which places medical students into residency, is the culmination of medical school training and a well-recognized stressor that amplifies anxiety levels and the mental strain that accompanies medical school. Facing an unprecedented year with a decrease in 2021 NRMP placement percentages, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) introduced an innovative new program, the predoctoral internship (PDI), to support students who did not match into a residency program.

A Benign Finding of Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis.

Hemorrhagic pancreatitis is a rare cause of hypovolemic shock. It presents as silent bleeding, with signs of hypovolemic shock and abdominal pain eventually culminating in life-threatening bleeding. This case study delves into a case of hemorrhagic pancreatitis in a 49-year-old male.

Ultrasound normalized local variance to assess metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Purpose: Increased prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) highlights a desire for screening with liver ultrasound normalized local variance (NLV). We aimed to assess variations in NLV values measured at different sampling depths and discuss common technical considerations in measuring liver NLV.

Methods: We retrospectively measured liver NLVs at variable depths on ultrasound images pre-recorded in 116 participants who underwent liver magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) and ultrasound to screen for MASLD.

The effect of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy on fusion rate in spinal surgery using osteobiologics for patients with metastatic spinal disease: a systematic review.

Objective: To evaluate the impact that adjuvant therapies like radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy have on osteobiologic properties and bony regeneration in patients with metastatic spine disease (MSD) undergoing spinal fusion surgery.

Methods: PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov searches were performed.

Assessment of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Models in Creating Medical Illustrations for Various Corneal Transplant Procedures.

Purpose: This study aimed to task and assess generative artificial intelligence (AI) models in creating medical illustrations for corneal transplant procedures such as Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).  Methods: Six engineered prompts were provided to Decoder-Only Autoregressive Language and Image Synthesis 3 (DALL-E 3) and Medical Illustration Manager (MIM) to guide these generative AI models in creating a final medical illustration for each of the four corneal transplant procedures. Control illustrations were created by the authors for each transplant technique for comparison.

Impact of Prehospital Ultrasound Training on Simulated Paramedic Clinical Decision-Making.

Introduction: When used appropriately, focused limited-scope ultrasound exams could potentially provide paramedics with accurate and actionable diagnostic information to guide prehospital decision-making. In this study we aimed to investigate the impact of a 13-hour prehospital ultrasound training course on the simulated clinical decision-making of paramedics as well as their ultrasound skills, knowledge, and self-confidence.

Methods: We evaluated the ultrasound competence of 31 participants using post-course written and practical assessments.

Evaluating the Accuracy of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Generated Illustrations for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), and Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE).

Purpose: To utilize artificial intelligence (AI) platforms to generate medical illustrations for refractive surgeries, aiding patients in visualizing and comprehending procedures like laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). This study displays the current performance of two OpenAI programs in terms of their accuracy in common corneal refractive procedures.

Methods: We selected AI image generators based on their popularity, choosing Decoder-Only Autoregressive Language and Image Synthesis 3 (DALL-E 3) for its leading position and Medical Illustration Master (MiM) for its high engagement.

GDF15 Targeting for Treatment of Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP), particularly its severe form, Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), affects up to 70% of pregnancies and significantly impacts the quality of life for those with the condition as well as generates a great economic burden, with annual costs exceeding $1.7 billion in the United States. Despite the available treatments targeting neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, many patients experience inadequate relief and suffer from severe side effects, including headaches and dizziness.

A Comprehensive Perspective on Educational and Economic Barriers for Utilization of Palliative Radiation Therapy in Hospice: A Narrative Review.

Purpose: Despite the agreed-on efficacy and benefits of palliative radiation therapy (PRT) to alleviate end-of-life complications related to cancer progression, PRT remains an underused treatment in the hospice-care setting. Common barriers for hospice patient use of PRT include educational and economic limitations. This paper discussed these barriers and ways to eliminate them based on previously published interventions.

The interplay between gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, and implications for host health and disease.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) - acetate, propionate, and butyrate - are important bacterial fermentation metabolites regulating many important aspects of human physiology. Decreases in the concentrations of any or multiple SCFAs are associated with various detrimental effects to the host. Previous research has broadly focused on gut microbiome produced SCFAs as a group, with minimal distinction between acetate, propionate, and butyrate independently, each with significantly different host effects.

Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy With Concomitant Periacetabular Osteotomy Demonstrate Clinically Meaningful Improvement at 2 Years Using the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System and International Hip Outcome Tool 12.

Purpose: To report the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and substantial clinical benefit (SCB) values using the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and International Hip Outcome Tool 12 (iHOT-12) in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy (HA) with concomitant periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), HA + PAO for acetabular dysplasia, and intra-articular pathology with a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Methods: Data from patients who underwent HA + PAO were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients who had a diagnosis of hip dysplasia or hip instability and had a minimum 2-year patient-reported outcome measure follow-up.

Comparison of In-person VS remote learning modalities for ultrasound-guided knee arthrocentesis training using formalin-embalmed cadavers.

Objectives: This study aims to compare the efficacy of remote versus in-person training strategies to teach ultrasound guided knee arthrocentesis using formalin embalmed cadavers.

Methods: 30 first-year medical student participants were randomly assigned to remote or in-person training groups. Pre- and post- training surveys were used to evaluate participant's self-confidence in their ability to perform the procedure.

Value of Imaging Measurements in Micrognathia-Related Fetal Airway Obstruction Within a Fetal Center.

Objective: Fetal imaging often identifies signs of upper airway obstruction due to micrognathia that may require airway intervention at delivery. This study investigated the role of quantitative fetal imaging measurements in predicting the need for otolaryngology consultation and intervention within a multidisciplinary Fetal Center.

Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from expectant mothers attending a multidisciplinary Fetal Center from January 2017 to October 2023.

Frequently asked questions to the 2023 obesity medicine association position statement on compounded peptides: A call for action.

Background: In 2023, the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) published "Compounded peptides: An Obesity Medicine Association Position Statement." Since this publication, the use of compounded peptides for the treatment of obesity has continued to evolve, leading to additional confusion and questions from obesity medicine clinicians and their patients.

Methods: This frequently asked questions (FAQ) document and "Call for Action" commentary is based upon the existing evidence and practical clinical experiences of the authors.

Coinciding Placental Abruption and Pulmonary Edema in a Patient With Preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a known complication of pregnancy. Patients meet diagnostic criteria when they have hypertension along with proteinuria and/or end-organ dysfunction. Preeclampsia can pose a serious threat to the lives of pregnant patients and their fetuses.

A Case of West Nile Virus Neuroinvasive Disease Presenting With Isolated Diplopia.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a single-stranded RNA virus causing a wide spectrum of diseases. Neuroinvasive conditions such as meningitis and encephalitis are feared complications of WNV infection. Here, we describe the case of a 78-year-old male whose only initial presenting symptoms were fever and transient diplopia, whose initial MRI imaging with and without contrast did not reveal any abnormalities.

The Utilization of Brillouin Microscopy in Corneal Diagnostics: A Systematic Review.

Corneal biomechanical data has been used since 2005 to screen for keratoconus and corneal ectasia by corneal specialists. Older technology uses force applanation techniques over a 3 mm area in the central cornea, making it highly dependent on extraneous variables and unable to calculate the elasticity of the tissue. Brillouin microscopy is a newer method that uses a natural shift in the frequency of light as it passes through a material.