Infective Endocarditis by Biofilm-Producing Methicillin-Resistant -Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening condition with increasing global incidence, primarily caused by , especially methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA). Biofilm formation by is a critical factor in pathogenesis, contributing to antimicrobial resistance and complicating the treatment of infections involving prosthetic valves and cardiovascular devices. Biofilms provide a protective matrix for MRSA, shielding it from antibiotics and host immune defenses, leading to persistent infections and increased complications, particularly in cases involving prosthetic materials.

Autonomic Effects of Pulsed Field vs Thermal Ablation for Treating Atrial Fibrillation: Subanalysis of ADVENT.

Background: Autonomic denervation is an ancillary phenomenon during thermal ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF), that may have synergistic effects on symptomatic improvement and long-term freedom from AF. Pulsed field ablation (PFA), a nonthermal ablation modality, was noninferior to thermal ablation in treating AF; however, PFA's relative myocardial selectivity may minimize autonomic effects.

Objectives: This study sought to compare heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) metrics as markers of autonomic function after ablation using PFA vs thermal ablation.

Biofilm Producing Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA) Infections in Humans: Clinical Implications and Management.

Since its initial description in the 1960s, methicillin-resistant (MRSA) has developed multiple mechanisms for antimicrobial resistance and evading the immune system, including biofilm production. MRSA is now a widespread pathogen, causing a spectrum of infections ranging from superficial skin issues to severe conditions like osteoarticular infections and endocarditis, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Biofilm production is a key aspect of MRSA's ability to invade, spread, and resist antimicrobial treatments.

Epidemiologic Characteristics of Adolescents with COVID-19 Disease with Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure.

We report our experience of COVID-19 disease with hypoxemic respiratory failure among patients aged 12-21 years admitted to the intensive care unit at two tertiary care institutions in Northeastern and Midwestern United States. Our results showed that during the main study period that spanned the initial surge at both geographic locations, adolescents with SARS-COV-2 infection admitted to the ICU with respiratory failure were more likely to be male, black, and morbidly obese and with two or more comorbidities. The majority (79%) were admitted with COVID-19-related pneumonia and 15 developed respiratory failure; two-thirds of patients with respiratory failure (9/15, 60%) required mechanical ventilation (MV).

Adolescents as partners in the fight against COVID-19.

We report our experience of COVID-19 disease burden among patients aged 0-21 years at two tertiary care institutions in the Northeast and Midwest from New Jersey and Iowa. Our results showed that during the initial surge (March to August 2020) at both geographic locations, majority of COVID-19 disease burden occurred in adolescents and that they were more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-related illnesses, as well as develop severe disease needing intensive care. The study results emphasize the need for providing more targeted interventions toward this group to help prevent disease acquisition and transmission.

Unseen Burden of Injury: Post-Hospitalization Mortality in Geriatric Trauma Patients.

Background/objectives: Older adults are at risk for adverse outcomes after trauma, but little is known about post-acute survival as state and national trauma registries collect only inpatient or 30-day outcomes. This study investigates long-term, out-of-hospital mortality in geriatric trauma patients.

Methods: Level I Trauma Center registry data were matched to the US Social Security Death Index (SSDI) to determine long-term and out-of-hospital outcomes of older patients.

Severe Enteritis as the Sole Manifestation of Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Adolescent Patients.

Enteritis as the only manifestation of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adolescents without features of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) or a prior history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been described. We report two adolescent patients (a 14-year-old male and a 20-year-old pregnant female) presenting to tertiary-care centers in the United States with severe enteritis as the only manifestation of COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The patients were hospitalized with acute abdominal pain and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, with no evidence of MIS-C, and were previously healthy with no history of IBD.

Considerations for Insulin-Treated Type 2 Diabetes Patients During Hospitalization: A Narrative Review of What We Need to Know in the Age of Second-Generation Basal Insulin Analogs.

With the availability of second-generation basal insulin analogs, insulin degludec (100 and 200 units/ml [degludec]) and insulin glargine 300 units/ml (glargine U300), clinicians now have long-acting, efficacious treatment options with stable pharmacokinetic profiles and associated low risks of hypoglycemia that may be desirable for many patients with type 2 diabetes. In this narrative review, we summarize the current evidence on glycemic control in hospitalized patients and review the pharmacokinetic properties of degludec and glargine U300 in relation to the challenges these may pose during the hospitalization of patients with type 2 diabetes who are receiving outpatient regimens involving these newer insulins. Their increased use in clinical practice requires that hospital healthcare professionals (HCPs) have appropriate protocols to transfer patients from these second-generation insulins to formulary insulin on admission, and ensure the safe discharge of patients and transition back to degludec or glargine U300.

A Systematic Review of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Background: Recently, severe manifestations associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) have been recognized. Analysis of studies for this novel syndrome is needed for a better understanding of effective management among affected children.

Methods: An extensive search strategy was conducted by combining the terms multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and coronavirus infection or using the term multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children in bibliographic electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL) and in preprint servers (BioRxiv.

The Ultimate Skull Base Maneuver Does Not Involve Removing Bone: Quantifying the Benefits of the Interfascial Dissection.

 Several adjunctive osteal skull base maneuvers have been proposed to increase surgical exposure of the anterolateral approach. However, one of the easiest methods does not involve bone: the interfascial temporalis muscle dissection.  Sequential dissections were performed bilaterally on five fixed silicone-injected cadaver heads.

Phthalate-associated hypertension in premature infants: a prospective mechanistic cohort study.

Background: Phthalates are associated with increased blood pressure in children. Large exposures to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) among premature infants have been a cause for concern.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study to determine if DEHP exposures are related to systolic blood pressure (SBP) in premature infants, and if this exposure is associated with activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR).

Safety first: significant risk of air embolism in laparoscopic gasketless insufflation systems.

Background: Gasketless laparoscopic insufflator systems are marketed for the ability to prevent desufflation of pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopy. However, surgeons raised concern for possible introduction of non-absorbable room air, including oxygen (O), with these systems. A community-university collaborative was created to test this hypothesis.

Azithromycin for Early Pseudomonas Infection in Cystic Fibrosis. The OPTIMIZE Randomized Trial.

Rationale: New isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is generally treated with inhaled antipseudomonal antibiotics such as tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS). A therapeutic approach that complements traditional antimicrobial therapy by reducing the risk of pulmonary exacerbation and inflammation may ultimately prolong the time to Pa recurrence.

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that the addition of azithromycin to TIS in children with cystic fibrosis and early Pa decreases the risk of pulmonary exacerbation and prolongs the time to Pa recurrence.

Surgical Reconstruction to Allow Endovascular Access for Flow Diversion of Giant Cavernous Aneurysm: A Combined Approach.

Giant cavernous aneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are challenging lesions associated with high surgical morbidity. Prior to the past several years, these were treated by surgical reconstruction, proximal ligation, or stent-assisted coiling techniques. Flow diversion has become the standard of care for these lesions, providing a high rate of obliteration with a much better safety profile.

Transcavernous Approach to the Basilar Apex: A Cadaveric Prosection.

The transcavernous approach to the basilar artery, as initially described by Dolenc, is one of the most common and elegant approaches to the region. It affords a generous working and viewing angle, but it can be technically challenging and requires attention to detail at each step. We investigate this approach in this report via a cadaveric prosection with a focus on the value of each of the component steps in improving surgical view and exposure.

Double-Barrel Superficial Temporal Artery-Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass: Can It Be Considered "High-Flow?".

Background: Traditionally, superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass uses one STA branch. Its augmentation of flow has classically been described as "low flow." In a double-barrel STA-MCA bypass, however, both branches of the STA are utilized.

Diagnosis of Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction and Megacystis by Sequencing the ACTG2 Gene.

Objectives: The diagnosis of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction has depended on clinical features, manometry, and imaging. This report aimed to determine the efficacy of sequencing the actin γ-2 (ACTG2) gene for diagnosis. In addition, the goal was to determine how often a mutation would be found in our randomly collected cohort of probands and those probands published previously.

Directly sampling the lung of a young child with cystic fibrosis reveals diverse microbiota.

Rationale: The airways of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) are chronically infected with a variety of bacterial species. Although routine culture methods are usually used to diagnose these infections, culture-independent, DNA-based methods have identified many bacterial species in CF respiratory secretions that are not routinely cultured. Many prior culture-independent studies focused either on microbiota in explanted CF lungs, reflecting end-stage disease, or those in oropharyngeal swabs, which likely sample areas in addition to the lower airways.