Ventricular tachycardia ablation across age groups: Outcomes, trends and demographics. Insights from the National Inpatient Sample Database.

Background: Ventricular tachycardia ablation (VTA) is an important treatment option for ventricular tachycardia, with increasing use across all age groups. However, age-related differences in outcomes remain a concern.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate age-related trends in VTA procedures and their associated adverse events across the United States from 2011 to 2021.

Artificial Intelligence in Nephrology: Clinical Applications and Challenges.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in many medical specialties. However, nephrology has lagged in adopting and incorporating machine learning techniques. Nephrology is well positioned to capitalize on the benefits of AI.

From Soil to Salad: Strategies for Reducing Foodborne Illness Outbreaks.

This study addresses the global issue of foodborne illness, specifically focusing on those resulting from the consumption of leafy green vegetables. It explores the rising trend of consuming minimally processed or raw foods and the imperative of maintaining safety standards starting at the preharvest stage to prevent pathogenic bacterial contamination. The study identifies soil and irrigation water as key sources of pathogens and emphasizes the need for strict preventive measures during production and preharvest.

Extensive Admixture Among Karst-Obligate Salamanders Reveals Evidence of Recent Divergence and Gene Exchange Through Aquifers.

Karst ecosystems often contain extraordinary biodiversity, but the complex underground aquifers of karst regions present challenges for assessing and conserving stygobiont diversity and investigating their evolutionary history. We examined the karst-obligate salamanders of the species complex in the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas using population genomics data to address questions about population connectivity and the potential for gene exchange within the underlying aquifer system. The species complex has historically been divided into three nominal species, but their status, and spatial extent of species ranges, have remained uncertain.

Propofol-Induced Fasciculations in a Patient With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Case Report.

We report a case of a 39-year-old male patient who developed propofol-induced fasciculations during the induction of general anesthesia. The patient had a history of moderate obstructive sleep apnea and was intolerant to continuous positive airway pressure therapy. He subsequently underwent the insertion of a hypoglossal nerve stimulator as a viable surgical intervention.

Anomalous Blood Supply of the Superficial Face: A Case Report and Cadaveric Study of Facial and Transverse Facial Artery Variations.

The facial and transverse facial arteries supply blood to the superficial structures of the face. Understanding these arterial variations is essential for optimizing surgical planning and outcomes, especially in invasive facial procedures. A 78-year-old male cadaveric dissection documented variations in facial and transverse facial arteries.

Association Between E-cigarette Use and Asthma Exacerbations Using Nationally Representative Survey Data.

Introduction Despite limited knowledge of its potential health effects, electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has become increasingly popular in the United States (US). Cigarette smoking is linked to a higher risk of asthma, and e-cigarettes may have similar effects. This study's aim was to examine the association between e-cigarette use and asthma exacerbations in US adults with known asthma.

Brief Report: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Thoracic SMARCA4-Deficient Undifferentiated Tumors.

Introduction: Thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumors (SMARCA4-UTs) are a recently defined group of aggressive cancers in which the effectiveness of standard treatments for lung cancer is unknown.

Methods: We collected clinical, pathologic, and demographic variables from five institutions for patients whose tumors met criteria for SMARCA4-UTs (undifferentiated phenotype and loss of SMARCA4 (BRG1) by immunohistochemistry).

Results: We identified 92 patients with SMARCA4-UTs; 58 (63%) had stage IV disease at diagnosis and 16 (17%) developed recurrent or metastatic disease after initial diagnosis.

Plasmon hybridization model in molecules: molecular jackhammers.

We recently demonstrated molecular plasmons in cyanine dyes for the conversion of photon energy into mechanical energy through a whole-molecule coherent vibronic-driven-action. Here we present a model, a molecular plasmon analogue of molecular orbital theory and of plasmon hybridization in metal nanostructures. This model describes that molecular plasmons can be obtained from the combination or hybridization of elementary molecular fragments, resulting in molecules with hybridized plasmon resonances in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Lipoprotein(a), high-sensitivity c-reactive protein, homocysteine and cardiovascular disease in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background And Aims: Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), and total homocysteine (tHcy) are associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. This study investigated the individual and joint associations of Lp(a), hs-CRP and tHcy with coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.

Methods: This study was conducted in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort (2000-2017) (CHD analytic = 6,676; stroke analytic = 6,674 men and women).

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Multiple Myeloma: A Call to Action.

Background: Although advancements in multiple myeloma therapy have rapidly evolved, pervasive racial and social inequities prevent uniform benefit across diverse patient populations. This affects access to US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments and to clinical studies. The impact of health-care inequities is not well understood and thus, the development of effective strategies is inadequate.

Impact of an Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Intervention on Clinical Trial Enrollment in The US Oncology Network's MYLUNG Consortium.

Introduction: The Molecularly Informed Lung Cancer Treatment in a Community Cancer Network: A Pragmatic Consortium™ (MYLUNG) clinical trial platform aims to advance the use of precision medicine in patients with non-small cell lung cancer through a series of prospective and iterative clinical trials. Timely patient accrual onto oncology clinical trials is a known practice challenge and impaired accrual rates can lead to premature trial closure or properly powered trial outcomes. The US Oncology Network recently implemented a clinical pharmacist (ClinReview) initiative to provide remote clinical services to screen patients for enrollment onto MYLUNG Protocol 2.

Safety in Subsequent Lines of Therapy in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma.

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a disease often characterized by chronic and successive relapses after first-line chemoimmunotherapy. Although chemoimmunotherapy and combination therapy, such as lenalidomide with rituximab, are well established in the treatment sequence of FL, there is a need to streamline treatment options and determine placement of novel agents, such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, an enhancer of zeste homolog 2 inhibitor, or a phosphoinositide 3 kinase inhibitor, into the treatment landscape. As such, the purpose of this review is to compare the safety profiles of approved agents in subsequent lines of therapy for relapsed or refractory FL and to assess how the management of adverse events may impact treatment choice.

Infrared Video Imaging for the Identification and Quantification of Macula-Involving Symptomatic Vitreous Opacities.

To evaluate whether infrared video imaging can supplement traditional examination and imaging methods to identify and quantify symptomatic vitreous opacities. A prospective nonrandomized nonmasked series was performed that included eyes of consecutive patients with a primary complaint of symptomatic vitreous opacities. A macular vitreous opacity score (0-4) was developed to grade the size of the opacities in relation to the macula after refixation of up, down, left, and right saccades.

Endoscopic management of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis strictures: meta-analysis and systematic literature review.

Background: Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is a common surgical procedure for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. IPAA strictures are a known complication, often requiring surgical intervention. Endoscopic interventions offer a less invasive alternative, but their safety and efficacy remain uncertain.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated gastrointestinal adverse events in patients with colorectal cancer.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) target microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors with success. The incidence and characteristics of ICI-related colitis (IMC) in patients with MSI-H colorectal cancers (CRC) are unclear.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients with CRC who received ICI between June 1, 2014, and December 31, 2022, including data on IMC observed up to 3 months after the last dose of ICI.

A Reproducible Method for Donor Site Computed Tomography Measurements in Abdominally Based Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

We present an approach for evaluating abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans that generates reproducible measures relevant to donor site morbidity after abdominally based breast reconstruction. Seventeen preoperative CT metrics were measured in 20 patients with software: interanterior superior iliac spine distance; abdominal wall protrusion; interrectus distance; rectus abdominis width, thickness, and width-to-thickness ratio; abdominal wall thickness; subcutaneous fat volume; visceral fat volume; right/left psoas volumes and densities; and right/left rectus abdominis volumes and densities. Two operators performed measures to determine interrater reliability (n = 10).

Instagram Versus Reality: Who Are Actually Plastic Surgeons?

Background: Instagram has become one of the most powerful marketing tools available to plastic surgeons because patients have increasingly turned to online resources to find physicians. Within, we review the online presence of self-ascribed plastic surgeons in the United States to identify potential misinformation and dishonest advertising.

Methods: The Inflact database was queried for the search terms: "plastic surgeon/surgery," "plastic and reconstructive surgeon/surgery," "aesthetic surgeon/surgery," and "cosmetic surgeon/surgery.

Highly versatile small virus-encoded proteins in cellular membranes: A structural perspective on how proteins' inherent conformational plasticity couples with host membranes' properties to control cellular processes.

We investigated several small viral proteins that reside and function in cellular membranes. These proteins belong to the viroporin family because they assemble into ion-conducting oligomers. However, despite forming similar oligomeric structures with analogous functions, these proteins have diverse amino acid sequences.

Doctors' satisfaction with the rehabilitation system for anti-terrorist operation participants: A factor analysis.

Background: A war has a catastrophic effect on veterans' health. However, there is a knowledge gap about the veterans' rehabilitation system, requirements, and the satisfaction of doctor-organizers. The present study aims to assess the level of satisfaction of the doctor-organizers of health care with the existing rehabilitation system for anti-terrorist operation (ATO) veterans in Ukraine.

Is calcification integral to enthesopathy and tendinopathy rather than a separate disease process?

Background: The pathophysiology of enthesopathy and tendinopathy is mucoid degeneration, which includes chondroid metaplasia. The chondroid metaplasia can be associated with calcification. Inflammation is typically absent unless calcification triggers a self-limited immune response representing acute calcific tendinitis.

Tibial-based Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction Following Proximal Fibula Resection Restores Knee Stability: A Case Report.

Introduction: Fibular- and tibiofibular-based reconstructions are the gold standard treatment for posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries of the knee. This is the first report describing a wholly tibial-based PLC reconstruction.

Case Report: A 50-year-old female presented with knee instability following proximal fibular resection for a benign tumor, associated with chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency from a previous injury.