Comparing PSA Screening Patterns and Their Role as Predictor of Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Analysis of a Contemporary North American Cohort.

Introduction: PSA screening remains a pivotal tool for early prostate cancer (PCa) detection. International guidelines rely on evidence from three major randomized clinical trials: ERSPC, PLCO, and CAP. We aim to examine the percentage of patients in real-world practice who get PSA screening as defined by each of the aforementioned trials.

Cystic Echinococcus of the Liver.

Introduction: Cystic echinococcosis is a widely endemic helminthic disease caused by infection with metacestodes (larval stage) of the Echinococcus granulosus tapeworm, which is transmitted by dogs and found on every continent except Antarctica. We sought to review the life cycle, epidemiology, symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment of Echinococcus granulosus of the liver.

Methods: A comprehensive review was conducted using Medline/PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science accessed between 1990 and 2024.

Unmasking Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Disparities in United States Chordoma Clinical Trials: Systematic Review.

Background: Chordoma is a rare bone cancer with limited treatment options. Clinical trials are crucial for developing effective therapies, but their success depends on including diverse patient populations. The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the reporting of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity in United States clinical trials exploring treatment for chordoma.

Risk Factors for Delayed (>30 Days) Readmission Following Rectal Cancer Surgery.

Introduction: Unplanned, delayed readmissions (>30 ds) following oncologic surgeries can increase mortality and care costs and affect hospital quality indices. However, there is a dearth of literature on rectal cancer surgery. Hence, we aimed to assess the risk factors associated with delayed readmissions following rectal cancer surgery to improve targeted interventions, patient outcomes, and quality indices.

Treatment With Avacopan in Patients With Respiratory Tract Manifestations of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis.

Objective: The ADVOCATE trial demonstrated that treatment of active granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) with avacopan was noninferior in achieving remission at week 26 and superior for sustained remission at week 52 compared with a prednisone taper. This analysis of ADVOCATE evaluated the efficacy and safety of avacopan in patients with ear, nose, throat (ENT), or lung manifestations.

Methods: This post hoc analysis included patients enrolled in ADVOCATE with ENT or lung manifestations at baseline.

Long term outcomes associated with the use of perioperative systemic chemotherapy on low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms with pseudomyxoma peritonei treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Introduction: Low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMN) are indolent tumors that lack invasive potential but may present as pseudomyxoma peritonei. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) significantly improves both overall and recurrence free survival. While systemic chemotherapy is generally considered ineffective for LAMN, little literature is available to support this notion.

Incidental Diagnosis of Occult Maternal Malignancy With Routine Noninvasive Prenatal Testing During Pregnancy.

The noninvasive prenatal test (NIPT) for genetic screening has been adopted globally as an alternative to first-trimester and quad screening due to its high sensitivity and specificity. NIPT involves detecting and processing foreign fetal DNA in maternal circulation to screen for fetal aneuploidy. An incidental consequence of this process is the detection of foreign tumor cell DNA in maternal circulation in otherwise asymptomatic patients.

Cutting out hair discrimination in nursing.

There is a gap in knowledge about proper hair care for patients of African, Afro-Caribbean, or any African mixed ancestry with natural or textured hair in healthcare settings. Such knowledge gap could contribute to hair discrimination. This article explores the biological and cultural aspects of hair as well as specific hair care strategies, products, and tools, to educate nurses on providing appropriate care for this population.

Textbook Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing CRS+HIPEC for Peritoneal Surface Malignancies in an Eastern European Population.

Background: The preferred treatment option for patients with limited peritoneal metastasis (PM) is cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS+HIPEC).While the textbook outcome (TO) concept has been applied to other complex surgeries, its prevalence, determinants, and impact in patients with PM remain unclear. This study sought to identify factors influencing TO among individuals with PM undergoing CRS+HIPEC in an Eastern European population.

Early Meniscal Repair Leads to Higher Success Rates Than Delayed Meniscal Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: There has been an increased interest in meniscus preservation over the last decade. Several risk factors for the failure of meniscal repair have been identified. However, the timing of meniscal repair has not been extensively assessed in the literature, and there is currently no high-quality evidence on the optimal timing of performing meniscal repair after an injury with regard to outcomes.

An overview of BAP1 biological functions and current therapeutics.

BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) is a tumor suppressor gene that was first identified in 1998. Germline loss of functional variants in BAP1 is associated with a tumor predisposition syndrome with at least four cancers; uveal melanoma (UM), malignant mesothelioma (MMe), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and cutaneous melanoma (CM). Furthermore, somatic BAP1 mutations are important drivers for several cancers most notably UM, MMe, RCC, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Chronic Khat Usage as a Cause of Chronic Hypertensive Encephalopathy and Vascular Dementia: A Case Report.

Khat is a native plant of Eastern Africa that is widely utilized for its stimulant-like effects. It is known to have effects similar to those of amphetamine and has a comparable side effect profile, including tachycardia, hypertension, and insomnia. In this case report, we present a 45-year-old Somali gentleman with a history of more than eight years of chronic Khat use, presenting with progressive cognitive decline.

Plasma Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Predicts Intraoperative Experience and Extent of Resection in Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) level in determining the extent of tumor resection (EOR) and tumor adherence in vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Academic referral center.

Long-term Postural Stability Changes After Correction of Spinal Deformity: A prospective, controlled pilot study.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the durability of postural stability after ASD correction surgery and its' association with clinical outcomes.

Summary Of Background Data: The prevalence of symptomatic adult spinal deformity (ASD) necessitates surgical intervention, aiming to correct global spinal balance and spinopelvic parameters.

Up-front resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: Assessing futility in the preoperative setting.

Objective: We sought to develop a predictive model to preoperatively identify patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at risk of undergoing futile upfront liver resection (LR).

Methods: Patients undergoing curative-intent LR for HCC were identified from a large multi-institutional database. Futile LR was defined by death or disease recurrence within six months postoperatively.

Matching Into Integrated Plastic Surgery: The Impact of USMLE Step 1 Transition to Pass/Fail: Did the 2019 Predictions Come True in 2024?

Background: The first class of integrated plastic surgery residency applicants with pass/fail (P/F) step 1 assessments occurred during the 2023-2024 Match cycle. This study analyzes the results of a 2024 postmatch survey to program directors (PDs) regarding the impact of the conversion to P/F step 1 scoring and compares the results to the 2019 survey that attempted to predict how this conversion would influence decision-making when it was initially announced.

Methods: A 26-item survey evaluating PDs' perspectives on applicant characteristics and the application process following P/F step 1 scoring was distributed March 2024.

Diagnosing Hypoparathyroidism, Sensorineural Deafness, and Renal Dysplasia Syndrome and a Novel Variant.

Hypoparathyroidism (hypoPTH), sensorineural deafness, and renal dysplasia (HDR) syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant condition with approximately 200 cases published. HDR syndrome is caused by variants of GATA binding protein 3 gene (), which encodes a transcription factor, with multiple types of variants reported. We present the case of a 76-year-old woman who was diagnosed with hypoPTH when she was aged 40 years and transferred care to our institution.

Renal Physiology Education via Podcast: Channel Your Enthusiasm.

Renal physiology is considered one of the most challenging medical disciplines to understand and to teach. Eight academic nephrologists have come together to produce a podcast devoted to helping learners at any level improve their understanding of this difficult topic. Using Dr Burton D.

Impact of Disability on Postoperative Outcomes After Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery.

Introduction: Approximately 61 million individuals in the United States have a disability and face unique challenges, resulting in healthcare disparities.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the impact of disability on postoperative outcomes and number of healthy days at home (HDAH).

Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer between 2017 and 2020 were identified using the Medicare database.