National Trends in Laryngeal Laser Surgery: Comparison of Operative Versus Office-Based Procedures.

Objective: To analyze national trends in the prevalence of office-based laryngeal ablative procedures and compare those with traditional operative excisional procedures utilizing direct laryngoscopy.

Methodology: For years 2013-2022, the US Medicare Part B claims database was searched for Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 31572 (flexible laryngoscopy with laser ablation of lesion), 31540 (operative direct laryngoscopy with excision of lesion), 31541 (operative direct microlaryngoscopy with excision of lesion), and 31545 (operative direct microlaryngoscopy with excision of lesion and local tissue flap reconstruction). For each CPT code, the total number of charges billed to the Medicare database in each calendar year was recorded and annual trends were analyzed.

The pre-transplant evaluation: Considerations for trainees and early career transplant infectious diseases clinician.

Transplant infectious disease (TID) clinicians are integral to the pre-transplantation evaluation. Pre-transplant evaluations allow clinicians to assess risk factors for latent infections and relevant exposures to potential pathogens, address immunizations, and optimize patients' health and understanding of life after transplant. However, there is not a standardized approach to the pre-transplant evaluation.

Traffic Exposure and Breast Cancer Mortality by Area of Residence: Incorporating Clinical and Socioeconomic Data.

Incorporating clinical and environmental data holds promise for monitoring vulnerable populations at the community level. This spatial epidemiology study explores the link between traffic-related air pollution and breast cancer mortality in Seoul, using public socioeconomic and clinical data from Samsung Medical Center's registry (N=6,089). Traffic and socioeconomic status were collected from official sources and integrated for spatial analysis.

The endocannabinoid N-arachidonoyl dopamine is critical for hyperalgesia induced by chronic sleep disruption.

Chronic pain is highly prevalent and is linked to a broad range of comorbidities, including sleep disorders. Epidemiological and clinical evidence suggests that chronic sleep disruption (CSD) leads to heightened pain sensitivity, referred to as CSD-induced hyperalgesia. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear.

Anticoagulation in emergency general surgery: Who bleeds more? The EAST multicenter trials ACES study.

Background: While direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) use is increasing in the Emergency General Surgery (EGS) patient population, our understanding of their bleeding risk in the acute setting remains limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of perioperative bleeding complications in patients using DOACs versus warfarin and AP therapy requiring urgent/emergent EGS procedures (EGSPs).

Methods: This was a prospective observational trial, conducted between 2019 and 2022, across 21 centers.

Does lower extremity fracture fixation technique influence neurologic outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury? The EAST Brain vs. Bone multicenter trial.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether lower extremity fracture fixation technique and timing (≤24 vs. >24 hours) impact neurologic outcomes in TBI patients.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted across 30 trauma centers.

Foramen lacerum impingement of trigeminal nerve root as a rodent model for trigeminal neuralgia.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a classic neuralgic pain condition with distinct clinical characteristics. Modeling TN in rodents is challenging. Recently, we found that a foramen in the rodent skull base, the foramen lacerum, provides direct access to the trigeminal nerve root.

Benchmarks and Geographic Differences in Gallbladder Cancer Surgery: An International Multicenter Study.

Background: High-quality surgery plays a central role in the delivery of excellent oncologic care. Benchmark values indicate the best achievable results. We aimed to define benchmark values for gallbladder cancer (GBC) surgery across an international population.

Virtual training of rheumatoid arthritis peer coaches in motivational interviewing skills and concepts of cardiovascular disease.

Background: Peer coaching interventions are effective in helping individuals with chronic conditions understand their disease. Most peer coach training programs occur in person, which has become an obstacle during the COVID pandemic. We describe our experiences with virtual training for future peer coach interventions.

Sugar Content and Warning Criteria Evaluation for Popular Sugar-Sweetened Beverages in Taipei, Taiwan.

Sugar intake may increase the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dental caries. In Taiwan, people frequently consume sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). This study explored the energy and sugar content of Taiwanese SSBs and evaluated them using the Chilean warning label system (>70 kcal/100 mL and >5 g sugar/100 mL) and the World Health Organization (WHO) sugar guideline (≤25 g sugar).

Adult-Acquired Buried Penis Classification and Surgical Management.

In this article, the authors discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and initial work-up for men with adult-acquired buried penis syndrome (AABP). Given the significant heterogeneity of AABP, a classification system is proposed which classifies the condition by the status of the abdominal pannus, the escutcheon, the penile skin and the scrotal skin, and their respective fascial attachments. Classification is achieved by a uniform assessment of anatomy using the proposed standardized preoperative photos.

Kyoto international consensus report on anatomy, pathophysiology and clinical significance of the gastro-oesophageal junction.

Objective: An international meeting was organised to develop consensus on (1) the landmarks to define the gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ), (2) the occurrence and pathophysiological significance of the cardiac gland, (3) the definition of the gastro-oesophageal junctional zone (GOJZ) and (4) the causes of inflammation, metaplasia and neoplasia occurring in the GOJZ.

Design: Clinical questions relevant to the afore-mentioned major issues were drafted for which expert panels formulated relevant statements and textural explanations.A Delphi method using an anonymous system was employed to develop the consensus, the level of which was predefined as ≥80% of agreement.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mimics.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common adult-onset motor neuron disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of cortical, bulbar, and spinal motor neurons. When a patient presents with a progressive upper and/or lower motor syndrome, clinicians must pay particular attention to any atypical features in the history and/or clinical examination suggesting an alternate diagnosis, as up to 10% percent of patients initially diagnosed with ALS have a mimic of ALS. ALS is a clinical diagnosis and requires the exclusion of other disorders that may have similar presentations but a more favorable prognosis or an effective therapy.

Incidence and clinical outcomes of bleeding complications and acute limb ischemia in STEMI and cardiogenic shock.

Background: Bleeding complications and acute limb ischemia (ALI) are devastating vascular complications in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Cardiogenic shock (CS) can further increase this risk due to multiorgan failure. In the contemporary era, percutaneous mechanical circulatory support is commonly used for management of CS.

Incidence and clinical outcomes of stroke in ST-elevation myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock.

Objective: The authors sought to evaluate 10-year national trends, incidence and clinical outcomes of stroke in CS-STEMI.

Background: Stroke is a devastating complication among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Concomitant cardiogenic shock (CS) may further increase the risk of stroke.

Genetic Switches between Cancer and Emphysema Resolution of Cigarette-Smoke Induced Inflammation.

Cigarette smoke initiates an inflammatory response that has aftermath long after quitting. We segregated former smokers, according to their lung function and their co-founding diseases, in 3 groups: Cancer, Emphysema and COPD. Then we searched for outlier genes in intersections of Venn diagrams where we identified 6 subsets and 23 genes that may be responsible for disease outcome.

Validation and evaluation of a common biomarker in human cancers sera protein detected by a monoclonal antibody UNIVmAb.

Objective: Management and diagnosis of multiple human cancers remains a challenge and search for a common biomarker is still debatable. In this manuscript we have evaluated the use of monoclonal antibody UNIVmAb, to detect the protein (H11) as a common biomarker for all cancers irrespective of the grade and origin. We have shown by both ELISA and Western Blot that the H11 protein, is a unique hyaluronan binding protein that has not been detected earlier.

Variation in the practice of discontinuing mechanical ventilation in critically ill adults: study protocol for an international prospective observational study.

Introduction: Research supports the use of specific strategies to discontinue mechanical ventilation (MV) in critically ill patients. Little is known about how clinicians actually wean and discontinue MV in practice or the association between different discontinuation strategies and outcomes. The primary objective of this study is to describe international practices in the use of (1) daily screening for readiness to discontinue MV, (2) modes of MV used before initial discontinuation attempts, (3) weaning and spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) protocols, (4) SBT techniques and (5) sedation and mobilisation practices to facilitate weaning and discontinuation.

Clinical and Immunological Features of 78 Adult Patients with Primary Selective IgG Subclass Deficiencies.

The purpose of this study is to describe both clinical and immunological features in large cohort of adult patients with IgG subclass deficiency, and response to immunoglobulin therapy. This is a retrospective study of data obtained from electronic medical records and paper charts of 78 patients with IgG subclass deficiency seen and followed at our immunology clinics from 2010 to 2016. Both isolated selective IgG subclass deficiency as well as combined (two) subclass deficiencies were observed.

Oxycodone self-administration during pregnancy disrupts the maternal-infant dyad and decreases midbrain OPRM1 expression during early postnatal development in rats.

Opioid use and abuse has reached epidemic levels in the United States. As these drugs are frequently used by women of reproductive age, there has been a significant increase in the number of infants born to opioid dependent women. Few preclinical studies have examined voluntary opioid intake during pregnancy, and none have used intravenous self-administration.