Forensic Dermatology Expert Analytical Report: A New Frontier of Forensic Medicine.

Specialists in forensic medicine assist in crime scene investigations. The forensic medicine experts include anthropologists, ballistic analysts, entomologists, odontologists, and osteologists. The experts are usually not at the crime scene; they provide an evaluation of evidence that is sent to them.

Transformation of a Testicular Teratoma to an Aggressive Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor.

We present a case of a 36-year-old male found to have a nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) with alpha-fetoprotein levels (AFP) of 737.9 ng/mL and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) of 692 IU/mL. Pathology analysis after left orchiectomy showed a mixed germ cell tumor with 20% embryonal carcinoma, 20% yolk sac tumor, and 60% teratoma.

Spatiotemporal analysis of lung immune dynamics in lethal infection.

Coccidioidomycosis, or Valley fever, is a lung disease caused by inhalation of fungi, prevalent in the Southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. Annually, the United States reports 10,000-20,000 cases, although those numbers are expected to increase as climate change expands the fungal geographic range. While 60% of infections are asymptomatic, 40% symptomatic infections are often misdiagnosed due to similarities with bronchitis or pneumonia.

Associations of Left Atrial Volume Index to Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Ratio with Clinical Outcomes in Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Background: Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) affects all cardiac chambers to cause left ventricular (LV) deformation as well as left atrial (LA) remodeling and functional impairment. We investigated the associations of the LA volume index (LAVI):LV ejection fraction (LVEF) ratio with the increased risk of death, heart transplant, or LV assist device implantation (LVAD) in patients with ATTR-CM.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study involving 69 heart failure (HF) patients with ATTR-CM at an academic medical center between 1 November 2008 and 31 March 2024.

Parkinson's Disease Polygenic Risk Score and Neurological Involvement in Carriers of the FMR1 Premutation Allele: A Case for Genetic Modifier.

Background: Premutation alleles of the FMR1 X-linked gene containing CGG repeat expansions ranging from 55 to 200 are associated with diverse late-onset neurological involvements, including most severe disorder termed Fragile X-associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS). It is intriguing that at least one-third of male, and a much lower than predicted from the X-linkage proportion of female carriers are free of this syndrome. This suggests the existence of secondary genetic factors modifying the risk of neurological involvements in these carriers.

Pathophysiology of Pain and Mechanisms of Neuromodulation: A Narrative Review (A Neuron Project).

Pain serves as a vital innate defense mechanism that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. Understanding the physiological effects of pain well plays an important role in developing novel pain treatments. Nociceptor neurons play a key role in pain and inflammation.

Delphi-driven consensus definition for mesenchymal stromal cells and clinical reporting guidelines for mesenchymal stromal cell-based therapeutics.

Background Aims: Despite promising results in pre-clinical studies, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) face significant challenges in clinical translation. A scoping review by our group highlighted two key issues contributing to this gap: (i) lack of a clear and consensus definition for MSCs and (ii) under-reporting of critical parameters in MSC clinical studies. To address these issues, we conducted a modified Delphi study to establish and implement a consensus definition for MSCs and develop reporting guidelines for MSC clinical studies.

Respiratory Therapy Leaders' Perceptions of Value of Respiratory Care Services.

Background: Respiratory care departments are experiencing an increased need to demonstrate value in the care they deliver. Value efficiency is a concept that incorporates the value of individual treatments into the normal operations of a department. The purpose of this study was to describe respiratory care leaders' attitudes about the value of services provided by respiratory care departments.

The Need for Standardization of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Performance Evaluation: An Opinion by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine Working Group on Continuous Glucose Monitoring.

Metrics derived from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems are often discordant between systems. A major cause is that CGM systems are not standardized; they use various algorithms and calibration methods, leading to discordant CGM readings across systems. This discordance can be addressed by standardizing CGM performance assessments: If manufacturers aim their CGM systems at the same target, then CGM readings will align across systems.

Intersection of Race and Gender in the Cardiothoracic Workforce: Study of Representation and Salary.

Background: Cardiothoracic surgery lacks gender and racial/ethnic diversity. Recent studies have highlighted disparities based on gender and race/ethnicity among academic cardiothoracic surgeons. The impact of the intersection of these factors on representation and salary is unknown.

Community-Based Point-of-Care Screening for Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Rural Tanzania.

Sub-Saharan Africa has a high burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The lack of surveillance programs has led to low rates of diagnosis and treatment, particularly in rural areas. We conducted mobile HBV-HCC screening clinics in rural Tanzania between March 2021 and February 2023.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Penetrating Torso Trauma.

This document assesses the appropriateness of various imaging studies for acute penetrating trauma to the torso. Penetrating trauma most commonly occurs from gunshots and stabbings, although any object can impale the patient. Anatomic location, type of penetrating trauma, and hemodynamic status are among the many important factors when deciding upon if, what, and when imaging is needed to further evaluate the patient.

Clinical, Electrophysiological, and Intraoperative Analysis and Postoperative Success of Revision Surgery for Persistent and Recurrent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Background: This paper reviews the signs and symptoms of recurrent or persistent carpal tunnel syndrome and examines some of the causes of failed primary carpal tunnel release.

Methods: A retrospective review of the surgical findings and outcomes of 29 consecutive patients who underwent 30 revision carpal tunnel operations was performed. Patient outcomes were recorded at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively.

Intravenous Lidocaine Compared with Quadratus Lumborum Block on Postoperative Analgesia Following Laparoscopic Renal Surgery: Protocol for a Randomized Noninferiority Trial.

Background: Patients undergoing laparoscopic renal surgery often experience significant postoperative pain. Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) provides effective postoperative pain control after laparoscopic procedures, while lidocaine administered intravenously also exerts analgesic effects for surgical patients. We design this trial to compare the effects of i.