Disparities in Trauma Care for Latino Patients: An Analysis by Trauma Center Verification Level.

Introduction Trauma is the leading cause of death for individuals under 45 in the United States (US), with significant disparities in outcomes among minority groups. Latinos, the largest ethnic minority in the US, often face barriers to optimal trauma care that may require additional resources. This study aimed to compare trauma outcomes for Latino patients treated at Level I versus Level II/III trauma centers (TCs).

Nebulized dexmedetomidine in the treatment of obstetric post-dural puncture headache: two case reports.

Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a debilitating complication of neuraxial anesthesia, particularly prevalent in obstetric patients, usually characterized by a postural headache. PDPH is hypothesized to result from cerebrospinal fluid leakage through a dural puncture, triggering symptoms like neck stiffness and subjective hearing changes. While conservative measures are common for treatment, more refractory cases may require invasive interventions such as an epidural blood patch (EBP).

Trends in Mortality Due to Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the United States: A CDC WONDER Database Analysis (1999-2020).

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a global health issue profoundly impacting quality of life. The United States accounts for nearly a quarter of the world's IBD patients, with the highest prevalence rates. This study aims to identify the demographic and regional trends of IBD-related mortality in the U.

Hepatocellular carcinoma national burden across different geographical regions in the United States between 2001 and 2020.

Background: While prior data showed an increasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the United States, there are limited comprehensive and comparative data on the geographical variations of HCC trends in different demographic-specific populations.

Aim: To evaluate sex and age-specific incidence rates and time trends in different geographical regions in the United States.

Methods: Age-adjusted HCC incidence rates were collected from the United States Cancer Statistics (USCS) database which covers approximately 98% of the population in the United States.

Multilevel Mediators on the Associations of Neighborhood Social Environmental Factors and Severity of Metabolic Syndrome: The Jackson Heart Study.

Background: Neighborhood characteristics serve as risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the intermediary factors linking this relationship remain understudied. Thus, we investigated the sex-specific mediating role of C-reactive protein, physical activity (PA), and perceived stress in the associations of perceived neighborhood social environment (PNSE) with MetS severity among Black adults.

Hips Do Not Lie: Atypical Pain From Peripartum Pubic Symphysis Diastasis.

Pubic symphysis diastasis (PSD) is the widening of the pubic symphysis which can occur during the peripartum period. PSD commonly presents as pelvic pain with associated neuropathies rarely reported. In this report we describe the unique presentation of PSD with associated motor and sensory deficits in a 19-year-old postpartum patient.

Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis Mimicking Infective Endocarditis: A Case Report.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a rare systemic disease that causes necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of small- and medium-sized blood vessels. We present the case of a 46-year-old male with medical history significant for chronic sinusitis, prior history of drug abuse, and a recent tooth infection. He was suspected to have infective endocarditis, but further workup revealed diagnostic findings of granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Increased risk of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis with COVID-19 pneumonia in comparison to influenza pneumonia: insights from the National Inpatient Sample database.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), primarily a respiratory virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, induces a hypercoagulable state. Previous studies comparing the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and those with influenza pneumonia revealed a higher risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) associated with COVID-19 pneumonia. However, these studies have not adequately accounted for the severity and acuity of the presenting viral pneumonia.

Atypical choroidal neovascular membrane.

Purpose: To report the course of atypical choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in a middle-aged woman experiencing sudden vision loss.

Observations: A middle-aged female presented with sudden onset vision loss. Following in depth investigations an initial diagnosis of presumed idiopathic CNV was made in her right eye.

Racial Disparities in Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery for Management of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study.

Purpose: To evaluate racial and ethnic differences in the use of microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) for the management of mild-moderate primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in the United States.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Participants: Patients with a diagnosis of mild or moderate POAG, as defined by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, were included.

A Five-Year Overview of Bicycle Injuries in the United States Between the Years 2017 and 2021.

Introduction This study investigates the changes in bicycle-related injury rates between 2017 and 2021. We focus specifically on changes in age demographics, and the most common diagnoses and body parts injured. Methods We queried the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) for injuries associated with bicycles from 2017 to 2021.

Patient in Mayfield Head Pins Requiring Prone Bronchoscopy for Mucus Plug Obstruction: A Case Report.

Mucus plug obstruction is a common complication in prone patients associated with loss of ventilation and hemodynamic instability. This case presents a 62-year-old female with chronic bronchitis who underwent posterior cervical fusion for a type III dens fracture with extension into the pars articularis and pedicles. Glycopyrrolate was administered to assist with fiberoptic intubation.

Evaluating the efficacy of ubiquinol in heart failure patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We aim to analyze past literature to evaluate the efficacy of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ-10) in the population with heart failure (HF). A systematic literature search was conducted through MEDLINE (via PubMed) and Cochrane Library. The outcomes analyzed were a reduction in HF-related mortality, an improvement in exercise capacity, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Port Catheter Fracture: A Silent Intrusion into the Right Ventricle.

Central venous port-a-catheters play a pivotal role in various medical procedures, yet they are associated with a spectrum of complications. Catheter fracture with cardiac migration is a rare complication, occurring in less than 1% of patients. Although not very common, it can cause severe issues, necessitating fragment removal.

PROTACing the androgen receptor and other emerging therapeutics in prostate cancer.

Introduction: The androgen receptor (AR) is a critical driver of prostate cancer progression, and the advent of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) has transformed the treatment landscape of metastatic prostate cancer. However, resistance to ARPIs eventually develops via mutations in AR, AR overexpression, and alternative AR signaling which have required novel approaches to target effectively.

Areas Covered: The mechanism of action and early clinical results of proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) agents targeting AR are reviewed.