Using nasal povidone-iodine to prevent bloodstream infections and transmission of among haemodialysis patients: a stepped-wedge cluster randomised control trial protocol.

Introduction: Approximately 38% of haemodialysis patients carry in their noses, and carriers have a nearly four-fold increased risk of access-related bloodstream infections (BSIs) compared with non-carriers. Our objective is to determine the clinical efficacy and effectiveness of a novel intervention using nasal povidone-iodine (PVI) to prevent BSIs among patients in haemodialysis units. We will survey patients and conduct qualitative interviews with healthcare workers to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing the intervention.

Hospital Variation in Non-Invasive Ventilation Use for Acute Respiratory Failure Due to COPD Exacerbation.

Background: Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) use in patients admitted with acute respiratory failure due to COPD exacerbations (AECOPDs) varies significantly between hospitals. However, previous literature did not account for patients' illness severity. Our objective was to examine the variation in risk-standardized NIV use after adjusting for illness severity.

Intubation Biomechanics: Clinical Implications of Computational Modeling of Intervertebral Motion and Spinal Cord Strain during Tracheal Intubation in an Intact Cervical Spine.

Background: In a closed claims study, most patients experiencing cervical spinal cord injury had stable cervical spines. This raises two questions. First, in the presence of an intact (stable) cervical spine, are there tracheal intubation conditions in which cervical intervertebral motions exceed physiologically normal maximum values? Second, with an intact spine, are there tracheal intubation conditions in which potentially injurious cervical cord strains can occur?

Methods: This study utilized a computational model of the cervical spine and cord to predict intervertebral motions (rotation, translation) and cord strains (stretch, compression).

A primer on skeletal dysplasias.

Skeletal dysplasia encompasses a heterogeneous group of over 400 genetic disorders. They are individually rare, but collectively rather common with an approximate incidence of 1/5000. Thus, radiologists occasionally encounter skeletal dysplasias in their daily practices, and the topic is commonly brought up in radiology board examinations across the world.

Sustained response to imatinib in patient with extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma and novel mutation.

A 55-year-old woman presented with a 3-month history of right groin swelling, discomfort and impaired mobility. On examination, a palpable mass was noted both to the right of midline in the lower abdomen and in the right groin. MRI of the pelvis showed two masses involving the anterior abdominal wall and right groin, as well as lymph node involvement.

A preliminary examination of expressive writing in boys with isolated orofacial clefts.

Background: Children with isolated cleft of the lip and/or palate (iCL/P) are at a higher risk for language and reading issues. The current pilot study evaluated concurrent writing skills of children with iCL/P compared to unaffected participants with average (uAR) and impaired (uIR) reading. It was hypothesized that children with iCL/P would perform lower than age-expectations.

Ankyrin G organizes membrane components to promote coupling of cell mechanics and glucose uptake.

The response of cells to forces is critical for their function and occurs via rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. Cytoskeletal remodelling is energetically costly, yet how cells signal for nutrient uptake remains undefined. Here we present evidence that force transmission increases glucose uptake by stimulating glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1).

American Medical Society for Sports Medicine sports ultrasound curriculum for sports medicine fellowships.

Sports ultrasound is commonly used by sports medicine physicians to enhance diagnostic and procedural accuracy. This expert consensus statement serves as an update to the 2015 American Medical Society for Sports Medicine recommended sports ultrasound curriculum for sports medicine fellowships. Although written in the context of the American sports medicine fellowship training model, we present a stepwise progression in both diagnostic and interventional sports ultrasound that may be applicable to the broader sports medicine community.

Assessing factors for choosing a primary care specialty in medical students; A longitudinal study.

A shortage of primary care physicians exists in the US, and medical schools are investigating factors that influence specialty choice. To better understand the factors associated with medical students choosing primary care specialties, a longitudinal annual survey from 2013 to 2019 was administered to students at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, starting pre-matriculation. A logistic regression model examined factors of interest.

Sex Difference in Contusion of the Medial Femoral Condyle Rim-Association with MRI Occult Meniscal Tears in the ACL Deficient Knee.

Background: Meniscal tears, specifically lateral meniscal tears, have a larger than expected un-derdiagnosis rate in the presence of an ACL tear. The purpose of our study was to search for an MRI bone contusion pattern associated with MRI occult meniscal tears in patients with an ACL tear, specifically a contusion of the rim of the medial femoral condyle (RMFC). Our hypothesis was that there would be a significant association between RMFC contusions and MRI occult meniscal tears in patients with an ACL tear.

Tools for Responding to Patient-Initiated Verbal Sexual Harassment: A Workshop for Trainees and Faculty.

Introduction: Patients are the most common source of gender-based harassment of resident physicians, yet residents receive little training on how to handle it. Few resources exist for residents wishing to address patient-initiated verbal sexual harassment themselves.

Methods: We developed, taught, and evaluated a 50-minute workshop to prepare residents and faculty to respond to patient-initiated verbal sexual harassment toward themselves and others.

Association Between Rural Residence and In-Hospital and 30-Day Mortality Among Veterans Hospitalized with COPD Exacerbations.

Background: We explored the relationship between rural residency and in-hospital mortality in patients hospitalized with COPD exacerbations.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed COPD hospitalizations from 2011 to 2017 at 124 acute care Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals in the US. Patient residence was classified using Rural Urban Commuting Area codes as urban, rural, or isolated rural.

Inhaled Medication Use in Smokers With Normal Spirometry.

Background: The objective of our study was to identify variables associated with inhaled medication use in smokers with normal spirometry (GOLD-0) and to examine the association of inhaled medication use with development of exacerbations and obstructive spirometry in the future.

Methods: We performed a retrospective multivariable analysis of GOLD-0 subjects identified in data from the COPDGene study to examine factors associated with medication use. Five categories were identified: (1) no medications, (2) short-acting bronchodilator, (3) long-acting bronchodilator; long-acting muscarinic antagonists and/or long-acting β agonist, (4) inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with or without long-acting bronchodilator, and (5) dual bronchodilator with ICS.

Brain structure and neural activity related to reading in boys with isolated oral clefts.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate brain structure and function in participants with iCL/P and unaffected controls. Effects of cleft presence and reading status (average vs impaired) were evaluated. Males, ages 8-11 years old, including 26 with iCL/P and 57 unaffected peers were recruited and coded for reading status (average vs impaired).

Ratio of FEV/Slow Vital Capacity of < 0.7 Is Associated With Clinical, Functional, and Radiologic Features of Obstructive Lung Disease in Smokers With Preserved Lung Function.

Background: Mild expiratory flow limitation may not be recognized using traditional spirometric criteria based on the ratio of FEV/FVC.

Research Question: Does slow vital capacity (SVC) instead of FVC increase the sensitivity of spirometry to identify patients with early or mild obstructive lung disease?

Study Design And Methods: We included 854 current and former smokers from the Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study cohort with a postbronchodilator FEV/FVC ≥ 0.7 and FEV % predicted of ≥ 80% at enrollment.

Blocking LOXL2 and TGFβ1 signalling induces collagen I turnover in precision-cut lung slices derived from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

We recently identified epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a trihydroxyphenolic compound, as a dual inhibitor of lysyl oxidase-like2 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) receptor kinase that when given orally to patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) reversed profibrotic biomarkers in their diagnostic biopsies. Here, we extend these findings to advanced pulmonary fibrosis using cultured precision-cut lung slices from explants of patients with IPF undergoing transplantation. During these experiments, we were surprised to discover that not only did EGCG attenuate TGFβ1 signalling and new collagen accumulation but also activated matrix metalloproteinase-dependent collagen I turnover, raising the possibility of slow fibrosis resolution with continued treatment.

A Curriculum for Teaching Clinical Efficiency Focusing on Specific Communication Skills While Maximizing the Electronic Health Record.

Introduction: All physicians must learn comprehensive patient care delivery within the electronic health record (EHR). No studies have considered EHR communication training with an emphasis on clinical efficiency. This curriculum provides a method of teaching clinic efficiency while practicing effective patient communication in any EHR clinical situation.

Manifesto for healthcare simulation practice.

A pandemic has sent the world into chaos. It has not only upended our lives; hundreds of thousands of lives have already been tragically lost. The global crisis has been disruptive, even a threat, to healthcare simulation, affecting all aspects of operations from education to employment.