Shallow groove technique in sextant pattern femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) is a useful technology for anterior segment surgery that creates cleavage planes via photodisruption of ocular tissue. Compared to conventional cataract surgery, FLACS has been thought to potentially improve surgical precision, accuracy, and reproducibility. Its introduction into cataract surgery has enabled the development of new techniques and has been purported to be potentially beneficial in improving surgical safety and providing quicker visual rehabilitation.

The GAA repeat expansion is a major cause of ataxia in the Cypriot population.

Dominantly inherited intronic GAA repeat expansions in the fibroblast growth factor 14 gene have recently been shown to cause spinocerebellar ataxia 27B. Currently, the pathogenic threshold of (GAA) repeat units is considered highly penetrant, while (GAA) is likely pathogenic with reduced penetrance. This study investigated the frequency of the GAA repeat expansion and the phenotypic profile in a Cypriot cohort with unresolved late-onset cerebellar ataxia.

Circulating Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma associated MYB transcripts enable rapid and sensitive detection of metastatic disease in blood liquid biopsies.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and lethal malignancy that originates in secretory glands of the head and neck. A prominent molecular feature of ACC is the overexpression of the proto-oncogene MYB. ACC has a poor long-term survival due to its high propensity for recurrence and protracted metastasis.

Overview of Molecular Prognostication for Common Solid Tumor Histologies - What the Surgeon Should Know.

Study Design: Narrative Literature review.

Objective: To provide a general overview of important molecular markers and targeted therapies for the most common neoplasms (lung, breast, prostate and melanoma) that metastasize to the spine and offer guidance on how to best incorporate them in the clinical setting.

Methods: A narrative review of the literature was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline databases, as well as the histology-specific National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines to identify relevant articles limited to the English language.

Prevention and Management of Posterior Wound Complications Following Oncologic Spine Surgery: Narrative Review of Available Evidence and Proposed Clinical Decision-Making Algorithm.

Study Design: Narrative Review.

Objective: Contextualized by a narrative review of recent literature, we propose a wound complication prevention and management algorithm for spinal oncology patients. We highlight available strategies and motivate future research to identify optimal and individualized wound management for this population.

Latest Developments in Targeted Biological Therapies in the Management of Chordoma and Chondrosarcoma.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objectives: The objective of this review paper was to summarize targeted molecular therapy options for spinal chordoma and chondrosarcoma, and to provide an update on the relevant clinical trials open for recruitment.

Methods: A systematic review of the current literature was performed, according to PRISMA guidelines, to summarize the latest developments in non-surgical molecular treatment options for low grade malignant primary spinal tumours.

Role of Posterior Carbon Fiber Implants in Spine Tumor Surgery.

Study Design: Narrative Review.

Objective: The management of spinal tumors requires a multi-disciplinary approach including surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy. Surgical approaches typically require posterior segmental instrumentation to maintain long-term spinal stability.

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Surgical Approach to the Volar Ulnar Corner of the Distal Radius.

There are many approaches to the wrist both volar and dorsal, depending on the injury at hand. The design of the volar locking plate has created a rise in distal radius fractures being treated using a volar FCR approach and its modifications. It does, however, have limitations in visualization of the volar ulnar corner of the radius.

Lumpectomy Patients are at Highest Risk for Opioid Overprescription: A Comparison Between Practice Patterns and OPEN National Guidelines.

Background: Nearly 25% of opioid-related deaths are from prescribed opioids, and the exacerbation of the opioid epidemic by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic underscores the urgent need to address superfluous prescribing. Therefore, we sought to align local opioid prescribing practices with national guidelines in postoperative non-metastatic breast cancer patients.

Methods: A single-institution analysis included non-metastatic breast surgery patients treated between April 2020 and July 2021.

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Part II: Etiopathogenesis and Management.

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA) poses a distinct dermatological challenge with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) at its core, driving follicular cell transformation and fibrotic changes. Genetic studies highlight significant associations, while environmental triggers, such as implicated cosmetic products (sunblock, personal hair care products, and moisturizers), introduce complexity. Managing FFA proves daunting due to its chronic and unpredictable nature.

Opioid use disorder prevalence in 57 New York counties from 2017 to 2019: A Bayesian evidence synthesis.

Introduction: Prevalence estimates of opioid use disorder (OUD) at local levels are critical for public health planning and surveillance, yet largely unavailable across the US especially at the local county level.

Methods: We used a Bayesian evidence synthesis approach to estimate the prevalence of OUD for 57 counties across New York State for 2017-2019 and compare rates of OUD across counties as well as assess the extent of undiagnosed OUD. We developed a generative model to assess conditional probabilistic relations between different subgroups of the OUD population defined by diagnosis, treatment, and overdose fatality.

Post hoc analysis: 6 Months immunogenicity after third dose of BNT162b2 vs JNJ-78436735 After Two Doses of BNT162b2 vaccine in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

Introduction: In Solid Organ Transplant (SOT) recipients, due to immunosuppression, the immunogenicity after COVID-19 vaccination is suboptimal and its durability is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a post-hoc analysis of a patient-blinded, single center, randomized controlled trial comparing BNT162b2 vs JNJ-78436735 as the third dose after two doses of BNT162b2 in adult SOT recipients with active graft to compare long-term immunogenicity.

Results: Forty-one recipients were analyzed.

Beyond the Herald Patch: Exploring the Complex Landscape of Pityriasis Rosea.

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a prevalent dermatological condition characterized by a distinctive herald patch, followed by secondary eruptions, often forming a "Christmas tree" pattern on the trunk. Despite its recognizable clinical presentation, the etiology of PR remains uncertain, with hypotheses pointing to both infectious and noninfectious origins. Human herpesviruses (HHV) 6 and 7 have been implicated, with evidence suggesting viral reactivation as a potential trigger.

Benign or Malignant? Ex Vivo Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy for Bedside Histological Assessment of Melanocytic Lesions.

Objective: Ex vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (EVCM) is an emerging imaging technique, which offers rapid tissue examination. While the current literature shows promising results in the evaluation of non-melanoma skin cancer, only limited research exists on the application of EVCM in melanocytic lesions. This study aimed to assess the utility of EVCM in the characterization of melanocytic lesions and compare its findings with gold-standard histopathology.

Prioritizing Context-Dependent Cancer Gene Signatures in Networks.

There are numerous ways of portraying cancer complexity based on combining multiple types of data. A common approach involves developing signatures from gene expression profiles to highlight a few key reproducible features that provide insight into cancer risk, progression, or recurrence. Normally, a selection of such features is made through relevance or significance, given a reference context.

Assessing the physical activity training needs and preferences of community health workers in South Africa.

Background: Emerging work highlights the potential of community health workers (CHWs) to promote physical activity (PA) as a part of their role in preventing and managing non-communicable diseases. However, little is known about CHW preferences and desires towards receiving PA training.

Methods: Community health promoters (CHPs), a type of CHWs in South Africa, from seven health districts in Johannesburg participated in a day-long in-service training on PA and healthy eating.

Presentation and Management of Silicone Lymphadenopathy: A Single Institutional Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Silicone Lymphadenopathy (SL) is a complication of breast implants that involves migration of silicone to nearby soft tissue/lymph nodes. Data on its clinical features and management is scarce. We aimed to identify the clinical presentation and management of SL.

Does extending the body contour into air enhance surface dose calculation accuracy?

Purpose: In radiotherapy treatment planning systems, modelling of superficial dose may be aided by a body contour that is, by default, placed at the outermost air-tissue interface. Here we investigate the accuracy of superficial dose calculated using either the default body contour (DBC) or an extended body contour (EBC) compared to radiochromic film measurements made on a slab phantom and an anthropomorphic phantom.

Methods: Depth dose curves in the superficial region of the slab phantom were measured using stacked radiochromic films and irradiated using static beams delivered from varying incident angles.

From responsibility to responsibilization in stem cell research: An ethical framework.

Adopting a responsibilization approach can further improve the ethical conduct of stem cell (SC) research and applications. This approach helps align new and existing solutions for ethical implications by focusing on equipping SC researchers with the knowledge, skills, and organizational arrangements to take (co-)responsibility for the socio-ethical implications of their research.

Back to Basics: The Utility of History and Physical in the Workup of Geriatric Ground-Level Falls.

Introduction: Falls account for nearly ¾ of all trauma in the geriatric population. We hypothesized that history and physical could reliably identify elderly patients with ground-level falls (GLF) who require head and cervical spine imaging.

Materials And Methods: Patients of age >65 y with GLF from January, 2018 to December, 2021 at a level 1 trauma center were retrospectively reviewed.

Awake, endoscopic lumbar interbody spinal fusion: 10 years of experience with the first 400 cases.

Objective: Awake, endoscopic spinal fusion has been utilized as an ultra-minimally invasive surgery technique to accomplish the goals of spinal fixation, fusion, and disc height restoration. While many techniques exist for this approach, this series represents a single institution's experience with a large cohort and the evolution of this method.

Methods: The medical records of a consecutive series of 400 patients treated over a 10-year period were retrospectively reviewed.