Evidence for targeting autonomic dysfunction in systemic sclerosis: A scoping review.

Autonomic dysfunction is a common and early complication among patients with systemic sclerosis, suggesting that it may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease and be a potential target for therapeutic interventions. Although the true prevalence of autonomic dysfunction among patients with systemic sclerosis is still unclear, it is estimated that as many as 80% of patients may be affected. Autonomic dysfunction may lead to widespread multi-organ dysfunction through its effects on the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, sweat and salivary glands, and pupils.

Outcomes of Scapular Osteosarcoma.

Background/aim: Scapular osteosarcoma is a rare malignancy, and the understanding of its optimal treatment strategies and long-term outcomes remains limited. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate our institutional experience.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed 14 patients (8 females, 5 males; mean age 44±17 years) treated for scapular osteosarcoma from 1985 to 2022.

Two Gracilioethers Containing a [2(5H)-Furanylidene]ethanoate Moiety and 9,10-Dihydroplakortone G: New Polyketides from the Caribbean Marine Sponge .

Gracilioether M () and 11,12-dihydrogracilioether M (), two polyketides with a [2(5H)-furanylidene]ethanoate moiety, along with known plakortone G () and its new naturally occurring derivative 9,10-dihydroplakortone G (), were isolated from the Caribbean marine sponge . The structures and absolute configuration of , , and were characterized by analysis of HRESIMS and NMR spectroscopic data, chemical derivatization, and side-by-side comparisons with published NMR data of related analogs. Compounds and and a mixture of and were evaluated for cytotoxicity against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Plasma transfusion and hospital mortality in moderate-severe traumatic brain injury.

Background: Prior research suggests that plasma may improve outcomes in traumatic brain injury (TBI). We examined the association between plasma administration and mortality in moderate-severe TBI in a large retrospective cohort, hypothesizing plasma is associated with decreased mortality after accounting for confounding covariates.

Materials And Methods: Patients from the 2017-2020 Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) dataset ≥18 years with moderate-severe TBI were included.

Impact of Postnatal Head Circumference Growth in Normocephalic Infants Prenatally exposed to Zika Virus in Puerto Rico.

Objective: We aimed to describe the head circumference (HC) growth trends for non-microcephalic infants exposed to the Zika virus (ZIKV) in utero.

Methods: This was a medical record review of non-microcephalic neonates exposed to ZIKV whose mothers received prenatal care at the fetal evaluation unit (2015-2017). The mean HC values of babies from prenatal age to 1 year old were compared with the standardized values on HC growth charts.

Measurable Residual Disease in Mantle Cell Lymphoma: The Unbearable Lightness of Being Undetectable.

Purpose Of Review: This paper evaluates the benefits and limitations of detecting measurable residual disease (MRD) in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and assesses its prognostic value. It also aims to highlight the importance of detecting low MRD levels post-treatment and their application in clinical practice.

Recent Findings: Recent studies show that MRD levels predict relapse and survival outcomes in hematologic neoplasms, including MCL.

Comprehensive analysis of Burkholderia species head and neck infections: A systematic review.

Objective: To report the first systematic review and meta-analysis of Burkholderia species infections of the head and neck to facilitate understanding of the disease's demographics, mortality rate, comorbidities associated, symptoms, and antibiotic treatments utilized.

Data Sources: COCHRANE Library, CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus.

Review Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed using PRISMA reporting guidelines.

How Physician-Insurance Contracting Contributes to the Medical Exodus and Access to Ophthalmic Care in Puerto Rico.

Background: Puerto Rico (PR) has experienced significant demographic changes, characterized primarily by an aging population and an unprecedented exodus of medical doctors. Ophthalmologists are of particular concern as they commonly serve older populations, and the island has high rates of some age-related eye diseases in the United States (US). Our research aims to investigate the factors driving ophthalmologists in PR to emigrate to the mainland US.

A Huge Conjunctival Atypical Fibroxanthoma.

We report the case of a Hispanic male whose conjunctival atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) grew very large, with intraocular as well as extraocular muscle extensions, and was treated with exenteration. A 50-year-old male presented with a one-month history of foreign-body sensation in his left eye. The initial examination revealed an erythematous, vascularized, pedunculated lesion arising from the left eye conjunctiva.

Use of an Ethinyl Estradiol/Etonogestrel Vaginal Ring Alters Vaginal Microbial Communities in Women with HIV.

Background: HIV-1 antiretroviral therapy (ART) alters hormonal contraceptive levels delivered via intravaginal ring (IVR) in a regimen specific manner. We explored the role of the IVR on vaginal microbial communities, vaginal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), vaginal HIV shedding, and the effect of vaginal microbes on hormone concentrations in cisgender women with HIV (WWH).

Methods: Vaginal microbes were assessed by 16S RNA sequencing of weekly vaginal swabs, vaginal SCFA by mass spectrometry, HIV-1 shedding by nucleic acid amplification on vaginal aspirates, and bacterial vaginosis by Nugent scoring from 74 participants receiving an etonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol (ENG/EE) intravaginal ring while on no ART (N=25), efavirenz-based ART (N=25), or atazanavir-based ART (N=24).

Vital Dye Uptake of YO-PRO-1 and DASPEI Depends Upon Mechanoelectrical Transduction Function in Zebrafish Hair Cells.

Purpose: Vital dyes allow the visualization of cells in vivo without causing tissue damage, making them a useful tool for studying lateral line and inner ear hair cells in living zebrafish and other vertebrates. FM1-43, YO-PRO-1, and DASPEI are three vital dyes commonly used for hair cell visualization. While it has been established that FM1-43 enters hair cells of zebrafish and other organisms through the mechanoelectrical transduction (MET) channel, the mechanism of entry into hair cells for YO-PRO-1 and DASPEI has not been established despite widespread use.

Measuring Restrictive Lung Disease Severity Using FEV vs TLC.

Background: No clear parameters currently exist to grade severity in restrictive lung disease as for other ventilatory diseases. This article evaluates whether total lung capacity (TLC) or forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV) better correlates with the symptomatology of patients with restrictive lung disease.

Methods: A retrospective review of 6461 patient records at Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System in Puerto Rico was conducted, and 414 patients met the inclusion criteria.

Role and promise of health policy and systems research in integrating rehabilitation into the health systems.

Despite recognized need and reasonable demand, health systems and rehabilitation communities keep working in silos, independently with minimal recognition to the issues of those who require rehabilitation services. Consolidated effort by health systems and rehabilitation parties, recognizing the value, power and promise of each other, is a need of the hour to address this growing issue of public health importance. In this paper, the importance and the need for integration of rehabilitation into health system is emphasized.

Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Shows Liver Fibrosis Regression on Three Noninvasive Tests: A Puerto Rican Cohort.

Objective: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs have resulted in high rates of virological cure in chronic hepatitis C (CHC)-infected patients. We used noninvasive tests to assess fibrosis in subjects who had been cured with DAA.

Methods: Retrospective data collection (2014-2019) from the medical record of CHC patients at the hepatology clinic was performed.

Safety of nab-paclitaxel following an allergic reaction to paclitaxel: A single institution retrospective study.

The goal of this study was to assess the safety of nab-paclitaxel in patients with ovarian cancer or endometrial cancer who had an allergic reaction to paclitaxel. We performed a retrospective review of patients with endometrial cancer or ovarian cancer with an allergic reaction to paclitaxel who were subsequently treated with nab-paclitaxel at the Mayo Clinic Florida from January 2016 to June 2023. A total of 43 patients with ovarian cancer (31) or endometrial cancer (12) and a paclitaxel allergic reaction were identified.