A Single Site, Retrospective Chart Review of Renal Transplant Graft Failure and Mortality Rates Pre and Post COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: Immunosuppressed patients are at an increased risk of complications from COVID-19. Despite the morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19, there is little information regarding its effect on post-renal transplant patients. This study investigated the impact of a COVID-19 diagnosis on renal transplant recipients in terms of graft failure and mortality.

Timing of Surgical Intervention of Uncomplicated Pediatric Umbilical Hernias.

Pediatric umbilical hernias are common congenital defects that regularly close without intervention. When spontaneous closure fails to occur, surgical herniorrhaphy is the standard of care. However, there are currently no national consensus guidelines describing the appropriate minimum age of surgical intervention for umbilical hernias.

Cerebrovascular Accident Caused by Coccidioides immitis Basilar Meningitis in a Patient with Stroke Risk Factors.

A 57-year-old female with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension presented to the emergency department on multiple occasions with neurologic symptoms due to multiple embolic strokes of unclear etiology. While participating in inpatient rehabilitation, she subsequently developed fever and shaking chills. Infectious disease consultation was obtained, during which the patient reported travel to Mexico two months prior.

The Journey of Medicine - An Imperative Step in Fostering Gender Equality in Medicine.

While great advancements have been made towards gender equality in medicine, disparities between female and male physicians continue to persist. The Journey of Medicine was created as a day-long event of panelists, Q and As, hands on physical exam and suture technique, as well as short quizzes. The goal of the event was to provide education and create a strong network for young, high school women in South Dakota.

Leprosy in the Heartland.

Background: Mycobacterium leprae is an acid fast bacterium that causes leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease. M. leprae spreads primarily through respiratory droplets and skin contact, and widespread migration of the human population may lead to infection in non-endemic areas.

Association of maternal fish consumption and ω-3 supplement use during pregnancy with child autism-related outcomes: results from a cohort consortium analysis.

Background: Prenatal fish intake is a key source of omega-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids needed for brain development, yet intake is generally low, and studies addressing associations with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related traits are lacking.

Objective: This study aimed to examine associations of prenatal fish intake and ω-3 supplement use with both autism diagnosis and broader autism-related traits.

Methods: Participants were drawn from 32 cohorts in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Cohort Consortium.

Preliminary Study of Motion Preservation Following Posterior Dynamic Distraction Device in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients.

Background: Motion-sparing scoliosis surgeries such as the posterior dynamic distraction device (PDDD) are slowly increasing in use. However, there is limited clinical data documenting postoperative motion across the PDDD construct. With this cohort study, we aim to measure sagittal and coronal motion following PDDD.

The Epidemic of Congenital Syphilis in the Indigenous and Rural Populations of South Dakota.

From 2020 to 2023, South Dakota witnessed a substantial increase in cases of congenital syphilis (CS), with the highest rates identified in rural and Native American (NA) communities. Here, we discuss 3 severe cases of CS in premature infants born to NA individuals and communities in South Dakota with poor access to prenatal care. The infants in these 3 cases presented with varying clinical conditions, including respiratory failure, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, severe direct hyperbilirubinemia, feeding intolerance, and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Influence of body fat tissue on outcomes in patients undergoing hepatectomy or liver transplantation.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate potential associations between body fat composition and postoperative outcomes in patients with hepatectomy or liver transplantation.

Methods: Three online databases, including Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library, were thoroughly searched for literature describing the relationship between body fat composition and outcomes of patients with liver surgery from the start of each database to October 29, 2023. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to rate the quality of the studies.

Mediastinal actinomycosis masquerading as a mass: a case of progressive dysphagia in an immunocompromised patient.

Actinomycosis is a rare endogenous infection characterised by indolent progression, contiguous spreading, abscess formation and draining sinuses. Here, we present a case of causing a mediastinal abscess that is unique in its acuity and location. Our patient presented with worsening dysphagia, and CT of her chest revealed a new mass in the posterior mediastinum displacing the oesophagus.

Evolution of Telehealth Program to Meet Current Needs of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Communities.

This article describes a telehealth program initially created to reduce transfers to acute care from the nursing home and its evolution into a robust program that includes Behavioral Health, a Medical Director program, and telenursing.

Molecular testing for gastrointestinal pathogens in intestinal tissue of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis or spontaneous intestinal perforation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of common gastrointestinal bacterial, parasitic, and viral pathogen detection in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) -associated intestinal tissue.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study examined formalin fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) surgical or autopsy intestinal tissue from NEC or SIP specimens. DNA and RNA were extracted and analyzed by multiplex PCR panel (GIFA Biofire).

A Rare Case of Lymphocytic Ascites.

Ascites can manifest as a result of many conditions, with cirrhosis being the most common cause in the United States. Here, we present a case of lymphocytic ascites, a less common variant that occurred due to infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. This was a 37-year-old female with a history of substance and sexual abuse who presented with the chief complaints of abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and weight gain.

Reporting Compliance and Factors Influencing Timeliness of Stroke-Related Trial Results on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Since 2007, research groups are mandated by the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (FDAAA) to report clinical trial findings to ClinicalTrials.gov within 12 months of trial completion. This observational study aims to analyze compliance data of stroke-related randomized controlled trials subject to these mandates.

Role of incretins and glucagon receptor agonists in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Opportunities and challenges.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, paralleling the rising pandemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Due to the growing global health burden and complex pathogenesis of MASLD, a multifaceted and innovative therapeutic approach is needed. Incretin receptor agonists, which were initially developed for diabetes management, have emerged as promising candidates for MASLD treatment.

Wide-Awake Surgery and Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Rural Experience.

Surgeons across all subspecialties had to adapt to the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic to triage patients and steward hospital resources. Hand surgeons found themselves in a unique position to move some hospital-based procedures to a clinic-based setting, which has now impacted their postpandemic practices. Performing procedures in the clinic using the wide-awake local anesthesia no-tourniquet technique is interestingly similar to minor surgeries traditionally carried out in a general surgery clinic.

Dishevelled localization and function are differentially regulated by structurally distinct sterols.

The Dishevelled (DVL) family of proteins form supramolecular protein and lipid complexes at the cytoplasmic interface of the plasma membrane to regulate tissue patterning, proliferation, cell polarity, and oncogenic processes through DVL-dependent signaling, such as Wnt/β-catenin. While DVL binding to cholesterol is required for its membrane association, the specific structural requirements and cellular impacts of DVL-sterol association are unclear. We report that intracellular sterols which accumulate within normal and pathological conditions cause aberrant DVL activity.