Shifting Paradigms: A Deep Dive Into Public Perceptions of Gender-affirming Surgery.

Background: Given the growing demand for gender-affirming surgery (GAS) in recent years, it is essential to explore the public perceptions of GAS. Understanding the public's opinions and attitudes toward GAS will provide valuable insights for shaping educational initiatives to enhance public knowledge and awareness.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used the Prolific Academic platform to distribute an online survey among adult participants residing in the United States in August 2023.

Disparities in Patient Demographics at a Student-Run Free Clinic: Comparing Clinic Utilization to City, State, and National Trends.

Background: With 8.4% of Americans uninsured, free clinics serve as essential safety nets for underserved populations. This study compared the demographics of the patients of a student-run free to Toledo, Ohio, and national census data to evaluate health needs, barriers to care, and the characteristics of the underserved population.

Does Fluoroscopic-Aided Enabling Technology Improve Acetabular Component Position and Reduce Radiation Exposure in Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty?

Accurate acetabular component positioning is crucial for the success of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Malplacement of the acetabular component increases the risk of post-surgery complications, most notably dislocation.1 Furthermore, malposition can also result in wear of the polyethylene liner, limited range of motion, and osteolysis.

GABA receptor-mediated potentiation of ventral medial habenula glutamatergic transmission in GABAergic and glutamatergic interpeduncular nucleus neurons.

The medial habenula (MHb)-interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) pathway plays an important role in information transferring between the forebrain and the midbrain. The MHb-IPN pathway has been implicated in the regulation of fear behavior and nicotine addiction. The synapses between the ventral MHb and the IPN show a unique property, i.

The Association Between Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Microscopic Colitis: A Systematic Review.

The association between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and microscopic colitis (MC) has been explored in limited studies, suggesting potential shared pathophysiological mechanisms. This systematic review aimed to investigate this relationship by analyzing studies identified through comprehensive searches in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Two studies met the inclusion criteria: a case series of 12 patients and a case report, collectively analyzing 13 cases.

Diagnosis and Treatment of a Forearm Glomangioma: A Case Study.

Introduction: Glomangiomas are rare vascular tumors derived from the vascular component of glomus bodies. Because glomus bodies play an important role in thermoregulation in the digits of the hand and foot, glomus tumors predominantly arise in these locations. Only six incidents of glomangiomas have arisen in the forearm since 1991.

Incidental finding of levocardia with situs inversus: case report.

"Situs inversus with levocardia" refers to the mirror-image lateral orientation of the abdominal organs with a normally oriented, left-sided heart. This anatomical anomaly arises from abnormalities in the biochemical signaling systems mediating embryological development. We present a case of situs inversus with levocardia incidentally discovered in a healthy 24-year-old male during workup following a motor vehicle collision.

The Availability of Paternity Leave in US Surgical Residencies: A Study of Program Websites.

Introduction: As family dynamics evolve, an increasing number of male residents are embracing parenthood during their training. Consequently, paternity leave has emerged as a crucial consideration. The aim of this study was to determine the gap in public availability of paternity leave policies in surgical residency programs across the United States.

Restrictive or Liberal Blood Transfusion in Patients with Myocardial Infarction and CKD.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with higher risk of myocardial infarction and anemia. Among patients with anemia and CKD who experience myocardial infarction, it remains uncertain if a liberal red blood cell transfusion threshold strategy (hemoglobin cutoff [Hgb] < 10 g/dL) is superior to a restrictive transfusion threshold (Hgb 7-8 g/dL) strategy.

Methods: Among the 3,504 patients enrolled in the Myocardial Ischemia and Transfusion (MINT) trial with non-missing creatinine, we compared baseline characteristics and 30-day and 6-month outcomes of patients without CKD (N = 1279), CKD with eGFR 30-60 mL/min/1.

Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Presenting With Hypercalcemia.

Hypercalcemia is an identified complication of several malignancies and can cause significant adverse events. It is usually associated with cancers of the breast, lung (especially squamous cell), renal cell carcinoma, and multiple myeloma. Here, we present a rare case of esophageal adenocarcinoma presenting with hypercalcemia.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the incidence and prevalence of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Background: Individuals recovering from COVID-19 infection have reported experiencing symptoms of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). These observations have raised concerns about COVID-19 as a significant precipitating factor in the development of post-viral POTS. Given the increasing number of POTS cases reported after COVID-19, we sought to examine the baseline characteristics of POTS patients before and after COVID-19.

Carotid Cavernous Fistula and Its Association With Spine Surgery: A Case Report.

A carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) is a disruption in the carotid arteries within the cavernous sinus. The pooling of blood in the sinus causes a myriad of neurological deficits. When correctly diagnosed, this condition can be easily managed through surgical intervention.

Impact of a nurse practitioner-led dedicated outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy clinic on patient outcomes and administrative workload: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) enhances patient safety, improves outcomes, and reduces healthcare costs by decreasing 30-day readmissions and adverse events. However, the optimal structure and follow-up protocols for OPAT programs remain undefined. Identifying high-risk patients for readmission and managing adverse drug events (ADEs) are critical components of OPAT care.

Femoral intramedullary nail extraction using the kissing nail technique when primary measures fail.

Introduction: Intramedullary femoral nails (IMFNs) need to be removed for subsequent joint replacement, refracture, nonunion, or infection. The tools used to extract newer IMFNs may not be suited for removal of older implants, especially if broken. The purpose of this study was to describe a novel technique in femoral nail extraction when primary measures fail and a report on 6 cases where it was used.

A randomised controlled study on efficacy of midazolam and cartoon for decreasing preoperative anxiety in preschool children undergoing strabismus surgery.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effect and influence of midazolam and cartoon on postoperative behaviour in reducing preoperative anxiety in preschool children.

Methods: Three hundred children undergoing monocular strabismus correction were divided into three groups: midazolam (M), cartoon (C), and CM. Preoperative anxiety scores, cooperation scores during anaesthesia induction, awakening time, emergence agitation, and postoperative adverse behaviours were recorded.

Comparative analysis of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke hospitalization rates in end-stage kidney disease and kidney transplant patients with and without atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and kidney transplant (KTx) recipients presents challenges in stroke risk management. This study aimed to compare hospitalization rates for ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular events in ESKD and KTx patients with and without AF.

Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample (2005-2019), retrospective analysis was conducted on hospitalizations for ESKD and KTx patients with and without AF.

Folate prevents the autism-related phenotype caused by developmental pyrethroid exposure in prairie voles.

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) have dramatically increased in prevalence to an alarming one in six children, and yet both causes and preventions remain elusive. Recent human epidemiology and animal studies have implicated developmental exposure to pyrethroid pesticides, one of the most common classes of pesticides in the US, as an environmental risk factor for autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. Our previous research has shown that low-dose chronic developmental pyrethroid exposure (DPE) changes folate metabolites in the adult mouse brain.

Sex differences in gut microbiota, hypertension, and cardiovascular risk.

The intricate ecosystem of the gut microbiome exhibits sex-specific differences, influencing the susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Imbalance within the gut microbiome compromises the gut barrier, activates inflammatory pathways, and alters the production of metabolites, all of which initiate chronic diseases including CVD. In particular, the interplay between lifestyle choices, hormonal changes, and metabolic byproducts uniquely affects sex-specific gut microbiomes, potentially shaping the risk profiles for hypertension and CVD differently in men and women.

Coiling of echogenic perineural catheters with integral stylet: A proof-of-concept randomized control trial in a sciatic nerve block simulator and a pilot study in orthopaedic-trauma patients.

Backround/objectives: We investigated a technique that facilitates the coiling of a regular straight catheter (with integral stylet) behind the sciatic nerve in an ultrasound (US) regional anaesthesia simulator, and then applied our findings to a series of orthopedic-trauma patients.

Methods: We conducted a randomized study of two methods of perineural catheter advancement in a sciatic nerve block Blue Phantom simulator. Two groups of twenty catheters each (method A and method B) were evaluated under real-time ultrasound imaging.

Physician Attitudes Towards Pharmacist-Prescribed HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): A Survey of a State Medical Association.

Timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) is crucial in preventing HIV infection and advancing efforts to end the HIV epidemic (EHE). nPEP must be administered within 72 h of high-risk exposure, ideally within 24 h. Pharmacies may play a role in increasing access to nPEP and facilitating referrals for additional care, such as PrEP.

Characteristics and Risks of Endophthalmitis Following 25-gauge Vitrectomy Surgery over a 14-year period.

Purpose: To analyze endophthalmitis characteristics and risks following a 25-gauge vitrectomy or microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS).

Design: Retrospective.

Subjects: Post-MIVS endophthalmitis patients.