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Efficacy of Ultrasound to Detect Rotator Cuff Tears
Full text linkIntroduction: Rotator cuff injury is the most common cause of shoulder pain in the world, and there are a few different imaging techniques that can be used to help with their diagnosis. The purpose of this review is to determine the efficacy of ultrasound, an available and cost-effective option, to detect rotator cuff tears.
Methods: PubMed was searched for studies and meta-analyses that compared ultrasound to other imaging modalities and their ability to detect rotator cuff tears.
Results: One meta-analysis and 4 clinical research studies revealed that ultrasound has variable diagnostic accuracy compared to MRI depending on the RCT tendon, size, obesity, shoulder ROM, and operator experience. Ultrasound had 87-94% sensitivity and 88-100% specificity for unspecified FT RCTs, and 53-62% sensitivity and 85-97% specificity for unspecified PT RCTs. Two of the studies included showed a 100% specificity for FT RCTs. In most studies, US had better specificity for diagnosis of RCT than sensitivity, but this was not consistent through all studies reviewed.
Discussion: Ultrasound is a viable initial imaging modality to aid in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears but should not be used in exchange of MRI, especially in the cases of obesity or decreased shoulder range of motion
Efficacy of Collagenase Injection in Dupuytren’s Contracture
Full text linkIntroduction: Dupuytren\u27s contracture is a debilitating hand condition characterized by progressive contracture of the palmar fascia. The use of collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to surgical interventions, with varying degrees of efficacy and safety compared to traditional methods like limited fasciectomy and percutaneous needle fasciotomy.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed to assess the efficacy and safety of collagenase injections for treating Dupuytren\u27s contracture. The search focused on peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published in the last five years. Five relevant studies were selected based on the robustness of their data and relevance to the research question.
Results: The studies reviewed demonstrated that while collagenase clostridium histolyticum offers a less invasive treatment with quicker recovery times, they are associated with higher recurrence rates and more frequent minor complications compared to other options. Limited fasciectomy showed the greatest improvement in range of motion and the lowest recurrence rates but carried a higher risk of severe complications such as nerve injury. Percutaneous needle fasciotomy, although slightly less effective in range of motion improvement, had fewer complications, making it a safer option for patients with milder conditions.
Discussion: The choice of treatment for Dupuytren\u27s contracture should be tailored to the patient\u27s condition severity and personal priorities. Further research is needed to refine these recommendations and explore the long-term effects of these treatments on quality of life
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair and Heart Failure: A Clinical Review
Full text linkIntroduction: Secondary Mitral Regurgitation due to heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. There is debate about surgical versus medical treatment options. This paper aims to evaluate the efficacy of adding transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) with standard treatments for heart failure.
Methods: Using Pubmed, the search terms “transcatheter mitral valve repair” AND “heart failure” resulted in 835 articles that were then filtered to \u3c5 \u3eyears, English language, and type of article. This produced 22 articles that matched the search criteria. In total, 6 articles were used to analyze all-cause mortality and rehospitalization of heart failure patients receiving TMVR plus GDMT vs GDMT alone.
Results: Meta-analyses, RTCs, and systematic reviews were used to gather information on TMVR, including 3 articles that discussed the COAPT trial specifically. Two systematic reviews analyzing the COAPT trial showed decreased rates of mortality and rehospitalization 2 years and 5 years after implantation of the MitraclipTM. Two meta-analyses showed odds ratios that favored TMVR over GDMT alone for both mortality and rehospitalization.
Discussion: The studies included in this review suggest that TMVR plus GDMT is superior to GDMT alone for reducing all-cause mortality and rehospitalization in patients with heart failure. While additional factors influencing rehospitalization and mortality, such as cardiac complications and comorbidities are acknowledged, this review focuses specifically on the comparative outcomes of all-cause mortality and rehospitalization solely
Dual Antiplatelet vs Monotherapy as Secondary Prevention for Myocardial Infarction in Coronary Artery Disease
Full text linkIntroduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death globally, with myocardial infarction (MI) being the biggest contributor. While aspirin monotherapy is standard for preventing ischemic events in CAD patients, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) combining aspirin with P2Y12 inhibitors may offer greater efficacy. This review examines whether DAPT reduces MI incidence compared to aspirin monotherapy (AM), weighing the benefits against potential bleeding risks to guide optimal treatment strategies.
Methods: Inclusion criteria included studies in English, published between 2019 and 2024, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. The following key terms we used in the PubMed database, Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors AND Aspirin AND Myocardial Infarction AND Coronary Artery Disease” along with Boolean operators.
Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria for this review, comprising four randomized control trials (RCTs) and one meta-analysis.
Discussion: DAPT with aspirin significantly reduces the incidence of myocardial infarction in adults with coronary artery disease compared to aspirin monotherapy. This is evident in high-risk groups such as those with diabetes and a history of PCI. However, DAPT also increases the risk of major bleeding, requiring careful patient selection and monitoring. Overall, while DAPT is beneficial for reducing MI, its use should be adjusted to the patient\u27s risk profile, with ongoing research required to improve these strategies
Panem et Circenses: Entertainment and Empires in The Hunger Games Series
Full text linkGovernments have long employed entertainment as a tool of distraction. Recognized as the concept of panem et circenses or “festivals and spectacles,” governments manipulate entertainment so that citizens often willingly exchange their power for distraction and comfort. In The Hunger Games, author Suzanne Collins revises this narrative and uses entertainment as a tool for education.Achieving wide-reaching popularity, Collins leveraged both print and screen media to empower a generation. Collins warns against the dangers of panem et circenses and underscores the importance of hope as a force that counters societal despair and distraction. I argue that throughout The Hunger Games series, Collins highlights how hope empowers love to pursue goodness. Love drives her characters to take virtuous action, bringing an internal freedom that transcends political circumstance or the misfortunes of fate. This study investigates Collins’s aims and effectiveness. It synthesizes Collins’s works with the political philosophers she draws from, which include: Aristotle, Hobbes, Rousseau, Augustine, Montesquieu, Socrates, Seneca, Machiavelli, and the American founders, analyzing the political lessons she teaches and their value for American society
Through the Lens of School Culture: Perception Versus Reality at an Early College
Full text linkNumerous research studies have been conducted identifying the benefits of the early college model, yet none have connected the end goal of the early college to meeting the needs of the community and stakeholders it serves. This multiple methods research study used a survey and focus groups to investigate the perceptions of various early college stakeholders regarding the end goal(s) of the early college through the lens of school culture. Despite the benefits associated with attending an early college, additional research was needed to determine if the school’s mission and vision were in alignment with the community it served. Thematic analysis was used to identify common themes from focus groups. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyze the School Culture Survey (SCS) and three additional open-ended questions. The primary finding of the study revealed a tension between the early college’s goals of attending a 4- year degree and studying specific careers and some students’ desires for alternative paths to be equally successful. The research found the early college graduates perceived the end goal of the early college as developing a passion for continuous learning in future leaders by discovering one’s vision of a successful life, while the staff expressed the mission as developing future leaders who are responsible and disciplined as they prepare for all aspects of life no matter what path they choose. Parents/guardians and college and career stakeholders highlighted skills and activities promoting the early college mission, while early college graduates identified activities promoting or hindering the school meeting its mission
Strengthening Student Talk and Academic Discourse
Full text linkThis Professional Learning Module (PLM) on Strengthening Student Talk and Academic Discourse is designed to support K-12 grade educators in integrating student talk and academic discourse into their classrooms to improve student engagement. Grounded in research, this PLM provides participants with practical strategies and resources to use in their classroom through the integration of student communication. Regardless of your role in the school, this module will help you foster academic conversations in your classroom that can lead to your students gaining confidence and a deeper understanding of the content. By the end of this module, you will have taught a lesson using the knowledge gained from completing the PLM.
View professional learning module.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/improve/1044/thumbnail.jp
Career and Technical Education: Evaluating the Benefits of Partnerships Among Schools and Organizations
Full text linkEmployers are experiencing skill gaps when hiring employees. Employability skills are taught in high school through Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses. High school students receive hands-on experience through work-based learning opportunities such as internships with the help of organizations in the community. The partnership between schools and organizations is vital to the success of internships. This study investigated the lived experiences of organizations that offered internships to high school students. The study focused on a school district in the northeastern central region of North Carolina. The primary method of data collection used in the study was interviews. The interviews revealed that organizations want to continue to provide internships to high school students but would like to make improvements in the partnership between schools and organizations. The findings provide recommendations for schools and organizations to maintain communication in providing internships for students by allowing organizations to come into the schools to recruit students for internships and for schools to communicate with students the expectations of the internships so they will be accountable for their part in the internship. The findings also provided ways to eliminate barriers in having internships such as providing public transportation for students and providing virtual internship opportunities for students who do not have transportation
The Sacrifice Gap: Examining the Influence of Family Expectations and Institutional Barriers Impacting Women\u27s Leadership in Higher Education
Full text linkDespite constituting the majority of mid-level academic professionals and outpacing men in educational attainment, women remain significantly underrepresented in senior leadership roles across higher education. This mixed-methods (n=20) study explores the “sacrifice gap”-the disproportionate personal, professional, and economic costs women bear to reach leadership positions-by centering the lived experiences of women leaders navigating the intersection of family expectations, institutional barriers, and identity-based discrimination. Quantitative survey data from women in higher education leadership reveal that caregiving roles such as motherhood, partnership, and household management are perceived as moderate but persistent hindrances to career advancement, with these roles functioning as interconnected, systemic barriers regardless of career stage. Qualitative analysis further uncovers the enduring influence of patriarchal institutional cultures, gendered scrutiny, mobility constraints, mentorship gaps, and the chilling effect of recent high-profile dismissals of women leaders. Despite these obstacles, participants demonstrate resilience and a commitment to redefining leadership through collaboration, inclusivity, and mentorship. The findings underscore the need for systemic, organizational reforms-including gender-neutral promotion policies, formal mentorship programs, and family-friendly supports-to close the sacrifice gap and foster equitable pathways to academic leadership for women