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Establishment of an inferior vena cava filter retrieval program: the effect on trauma and non-trauma patient populations
No full textPURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effect of establishing an inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) retrieval program (IVCFRP) on the IVCF retrieval rates in trauma and non-trauma patients. METHODS: This was an institutional review board-approved retrospective study. IVCF retrieval in trauma and non-trauma patients was compared before and after the establishment of an IVCFRP in a single Level I Trauma Center. The IVCFRP at our institution was established in April 2020. All patients who underwent IVCF placement between January 2016 and March 2020 were compared with patients who had an IVCF placed between April 2020 and June 2024. A medical record review included the collection of demographic information, indication for IVCF insertion and retrieval, date of IVCF insertion and retrieval, IVCF retrieval rate, clinical outcomes, and complications. The patients were stratified into trauma and non-trauma groups. Univariate analyses were performed with a P value of \u3c 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 164 patients underwent IVCF placement between January 2016 and June 2024. Fifty-two IVCFs were implanted before and 112 after the establishment of the IVCFRP. The overall rate of IVCF retrieval was significantly higher following the establishment of an IVCFRP (33.3% vs. 51%, P = 0.047). In non-trauma patients, the retrieval rate was significantly higher after the establishment of an IVCFRP (37.5% vs. 61.3%, P = 0.03). The retrieval rate in trauma patients (22.2% vs. 21.4%) was not significantly changed by the establishment of an IVCFRP. Clinical outcomes and complications were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: IVCF retrieval rates significantly improved after the establishment of an IVCFRP. This increase in IVCF retrieval rate was driven by an increase in filter retrievals in the non-trauma patient population. The rate of IVCF retrieval in trauma patients was not affected by the implementation of an IVCFRP. Special considerations and changes in practice may need to be established to improve IVCF retrieval rates in trauma patients. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Implementation of a structured IVCFRP significantly improved retrieval rates in non-trauma patients but did not yield similar results in trauma patients, highlighting the need for alternative strategies in this population
A global overview of anatomical science education and its present and future role in biomedical curricula
No full textThe four main anatomical sciences, gross anatomy, histology, neuroanatomy, and embryology, are fundamental subjects for most health professionals and biomedical students. Usually taught as part of preclinical basic science training, the anatomical sciences provide a structural understanding of human or animal bodies at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. This overview characterizes how the anatomical sciences are currently taught around the globe, highlighting similarities, differences, and recent curricular transformations that were partially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, educators of the anatomical sciences navigate similar pressures, including expectations of curricular integration and reduced time for anatomical teaching. Student-centered teaching approaches and e-learning technologies have been adopted across many regions, transforming how educators engage their learners. However, not all educators are provided with technological resources to facilitate such educational advancements, particularly in regions where economic inequality and poor infrastructure hinder access to the internet. Though ethical standards guiding the procurement of human bodies have evolved over time, the sources of human bodies that academic institutions use for anatomy education vary widely. Specific regional issues complicate many aspects of anatomical science education, challenging educators to adopt novel teaching approaches. Despite some differences, every global region appears to be moving in a similar direction. However, where academic institutions fall on that trajectory differs for specific regions/countries. How these educational and technological changes influence anatomy education should be carefully considered for the strengths and weaknesses they provide and the opportunities and threats they bring. (Figure presented.)
Proteomic analysis of cingulate cortex systems regulated by mifepristone in the context of alcohol dependence
No full textElovanoids modulate glial phenotypes to protect the brain after experimental ischemic stroke
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Seasonal Variability in Odontogenic Infections Requiring Surgical Intervention in the Operating Room: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.
No full textProteomic analysis of central amygdala systems regulated by mifepristone in the context of alcohol dependence
No full textAlcohol use disorder (AUD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by escalated alcohol use and the emergence of negative affective symptoms. Studies have described a dysregulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling in the context of AUD at the levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and central amygdala (CeA). A functional increase in CeA GR activity occurs during alcohol withdrawal in alcohol-dependent animal models, and the GR antagonist mifepristone reduces alcohol-seeking and drinking behaviors in both rodents and humans. The aims of this study were to determine differential CeA protein expression in alcohol-dependent rats and examine the effects of mifepristone treatment in this context. Male and female Wistar rats were exposed to chronic intermittent ethanol vapor (CIEV) or air (control) for 10 weeks. In week 7, half of the animals in each group received either subcutaneous placebo pellets or mifepristone pellets. At the end of Week 10, the rats were euthanized during acute CIEV withdrawal (and identical time in control groups). The CeA was analyzed using discovery-based proteomics and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). In males, among the 3050 proteins detected, 274 proteins were significantly altered by alcohol, and 158 of these proteins were normalized by mifepristone. In females, among the 2631 detected proteins, 37 proteins were altered by alcohol, and 13 of these proteins were normalized by mifepristone. Alcohol and mifepristone elicited sex-dependent alterations in protein expression within the CeA, confirming and extending previous research to highlight specific proteins and pathways as medication targets to offer novel therapeutic avenues for treating AUD
Computational Insights into the Structural Basis for Reduced Hepatotoxicity of Novel Nonopioid Analgesics
No full textAcetaminophen (ApAP) toxicity arises from the reactive intermediate N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), a degradation product known to cause significant liver damage and kidney injury. This toxicity is a major concern associated with the widespread use of ApAP, a commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. To address this important issue, a series of novel nonopioid analgesic candidates with reduced toxicity have been recently reported. However, the molecular and atomic-level mechanisms underlying their decreased toxicity remain largely unexplored. In this study, computational analyses is performed to investigate the dynamic behavior, physicochemical properties, and ligand-receptor interactions of these new chemical entities (NCEs). The findings provide a rational explanation for their differing toxicity profiles and contribute to a deeper understanding of their metabolic pathways. Based on these insights, compound 6 has emerged as a promising ApAP alternative and is currently under development. These investigations pave the way for designing novel hepatotoxicity-free NCE analgesics with improved drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic properties
Female Cardioprotection in a Mouse Model of Alcohol-Associated Cardiomyopathy
No full textChronic alcohol misuse is the leading cause of non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of alcohol-associated cardiomyopathy (ACM), particularly regarding sex-specific susceptibility and mitochondrial contributions, are not fully known. In this study, we utilized a preclinical model of chronic + binge ethanol consumption to investigate sex differences in disease severity and mitochondrial function. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were fed ethanol or control liquid diets for 30 days, with 2 binge episodes on days 10 and 30. Cardiac morphology was assessed via echocardiography and cardiac function via left ventricular pressure-volume catheterization. Mitochondrial function was evaluated ex vivo using Seahorse XF analysis, ATP luminescence, and AmplexTM Red fluorescence in isolated ventricular mitochondria. Ethanol feeding induced significant cardiac dysfunction and increased transcriptional expression of inflammatory and fibrotic markers in males, while these effects were not seen in females. Despite these sex-specific cardiac effects, mitochondrial respiration, ATP production, collagen protein expression, and oxidative stress were not significantly altered following alcohol exposure in either sex. Further investigation is warranted to assess the potential role of ovarian hormones in this female cardioprotection against chronic + binge ethanol
Artificial Intelligence in Head and Neck Cancer: Towards Precision Medicine.
No full textSimple Summary: This review was conducted to highlight current and potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the care of patients with head and neck cancer, the barriers to its clinical implementation, and the relative scarcity of research in this field. While AI has demonstrated success in other areas of oncology, its role in head and neck cancer remains limited, with progress slowed by technical, ethical, and logistical challenges. Nevertheless, integrating AI with multiomics approaches presents a promising opportunity to advance precision medicine in this patient population. The findings presented in this manuscript may encourage further multi-institutional studies aimed at validating AI-driven strategies and accelerating their adoption in clinical practice. Abstract:Over the past 20 years, the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) have gained significant interest. While AI has been implemented to various degrees in several disciplines, its unique applications in head and neck cancer (HNC) remain underdeveloped. This narrative review examines the existing body of literature regarding the use of AI in HNC. Studies to date have demonstrated AI\u27s utility across multiple phases of the HNC treatment continuum. Despite its promise, integrating AI into clinical practice faces several challenges, including concerns about system integrity, generalizability, privacy, and bias. In this review, we address these challenges and offer insights into future directions to help overcome them and advance AI\u27s integration into HNC care as a step toward personalized medicine. Additionally, we highlight the importance of multidisciplinary and multispecialty collaboration in cultivating a robust body of research that will support the optimization of AI in clinical practice