Medical Specialties Commons^™

Alpha-Fetoprotein (Afp) And Afp-L3 Is Most Useful In Detection Of Recurrence Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Patients After Tumor Ablation And With Low Afp Level, Madison Force, Grace Park, Divya Chalikonda, Christopher G. Roth, Micah Cohen, Dina Halegoua-De Marzio, Hie-Won Hann

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver and is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. While there are many risk factors for HCC including alcohol, obesity, and diabetes, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection still account for the majority of HCC worldwide. Globally, HBV is the leading risk factor for HCC. Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and advanced liver disease are at high risk for HCC. Screening for HCC is done routinely with ultrasound with or without alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) at six-month intervals. The combination of ultrasound and AFP has been …

Safety And Efficacy Of Colchicine In Covid-19 Patients: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Control Trials, Farah Yasmin, Hala Najeeb, Abdul Moeed, Wardah Hassan, Mahima Khatri, Muhammad Sohaib Asghar, Ahmed Kunwer Naveed, Waqas Ullah, Salim Surani

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background: Colchicine has been used an effective anti-inflammatory drug to treat gout diseases. Owing to its pharmacodynamic of inhibiting interleukins, it has been repurposed to target the cytokine storm post-SARS-CoV-2 invasion. The goal of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the safety profile of colchicine in COVID-19 patients using the gold-standard randomised-control trials.

Methods: Electronic databases (Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane) were systematically searched until June 2021 and RCTs were extracted. Outcomes of interest included all-cause mortality, COVID-19 severity, mechanical ventilation, C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels. Using a random-effects model, dichotomous outcomes were pooled using odds ratios (OR) through the generic …

Ten-Year Safety Of Pluripotent Stem Cell Transplantation In Acute Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury., Stephen L Mckenna, Reza Ehsanian, Charles Y Liu, Gary K Steinberg, Linda Jones, Jane S Lebkowski, Edward Wirth, Richard G Fessler

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (LCTOPC1) derived from human pluripotent stem cells administered between 7 and 14 days postinjury to patients with T3 to T11 neurologically complete spinal cord injury (SCI). The rationale for this first-in-human trial was based on evidence that administration of LCTOPC1 supports survival and potential repair of key cellular components and architecture at the SCI site.

METHODS: This study was a multisite, open-label, single-arm interventional clinical trial. Participants (n = 5) received a single intraparenchymal injection of 2 × 106 LCTOPC1 caudal to the epicenter of …

Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma And Chronic Stress, Nicholas Noverati, Rukaiya Bashir, Dina Halegoua-De Marzio, Hie-Won Hann

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

The Hepatitis B virus is one of the most significant hepatocarcinogens globally. The carcinogenic mechanisms of this virus are complex, and may include interactions with the host's immune system. Certain factors, such as stress on the body, can also potentiate these mechanisms. Stress, although adaptive in an acute form, is deleterious to health when chronic and can both suppress and activate the host's defense system. In hepatocellular carcinoma, this can lead to tumor initiation and progression. Those that are more prone to stress, or exposed to situations that incite stress, may be at higher risk of developing cancer. Racial disparities, …

Longitudinal Analysis Of The Impact Of Oral Contraceptive Use On The Gut Microbiome, Xinwei Hua, Yueming Cao, David M Morgan, Kaia Miller, Samantha M Chin, Danielle Bellavance, Hamed Khalili

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Introduction. Evidence has linked exogenous and endogenous sex hormones with the human microbiome.Hypothesis/Gap statement. The longitudinal effects of oral contraceptives (OC) on the human gut microbiome have not previously been studied.Aim. We sought to examine the longitudinal impact of OC use on the taxonomic composition and metabolic functions of the gut microbiota and endogenous sex steroid hormones after initiation of OC use.Methodology. We recruited ten healthy women who provided blood and stool samples prior to OC use, 1 month and 6 months after starting OC. We measured serum levels of sex hormones, including estradiol, progesterone, sex hormone-binding …

Characterization Of Basal Ganglia Volume Changes In The Context Of Hiv And Polysubstance Use, Andrew J Monick, Michelle R Joyce, Natasha Chugh, Jason A Creighton, Owen P Morgan, Eric C Strain, Cherie L Marvel

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

HIV and psychoactive substances can impact the integrity of the basal ganglia (BG), a neural substrate of cognition, motor control, and reward-seeking behaviors. This study assessed BG gray matter (GM) volume as a function of polysubstance (stimulant and opioid) use and HIV status. We hypothesized that comorbid polysubstance use and HIV seropositivity would alter BG GM volume differently than would polysubstance use or HIV status alone. We collected structural MRI scans, substance use history, and HIV diagnoses. Participants who had HIV (HIV +), a history of polysubstance dependence (POLY +), both, or neither completed assessments for cognition, motor function, and …

Laryngeal Blastomycosis With Subsequent Heart Failure From Itraconazole Therapy., Daniel Tsang, S Haddad, Mitchell Sternlieb

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Blastomycosis is an endemic mycosis in the United States that typically affects the respiratory tract and presents as a pneumonia. Dissemination can occur to any organ system, most commonly involving the skin or bones. Treatment of blastomycosis depends on the severity of disease and consists of itraconazole with liposomal amphotericin B added in during the initial stage in those with more severe disease or those who are pregnant. This case report describes an immunocompetent individual with mild to moderate blastomycosis of the larynx who was started on itraconazole therapy. However, after two months of treatment, he developed new symptomatic heart …

Clinically Adjudicated Deceased Donor Acute Kidney Injury And Graft Outcomes, Sherry G Mansour, Nadeen Khoury, Ravi Kodali, Sarthak Virmani, Peter P Reese, Isaac E Hall, Yaqi Jia, Yu Yamamoto, Heather R Thiessen-Philbrook, Wassim Obeid, Mona D Doshi, Enver Akalin, Jonathan S Bromberg, Meera N Harhay, Sumit Mohan, Thangamani Muthukumar, Pooja Singh, Francis L Weng, Dennis G Moledina, Jason H Greenberg, Francis P Wilson, Chirag R Parikh

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in deceased donors is not associated with graft failure (GF). We hypothesize that hemodynamic AKI (hAKI) comprises the majority of donor AKI and may explain this lack of association.

Methods: In this ancillary analysis of the Deceased Donor Study, 428 donors with available charts were selected to identify those with and without AKI. AKI cases were classified as hAKI, intrinsic (iAKI), or mixed (mAKI) based on majority adjudication by three nephrologists. We evaluated the associations between AKI phenotypes and delayed graft function (DGF), 1-year eGFR and GF. We also evaluated differences in urine biomarkers among …

Protective Benefit Of Minimally Invasive Liver Surgery For Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prior To Transplant, Simone Khouzam, Duilio Pagano, Marco Barbara, Vito Di Marco, Giada Pietrosi, Marco Maringhini, Marco Canzonieri, Sergio Calamia, Salvatore Gruttadauria

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Aim: The purpose of this study is to assess the benefit of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) given recurrence and future need for liver transplantation (LT). Methods: Data on liver resections were gathered from the Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad alta specializzazione (IRCCS-ISMETT) from 2003-2021. A retrospective analysis of 1408 consecutive adult patients who had a liver resection was performed with categorization based on the underlying disease process. A sub-analysis studied the 291 patients who had an LLR with an intention to transplant approach after LLR. Results: …

Ramifications Of The Hla-I Allelic Reactivity Of Anti-Hla-E*01:01 And Anti-Hla-E*01:03 Heavy Chain Monoclonal Antibodies In Comparison With Anti-Hla-I Igg Reactivity In Non-Alloimmunized Males, Melanoma-Vaccine Recipients, And End-Stage Renal Disease Patients, Mepur H Ravindranath, Narendranath M Ravindranath, Fatiha El Hilali, Senthamil R Selvan, Edward J Filippone

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Serum anti-HLA-I IgG are present in non-alloimmunized males, cancer patients, and transplant recipients. Anti-HLA-I antibodies are also present in intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), prepared from the plasma of thousands of healthy donors. However, the HLA-Ia reactivity of IVIg diminishes markedly after passing through HLA-E HC-affinity columns, suggesting that the HLA-I reactivity is due to antibodies formed against HLA-E. Hence, we examined whether anti-HLA-E antibodies can react to HLA-I alleles. Monoclonal IgG antibodies (mAbs) against HCs of two HLA-E alleles were generated in Balb/C mice. The antibodies were analyzed using multiplex bead assays on a Luminex platform for HLA-I reactivity. Beads coated …

Clinical And Angiographic Success And Safety Comparison Of Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy: An Updated Meta-Analysis, Yasar Sattar, Talal Almas, Junaid Arshad, Mohamed Zghouzi, Waqas Ullah, Tanveer Mir, Mohamed O Mohamed, Islam Y Elgendy, Wael Aljaroudi, Anand Prasad, Richard Shlofmitz, Mamas A Mamas, Dean J Kereiakes, M Chadi Alraies

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background: Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) can be used to assist stent deployment in severe coronary artery calcifications (CAC).

Methods: Studies employing IVL for CAC lesions were included. The primary outcomes included clinical and angiographic success. The secondary outcomes, including lumen gain, maximum calcium thickness, and calcium angle at the final angiography site, minimal lumen area site, and minimal stent area site, were analyzed by the random-effects model to calculate the pooled standardized mean difference. Tertiary outcomes included safety event ratios.

Results: Seven studies (760 patients) were included. The primary outcomes: pooled clinical and angiographic success event ratio parentage of IVL was …

C1q/Tnf-Related Protein 3 Prevents Diabetic Retinopathy Via Ampk-Dependent Stabilization Of Blood–Retinal Barrier Tight Junctions, Zheyi Yan, Chunfang Wang, Zhijun Meng, Lu Gan, Rui Guo, Jing Liu, Wayne Bond Lau, Dina Xie, Jianli Zhao, Bernard Lopez, Theodore Christopher, Ulhas P. Naik, Xin-Liang Ma, Yajing Wang

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background The impairment of the inner blood–retinal barrier (iBRB) increases the pathological development of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a severe complication in diabetic patients. Identifying approaches to preserving iBRB integrity and function is a significant challenge in DR. C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-3 (CTRP3) is a newly discovered adipokine and a vital biomarker, predicting DR severity. We sought to determine whether and how CTRP3 affects the pathological development of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Methods To clarify the pathophysiologic progress of the blood–retinal barrier in NPDR and explore its potential mechanism, a mouse Type 2 diabetic model of diabetic retinopathy was used. The …

Four Faces Of Cell-Surface Hla Class-I: Their Antigenic And Immunogenic Divergence Generating Novel Targets For Vaccines, Mepur H Ravindranath, Narendranath M Ravindranath, Senthamil R Selvan, Edward J Filippone, Carly J Amato-Menker, Fatiha El Hilali

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Leukocyte cell-surface HLA-I molecules, involved in antigen presentation of peptides to CD8+ T-cells, consist of a heavy chain (HC) non-covalently linked to β2-microglobulin (β2m) (Face-1). The HC amino acid composition varies across all six isoforms of HLA-I, while that of β2m remains the same. Each HLA-allele differs in one or more amino acid sequences on the HC α1 and α2 helices, while several sequences among the three helices are conserved. HCs without β2m (Face-2) are also observed on human cells activated by malignancy, viral transformation, and cytokine or chemokine-mediated inflammation. In the absence of β2m, the monomeric Face-2 exposes immunogenic …

Transitions Of Care: Completeness Of The Interoperability Data Standard For Communication From Home Health Care To Primary Care., Edgar Chou, Paulina S Sockolow

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Data sharing is necessary to address communication deficits along the transitions of care among community settings. Evidence-based practice supports home healthcare (HHC) patients to see their primary care team within the first two weeks of hospital discharge to reduce rehospitalization risk. A small subset of patient data collected at HHC admission is mandated to be transmitted to primary care, predominantly by fax. Using qualitative analysis, we assessed completeness of the United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) interoperability standard, as compared to the patient data collected by the primary care team (topics) and HHC (classes) during the initial visit; and …

Coronary Revascularization Versus Optimal Medical Therapy In Renal Transplant Candidates With Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis., Muhammad U Siddiqui, Joey Junarta, Gregary D. Marhefka

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) is highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease and is a common cause of mortality in end-stage renal disease. Thus, patients with end-stage renal disease are routinely screened for CAD before renal transplantation. The usefulness of revascularization before transplantation remains unclear. We hypothesize that there is no difference in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in waitlisted renal transplant candidates with CAD who underwent revascularization versus those treated with optimal medical therapy before transplantation. Methods and Results This meta-analysis was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. MEDLINE, Scopus, and …

The Relationship Between Malignant Tumors And Ischemic Stroke: Ii. Chronology Of Diagnoses And Treatment Of Strokes, Nóra Hajnóczky, Dániel Bereczki

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Összefoglaló. A malignus daganatok és a stroke együttesen gyakran fordulnak elő a stroke tradicionális rizikófaktoraival (magas vérnyomás, hyperlipidaemia, cukorbetegség, elhízás, dohányzás) rendelkező betegekben. Az elmúlt évtized kutatási eredményei alátámasztották, hogy a rosszindulatú daganatban szenvedő betegekben szignifikánsan nagyobb a stroke kockázata. A malignus daganatokhoz társuló stroke a leggyakrabban a malignus daganat diagnózisát követő fél-egy év során jelentkezik. A kapcsolat a másik irányban is létezik: stroke-betegek követése során malignus daganat szignifikánsan gyakrabban jelent meg, mint a stroke-mentes kontrollcsoportban. A daganatot a leginkább a stroke utáni első hat hónapban diagnosztizálják. A korábban nem ismert rosszindulatú daganat időnként az akut stroke kezelése során derül …

Platelet Micrornas Inhibit Primary Tumor Growth Via Broad Modulation Of Tumor Cell Mrna Expression In Ectopic Pancreatic Cancer In Mice, Jeremy G.T. Wurtzel, Sophia Lazar, Sonali Sikder, Kathy Q Cai, Igor Astsaturov, Andrew S Weyrich, Jesse W Rowley, Lawrence E. Goldfinger

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

We investigated the contributions of platelet microRNAs (miRNAs) to the rate of growth and regulation of gene expression in primary ectopic tumors using mouse models. We previously identified an inhibitory role for platelets in solid tumor growth, mediated by tumor infiltration of platelet microvesicles (microparticles) which are enriched in platelet-derived miRNAs. To investigate the specific roles of platelet miRNAs in tumor growth models, we implanted pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells as a bolus into mice with megakaryocyte-/platelet-specific depletion of mature miRNAs. We observed an ~50% increase in the rate of growth of ectopic primary tumors in these mice compared to controls …

Endovascular Approach In The Management Of Idiopathic Myointimal Hyperplasia Of The Inferior Mesenteric Vein, Yash B Shah, Derek Lee, Tamim S Khaddash

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background: Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of the mesenteric vein (IMHMV) is a rare, often undiagnosed pathology affecting the colon. Patients typically present with severe abdominal pain and inflammation caused by smooth muscle proliferation of the veins, leading to arterialization, stenosis, and potential occlusion. The etiology remains unclear, but it has been hypothesized that an arteriovenous connection may be associated with the pathology. This is the first reported case indicating such an association. This case additionally highlights the potential utility of endovascular treatment, as endovascular embolization is generally a less invasive alternative to surgical resection in the treatment of such vascular disorders. …

Abdominal Paraganglioma In A Patient With Fever Of Unknown Origin, Samantha Sokoloff, Barbara Simon

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

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Abstract

Introduction: Paragangliomas have a wide range of clinical presentations. A significant portion of these tumors are discovered as abdominal masses on imaging or palpation in patients without typical symptoms of catecholamine excess [1]. This case reports a 28-year-old female who presented with fever of unknown origin and was found to have an abdominal mass on CT imaging. This mass was biopsied prior to a complete evaluation and confirmed to be a paraganglioma. Case report: We discuss the case of a 28 year-old-female who presented to the Endocrinology office after she was …

Inhibition Of Nadph Oxidase Blocks Netosis And Reduces Thrombosis In Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia, Halina H L Leung, Jose Perdomo, Zohra Ahmadi, Feng Yan, Steven E. Mckenzie, Beng H Chong

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is associated with severe and potentially lethal thrombotic complications. NETosis was recently shown to be an important driver of thrombosis in HIT. We investigated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 2 (NOX2) and their contributions to thrombus development in HIT. We showed that neutrophil activation by HIT immune complexes induced ROS-dependent NETosis. Analysis of thrombi formed in a microfluidics system showed ROS production in both platelets and neutrophils, and abundant neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and ROS distributed throughout the clot. Neutrophil-targeted ROS inhibition was sufficient to block HIT-induced NETosis …

Vte And Anticoagulation In Menstruating Women, Ida Micaily, Bethany T. Samuelson Bannow

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Women of childbearing potential have a high prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) due to high estrogen states, such as pregnancy and the use of estrogen-containing contraceptives. Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) affects up to two-thirds of menstruating women on anticoagulation (AC), and can severely impair a woman's quality of life. Rates of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and other forms of AUB including inter-menstrual and postmenopausal bleeding are consistently underreported in the original clinical trials utilizing AC. VTE can occur at any time in a woman's life, and the aim of this review article is to discuss the current landscape of literature …

Assessment Of Temporal Variations In Adherence To Nrp Using Video Recording In The Delivery Room, Amy J Sloane, Kaitlin M Kenaley, Michael T Favara

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Video recording and video evaluation tools have been successfully used to evaluate neonatal resuscitation performance. The objective of our study was to evaluate differences in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) adherence at time of birth between three temporal resuscitative periods using scored video recordings.

METHODS: This is a retrospective review of in-situ resuscitation video recordings from a level 3 perinatal center between 2017 and 2018. The modified Neonatal Resuscitation Assessment (mNRA) scoring tool was used as a surrogate marker to assess NRP adherence during daytime, evening, and nighttime hours.

RESULTS: A total of 260 resuscitations, of which 258 were births …

Is Living In A Region With High Groundwater Arsenic Contamination Associated With Adverse Reproductive Health Outcomes? An Analysis Using Nationally Representative Data From India, Jessie Pinchoff, Brent Monseur, Sapna Desai, Katelyn Koons, Ruben Alvero, Michelle J Hindin

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background: Exposure to groundwater arsenic via drinking water is common in certain geographies, such as parts of India, and causes a range of negative health effects, potentially including adverse reproductive health outcomes.

Methods: We conducted an ecological analysis of self-reported rates of stillbirth, recurrent pregnancy loss, and infertility in relation to groundwater arsenic levels in India. We used a gridded, modeled dataset of the probability of groundwater arsenic exceeding 10 μg/L (World Health Organization drinking water limit) to calculate mean probabilities at the district level (n = 599 districts). A spatial integration approach was used to merge these estimates with …

Attitudes Toward Osteopathic Medicine Scale: Development And Psychometrics, Mohammadreza Hojat Professor, Jennifer Desantis, Robert A Cain, Mark R Speicher, Lynn Bragan, Leonard H Calabrese

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Objective: To develop a valid and reliable instrument for measuring attitudes toward osteopathic medicine.

Methods: Participants included 5,669 first-year students from 33 U.S. colleges of osteopathic medicine, who completed an online survey at the beginning of the 2019-2020 academic year. Using data from the nationwide Project in Osteopathic Medical Education and Empathy, we developed a 13-item instrument: Attitudes Toward Osteopathic Medicine Scale (ATOMS) and demonstrated the validity and reliability of its scores. The social desirability response bias was controlled in statistical analyses.

Results: The corrected item-total score correlations were all positive and statistically significant, and the effect sizes of item …

Thrombotic Microangiopathy, An Unusual Form Of Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Renal Significance: Report Of 3 Cases And Literature Review., Edward J. Filippone, Eric D. Newman, Li Li, Rakesh Gulati, John L. Farber

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Monoclonal gammopathies result from neoplastic clones of the B-cell lineage and may cause kidney disease by various mechanisms. When the underlying clone does not meet criteria for a malignancy requiring treatment, the paraprotein is called a monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS). One rarely reported kidney lesion associated with benign paraproteins is thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), provisionally considered as a combination signifying MGRS. Such cases may lack systemic features of TMA, such as a microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and the disease may be kidney limited. There is no direct deposition of the paraprotein in the kidney, and the presumed mechanism is disordered …

Provider Experiences Of Virtual Reality In Clinical Treatment, Christine Vincent, Margaret Eberts, Tejal U. Naik, Victoria Gulick, C. Virginia O'Hayer

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background: Virtual reality (VR) has proven effective in the treatment of specific phobias and trauma particularly when in-vivo exposure therapy might be costly (e.g. fear of flying, combat scenes). Similarly, VR has been associated with improvement of chronic pain and of acute pain during medical procedures. Despite its effectiveness as a healthcare tool, VR technology is not well-integrated into common practice. This qualitative study aims to explore the provider perception of the value of VR and identify barriers to VR implementation among healthcare providers.

Methods: A 66-item self-report survey was created to examine application of VR to clinical practice, perceived …

Integrating Telemedicine Services In Ophthalmology: Evaluating Patient Interest And Perceived Benefits, Eric Shiuey, Yehuda Fox, Adam Kurnick, Rony Rachmiel, Shimon Kurtz, Michael Waisbourd

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess patient interest and willingness to pay (WTP) for teleophthalmology services, whose benefits include improved healthcare access and potential cost savings.

Patients and methods: Cross-sectional study of 215 patients attending a single tertiary center to assess their interest in teleophthalmology. Comparisons between those interested and those not interested were conducted; logistic regression was used to evaluate the effect of price on interest.

Results: Two thirds (66.5%) of patients were interested in teleophthalmology instead of in-person clinic visits. Those interested were significantly younger than uninterested patients (48.8±22.7 vs 62.4±18.3 years) and were more …

Hypercalcaemia Caused By Sunflower Seeds And Calcium Carbonate Supplements, Iqra Patoli, Mehrunissa Kazim, Saad Bin Jamil, Syed Hassan Abbas

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Hypercalcaemia is commonly associated with malignancy or endocrinological disorders. However, sometimes it can occur due to increased oral intake of calcium. We present an interesting case of hypercalcaemia due to ingestion of sunflower seeds and calcium carbonate supplements.

CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the case of a 53-year-old man with history of T-cell lymphoma and gastroesophageal reflux disease who was brought to the emergency room due to altered mental status, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. His calcium level was 3.30 mmol/l (normal value 2.23-2.58 mmol/l). Imaging studies were unremarkable. The patient was hydrated with normal saline and calcium levels improved. …

Diagnostic Accuracy Of Ultrasonography For Rotator Cuff Tears: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Ali S Farooqi, Alexander Lee, David Novikov, Ann Marie Kelly, Xinning Li, John D Kelly, Robert L Parisien

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background: With recent improvements in transducer strength, image resolution, and operator training, ultrasound (US) provides an excellent alternative imaging modality for the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of US for partial- and full-thickness rotator cuff tears and biceps tendon tears, compare diagnostic values with those of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using arthroscopy as the reference standard, assess longitudinal improvements in accuracy, and compare diagnostic values from operators with different training backgrounds.

Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: The PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for full-text journal articles published …

Medical Outcomes, Quality Of Life, And Family Perceptions For Outpatient Vs Inpatient Neutropenia Management After Chemotherapy For Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Kelly D Getz, Julia E Szymczak, Yimei Li, Rachel Madding, Yuan-Shung V Huang, Catherine Aftandilian, Staci D Arnold, Kira O Bona, Emi Caywood, Anderson B Collier, M Monica Gramatges, Meret Henry, Craig Lotterman, Kelly Maloney, Amir Mian, Rajen Mody, Elaine Morgan, Elizabeth A Raetz, Jeffrey Rubnitz, Anupam Verma, Naomi Winick, Jennifer J Wilkes, Jennifer C Yu, Brian T Fisher, Richard Aplenc

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Importance: Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) requires multiple courses of intensive chemotherapy that result in neutropenia, with significant risk for infectious complications. Supportive care guidelines recommend hospitalization until neutrophil recovery. However, there are little data to support inpatient over outpatient management.

Objective: To evaluate outpatient vs inpatient neutropenia management for pediatric AML.

Design, setting, and participants: This cohort study used qualitative and quantitative methods to compare medical outcomes, patient health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and patient and family perceptions between outpatient and inpatient neutropenia management. The study included patients from 17 US pediatric hospitals with frontline chemotherapy start dates ranging …