Medical Specialties Commons^™

Association Between Leptin, Obesity, Hormonal Interplay And Male Infertility, Sofia Amjaad, Mukhtiar Baig, Nida Zahid, Sundus Tariq, Rehana Rehman

Department of Surgery Docs

Male infertility is a major health problem worldwide. We investigated a possible association between leptin, obesity, hormonal interplay and male infertility. This cross-sectional study of 313 males (178 infertile and 135 fertile) was carried out in 2017. The subjects were categorised by body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BF%) into normal weight, overweight and obese. Significantly higher levels of BMI and BF% (p-value < 0.001) and lower levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, and SHBG (p-value < 0.001) were found in infertile males. However, no significant difference was observed in leptin levels (p-value = 0.35). Leptin levels were significantly higher, and all the sex hormones were significantly lower (p-value < 0.001) in obese subjects, whereas according to BF% only leptin, FSH and SHBG were significantly different. Leptin showed a significant positive correlation with BMI and BF% (p < 0.001). A strong positive link to serum testosterone was found with age, FSH, and LH (p < 0.001) and a negative one with BMI and BF% (p < 0.001). In mutivariable anlaysis, after adjusting for the other covariates, a significant association between FSH and testosterone (p-value <0.001) was found. Serum leptin levels did not differ significantly in fertile and infertile groups, and no association was found with infertility. Furthermore, male obesity was found to be associated with infertility with the decrease in levels of sex hormones.

Oral Cancer Awareness Among University Students From Karachi, Pakistan, Dnyanesh Limaye, Patrick Ziesenis, Vaidehi Limaye, Mansoor Ahmad, Farah Saeed, Mahboob Alam, Ramla Rizvi, Atul Kapadi, Sushama Sathe, Gerhard Fortwengel

Section of Dental-Oral Maxillofacial Surgery

Background: Oral cancers (OC) are malignant lesions occurring in the oral cavity that include squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), salivary gland and odontogenic neoplasms. Even though it is the eighth most common malignancy globally but in Pakistan it is the second commonest type of cancer. Lack of awareness about ill-effects of preventable risk factors of oral cancer increases the burden of disease due to the associated high cost of treatment, permanent impairment and high mortality. Hence, awareness can be very helpful in prevention, control and early diagnosis of oral cancer.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among university students from …

A Rare Non-Oncological Pancreatic Mass: Eosinophilic Pancreatitis Diagnosis Through Eus-Fna, Andres Gelrud

All Publications

No abstract provided.

Severity Of Disease And Mortality For Hospitalized Patients With Community-Acquired Viral Pneumonia Compared To Patients With Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia, Richard Y. Kim, Thomas Chandler, Stephen P. Furmanek, Timothy Lee Wiemken, Rodrigo Cavallazzi

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Background: There exists a large body of literature to help identify, diagnose, treat, and manage community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Despite this, there is little data that directly compares the clinical syndromes and complications of pure bacterial pneumonia to pure viral pneumonia. Our study compares the clinical presentation, morbidity and mortality of viral vs. bacterial etiologies of CAP.

Methods: This was a secondary data analysis of the Community-Acquired Pneumonia Organization (CAPO) international study database. Data was collected concerning patient demographics, physical examination findings, laboratory findings, radiological findings, severity of illness, and clinical outcomes and stratified according to the two study groups, CAVP …

Waiting For Test Results, Herbert L Fred

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

No abstract provided.

Are We Doing It For The Money? A Salary Survey Of The United States Surgical Program Directors, Alexander Hoey, Ba, Brian Hoey, Md, Stanislaw Stawicki, Md

Phase 1

Compensation packages and job responsibilities for United States surgical program directors (PD) vary considerably from one institution to the next. With limited compensation data available for PD’s, this survey reassesses and compares the salaries, benefits, duties, and contract arrangements of all allopathic U.S. surgical PDs. Questionnaires regarding these areas of interest were mailed out electronically to all of the PDs and data was compared between the individuals’ responses using Chi-Squared and Fischer Exact Tests. Fifty-five percent of the PDs responded, revealing significant variation in total compensation packages, size of the dedicated stipend for the role, and time spent on clinical …

A Multicomponent Quality Improvement Project To Improve Sleep In Hospitalized Patients: A Single Center Pilot Experience, Michelle Konkoly, Alan Kubey, Md

Phase 1

No abstract provided.

Total Body Skin Exam And Number Needed To Screen, Audra Hugo, Michael Bui, Alexander Sherban, Shayan Waseh, Elizabeth Jones, Md

Phase 1

Introduction/Background: Skin cancer screening could impact mortality and morbidity in US adults; however, the effectiveness of widespread screening remains unclear. Further research is necessary to determine what age groups, with what risk factors, might benefit from routine total body skin exams (TBSE) in the US.

Objective: This study sought to determine, on average, the number of patients, per decade, needed to screen via TBSE to identify one person with skin cancer.

Methods: A retrospective review of Jefferson Dermatology outpatient data in Epic was conducted. All patient charts from 1/1/2017 - 1/1/2018 were reviewed if they received a TBSE. The type …

Outcomes Reporting In Regional Anesthesia Patients: A Comparison Of Manual Phone Calls Versus Automated Phone App Messaging, Gavyn Ooi, Mba, Eric Schwenk, Md, Fasa, Jeffrey Mojica, Do, Alexander Grant, Md, Max Shilling, Md, David Barnabei, Md, Jennifer Lessin, Ba, Rn, Ccrc, Marc Torjman, Phd, Kent Berg, Md, Mba

Phase 1

Automation of patient follow-up via mobile phone apps have the potential to save time for physicians, standardize responses from patients, and increase the patient response rate. Studies that assess the effectiveness of mobile phone-based surveys have been favorable, with completion rates of about 60% in the surgical population. The impact of mobile phone-based patient management in anesthesia deserves further study. This study examines the follow-up success rates of (1) manual phone calls (the current standard of care) vs. (2) automated patient outreach (APO) in patients who receive a regional anesthesia block procedure.

As part of normal follow up, anesthesia team …

Comparison Of Visual Analog Pain Score Reported To Physician Vs Nurse In Nonoperatively Treated Foot And Ankle Patients, Trevor Mcbride, Bs, Maj Kevin D. Martin, Do, Cpt Jeffrey Wake, Do, Atc, Lt J. Preston Van Buren, Do, Cuyler Dewar, Bs

Phase 1

Background: Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are taking a more prominent role in Orthopedics as health care seeks to define treatment outcomes. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is considered a reliable measure of acute pain. A previous study found that operative candidates’ VAS pain score was significantly higher when reported to the surgeon compared to the nurse. This study’s aim is to examine whether this phenomenon occurs in nonoperative patients. We hypothesize that patients’ VAS scores reported to the surgeon and a nurse will be the same

Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort of 201 consecutive nonoperative patients treated …

Impact Of Patient Safety Bundle For Management Of Morbidly Adherent Placenta On Estimated Blood Loss, Aislinn Crank, Johanna Quist-Nelson, Md, Arbor Quist, Msph

Phase 1

Introduction: Establishment of centers of excellence for care of patients with morbidly adherent placentas (MAP) has been described to improve patient outcomes. We compared maternal estimated blood loss (EBL) for patients with MAP delivered before and after the implementation of a protocol for management of MAP.

Objective: To assess the impact of a new protocol for management of MAP.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort of patients at TJUH who had a MAP between 2007 and 2018. In 2015 our center developed a protocol as a patient safety bundle for the management of MAP. Pre-protocol and post-protocol groups were compared. …

Sickle Cell Disease And Variation In The Par4 Receptor, Matthew Lankiewicz, Steven E. Mckenzie, Leonard Edelstein, Stephanie Renna

Phase 1

Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects African Americans in the U.S. Much can still be learned regarding determinants of frequency and severity of painful vaso-occlusive episodes in these patients. It has been reported that a variant in PAR4 (protease-activated receptor 4) has a unique distribution among African Americans. One variant (Thr120) is hyperactive, while the other (Ala120) is hypoactive. This receptor is present on platelets, vascular cells, and nociceptors. We wish ultimately to test the hypothesis that sickle cell patients with the hyperactive PAR4 receptor have greater pain severity. A genotype-phenotype correlation would have prognostic value. An adequately powered study to …

Treatment Outcomes In Gram Negative Periprosthetic Joint Infection, Irene Kalbian, Ba, Karan Goswami, Md, Carol Foltz, Phd, Nathan John, Bs, William Arnold, Md, Javad Parvizi, Md, Fcrs

Phase 1

Introduction: Outcomes associated with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) involving Gram negative (GN) organisms are poorly understood. While prevailing beliefs indicate that GN PJI cases have poorer prognoses than Gram positive (GP) cases, the current literature is sparse and inconsistent.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to systematically compare the treatment outcomes for GN PJI versus GP PJI.

Methods: A retrospective review of 1189 PJI cases between 2007 and 2017 was performed using an institutional PJI database. Treatment failure defined by the Delphi criteria was compared between cases with only GN organisms (n=45) and only …

The Pathway To Low Outlier Status In Venous Thromboembolism Events: An Analysis Of Pancreatic Surgery In Acs Nsqip, Samantha L. Savitch, Tyler M. Bauer, Nikosi H. Alvarez, Adam P. Johnson, Theresa P. Yeo, Harish Lavu, Charles J. Yeo, Jordan M. Winter, Geno J. Merli, Scott W. Cowan

Phase 1

Introduction: Our institution’s hepatopancreaticobiliary service (HPBS) is a high-volume pancreatic surgery service, which has demonstrated consistently low rates of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared to similar institutions as reported by NSQIP. We sought to determine if the HPBS’s regimented multimodal VTE prophylaxis pathway plays a role in achieving consistently low VTE rates.

Methods: We queried the ACS NSQIP Participant User File and our institution’s data from 2011-2016 for major pancreatic operations. We used Chi-squared analysis to compare the HPBS and national patient populations, and created a matched dataset based on preoperative patient factors. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on …

Long Term Effects Of Ovum Donation On Donors, Danielle Garfunkel, Andrea Braverman

Phase 1

Introduction: As infertility affects 17% of couples, IVF has become a key, increasingly prevalent option for couples with oocyte donors providing eggs to infertile women in ~13.7% of IVF cycles. Despite the growing prevalence of donation, there are no long-term follow up studies on the emotional and health effects of donation. We cannot appropriately counsel patients regarding the risks of the donation procedure without understanding its effects.

Objective: This study sets out to identify the long-term effects of oocyte donation on donors’ mental state and physical health and how the attitudes and concerns of oocyte donors regarding their donation …

Implementation Of Psychological Interview And Testing In A Large Sperm Bank, Catherine Sham, Andrea Braverman, Robert Mora, Makenzie Perdue, Jaime Shamonki

Phase 1

Introduction: Historically, sperm donor applicants have been medically but not psychologically evaluated by mental health professionals (MHPs). As social norms and legislation shift toward non-anonymous donation, psychological assessments can provide opportunities to exclude unqualified donors and allow donors to consider the long-term implications of donating.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of psychological screening in identifying unqualified sperm donors, and to evaluate psychological reasons for disqualification through clinical interview and testing.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 229 potential donors who passed initial qualification at a major sperm bank from February 2017 to February 2018. All potential donors were evaluated by …

Assessing The Operative Log Data Of Traditional (5+2) Vs. Integrated (0+5) Vascular Training Programs, Ernest Gillan, Bs, Anthony Feghali, Md, Tuong Nguyen, Md, Dawn Salvatore, Md, Paul Dimuzio, Md, Babak Abai, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: In 2006, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved an integrated 5 year vascular surgery residency program. Operative experience can be used as a surrogate marker for success in the evolving field of vascular surgery training.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the operative experience of those graduating from the traditional (5+2) vascular training program with the integrated (0+5) program.

Methods: National operative case log data supplied by the ACGME was gathered and organized for vascular surgery residents graduating between 2013 and 2018. Mean case numbers were compared between integrated vascular residents and traditional …

An Evaluation Of Ultrasound-Guided Regional Block Anesthesia In Outpatient Hand Surgery, Daniel Calem, Armen C. Voskeridjian, Md, Michael Rivlin, Md, Pedro Beredjiklian, Md, Mark L. Wang, Md, Phd

Phase 1

Introduction: The utilization of ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks in orthopedic surgery has increased in popularity as the anesthesia of choice for the management of perioperative pain. Peripheral nerve blockade has been shown to increase overall surgical efficiency, improve patient satisfaction, reduce postoperative narcotic use, and decrease the duration of facility admissions, while increasing overall cost-effectiveness. To date, scant literature exists regarding the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided supraclavicular blocks used in common hand surgery procedures, and the rate of neurologic and vascular complications remains unknown.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and complication rate of …

Outcomes And Characteristics Of Large Vessel Occlusion Patients In A Multi-Hospital System With National Institute Of Health Stroke Scale (Nihss) ≤ 5 Treated With Endovascular Thrombectomy Vs Medical Management, Steven Augustine, Lindsay Lucas, Elizabeth Baraban, Jason Tarpley

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

No abstract provided.

Low Cost Reconstructive Options After Musculoskeletal Tumour Resection In Developing Countries: Affordable, Effective And Durable Alternatives, Arif Ali, Obada Hasan, Ahmed Habib, Masood Umer

Section of Orthopaedic Surgery

Over the last two, three decades, the overall survival rates for non-metastatic malignant tumours of the bone have dramatically improved. This has become possible due to the recent advances and multidisciplinary approach towards these diseases, specifically the advent of multi-agent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Limb salvage has now become the norm in the treatment of musculoskeletal tumours without compromising on the overall survival and recurrence of the disease. In the era of metal, prosthetic reconstruction has become the standard procedure specifically in the large tumours which involve the joints as this method of reconstruction helps in joint mobility and early weight-bearing. …

Inflammatory Arthritis And Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection: A Diagnostic And Management Challenge For Knee Arthroplasty In Endemic Areas, Obada Hasan, Riaz Hussain Lakhdawala, Vickash Kumar, Syed Faisal Mahmood, Shahryar Noordin

Section of Orthopaedic Surgery

Tuberculosis continues to be one of the most challenging health problems more prevalent in developing countries. Pakistan ranks 5th in tuberculosis prevalence among the high-burden countries. Prosthetic joint infection of the knee by acid fast bacilli is a rare and distressing complication, occurring in nearly 1% of primary joint arthroplasties requiring prolonged medical treatment and multiple surgeries. A recent publication extensively reviewed English literature from 1952 to 2016, and repor ted only 64 prosthetic joint infec tion with tuberculosis, of which 27 cases involved the knee. Tuberculosis is a global health problem adding to the challenges that arthroplasty surgeons face …

Diet And Addiction: Interview With A Former Food, Pornography, And Alcohol Addict, Tro Kalayjian, Brian Lenzkes

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

Drs. Tro Kalayjian (Tapan, New York) and Brian Lenzkes (Santee, California) talk to Matt about his struggles with food, pornography, and alcohol addiction, and how changing his diet contributed to his recovery from his addictions. This report is excerpted from the audio podcast LowCarbMD, Episode 13 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/low-carb-md-podcast/ ), January 30, 2019). This podcast has filled us with immense hope for those struggling with addiction.

Correlation Of Trainees' Selection Scores With Their Subsequent Performance During Specialty Training In Anesthesiology, Aliya Ahmed, Rashida Ahmed

Department of Anaesthesia

Objective: To determine the correlation of trainee selection scores (TSS) with subsequent performance in anesthesiology trainees at a university hospital.
Study Design: Descriptive analytical study.
Place and Duration of Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from August 2016 to January 2017.
Methodology: Data were collected on 44 anesthesiology trainees completing their training between 2009 and 2015. TSS consisted of entrance test, final-year medical school scores, and interviews. Assessment included written tests, viva voce, and clinical assessment. Non-parametric Spearman rank correlation coefficient was computed to assess the relationship between scores.
Results: Weak correlation was found between TSS and overall assessment …

Clinical Evaluation Of Exercise Capacity In Adults With Systemic Right Ventricle, Beata Rog, Kinga Salapa, Magdalena Okolska, Natalia Dluzniewska, Piotr Werynski, Piotr Podolec, Lidia Tomkiewicz-Pajak

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

The right ventricle provides systemic circulation in individuals with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) and in those with complete transposition who have had an atrial switch repair (DTGA). The aim of this study was to evaluate how the systemic right ventricle adapts to increased workload and oxygen demand during exercise. From November 2005 through December 2015, 3,358 adult patients with congenital heart disease were treated at our institution; we identified 48 (26 females, 22 males; median age, 25.4 ± 8.1 yr) who met the study criteria; 37 had DTGA and atrial switch repair, and 11 had CCTGA. …

The Future Of Tissue Engineering In Heart Transplantation, Doris A Taylor

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

No abstract provided.

Cardiac Replacement In Our Lifetime, Jack G Copeland

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

No abstract provided.

Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcer Of The Ascending Aorta Found Incidentally In A 71-Year-Old Man, Antonino M Grande, Dario Di Perna, Adele Valentini, Eloisa Arbustini

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

No abstract provided.

Preventing A Catastrophe: Increasing Awareness Of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome, Bradley S Kane, Kamran Shamsa

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a genetic disorder that predisposes patients to aortic aneurysms. If left untreated, the natural history of the associated aortopathy often culminates in fatal aortic dissection. We describe the case of a 21-year-old man who was diagnosed with Loeys-Dietz syndrome after 2 family members died of aortic dissection. This case highlights the importance of increased physician awareness of this syndrome, which can play a crucial role in preventing premature sudden cardiac death caused by aortic catastrophe.

Role Of Multimodal Cardiac Imaging In Diagnosing A Primary Intimal Sarcoma Of The Left Atrial Appendage, Kara L Raphael, Anthony P Martinez, Stephen D Clements, Ijeoma Isiadinso

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Primary cardiac tumors are rare, and most are benign. Intimal sarcomas are among the rarest of the malignant cardiac tumors; they are aggressive and associated with a poor prognosis. Whereas transesophageal echocardiography has been instrumental in evaluating cardiac masses, other imaging methods, such as cardiac magnetic resonance, have proved invaluable in accurately characterizing these masses. We present the case of a 49-year-old woman in whom we diagnosed a primary intimal sarcoma of the left atrial appendage, and we discuss the importance of multimodal imaging in the evaluation and diagnosis of cardiac masses.

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization Versus Surgery For Refractory Non-Variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Meta-Analysis., Antonio Tarasconi, Gian Luca Baiocchi, Vittoria Pattonieri, Gennaro Perrone, Hariscine Keng Abongwa, Sarah Molfino, Nazario Portolani, Massimo Sartelli, Salomone Di Saverio, Arianna Heyer, Luca Ansaloni, Federico Coccolini, Fausto Catena

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Background: Nowadays, very few patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding fail endoscopic hemostasis (refractory NVUGIB). This subset of patients poses a clinical dilemma: should they be operated on or referred to transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE)?

Objectives: To carry out a systematic review of the literature and to perform a meta-analysis of studies that directly compare TAE and surgery in patients with refractory NVUGIB.

Materials and methods: We searched PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Embase. A combination of the MeSH terms "gastrointestinal bleeding"; "gastrointestinal hemorrhage"; "embolization"; "embolization, therapeutic"; and "surgery" were used (("gastrointestinal bleeding" or "gastrointestinal hemorrhage") and ("embolization" or "embolization, therapeutic") …