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2025

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Articles 151 - 180 of 8059

Full-Text Articles in Medical Specialties

Mitochondrial Complex Ii Orchestrates Divergent Effects In Cd4+ And Cd8+ T Cells, Keisuke Seike, Shih-Chun A Chu, Yuichi Sumii, Takashi Ikeda, Meng-Chih Wu, Laure Maneix, Dongchang Zhao, Yaping Sun, Marcin Cieslik, Pavan Reddy Dec 2025

Mitochondrial Complex Ii Orchestrates Divergent Effects In Cd4+ And Cd8+ T Cells, Keisuke Seike, Shih-Chun A Chu, Yuichi Sumii, Takashi Ikeda, Meng-Chih Wu, Laure Maneix, Dongchang Zhao, Yaping Sun, Marcin Cieslik, Pavan Reddy

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Mitochondrial metabolism orchestrates T cell functions, yet the role of specific mitochondrial components in distinct T cell subsets remains poorly understood. Here, we explored the role of mitochondrial complex II (MC II), the only complex from the electron transport chain (ETC) that plays a role in both ETC and metabolism, in regulating T cell functions. Surprisingly, MC II exerts divergent effects on CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation and function. Using T cell-specific MC II subunit, succinate dehydrogenase A-deficient (SDHA-deficient) mice, we integrated single-cell RNA-seq and metabolic profiling, with in vitro and in vivo T cell functional assays to illuminate …


Spinach (Spinacia Oleracea L) Flavonoids Are Hydrolyzed During Digestion And Their Bioaccessibility Is Under Stronger Genetic Control Than Raw Material Content, Michael P Dzakovich, Alvin L Tak, Elaine A Le, Rachel P Dang, Benjamin W Redan, Geoffrey A Dubrow Dec 2025

Spinach (Spinacia Oleracea L) Flavonoids Are Hydrolyzed During Digestion And Their Bioaccessibility Is Under Stronger Genetic Control Than Raw Material Content, Michael P Dzakovich, Alvin L Tak, Elaine A Le, Rachel P Dang, Benjamin W Redan, Geoffrey A Dubrow

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Spinach (


Transient Neuromonitoring Changes And Delayed Vertebrobasilar Infarction Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion: Illustrative Case, Jacob M. Chaisson, Jack A. Leoni, Ellery A. Hayden, Gabriel C. Tender, Amit K. Bhandutia Dec 2025

Transient Neuromonitoring Changes And Delayed Vertebrobasilar Infarction Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion: Illustrative Case, Jacob M. Chaisson, Jack A. Leoni, Ellery A. Hayden, Gabriel C. Tender, Amit K. Bhandutia

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common spinal procedure with a well-established safety profile. While direct vertebral artery injury is rare and typically recognized intraoperatively, delayed posterior circulation stroke is an even less common but major complication. In patients with risk factors for vascular disease, vascular stress from surgical manipulation may predispose them to thromboembolic events that are not immediately apparent. Transient intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) changes may represent early, underrecognized indicators of such vascular compromise. OBSERVATIONS: The authors present the case of a 61-year-old male who underwent elective three-level ACDF for degenerative cervical myelopathy. During cage placement, …


A Long Non-Coding Rna Leat1 Mediates The Hormone Responsiveness Of Efnb2 During Male Urogenital Development, Deidre Mattiske, Pascal Bernard, Paul E Gradie, Richard R Behringer, Paul A Overbeek, Rachel J O'Neill, Tiffany Phillips, Melanie Stewart, Neil Youngson, Gerard Tarulli, Andrew J Pask Dec 2025

A Long Non-Coding Rna Leat1 Mediates The Hormone Responsiveness Of Efnb2 During Male Urogenital Development, Deidre Mattiske, Pascal Bernard, Paul E Gradie, Richard R Behringer, Paul A Overbeek, Rachel J O'Neill, Tiffany Phillips, Melanie Stewart, Neil Youngson, Gerard Tarulli, Andrew J Pask

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The novel long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Leat1 is extraordinarily conserved in both its location (syntenic with EfnB2, an essential gene in anogenital patterning) and sequence. Here we show that Leat1 is upregulated following the production of testosterone from the developing testis in mice and interacts with EfnB2, positively regulating its expression. Leat1 expression is suppressed by estrogen, which in turn suppresses the expression of EfnB2. Moreover, the loss of Leat1 leads to reduced EfnB2, resulting in a severe hypospadias phenotype. The human LEAT1 gene is also co-expressed with EFNB2 in the developing human penis, suggesting a conserved function for this …


Violence Between Residents In Nursing Homes Is An Enduring Problem. The Agencies, Nursing Homes, And Residents Are Playing Hot Potato With The Responsibility, Cindy Marchionda, Rafael Escalara Montoto Dec 2025

Violence Between Residents In Nursing Homes Is An Enduring Problem. The Agencies, Nursing Homes, And Residents Are Playing Hot Potato With The Responsibility, Cindy Marchionda, Rafael Escalara Montoto

Capstones

Resident-to-resident aggression in nursing homes is a persistent issue, far more common than the general public realizes. While many of these violent situations can be managed, some tragically escalate to fatal outcomes, leaving families mourning the loss of their loved ones at the hands of a facility that was meant to provide safety and care during their final years. Experts agree that this issue is largely driven by chronic understaffing and insufficient training for employees on how to manage patients with dementia and aggression issues.


Low-Dimensional Signatures Of Neuronal Activity Associated With Long-Term Operant Conditioning In Aplysia, Sara Vanaki, Nicholas O Gonzalez, Curtis L Neveu, Yuto Momohara, Behnaam Aazhang, John H Byrne Dec 2025

Low-Dimensional Signatures Of Neuronal Activity Associated With Long-Term Operant Conditioning In Aplysia, Sara Vanaki, Nicholas O Gonzalez, Curtis L Neveu, Yuto Momohara, Behnaam Aazhang, John H Byrne

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Operant conditioning is a form of learning in which a behavior is reinforced by reward. Operant conditioning has multiple temporal domains, ranging from short-term, lasting a few minutes, to long-term, persisting for at least 24 h. The extent to which short- and long-term operant conditioning memories rely on shared or separate neural mechanisms is poorly understood. Voltage-sensitive dye (VSD) imaging has been used previously to record the activity of a large number of neurons simultaneously in the buccal ganglion to measure changes in neuronal activity during short-term operant conditioning. We examined neuronal activity using VSD 24 h after operant conditioning …


Protocol For Isolation Of Lipid Droplets And Mitochondria From Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells For Lipidomic Analysis, Ran Zhao, Liang Zhang, Shuxin Dong, Kazuharu Kamachi, Saurabh Kumar Gupta, Hiroki Akiyama, Jalen Nguyen, G Lavender Hackman, Michael Andreeff, Alessia Lodi, Jo Ishizawa Dec 2025

Protocol For Isolation Of Lipid Droplets And Mitochondria From Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells For Lipidomic Analysis, Ran Zhao, Liang Zhang, Shuxin Dong, Kazuharu Kamachi, Saurabh Kumar Gupta, Hiroki Akiyama, Jalen Nguyen, G Lavender Hackman, Michael Andreeff, Alessia Lodi, Jo Ishizawa

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic organelles critical for lipid and energy homeostasis. LD dysregulation is implicated in various diseases, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which exhibits aberrant lipid metabolism and chemoresistance. Here, we describe an effective protocol for the co-isolation of LDs and mitochondria from lipid-deficient cell types, e.g., AML cells. We detail procedures for the isolation, quality verification, and results from mass spectrometry-based lipidomic analysis. This protocol enables the functional study of organellar lipidomic regulation in AML.


Targeting Kinesin Family Member 20a Sensitizes Stem-Like Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells To Standard Chemotherapy, Yayoi Adachi, Weilong Chen, Cheng Zhang, Tao Wang, Nina Gildor, Rachel Shi, Haoyong Fu, Masashi Takeda, Qian Liang, Fangzhou Zhao, Hongyi Liu, Jun Fang, Jin Zhou, Hongwei Yao, Lianxin Hu, Shina Li, Lei Guo, Lin Xu, Ling Xie, Xian Chen, Chengheng Liao, Qing Zhang Dec 2025

Targeting Kinesin Family Member 20a Sensitizes Stem-Like Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells To Standard Chemotherapy, Yayoi Adachi, Weilong Chen, Cheng Zhang, Tao Wang, Nina Gildor, Rachel Shi, Haoyong Fu, Masashi Takeda, Qian Liang, Fangzhou Zhao, Hongyi Liu, Jun Fang, Jin Zhou, Hongwei Yao, Lianxin Hu, Shina Li, Lei Guo, Lin Xu, Ling Xie, Xian Chen, Chengheng Liao, Qing Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), being both aggressive and highly lethal, poses a major clinical challenge in terms of treatment. Its heterogeneity and lack of hormone receptors or HER2 expression further restrict the availability of targeted therapy. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), known to fuel TNBC malignancy, are now being exploited as a vulnerability for TNBC treatment. Here, we dissected the transcriptome of BCSCs and identified kinesin family member 20A (KIF20A) as a key regulator of BCSC survival and TNBC tumorigenesis. Genetic depletion or pharmacological inhibition of KIF20A impairs BCSC viability and tumor initiation and development in vitro and in vivo. …


Itpr1 Autoantibody-Associated Autoimmunity As A Cause Of Newly Emerging Cognitive Decline Mimicking Alzheimer's Disease: Case Report And Brief Review Of The Literature, Nicolas Kunath, Hermod Arne Bollandsås Ramfjord, Elisabeth Volden Kvisvik, Marton Konyves-Kolonics, Gøril Rolfseng Grøntvedt, Irina I Serysheva, Lars Komorowski, Brigitte Wildemann, Sven Jarius Dec 2025

Itpr1 Autoantibody-Associated Autoimmunity As A Cause Of Newly Emerging Cognitive Decline Mimicking Alzheimer's Disease: Case Report And Brief Review Of The Literature, Nicolas Kunath, Hermod Arne Bollandsås Ramfjord, Elisabeth Volden Kvisvik, Marton Konyves-Kolonics, Gøril Rolfseng Grøntvedt, Irina I Serysheva, Lars Komorowski, Brigitte Wildemann, Sven Jarius

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Since its first description in 2014, anti-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 (ITPR1, also termed IP3R1) autoimmunity has been recognized as causing a clinically heterogeneous spectrum of symptoms. While first described in patients with autoimmune cerebellar ataxia, this facultative paraneoplastic disease has been associated also with peripheral neuropathy, dysautonomia, sleep disorders, neuropsychiatric/psychotic symptoms, and cognitive decline.

Methods: Retrospective case study.

Results: We report the case of a 58-year-old patient who was admitted with acute confusion, rapidly progressive cognitive decline, and hallucinations. A history of mild cognitive impairment over several years and low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta-42 and elevated CSF …


Treating Atrial Fibrillation: Cryoballoon Vs. Radiofrequency Ablation, Nile A. Latowsky, Jordan E. Andre Dec 2025

Treating Atrial Fibrillation: Cryoballoon Vs. Radiofrequency Ablation, Nile A. Latowsky, Jordan E. Andre

Physician Assistant Capstones, 2020-current

Objective: Assess the effectiveness of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by cryoballoon ablation (CBA) compared to the current gold standard of care, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), for the treatment of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation in a symptomatic population. Design: Literature review. Methods: Searches were done in PubMed and Cochrane Library, utilizing the terms atrial fibrillation, cryoballoon ablation, and radiofrequency. In PubMed, the following limits and terms were used: published in the last 10 years, humans, randomized controlled trial, and English. Results: Search results revealed four studies meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Conclusion: Cryoballoon ablation (CBA) is as efficacious in treating atrial fibrillation …


Fecal Showdown - Fit Vs. Colonoscopy: Which Is Better In Colorectal Cancer Detection?, Vanessa A. Arenas, Virn Warndahl Dec 2025

Fecal Showdown - Fit Vs. Colonoscopy: Which Is Better In Colorectal Cancer Detection?, Vanessa A. Arenas, Virn Warndahl

Physician Assistant Capstones, 2020-current

Abstract

Objectives

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with most cases occurring in individuals aged 50 years and older. Effective screening is essential for early detection and improved patient outcomes. This paper compares two widely used CRC screening methods—fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) and colonoscopy—primarily in terms of colorectal cancer detection, but also considers adherence and diagnostic yield.

Methods

A search was conducted using PubMed and CINAHL to identify relevant studies comparing FIT and colonoscopy. Articles were included if they were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or clinical trials published after 2020, involved subjects …


Does Ekg Better Predict Scd Than Traditional Preparticipation Evaluation?, Melanie Hux, Collin Hensien Dec 2025

Does Ekg Better Predict Scd Than Traditional Preparticipation Evaluation?, Melanie Hux, Collin Hensien

Physician Assistant Capstones, 2020-current

Introduction: Pre-participation evaluations (PPE) in athletics attempt to reduce the incidence of preventable disease such as sudden cardiac death (SCD) during sports by identifying individuals who may be more susceptible. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the question: does electrocardiogram (EKG) obtained during preparticipation evaluation better identify predictors of sudden cardiac death than history and physical exam in adolescent athletes?

Methods: PubMed was used for this literature search with MESH terms to narrow down an initial search of 143 results to 3 articles that satisfied research criteria. MESH search terms included sudden cardiac death, electrocardiography, physical examination, and …


The Effect Of Platelet Rich Plasma Injection Vs. Steroid Injection On Plantar Fasciitis, Brian Nangle, Lasya Ampaty Dec 2025

The Effect Of Platelet Rich Plasma Injection Vs. Steroid Injection On Plantar Fasciitis, Brian Nangle, Lasya Ampaty

Physician Assistant Capstones, 2020-current

Objective: Assess the ability of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to perform better than steroid injections in a population refractory to conservative treatment. Design: Systematic literature review. Methods: Searches were done in PubMed and Scopus, utilizing the terms platelet-rich plasma, steroid injection, and plantar fasciitis. The following limits and terms were used: published in the last 5 years, randomized control trial, used both VAS scale and AOFAS scale. Results: All 3 studies demonstrated that PRP injections allowed more pain reduction and improved stability when compared to steroid injections. Conclusion: PRP injections offer a well-tolerated, minimally invasive procedure for patients refractory to …


Patient-Derived Ovarian Cancer Models Provide Insight Into Cancer Cell-Intrinsic And Immune Cell-Dependent Effects On Therapeutic Response, Parisa Nikeghbal Dec 2025

Patient-Derived Ovarian Cancer Models Provide Insight Into Cancer Cell-Intrinsic And Immune Cell-Dependent Effects On Therapeutic Response, Parisa Nikeghbal

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, largely due to late diagnosis and resistance to chemotherapy. This dissertation applies patient-derived organoids (PDOs), xenograft-derived organoids (PDXOs), and humanized xenografts (huPDX) to investigate therapeutic responses and immune interactions. Organoids were shown to retain critical features of the original malignancy. Across platinum-sensitive, -resistant, and -refractory cases, both PDOs and PDXOs exhibited drug sensitivities that aligned with patients’ clinical classifications. Building on this foundation, a drug screen revealed novel strategies. Auranofin restored platinum sensitivity in Notch3-active models, afatinib broadly reduced viability, and adavosertib–gemcitabine and sorafenib–topotecan combinations produced synergy. Extending this work, immune interactions …


Protein-Nucleic Acid Language Model-Assisted Design Of Precise And Compact Adenine Base Editor, Jingxuan Ren, Jiawei Yao, Qiuyu Cao, Yinuo Li, Yang Li, Ziyi Zhang, Xiyu Ge, Shengfang Wang, Yang Zhang, Xiaogang Wang, Xiaohui Zhang Dec 2025

Protein-Nucleic Acid Language Model-Assisted Design Of Precise And Compact Adenine Base Editor, Jingxuan Ren, Jiawei Yao, Qiuyu Cao, Yinuo Li, Yang Li, Ziyi Zhang, Xiyu Ge, Shengfang Wang, Yang Zhang, Xiaogang Wang, Xiaohui Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Adenine base editors (ABEs) are powerful tools for gene therapy. However, efficient version of ABEs (e.g. ABE8e) always induce excessive bystander and off-target editing events and are large in size, hindering their potential in clinical disease treatment. Here, we develop a pre-trained Protein-Nucleic Acid Constrained Language Model to design ABE8e with high activity, reduced editing window and decreased size. By further engineering, the smallest ABE8e- PNLM-pcABE- with a 27% size reduction, exhibits high activity, precise 3-nt editing window, and reduced off-target events near background level in HEK293T cells. Compared to ABE8e, PNLM-pcABE has up to 133.5-fold precision improvement in pathogenic …


Dermal Lymphatic Carcinomatosis As A Cutaneous Metastasis From Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Positive Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report, Sarah A. Hemelt, Jonathan M. Joseph, Nicholas Culotta Dec 2025

Dermal Lymphatic Carcinomatosis As A Cutaneous Metastasis From Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Positive Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report, Sarah A. Hemelt, Jonathan M. Joseph, Nicholas Culotta

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Cutaneous metastases are an uncommon but clinically significant manifestation of internal malignancies. We present a rare case of dermal lymphatic carcinomatosis arising from epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive lung adenocarcinoma, a presentation that may closely mimic inflammatory dermatoses and indicate therapeutic resistance or disease progression. We describe the clinical course of a 65-year-old woman who developed a violaceous cutaneous metastatic lesion beneath the left breast during treatment for metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. This case highlights the importance of recognizing cutaneous signs as indicators of disease progression and emphasizes the diagnostic challenges and prognostic implications of cutaneous metastases in lung cancer.


Recreating Fiber Recruitment With Fiber Recruitment Using Additive Manufacturing, Natalia D. Mciver Dec 2025

Recreating Fiber Recruitment With Fiber Recruitment Using Additive Manufacturing, Natalia D. Mciver

Biomedical Engineering ETDs

Injured ligaments are often repaired with tendon grafts which may over or under constrain the joint; there is a need for an artificial graft option with the mechanical properties of a native ligament. Crimped fibers within ligaments allow for recruitment which means the viscoelastic properties of stress relaxation and creep are not inversely related. A feasibility study using ACLs and large-scale crimp models to study viscoelasticity, led to an in-depth analysis of the scapholunate interosseous ligament. Using the Modified Kelvin spring-dashpot model, for describing viscoelasticity with a variable stiffness property (time dependent fiber recruitment), we defined the relationship between creep …


Krasg12d Mutation Promotes Pancreatic Tumorigenesis By Suppressing Sirtuin Three Via The Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor Rcc1, Taoyi Mai, Mengwen Wang, Ya Qiu, Wenhua Lu, Hongyu Wu, Shuna Chen, Paul J Chiao, Peng Huang Dec 2025

Krasg12d Mutation Promotes Pancreatic Tumorigenesis By Suppressing Sirtuin Three Via The Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor Rcc1, Taoyi Mai, Mengwen Wang, Ya Qiu, Wenhua Lu, Hongyu Wu, Shuna Chen, Paul J Chiao, Peng Huang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

KRASG12D mutation is a prevalent gain-of-function mutation that drives pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis, but the underlying mechanisms that promote KRAS-induced cell proliferation and tumor formation remain elusive. To uncover the molecular pathways that facilitate KRASG12D-driven malignant transformation, we measured the transcriptomic alterations at various time points after induction of KRASG12D expression in human pancreatic normal epithelial cells. KEGG pathway enrichment of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed that the major DEGs were located in pathways that regulate nicotinate/nicotinamide metabolism, TNF signaling, and microRNAs associated with cancer. Among these molecular alterations, the NAD-dependent deacetylase gene SIRT3 was significantly down-regulated by KRASG12D. Conversely, …


Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy In A 55-Year-Old Female With Atypical Chest Pain And A History Of Autoimmune Disease, Carrie Greene, Dana Mathew Dec 2025

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy In A 55-Year-Old Female With Atypical Chest Pain And A History Of Autoimmune Disease, Carrie Greene, Dana Mathew

Florida Journal of Emergency Medicine (FJEM)

A 55-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis and supraventricular tachycardia presented with acute chest pain radiating to the back/left shoulder, with nausea and lightheadedness. Initial ECG showed inferior–lateral ST-segment elevation with reciprocal depressions; within 90 minutes the STE resolved with new incomplete RBBB and diffuse low voltage. High-sensitivity troponin rose (delta ~270 ng/L). Point-of-care and formal echocardiography revealed LV wall-motion abnormalities. Emergent catheterization showed no obstructive CAD (<30% distal OM) with apical ballooning and EF 40–45%, consistent with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy; cardiac MRI confirmed myocardial edema. She was managed with anticoagulation initially, telemetry, and supportive care, and recovered uneventfully with normalization of function on follow-up.

ED Takeaways

  • TTC can mimic STEMI with transient STE and conduction changes.

  • Troponin rise + non-obstructive coronaries should prompt consideration of TTC.

  • Consider TTC in post-menopausal women and those with autoimmune disease; use …


Meningococcemia In Boy With Dense Deposit Disease Receiving C5 Complement Inhibitor Ravulizumab, Andrew Gonedes, Alexandra Martinez, Allan M. Greissman, Hanan Atia, Eric Boccio Dec 2025

Meningococcemia In Boy With Dense Deposit Disease Receiving C5 Complement Inhibitor Ravulizumab, Andrew Gonedes, Alexandra Martinez, Allan M. Greissman, Hanan Atia, Eric Boccio

Florida Journal of Emergency Medicine (FJEM)

No abstract provided.


Complete Atrioventricular Block In A Heart Transplant Recipient, Jalyn Joseph, Morgan Reel, Eric Boccio Dec 2025

Complete Atrioventricular Block In A Heart Transplant Recipient, Jalyn Joseph, Morgan Reel, Eric Boccio

Florida Journal of Emergency Medicine (FJEM)

Complete atrioventricular (AV) block, though uncommon in heart transplant recipients, is a potentially life-threatening condition that demands rapid diagnosis and management in the acute care setting. During complete AV block, there is a failure of electrical conduction from the atria to the ventricles resulting in the independent and dyssynchronous contraction of the heart chambers. Due to the resultant decrease in cardiac output, patients may experience lightheadedness, fatigue, shortness of breath, syncope and near syncope, and, in severe cases, cardiogenic shock may develop. A 58-year-old female with past medical history including hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and congestive heart failure and …


Distinguishing Acute Cardiac Events From Chronic Troponin Elevation: Integrating High-Sensitivity Troponin Trends With Objective Ischemic Evidence Under The 4th Udmi Across Diverse Renal Function Profiles, Aidan Fernandez, Amanda Green, Silvija Milanovic, Eric Han, Asia Elbooz, Michael Petrauskis, Justin Nippert, Michael Marchick, Nicholas Maldonado, Mohammed Ruzieh, Elizabeth Warren, Matthew Shaw, Lars Beattie, Brandon Allen Dec 2025

Distinguishing Acute Cardiac Events From Chronic Troponin Elevation: Integrating High-Sensitivity Troponin Trends With Objective Ischemic Evidence Under The 4th Udmi Across Diverse Renal Function Profiles, Aidan Fernandez, Amanda Green, Silvija Milanovic, Eric Han, Asia Elbooz, Michael Petrauskis, Justin Nippert, Michael Marchick, Nicholas Maldonado, Mohammed Ruzieh, Elizabeth Warren, Matthew Shaw, Lars Beattie, Brandon Allen

Florida Journal of Emergency Medicine (FJEM)

The Fourth (4th) Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (UDMI) provides a standardized framework to enhance diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making. However, challenges can arise due to the use of subjective clinical assessment in diagnostic criteria or in the presence of impaired renal clearance. This study modifies the 4th UDMI by requiring objective ischemic evidence to improve consistency in myocardial infarction (MI) classification and applies it across diverse patient populations.

In this retrospective study, patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with 99th percentile high sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) values were classified using the modified 4th UDMI into the categories …


Unexpected Companions: Appendicitis And Bilateral Testicular Torsion, Jc Alvarenga, Melissa Kirk, Michelle Osorio-Rodriguez Dec 2025

Unexpected Companions: Appendicitis And Bilateral Testicular Torsion, Jc Alvarenga, Melissa Kirk, Michelle Osorio-Rodriguez

Florida Journal of Emergency Medicine (FJEM)

Abdominal pain is a frequent chief complaint in the emergency department (ED), responsible for 5% of all visits yearly. Despite emergency room work ups, 25% of these cases go undiagnosed. In the pediatric population, abdominal pain can be even harder to differentiate with causes ranging from low acuity constipation to emergent surgical emergencies like torsion or appendicitis. During these visits, the likelihood of two emergent surgical diagnoses occurring concurrently is a rare and often overlooked occurrence.

This case describes a 15-year-old male with a chief complaint of nausea and vomiting starting several hours prior to arrival. In the ED, history, …


Acquired Methemoglobinemia Secondary To Oral Ingestion Of Alkyl Nitrite, Larissa L. Tavares, David Neff, Christopher Didonato, Atul Sofat, Eric Boccio Dec 2025

Acquired Methemoglobinemia Secondary To Oral Ingestion Of Alkyl Nitrite, Larissa L. Tavares, David Neff, Christopher Didonato, Atul Sofat, Eric Boccio

Florida Journal of Emergency Medicine (FJEM)

Methemoglobinemia is a potentially life-threatening condition in which the ferric state of hemoglobin impairs oxygen transport, leading to refractory hypoxia. While most cases are acquired through exposure to oxidizing agents, this report details a rare case of acquired methemoglobinemia complicated by severe hypotension and pulmonary edema secondary to the oral ingestion of alkyl nitrite, colloquially known as a “popper.”

A 54-year-old male presented to the emergency department after orally ingesting an alkyl nitrite product, believing it would be more effective than inhalation. Shortly after, he developed dizziness, dyspnea, and dusky skin, and was found to be hypotensive and hypoxic. Initial …


Disaster Exercise: Evaluating Mci Triage Training, Michael J. Steflovich Jr, Jodie Stobierski, Alexis Davis, Natasha Pavlinetz, Nela Isic, Nicole Roberson, Earl Best Md Dec 2025

Disaster Exercise: Evaluating Mci Triage Training, Michael J. Steflovich Jr, Jodie Stobierski, Alexis Davis, Natasha Pavlinetz, Nela Isic, Nicole Roberson, Earl Best Md

Florida Journal of Emergency Medicine (FJEM)

Abstract

Study Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a didactic lecture-based training on mass casualty incident (MCI) triage performance among first- and second-year medical students. Specifically, the study aimed to measure improvements in overall triage accuracy, as well as reductions in over-triage and under-triage rates for both adult and pediatric patients.

Methods

This study employed a pre-test/post-test design involving 31 participants. Participants completed an electronic pre-test consisting of 30 patient scenarios (20 adult and 10 pediatric) before attending a 40-minute didactic lecture on MCI triage principles. The lecture covered the identification of MCI …


Point Of Care Ultrasound For Rapid Identification Of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion And Subsequent Vision Rescue Utilizing Intravenous Alteplase, Joseph Pepe, Karl Kasischke, Calen Hart Dec 2025

Point Of Care Ultrasound For Rapid Identification Of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion And Subsequent Vision Rescue Utilizing Intravenous Alteplase, Joseph Pepe, Karl Kasischke, Calen Hart

Florida Journal of Emergency Medicine (FJEM)

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a rare but critical diagnosis to make in patients with acute vision loss. Cases of central retinal artery occlusion historically have a poor prognosis due to delayed presentation, lack of early identification, and limited effective treatment options. Due to these challenges, patients are often left with permanent loss of vision.

We present a case of a male patient in his late 70s with sudden onset of loss of vision to the right eye. Identification of CRAO was made utilizing point of care ultrasound (POCUS). After discussion with neurology, the patient was treated with alteplase …


Hemiballismus Secondary To Acute Cerebrovascular Accident, Benjamin Duppstadt, Andres Vega, Jonathan Hill, David Arbona Dec 2025

Hemiballismus Secondary To Acute Cerebrovascular Accident, Benjamin Duppstadt, Andres Vega, Jonathan Hill, David Arbona

Florida Journal of Emergency Medicine (FJEM)

Hemiballismus is a rare hyperkinetic movement disorder characterized by involuntary, large amplitude flinging movements. We present the case of a 61-year-old male with multiple comorbidities who arrived at the emergency department with acute-onset hemiballismus of the left upper extremity, ultimately found to be secondary to a right middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarct. This case underscores the importance of considering stroke in the differential for new-onset movement disorders, even in patients with seemingly psychiatric features and a nondiagnostic initial computed tomography (CT) scan.


Ultrasound-Guided Needle Aspiration Of A Peritonsillar Abscess In The Emergency Department, Elizabeth Piwowarski, Kenith Dsouza, Taryn Hoffman Dec 2025

Ultrasound-Guided Needle Aspiration Of A Peritonsillar Abscess In The Emergency Department, Elizabeth Piwowarski, Kenith Dsouza, Taryn Hoffman

Florida Journal of Emergency Medicine (FJEM)

Background

Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a relatively common diagnosis to encounter in the emergency department (ED). If untreated, PTA can lead to serious outcomes such as airway compromise, deep space infections and septicemia. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) can be used by the emergency physician to confirm the suspected diagnosis, evaluate the size and depth of the abscess, and be used as a guide during needle aspiration.

Case

A 26-year-old male presented to the ED with a sore throat and was found to have a peritonsillar abscess on exam, which was confirmed using computerized tomography (CT) imaging. Providers were unable …


When Clotting And Bleeding Collide: A Case Of Bilateral Pe And Concurrent Upper Gi Hemorrhage, Tabitha D. Baca, David Rayburn, Daniel Castro, Jessica Aird Dec 2025

When Clotting And Bleeding Collide: A Case Of Bilateral Pe And Concurrent Upper Gi Hemorrhage, Tabitha D. Baca, David Rayburn, Daniel Castro, Jessica Aird

Florida Journal of Emergency Medicine (FJEM)

Introduction

Concurrent episodes of pulmonary emboli and gastrointestinal bleeding in one patient are not commonly seen. When a patient presents with both, it presents a challenge to manage as they are opposite ends of the same disease spectrum associated with the coagulation system.

Case Report

We present the case of a 65-year-old male who presented to our hospital via EMS with unknown prior history after a witnessed cardiac arrest, who on evaluation also had a concurrent bilateral pulmonary emboli with right heart strain.

Why should an emergency physician be aware of this?

While there is extensive research on the management …


Topical Lidocaine For Pain Control With Intrauterine Device Insertion: Does It Work?, Piper Gaudet, Jahnavi Ramakrishnan, Fariha Azam Dec 2025

Topical Lidocaine For Pain Control With Intrauterine Device Insertion: Does It Work?, Piper Gaudet, Jahnavi Ramakrishnan, Fariha Azam

Physician Assistant Capstones, 2020-current

Objective: To evaluate whether topical lidocaine improves the subjective perception of pain during the insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) in women of childbearing age, compared to a placebo. Design: Mini-systematic literature review. Methods: An initial search of PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus was conducted using the terms "pain control," "IUD," and "lidocaine," yielding 49 articles, of which 31 were screened and 26 excluded based on pre-designated inclusion criteria. After assessing five articles for eligibility, three met the criteria and were evaluated using Duke University's Clinical Appraisal Worksheet and the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine table to determine their level of …