Decreasing Trend in Medicare Physician Reimbursements for Flap and Microvascular Surgery Procedures From 2002 to 2023.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate how major US health care policy changes have influenced long-term Medicare reimbursement trends for upper-extremity flap and microvascular procedures from 2002 to 2023.

Methods: Reimbursement data for 28 common flap and microvascular procedures were extracted from the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule database using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Adjustments for inflation were made using the Consumer Price Index.

Development and validation of the microaggression scale for refugees (MSR): Independent contributions of microaggression and experienced stigma to psychological distress and somatic symptoms.

Background: Refugees face psychosocial challenges after resettling in host nations, including experienced stigma and microaggressions. Microaggressions are subtle/ambiguous discriminatory remarks or behaviors. There is a dearth of research and instruments examining microaggressions refugees face.

Patient Demographics and Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infections After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for Bimalleolar Ankle Fractures.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and risk factors associated with surgical site infection (SSI) after open reduction and internal fixation of bimalleolar ankle fractures. Bimalleolar ankle fractures are one of the most common subtypes of ankle fractures, accounting for 15% to 20% of all ankle fractures. Recent studies have shown that 4.

Antisemitic hate crimes in New York City: an analysis of administrative data, 2019-2024.

The Israel-Hamas war that began on 7 October 2023 may have spurred anti-Jewish hate crimes, which are associated with measurable health harms including worsened cardiometabolic biomarkers. This study evaluated whether anti-Jewish hate crimes in New York City increased during the Israel-Hamas war using administrative data representing 3255 hate crimes between 2019 and 2024. In 26 of 72 observed months, anti-Jewish hate crimes outnumbered the combined total of all other hate crimes.

"I think they are infected because of their ignorance and lack of responsibility": A mixed-methods study on HIV-related stigma in the healthcare system in Kazakhstan.

Background: HIV-related stigma among healthcare providers remains a significant barrier to effective HIV care and treatment. This study aimed to assess HIV-related stigma and associated factors among healthcare providers in primary healthcare clinics (PHCs) in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed, involving quantitative surveys and qualitative in-depth interviews.

Dermatological impacts of urological cancer treatments.

Urological cancers-including prostate, bladder, renal, and testicular cancers-are commonly treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. While these therapies improve survival outcomes, they often induce significant dermatological side effects that impair patients' quality of life and treatment adherence. This review synthesizes current literature on the prevalence, mechanisms, and psychosocial consequences of dermatological toxicities associated with urological cancer treatments.

Whole genome sequence-based association analysis of African American individuals with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

In studies of individuals of primarily European genetic ancestry, common and low- frequency variants and rare coding variants have been found to be associated with the risk of bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ). However, less is known for individuals of other genetic ancestries or the role of rare non-coding variants in BD and SZ risk. We performed whole genome sequencing (∼27X) of African American individuals: 1,598 with BD, 3,295 with SZ, and 2,651 unaffected controls (InPSYght study).

Current and Emerging Therapies for Targeting Protein Arginine Methyltransferases (PRMTs) in Cancer.

Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are a class of enzymes that mediate critical post-translational modifications through arginine methylation as epigenetic regulators. PRMTs have been shown to have a vast array of regulatory effects including in gene expression, signal transduction, and cellular proliferation. Dysregulation of PRMT activity has been seen in the progression of various cancers, including breast, lung, and colorectal cancer.

Reward Network Activations of Win Versus Loss in a Monetary Gambling Task.

Reward processing is a vital function for health and survival and is impaired in various psychiatric and neurological disorders. Using a monetary gambling task, the current study aims to elucidate neural substrates in the reward network underlying the evaluation of win versus loss outcomes and their association with behavioral characteristics, such as impulsivity and task performance, and neuropsychological functioning. Functional MRI was recorded in thirty healthy, male community volunteers (mean age = 27.

The Effects of Radiation Therapy on the Ocular Apparatus: Implications for Management.

Radiotherapy is utilized in the treatment of various cancers of the central nervous system and head and neck. Given the high concentration of organs-at-risk in this region, care must be exercised to minimize the dose delivered to these structures. Studies have shown that excessive radiation exposure can adversely impact the eyes, potentially resulting in the loss of their function.

PRMT5 Inhibition as a Potential Strategy for KRAS Mutant CRC: Downstream Mediators of the PRMT5-KRAS Crosstalk.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide with KRAS mutations present in nearly 45% of cases. Compared to KRAS wild-type (WT) CRC, KRAS-mutant CRC is associated with poorer prognosis and fewer effective treatment options. Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), an epigenetic regulator involved in diverse cellular processes, is currently under investigation as a therapeutic target in multiple cancer types.

Outcomes of Nd:YAG Laser Posterior Membranotomy in the Treatment of Macular Preretinal Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To examine the success rate of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior membranotomy as a treatment option to facilitate drainage of macular preretinal hemorrhage into the vitreous cavity. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases for studies describing the use of Nd:YAG laser for a posterior membranotomy in the setting of macular preretinal hemorrhages. The main outcome of interest was drainage of the hemorrhage into the vitreous cavity without need for subsequent vitrectomy.

A longitudinal evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Gastrointestinal symptoms are frequently reported in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This study sought to determine the longitudinal trajectory of gastrointestinal symptoms without a medical etiology in children with autism compared to similar aged participants with typical development. A total of 475 children enrolled in this longitudinal study (322 autism spectrum disorder and 153 typical development groups) were evaluated at up to three time points between 2 and 12 years of age.

Safety and efficacy of index admission cholecystectomy in severity-stratified acute cholangitis hospitalizations.

Introduction: Cholecystectomy (CCY) is generally advocated for patients presenting with acute cholangitis (AC) to ensure definitive management and prevent recurrence. The optimal timing for cholecystectomy (CCY), however, remains to be determined. This study aims to comprehend the clinical outcomes and financial implications of performing a CCY during index admission.

Age-based prediction of non-routine discharge after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using machine learning.

Purpose: To examine factors influencing non-routine discharge in ACDF patients stratified by age utilizing machine learning.

Methods: A cohort of 219,380 weighted ACDF cases from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database spanning 2016-2020 was divided into three age groups: 50-64, 65-79, and 80 + years. Eight supervised machine learning models predicted non-routine discharge based on patient characteristics, including age, length of stay (LOS), and comorbidities.

Surgical management of complete labial fusion in a postmenopausal woman with application of a fish skin graft: A case report.

Advanced genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) can lead to complete labial fusion (CLF) in postmenopausal women, which in turn may cause urinary retention, recurrent urinary tract infections, and diminished urinary flow. This report presents the case of a 72-year-old woman with CLF and a diminished urinary stream. She was treated through surgical labial separation, following the application of a fish skin biograft.

Racial Disparities in Real-World Outcomes of Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Racial disparities in outcomes for patients requiring temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remain unclear.

Objective: To evaluate racial disparities in patients requiring tMCS following AMI.

Methods: Using the TriNetX US collaborative network (2009-2023), we identified non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) adults who had AMI and required tMCS.

Phenome-wide association study of male and female sex chromosome trisomies in 1.5 million participants of MVP, FinnGen, and UK Biobank.

Sex chromosome trisomies (SCTs) are the most common whole-chromosome aneuploidy in humans. Yet, our understanding of the prevalence and associated health outcomes is largely driven by observational studies of clinically diagnosed individuals, resulting in a disproportionate focus on 47,XXY and associated hypogonadism. We analyzed microarray intensity data of sex chromosomes for 1.

Postoperative complications, length of stay, and discharge disposition following single-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion in elderly and octogenarian patients.

Background: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) has become a widely accepted treatment for degenerative lumbar spine pathologies, with increasing prevalence due to its effectiveness in restoring lumbar lordosis and improving spinal balance. This study aims to evaluate postoperative complications, length of stay (LOS), and discharge disposition following ALIF across different age groups.

Methods: A total of 92,800 weighted cases of patients aged 50 and older underwent single-level ALIF in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2016 to 2020.

The ocular surface microbiome of rhesus macaques.

Background: The ocular surface microbiota (OSM) is important for eye health, and variations in OSM composition have been associated with multiple diseases in humans. Studies of OSM-disease dynamics in humans are confounded by lifestyle factors. Animal models provide a complementary approach to understanding biological systems, free from many confounds of human studies.

Strengthening congenital cardiac care in Vietnam: opportunities for system-level reform.

Critical CHD refers to life-threatening cardiac anomalies present at birth that require surgical or catheter-based intervention within the first year of life. Without punctual diagnosis and treatment, these conditions can result in significant morbidity or mortality. In high-income countries like the United States (U.

Effect of maternal work shifts and household income on preterm birth: A nested case-control study.

Objective: To assess how maternal work shifts impact preterm birth (PTB) onset and to evaluate the modifying effect of maternal household income on this association.

Methods: We analyzed a prospective cohort nested case-control sample, of all residents in Wuhan from 2011 to 2013. All births in the city-center districts were included, and a home-visit interview was conducted for all sampled births to collect data on factors such as maternal health, behaviors, and occupational and environmental exposures.

Fever in Sickle Cell Disease: Thinking Beyond Bacteremia.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex pathophysiology with a wide range of symptoms. More than one-third of pediatric SCD emergency department encounters are due to fever. Patients with SCD are immunocompromised because of hyposplenism.