A low-cost, DIY tourniquet simulator with built-in self-assessment for prehospital providers in Guatemala city.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death after trauma. In high-income countries first responders are trained in hemorrhage control techniques but this is not the case for developing countries like Guatemala. We present a low-cost training model for tourniquet application using a combination of virtual and physical components. METHODS: The training program includes a mobile application with didactic materials, videos and a gamified virtual reality environment for learning. Additionally, a physical training model of a bleeding lower extremity is developed allowing learners to practice tourniquet application using inexpensive and accessible materials. Validation of the simulator occurred through content and construct validation. Content validation involved subjective assessments by novices and experts, construct validation compared pre-training novices with experts. Training validation compared pre and post training novices for improvement. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that users found the simulator useful, realistic, and satisfactory. We found significant differences in tourniquet application skills between pre-training novices and experts. When comparing pre- and post-training novices, we found a significantly lower bleeding control time between the groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that this training approach can enhance access to life-saving skills for prehospital personnel. The inclusion of self-assessment components enables self-regulated learning and reduces the need for continuous instructor presence. Future improvements involve refining the tourniquet model, validating it with first-responder end users, and expanding the training program to include other skills.

Machine perfusion preservation highlights from the Congress of the European Society of Organ Transplantation 2023.

The 21st Congress of the European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT), held on September 17-20th, 2023, in Athens, Greece, was a pivotal event in transplantation, focusing on the theme "Disruptive Innovation, Trusted Care." The congress attracted a global audience of 2 826 participants from 82 countries, emphasizing its international significance. Machine perfusion, as a groundbreaking technology in organ transplantation, was one of the central focuses of the conference. This year's meeting had a remarkable increase in accepted abstracts on machine perfusion, evidencing its growing prominence in the field. The collective findings from these abstracts highlighted the efficacy of machine perfusion in improving organ viability and transplant outcomes. Studies demonstrated improvements in graft survival and reduction in complications, as well as novel uses and techniques. Furthermore, the integration of machine perfusion with regenerative medicine and its application across multiple organ types were significant discussion points. The congress also highlighted the challenges and solutions in implementing machine perfusion in clinical settings, emphasizing the importance of practical training and international collaboration for advancing this technology. ESOT 2023 served as a crucial platform for disseminating scientific advancements, fostering practical learning, and facilitating international collaborations in organ transplantation. The congress underscored the evolution and importance of machine perfusion technology, marking a significant step forward in enhancing patient outcomes in the field of organ transplantation.

Machine perfusion organ preservation: Highlights from the American Transplant Congress 2023.

The American Transplant Congress (ATC) 2023, held in San Diego, California, emerged as a pivotal platform showcasing the latest advancements in organ machine perfusion, a key area in solid organ and tissue transplantation. This year's congress, attended by over 4500 participants, including leading experts, emphasized innovations in machine perfusion technologies across various organ types, including liver, kidney, heart, and lung. A total of 85 abstracts on organ machine perfusion were identified. Noteworthy advancements included the use of normothermic machine perfusion in mitigating ex-situ reperfusion injury in liver transplantation, the potential of biomarkers in assessing organ quality, and the impact of machine perfusion on graft survival and ischemic cholangiopathy incidence. Kidney transplantation saw promising developments in novel preservation methods, such as subzero storage and pulsatile perfusion. Heart and lung sessions revealed significant progress in preservation techniques, including metabolic alterations to extend organ preservation time. The conference also highlighted the growing interest in machine perfusion applications in pediatric transplantation, multi-visceral organ recovery, Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation, and discussions on novel technologies for monitoring and optimizing perfusion protocols. Additionally, ATC 2023 included critical discussions on ethical concerns, legal implications, and the evolving definition of death in the era of machine preservation, illustrating the complex landscape of transplantation science. Overall, ATC 2023 showcased significant strides in machine perfusion and continued its tradition of fostering global knowledge exchange, further cementing machine perfusion's role as a transformative force in improving transplant outcomes and expanding the donor pool.

Gender-Based Discrimination Among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Gender-based discrimination (GBD) creates a hostile environment during medical school, affecting students' personal life and academic performance. Little is known about how GBD affects the over 204,000 medical students in Brazil. This study aims to explore the patterns of GBD experienced by medical students in Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using an anonymous, Portuguese survey disseminated in June 2021 among Brazilian medical students. The survey was composed of 24 questions to collect data on GBD during medical school, formal methods for reporting GBD, and possible solutions for GBD. RESULTS: Of 953 responses, 748 (78%) were cisgender women, 194 (20%) were cisgender men, and 11 (1%) were from gender minorities. 65% (616/942) of respondents reported experiencing GBD during medical school. Women students experienced GBD more than men (77% versus 22%; P < 0.001). On comparing GBD perpetrator roles, both women (82%, 470/574) and men (64%, 27/42) reported the highest rate of GBD by faculty members. The occurrence of GBD by location differed between women and men. Only 12% (115/953) of respondents reported knowing their institution had a reporting mechanism for GBD. CONCLUSIONS: Most respondents experienced GBD during medical school. Cisgender women experienced GBD more than cisgender men. Perpetrators and location of GBD differed for men and women. Finally, an alarming majority of students did not know how to formally report GBD in their schools. It is imperative to adopt broad policy changes to diminish the rate of GBD and its a consequential burden on medical students.

Women Representation on Editorial Boards in Latin America Journals: Promoting Gender Equity in Academic Surgery, Anesthesia, and Obstetrics.

BACKGROUND: Inequitable representation in journal editorial boards may impact women's career progression across surgical, anesthesia, and obstetric (SAO) specialties. However, data from Latin America are lacking. We evaluated women's representation on editorial boards of Latin America SAO journals in 2021. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis, retrieving journals through Scimago Journal and Country Rank 2020. Journals were included if active, focused on SAO topics, and publicly provided information on editorial board staff. Editorial board member names and positions were extracted from journals' websites. Members were classified into senior (e.g., editor-in-chief), academic (e.g., reviewer), and non-academic roles (e.g., administrative office). Women's representation was predicted from first names using Genderize.io. The number of women SAO physicians per country was obtained from articles and governmental reports. RESULTS: We included 19 of 25 identified journals and analyzed 1,318 names. Three anesthesiology, seven obstetric, and nine surgical journals represented five Latin American countries. Women held 17% (224/1,318) of board positions [p < 0.0001; 95% CI(0.14, 0.19)]. Women held fewer academic roles (14.3%, 155/1,084) compared to senior [28.9%, 64/221 (p < 0.001)] and non-academic roles [38.4%, 5/13 (p = 0.042)]. Surgical journals had fewer women (7.7%, 58/752) compared to anesthesia [25.5%, 52/204 (p = 0.006)] and obstetrics [31.5%, 114/362 (p < 0.001)]. Women's proportion on editorial boards increased according to the number of women SAO physicians per country (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study assessed the composition of editorial boards from Latin America SAO journals and demonstrated that women remain underrepresented. Our findings highlight the need for regional strategies to advance women's careers across SAO specialties.

Depression in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease: An Underdiagnosis with Increased Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Among patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), depression is diagnosed in 17-25% and negatively impacts wound healing, quality of life, and survival. We hypothesized that depression is underdiagnosed in patients with PAD. Additionally, given the associations between depression and mortality in PAD patients, there is an increased need to investigate the strength of this relationship. The present analysis includes 2 studies to address the following aims: (1) Investigation of the prevalence of concomitant PAD and depression in a cohort from the Southeastern United States, and (2) Examination of the association between depression and all-cause mortality in a cohort of Canadian patients with PAD. METHODS: STUDY 1: From June-August 2022, the Patient Health Questionnaire Module 9 (PHQ-9) was administered to all patients seeking PAD-related care including medical, wound/podiatric, or vascular interventional/surgical treatment, in the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Vascular, Wound, and Podiatry clinics. The PHQ-9 assesses symptoms over 2 weeks and is scored 0-27, with higher scores indicating increasingly severe depression. Demographics, primary diagnosis, depression history, and antidepressant prescription were determined through chart review. We compared the proportion of positive depression screenings (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) to known depression. Among those treated for depression, the PHQ-9 score severity was evaluated. T-tests and χ2 tests were used to compare means and proportions. STUDY 2: From July 2015 to October 2016, the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form was administered to adult patients with PAD undergoing revascularization. The Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form is a self-report measure of depression with a score >5 consistent with depression. The prevalence of depression was determined; primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 6 months. RESULTS: STUDY 1: In 104 PAD patients (mean age 66.6 ± 11.3 years, 37% female), 37% of respondents scored ≥5 on the PHQ-9 survey, indicating at least mild depression. Only 18% of PAD patients had a history of depression, demonstrating a significant difference between the PHQ-9 findings and documented medical history. While depression was underdiagnosed in both men and women, men were more likely to have unrecognized depression (chi-squared statistic = 35.117, df = 1, P < 0.001). Among those with a history of depression, 74% had a current prescription for antidepressant medication, but 57% still had an elevated PHQ-9 score indicating possible undertreatment. STUDY 2: In 148 patients (mean age 70.3 ± 11.0 years, 39% female) the prevalence of screened depression was 28.4%, but only 3.3% had a documented history of depression suggesting significant underdiagnosis. Patients with depression were significantly more likely to die within 6 months of revascularization (9.5% vs. 0.9%; odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.08 to 2.29). There was no association between depression and risk of length of stay, reintervention, or readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Depression is underdiagnosed and undertreated among patients with PAD, which has grave consequences as it is associated with 1.5 times the odds of mortality within 6 months of revascularization. There is a critical need for more robust screenings and comprehensive mental health treatment for patients with concomitant depression and PAD.

Mortality and Risk Factors in Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Outcomes in patients with isolated traumatic brain injury (iTBI) have not been evaluated comprehensively in low-income and middle-income countries. We aimed to study the in-hospital iTBI mortality and its associated risk factors in a prospective multicenter Indian trauma registry. METHODS: Patients with iTBI (head and neck Abbreviated Injury Score ≥2 and other region Abbreviated Injury Score ≤2) were included. Study variables comprised age, gender, mechanism of injury, systolic blood pressure (SBP) at arrival, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score - classified as mild (13-15), moderate (9-12), and severe (3-8), transfer status, and time to presentation at any participating hospital. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of these factors on 24-h and 30-d mortality following iTBI. RESULTS: Among 5042 included patients, 24-h and 30-d in-hospital mortalities were 5.9% and 22.4%. On a regression analysis, 30-d mortality was associated with age ≥45 y (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1 [1.6-2.7]), railway injury mechanisms (OR = 2.1 [1.3-3.5]), SBP <90 mmHg (OR = 2.6 [1.6-4.1]), and moderate (OR = 3.8 [3.0-5.0]) to severe (OR = 21.1 [16.8-26.7]) iTBI based on GCS scores. 24-h mortality showed similar trends. Patients transferred to the participating hospitals from other centers had higher odds of 30-d mortality (OR = 1.4 [1.2-1.8]) compared to those arriving directly. Those who received neurosurgical intervention had lower odds of 24-h mortality (0.3 [0.2-0.4]). CONCLUSIONS: Age ≥45 y, GCS score ≤12, and SBP <90 mmHg at arrival increased the risk of in-hospital mortality from iTBI.

Evolution of Gender Disparities Among Brazilian Surgical, Anesthesia, and Obstetric Providers.

INTRODUCTION: Since 2010, most graduating physicians in Brazil have been female, nevertheless gender disparities among surgical specialties still exist. This study aims to explore whether the increase in female physicians has translated to increased female representation among surgical specialties in Brazil. METHODS: Data on gender, years of practice, and specialty was extracted from Demografia Médica do Brasil, from 2015 to 2020. The percentage of women across 18 surgical, anesthesia, and obstetric (SAO) specialties and the relative increases in female representation during the study period were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 18 SAO specialties studied, 16 (88%) were predominantly male (>50%). Only obstetrics/gynecology and breast surgery showed a female predominance, with 58% and 52%, respectively. Urology, neurosurgery, and orthopedic surgery and traumatology were the three specialties with the largest presence of men - and the lowest absolute growth in the female workforce from 2015 to 2020. CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, where significant gender disparities persist, women are still underrepresented in surgical specialties. Female presence is predominant in surgical specialties dedicated to the care of female patients, while it remains poor in those with male patient dominance. Over the last 5 y, the proportion of women working in SAO specialties has grown, but not as much as in nonsurgical specialties. Future studies should focus on investigating the causes of gender disparities in Brazil to understand and tackle the barriers to pursuing surgical specialties.

Gender Discrimination, Career Aspirations, and Access to Mentorship Among Medical Students in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Gender-based discrimination (GBD) creates a hostile environment that can affect medical students. Mentorship has been recognized as a mitigating factor for GBD. We aimed to investigate the impacts of GBD on career selection and well-being of medical students in Brazil and to explore access to mentorship among these students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed using an anonymous survey in Portuguese. The survey was distributed in June 2021 to students enrolled in Brazilian medical schools. It contained 24 questions, including demographics, episodes of GBD experienced by responders and their impact on professional and personal life, and mentorship access. RESULTS: Of 953 respondents, 748 (78%) were cisgender women, 194 (20%) cisgender men, and 11 nonbinary (1%). Sixty-six percent (625/953) of students reported experiencing GBD, with cisgender women and nonbinary being more likely to experience it than cisgender men (P < 0.001). Responders who experiences GBD report moderate to severe impact on career satisfaction (40%, 250/624), safety (68%, 427/624), self-confidence (68%, 426/624), well-being (57%, 357/625), and burnout (62%, 389/625). Cisgender women were more likely to report these effects than men counterparts (P < 0.01). Only 21% of respondents (201/953) had mentors in their medical schools. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that GBD is widespread among Brazilian medical students affecting their personal and professional lives, and most of them do not have access to a mentor. There is an urgent need to increase access to mentors who could mitigate the adverse effects of GBD and help develop a diverse and inclusive medical workforce.

Implementation of a checklist to improve pediatric trauma assessment quality in a Brazilian hospital.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in Brazil. Measurement of quality of care is important, as well as interventions that will help optimize treatment. We aimed to evaluate adherence to standardized trauma care following the introduction of a checklist in one of the busiest Latin American trauma centers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, non-randomized interventional trial was conducted. Assessment of children younger than age 15 was performed before and after the introduction of a checklist for trauma primary survey assessment. Over the study period, each trauma primary survey was observed and adherence to each step of a standardized primary assessment protocol was recorded. Clinical outcomes including mortality, admission to pediatric intensive-care units, use of blood products, mechanical ventilation, and number of CT scans in the first 24 h were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were observed (39 pre-intervention and 41 post-intervention). No statistically significant differences were observed between the pre- and post-intervention groups in regard to adherence to checklist by specialty (57.7% versus 50.5%, p = 0.115) and outcomes. No mortality was observed. CONCLUSION: In our trauma center, the quality of the adherence to standardized trauma assessment protocols is poor among both surgical and non-surgical providers. The quality of this assessment did not improve after the introduction of a checklist. Further work aimed at organizing the approach to pediatric trauma including triage and trauma education specifically for pediatric providers is needed.

Navigating the changing landscape of transplant research: Trends, topics, and gender disparities.

BACKGROUND: Transplantation is a rapidly evolving field, reflecting advances in medical science and changing healthcare needs. This study aims to elucidate shifts in research focus over a decade, providing insights into emerging trends in transplant research. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of 9,250 articles published in five high-impact transplant journals from 2012 to 2021. Article titles were processed to extract keywords using R Studio (v. 4.3.0). STATA 18 was used for t-tests and logistic regressions, with significance set at p â€‹< â€‹0.05. RESULTS: Emerging topics over the decade included outcomes and survival, surgical innovations, and lung transplantation. There was a downward trend in research on immunosuppression, genetics, and immunology. Over the decade, the odds of women's first authorship were higher for subjects such as public health, pediatric transplantation, infectious diseases, renal transplantation, and psychological aspects. Similarly, there were lower odds for women as first authors on surgical innovations, organ preservation, living donor transplantation, liver and lung transplantation, and multiorgan transplantation. Senior women authors had higher odds of publishing on the same topics as first author, plus immunology, kidney and heart transplantation. There were lower odds that a woman would be last author of regenerative medicine and xenotransplantation. Over the decade, there were higher odds of funding for research published on xenotransplantation, regenerative medicine, and immunology. Living donor, infectious diseases, and liver transplantation had lower odds of being funded over time. CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional study highlights the dynamic nature of transplant research, underscoring the importance of continuous observation of trends to anticipate future directions and needs in the field. The emergence of new focal areas, especially those related to technological advancements and social issues, reflects a broader trend in medical research responding to evolving challenges and opportunities. Notably, women's authorship was more prevalent in public health but less in surgical innovation. These insights can guide future research priorities, funding allocation, and clinical practices in transplantation.

Representation of Women Authorship in the Top 5 Transplantation Journals in the United States.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, only 13% of transplant surgeons are women. We evaluated gender distribution and trends of American authorship over the past 10 y in high-impact solid organ transplantation journals to gain insight into the current status of women authorship in transplantation. METHODS: Original articles from 2012 to 2021 from the 5 highest-impact solid organ transplantation journals were extracted from Scopus. First and last author's gender was predicted using Genderize.io. Data of first and last authors, article type and topic, location, citation, and funding metrics were analyzed. Chi-square, logistic regression, and trend tests were performed where appropriate. Statistical significance was set at <0.05. RESULTS: Women's first and last authorship increased over time among all journals. There was an increase in women first authors in the American Journal of Transplantation and in senior women authors in Liver Transplantation and Transplantation . Significant differences in gender authorship in lung, intestine, pancreas, general, and islet cell transplantation were found. Women's last authorship was associated with 1.69 higher odds of having a woman first author when adjusting for year and journal. There was an increase in the rate of women's first and last author collaborations over the years. Women last authors had 1.5 higher odds of being funded by the National Institutes of Health over the years. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an increase in women transplant surgeons and physicians, the gap in women authorship in transplantation persists. Women's last authorship was associated with higher odds of having a woman first author, pointing to the importance of mentorship for women joining the transplant academia.

Implementing a global mentoring program: A call to action for mentorship in surgery.

BACKGROUND: The Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery organization launched a mentorship program to address the limited opportunities available in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to evaluate the utility of the virtual program in bridging this critical gap. METHODS: A retrospective review of program surveys containing quantitative and qualitative questions from 2022 to 2023 was performed. RESULTS: Of n â€‹= â€‹193 applicants, 81.3 â€‹% (157/193) identified as women, and 69.4 â€‹% (134/193) reported no prior mentorship. Applicants were from 41 countries (35 LMICs). The most requested specialties were general surgery (27.9 â€‹%, 54/193), neurosurgery (18.1 â€‹%, 35/193), and cardiothoracic surgery (11.4 â€‹%, 22/193). 55.9 â€‹% (108/193) preferred mentors from other countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada), while 13.9 â€‹% (27/193) preferred mentors from their country. Ultimately, 48 applicants were matched with 13 mentors. CONCLUSIONS: Demand for the program surpassed capacity, highlighting a need for mentorship opportunities for women overall, particularly in LMICs.

The power of partnership: Exploring collaboration dynamics in U.S. transplant research.

INTRODUCTION: Collaboration is one of the hallmarks of academic research. This study analyzes collaboration patterns in U.S. transplant research, examining publication trends, productive institutions, co-authorship networks, and citation patterns in high-impact transplant journals. METHODS: 4,265 articles published between 2012 and 2021 were analyzed using scientometric tools, logistic regression, VantagePoint software, and Gephi software for network visualization. RESULTS: 16,003 authors from 1,011 institutions and 59 countries were identified, with Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and University of Pennsylvania contributing the most papers. Odds of international collaboration significantly increased over time (OR 1.03; p â€‹= â€‹0.040), while odds of citation in single-institution collaborations decreased (OR 0.99; p â€‹= â€‹0.016). Five major scientific communities and central institutions (Harvard University and University of Pittsburgh) connecting them were identified, revealing interconnected research clusters. CONCLUSIONS: Collaboration enhances knowledge exchange and research productivity, with an increasing trend of institutional and international collaboration in U.S. transplant research. Understanding this community is essential for promoting research impact and forming strategic partnerships.

Beyond the Ivory Tower: Perception of academic global surgery by surgeons in low- and middle-income countries.

Interest in global surgery has surged amongst academics and practitioners in high-income countries (HICs), but it is unclear how frontline surgical practitioners in low-resource environments perceive the new field or its benefit. Our objective was to assess perceptions of academic global surgery amongst surgeons in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We conducted a cross-sectional e-survey among surgical trainees and consultants in 62 LMICs, as defined by the World Bank in 2020. This paper is a sub-analysis highlighting the perception of academic surgery and the association between practice setting and responses using Pearson's Chi-square test. Analyses were completed using Stata15. The survey received 416 responses, including 173 consultants (41.6%), 221 residents (53.1%), 8 medical graduates (1.9%), and 14 fellows (3.4%). Of these, 72 responses (17.3%) were from low-income countries, 137 (32.9%) from lower-middle-income countries, and 207 (49.8%) from upper-middle-income countries. 286 respondents (68.8%) practiced in urban areas, 34 (8.2%) in rural areas, and 84 (20.2%) in both rural and urban areas. Only 185 (44.58%) were familiar with the term "global surgery." However, 326 (79.3%) agreed that collaborating with HIC surgeons for research is beneficial to being a global surgeon, 323 (78.8%) agreed that having an HIC co-author improves likelihood of publication in a reputable journal, 337 (81.6%) agreed that securing research funding is difficult in their country, 195 (47.3%) agreed that their institutions consider research for promotion, 252 (61.0%) agreed that they can combine research and clinical practice, and 336 (82%) are willing to train HIC medical students and residents. A majority of these LMIC surgeons noted limited academic incentives to perform research in the field. The academic global surgery community should take note and foster equitable collaborations to ensure that this critical segment of stakeholders is engaged and has fewer barriers to participation.

Complications of collagen biostimulators in Brazil: Description of products, treatments, and evolution of 55 cases.

BACKGROUND: Complications of temporary and permanent fillers have been extensively studied. However, there is a lack of comparative data regarding poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA), and polycaprolactone (PCL) known as collagen biostimulators. AIMS: This study addressed the complications of collagen biostimulators concerning their diagnosis, type of product, treatment, and monitoring. PATIENTS/METHODS: An electronic questionnaire was sent to Brazilian dermatologic ultrasound experts to identify complications related to biostimulators. The type of biostimulator, location of application, number of vials injected, application plan, time between injection treatment and complication, injector profile, treatment, and prognosis were assessed. RESULTS: Fifty-five cases were identified, of which 49.1% were caused by PLLA-Elleva®, 23.6% by CaHA (alone or combined with hyaluronic acid), 20.0% by PLLA-Sculptra®, and 7.3% by PCL. The most affected area was the face (72.7%), with nodules being the most common clinical form (89.1%), generally occurring late (60.0%) (>1 month). Only one case was injected at an incorrect depth (musculoaponeurotic system-SMAS). Despite several treatments, including saline (45.5%), hyaluronidase (25.5%), diluted corticosteroids (23.6%), and energy-based devices (10.9%), only five cases showed complete resolution. Hyaluronidase was beneficial in complications related to fillers when there was an association of calcium hydroxyapatite with hyaluronic acid (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Complications from collagen biostimulators were more common on the face, typically manifesting about 1 month after treatment. These issues seemed to be related more to the properties of the products rather than inadequate technique. Furthermore, hyaluronidase demonstrated efficacy only in cases where there was an association with HA.

Implementation of a novel peer review academy by Surgery and the Association of Women Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: A novel Peer Review Academy was developed as a collaborative effort between the Association of Women Surgeons and the journal Surgery to provide formal training in peer review. We aimed to describe the outcomes of this initiative using a mixed methods approach. METHODS: We developed a year-long curriculum with monthly online didactic sessions. Women surgical trainee mentees were paired 1:1 with rotating women surgical faculty mentors for 3 formal peer review opportunities. We analyzed pre-course and post-course surveys to evaluate mentee perceptions of the academy and assessed changes in mentee review quality over time with blinded scoring of unedited reviews. Semi-structured interviews were conducted upon course completion. RESULTS: Ten women surgical faculty mentors and 10 women surgical trainees from across the United States and Canada successfully completed the Peer Review Academy. There were improvements in the mentees' confidence for all domains of peer review evaluated, including overall confidence in peer review, study novelty, study design, analytic approach, and review formatting (all, P ≤ .02). The mean score of peer review quality increased over time (59.2 ± 10.8 vs 76.5 ± 9.4; P = .02). In semi-structured interviews, important elements were emphasized across the Innovation, Implementation Process, and Individuals Domains, including the values of (1) a comprehensive approach to formal peer review education; (2) mentoring relationships between women faculty and resident surgeons; and (3) increasing diversity in the scientific peer review process. CONCLUSION: Our novel Peer Review Academy was feasible on a national scale, resulting in significant qualitative and quantitative improvements in women surgical trainee skillsets, and has the potential to grow and diversify the existing peer review pool.

Tixagevimab-Cilgavimab Decreases the Rate of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 infection in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Tixagevimab/cilgavimab monoclonal antibodies were previously authorized for pre-exposure prophylaxis for immunocompromised individuals. We aimed to determine if tixagevimab/cilgavimab could prevent breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection in SOT recipients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective single-center study of SOT recipients who received tixagevimab/cilgavimab compared with those who did not. Demographics, type of transplant, immunosuppression regimen, COVID-19 vaccination status, and tixagevimab/cilgavimab administration data were collected. Participants were interviewed for 6 months or until they tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, whichever came first. Kaplan-Meier SARS-CoV-2-free survival curves were created based on the tixagevimab/cilgavimab administration date and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The log-rank test was used for comparison. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were constructed. RESULTS: The study cohort included 323 patients. Two hundred forty-eight received tixagevimab/cilgavimab, and 75 did not (control). COVID-19 vaccination rate was higher among tixagevimab/cilgavimab recipients than nontixagevimab/cilgavimab recipients (99.6% vs 92.0%; P < .001). Twenty-six patients in the tixagevimab/cilgavimab group (10.5%) and 23 in the control group (30.7%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection (P < .001). In a multivariate analysis, receipt of tixagevimab/cilgavimab and duration from transplant were both associated with reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (hazard ratio 0.431; 95% CI 0.224-0.828 and hazard ratio 0.917; 95% CI 0.861-0.978, respectively). CONCLUSION: During the study period, SOT recipients who received tixagevimab/cilgavimab had a significantly lower rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection. There were no differences in symptom frequency, illness severity, hospitalization rate, or treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Online medical education: A student survey.

BACKGROUND: During COVID-19, medical schools transitioned to online learning as an emergency response to deliver their education programmes. This multi-country study compared the methods by which medical schools worldwide restructured the delivery of medical education during the pandemic. METHODS: This multi-country, cross-sectional study was performed using an internet-based survey distributed to medical students in multiple languages in November 2020. RESULTS: A total of 1,746 responses were received from 79 countries. Most respondents reported that their institution stopped in-person lectures, ranging from 74% in low-income countries (LICs) to 93% in upper-middle-income countries. While only 36% of respondents reported that their medical school used online learning before the pandemic, 93% reported using online learning after the pandemic started. Of students enrolled in clinical rotations, 89% reported that their rotations were paused during the pandemic. Online learning replaced in-person clinical rotations for 32% of respondents from LICs versus 55% from high-income countries (HICs). Forty-three per cent of students from LICs reported that their internet connection was insufficient for online learning, compared to 11% in HICs. CONCLUSIONS: The transition to online learning due to COVID-19 impacted medical education worldwide. However, this impact varied among countries of different income levels, with students from LICs and lower middle income countries facing greater challenges in accessing online medical education opportunities while in-person learning was halted. Specific policies and resources are needed to ensure equitable access to online learning for medical students in all countries, regardless of socioeconomic status.