An Initiative to Increase Residency Program Diversity.

A physician workforce that reflects the patient population is associated with improved patient outcomes and promotes health equity. Notwithstanding, racial and ethnic disparities persist within US medical schools, making some individuals underrepresented in medicine (URM). We sought to increase the percentage of URM residents who matched into our pediatric residency programs from a baseline of 5% to 35% to achieve demographic parity with our patients. We developed a multifaceted approach using multiple iterative tests of change, with the primary strategy being increased visibility of URM trainees and faculty to residency applicants. Strategies included applicant interviews with URM faculty, interview dinners with URM residents, visibility at academic conferences for URM trainees, development of targeted marketing materials, and a visiting student program supported by networking with URM residents. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of matched residents in the categorical pediatrics, child neurology, and medical genetics training programs who identified as URM. The percentage of URM residents increased to 16% (6 of 37) in 2018, 26% (11 of 43) in 2019, 19% (8 of 43) in 2020, and 21% (9 of 43) in 2021 (a four-year average of 22% URM residents; P = .0002). This progress toward a more representative residency program was met by challenges, such as pipeline concerns, the minority tax, and recruitment during a pandemic. We were able to implement small, low-resource strategies that had a large cumulative impact and could be implemented in other residency programs. Specific tactics and challenges encountered are discussed in this special article.

Diagnostic performance of two different maternal near-miss approaches in a High Obstetric Risk Unit.

Maternal near-miss (MNM) is a maternal quality care indicator. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines it as a state in which a woman nearly dies but survives due to a complication during pregnancy, birth, or puerperium. The Latin American Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FLASOG) and the Colombian National Health Institute (INS) established recommendations for the event's epidemiological surveillance; nonetheless, the operational definitions of the cases are different. This retrospective study examined the approaches of FLASOG and INS versus the WHO approach (gold standard) for the assessment of MNM in a high obstetric risk unit. Patients admitted with at least one criterion of the WHO, FLASOG, or INS approach for the definition of MNM from March 2016 to March 2017 were included. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value (PPV, NPV) were evaluated, as well as the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve of the FLASOG and INS. MNM classification compared to WHO system as reference. The results highlight that the WHO classification establishes very high boundaries for some of the diagnostic criteria and the lack of standardization of the MNM criteria among the different proposals in Latin America hinders the applicability in Colombia and other countries with a similar situation.

Ribonuclease 7 Shields the Kidney and Bladder from Invasive Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that antimicrobial peptides, components of the innate immune response, protect the kidneys and bladder from bacterial challenge. We previously identified ribonuclease 7 (RNase 7) as a human antimicrobial peptide that has bactericidal activity against uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Functional studies assessing RNase 7's contributions to urinary tract defense are limited. METHODS: To investigate RNase 7's role in preventing urinary tract infection (UTI), we quantified urinary RNase 7 concentrations in 29 girls and adolescents with a UTI history and 29 healthy female human controls. To assess RNase 7's antimicrobial activity in vitro in human urothelial cells, we used siRNA to silence urothelial RNase 7 production and retroviral constructs to stably overexpress RNase 7; we then evaluated UPEC's ability to bind and invade these cells. For RNase 7 in vivo studies, we developed humanized RNase 7 transgenic mice, subjected them to experimental UTI, and enumerated UPEC burden in the urine, bladder, and kidneys. RESULTS: Compared with controls, study participants with a UTI history had 1.5-fold lower urinary RNase 7 concentrations. When RNase 7 was silenced in vitro, the percentage of UPEC binding or invading human urothelial cells increased; when cells overexpressed RNase 7, UPEC attachment and invasion decreased. In the transgenic mice, we detected RNase 7 expression in the kidney's intercalated cells and bladder urothelium. RNase 7 humanized mice exhibited marked protection from UPEC. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide evidence that RNase 7 has a role in kidney and bladder host defense against UPEC and establish a foundation for investigating RNase 7 as a UTI prognostic marker or nonantibiotic-based therapy.

Insulin receptor signaling regulates renal collecting duct and intercalated cell antibacterial defenses.

People with diabetes mellitus have increased infection risk. With diabetes, urinary tract infection (UTI) is more common and has worse outcomes. Here, we investigate how diabetes and insulin resistance impact the kidney's innate defenses and urine sterility. We report that type 2 diabetic mice have increased UTI risk. Moreover, insulin-resistant prediabetic mice have increased UTI susceptibility, independent of hyperglycemia or glucosuria. To identify how insulin resistance affects renal antimicrobial defenses, we genetically deleted the insulin receptor in the kidney's collecting tubules and intercalated cells. Intercalated cells, located within collecting tubules, contribute to epithelial defenses by acidifying the urine and secreting antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) into the urinary stream. Collecting duct and intercalated cell-specific insulin receptor deletion did not impact urine acidification, suppressed downstream insulin-mediated targets and AMP expression, and increased UTI susceptibility. Specifically, insulin receptor-mediated signaling regulates AMPs, including lipocalin 2 and ribonuclease 4, via phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase signaling. These data suggest that insulin signaling plays a critical role in renal antibacterial defenses.

Twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a serious condition that affects 10% to 15% of twin pregnancies with monochorionic diamniotic placentation. The pathophysiology of TTTS is not completely understood; however, the presence of unbalanced placental vascular communications within a shared circulation has been implicated in its development. The presentation of TTTS is highly variable, and it does not always progress in a predictable manner. Monochorionic twin gestations should, therefore, be monitored for signs of TTTS with serial sonograms starting in the second trimester. Early TTTS can be managed conservatively. However, without intervention, early-onset advanced TTTS is associated with a high perinatal loss rate and risk of severe neurologic impairment among survivors. Limited studies suggest that fetoscopic laser photocoagulation is the best available treatment for advanced TTTS diagnosed in the second trimester. Even with laser therapy, there remains a significant risk of twin demise and neurologic handicap in survivors.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection in advanced maternal age gravidas.

Our study compares perinatal outcomes among HIV(+) versus HIV(-) advanced maternal aged (AMA) women. A retrospective cohort study of AMA deliveries from 2000 to 2009 was performed. HIV(+) (group A) women were compared to temporally matched HIV(-) (group B) women. Demographics, medical comorbidities, HIV treatment, and delivery data were collected. SAS was used for data analysis with p<0.05 considered significant. Seventy-one patients per study group were reviewed; for group A, the mean CD4 count near delivery was 507±363; 75% (34/45) had viral load ≤400 in the third trimester and 58% were on a protease inhibitor regimen. HIV(+) women had significantly higher preterm delivery (PTD) <37 weeks (A: 40.85%, B: 16.90%, p=0.0016). Logistic regression performed revealed that the odds of PTD was 2.83 (CI 1.22-6.54) for HIV(+) and 4.02 (CI 1.27-12.72) for drug use independent of other factors. The pathophysiology of PTD among HIV(+) AMA women warrants prospective examination to better define the causal relationship.

Body mass index of patients with endometrial hyperplasia: comparison to patients with proliferative endometrium and abnormal bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: Endometrial hyperplasia is a known risk factor for the development of endometrial cancer, particularly atypical hyperplasia, with a subsequent risk of up to 30%. Of the known risk factors for endometrial hyperplasia, obesity is the most preventable, but there is a paucity of data addressing the association. We tested the hypothesis that patients with endometrial hyperplasia have a higher body mass index (BMI) than patients with abnormal bleeding who are found to have proliferative endometrium. STUDY DESIGN: This was an Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective study using University Hospital Department of Pathology records. All patients who had endometrial sampling performed between January 1, 2001, and July 30, 2008, were included. The experimental group consisted of patients with endometrial hyperplasia including simple, complex and atypical hyperplasia. The control group consisted of patients who underwent endometrial sampling for abnormal bleeding during the same time period and were diagnosed with proliferative endometrium. BMI was calculated based on documented height and weight within 30 days of endometrial sampling. RESULTS: Forty-two patients with hyperplasia and 103 patients with proliferative endometrium met inclusion criteria, including documented height and weight and nonexposure to hormones. The median BMI in the hyperplasia group was 38 kg/m2 (95% CI 34.8-42.4) and 30 kg/m2 (95% CI 29.9-33.3) in the proliferative group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that higher BMI is associated with endometrial hyperplasia as compared to women with lower BMIs and abnormal bleeding.

Novel technique for management of Bartholin gland cysts and abscesses.

BACKGROUND: Definitive methods for treatment of a Bartholin cyst and abscess include placement of a Word catheter, marsupialization, application of silver nitrate, and surgical excision. Placement of a Word catheter is the most frequently employed technique for office and emergency department (ED) management. However, many institutions do not have the Word catheter available; in addition, the catheter has a tendency to dislodge before epithelialization, leading to recurrence of the cyst. OBJECTIVE: We have developed a simple technique for management of Bartholin gland abscess or cyst using readily available materials. This technique involves using a small loop of plastic tubing, which is secured to prevent expulsion before epithelialization of a drainage tract. CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old woman presented to the ED with a Bartholin gland abscess. After administration of local anesthetic, a loop of tubing was placed, allowing for drainage of the abscess. The patient was discharged home with a course of oral antibiotics. At 3-week follow-up, the Bartholin gland abscess was found to be healed; the device was removed without difficulty, leaving two drainage tracts. CONCLUSION: This technique may be used as an alternative to placement of a Word catheter for management of Bartholin gland abscess or cyst.

Traer ‘hijos o hijas al mundo’: significados culturales de la paternidad y la maternidad / To give birth to ‘sons or daughters’: cultural meanings of paternity and maternity

El objeto de este artículo es dar a conocer y compartir las representaciones sociales de padres y madres habitantes de la ciudad de Bogotá, acerca del significado de los hijos o hijas en el momento de su nacimiento y los cambios que este evento les produjo en sus proyectos de vida. Las representaciones sobre la progenie están asociadas a las relaciones de género, a las condiciones sociales de vida y a la forma en que ellos o ellas se sitúan ante los cambios culturales y sociales de la segunda parte del siglo XX. Los significados acerca de la llegada de los hijos e hijas son heterogéneos según las tendencias donde los padres o las madres se ubiquen: la tendencia tradicional, conformada por hogares en los que la mujer encuentra en la maternidad la plenitud de su vida y permanece en el hogar, mientras el padre se proyecta como proveedor; la tendencia en transición, en la cual los padres se acercan más a los hijos o hijas, participan de la crianza y cuestionan el rol de proveedores, mientras las mujeres tienen otros proyectos de vida que se suman al de la maternidad, generándoles ambigüedades; y por último, la tendencia de ruptura, formada por padres y madres que dividen sus roles indistintamente: los primeros acompañan a las mujeres desde antes de nacer el bebé, y las segundas combinan sus proyectos profesionales con la maternidad. Se observa así un importante resquebrajamiento de las representaciones sociales que asimilan el ser mujer con la maternidad y que asignan al hombre el doble rol de proveedor y eje de la autoridad en la familia. Palabras Clave: representaciones sociales, paternidad, maternidad, género, tendencias: tradicional, en transición y en ruptura.