Accuracy of Urinalysis for UTI in Spina Bifida.

OBJECTIVES: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, but overdiagnosed, in children with spina bifida. We sought to evaluate the diagnostic test characteristics of urinalysis (UA) findings for symptomatic UTI in children with spina bifida. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study using data from 2 centers from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2021. Children with myelomeningocele aged <19 years who had paired UA (and microscopy, when available) and urine culture were included. The primary outcome was symptomatic UTI. We used generalized estimating equations to control for multiple encounters per child and calculated area under the receiver operating characteristics curve, sensitivity, and specificity for positive nitrites, pyuria (≥10 white blood cells/high-powered field), and leukocyte esterase (more than trace) for a symptomatic UTI. RESULTS: We included 974 encounters from 319 unique children, of which 120 (12.3%) met our criteria for UTI. Pyuria had the highest sensitivity while nitrites were the most specific. Comparatively, nitrites were the least sensitive and pyuria was the least specific. When the cohort was limited to children with symptoms of a UTI, pyuria remained the most sensitive parameter, whereas nitrites remained the least sensitive. Nitrites continued to be the most specific, whereas pyuria was the least specific. Among all encounters, the overall area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for all components of the UA was lower in children who use clean intermittent catheterizations compared with all others. CONCLUSIONS: Individual UA findings have moderate sensitivity (leukocyte esterase or pyuria) or specificity (nitrites) but overall poor diagnostic accuracy for symptomatic UTIs in children with spina bifida.

Pebble to the Metal: A Boulder Approach to Enrichment for Danio rerio.

Zebrafish are an established and widely used animal model, yet there is limited understanding of their welfare needs. Despite an increasing number of studies on zebrafish enrichment, in-tank environmental enrichment remains unpopular among researchers. This is due to perceived concerns over health/hygiene when it comes to introducing enrichment into the tank, although actual evidence for this is sparse. To accommodate this belief, regardless of veracity, we tested the potential benefits of enrichments presented outside the tank. Thus, we investigated the preferences and physiological stress of zebrafish with pictures of pebbles placed underneath the tank. We hypothesized that zebrafish would show a preference for enriched environments and have lower stress levels than barren housed zebrafish. In our first experiment, we housed zebrafish in a standard rack system and recorded their preference for visual access to a pebble picture, with two positive controls: visual access to conspecifics, and group housing. Using a crossover repeated-measures factorial design, we tested if the preference for visual access to pebbles was as strong as the preference for social contact. Zebrafish showed a strong preference for visual access to pebbles, equivalent to that for conspecifics. Then, in a second experiment, tank water cortisol was measured to assess chronic stress levels of zebrafish housed with or without a pebble picture under their tank, with group housing as a positive control. Cortisol levels were significantly reduced in zebrafish housed with pebble pictures, as were cortisol levels in group housed zebrafish. In fact, single housed zebrafish with pebble pictures showed the same cortisol levels as group housed zebrafish without pebble pictures. Thus, the use of an under-tank pebble picture was as beneficial as being group housed, effectively compensating for the stress of single housing. Pebble picture enrichment had an additive effect with group housing, where group housed zebrafish with pebble pictures had the lowest cortisol levels of any treatment group.

Quality of Life and Bladder Symptoms in Adolescents and Young Adults With Spina Bifida Who Catheterize via Urethra vs Catheterizable Channel.

PURPOSE: We sought to assess associations between health-related quality of life (QOL), bladder-related QOL, bladder symptoms, and bladder catheterization route among adolescents and young adults with spina bifida. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical questionnaires administered to individuals ≥ 12 years old requiring catheterization between June 2019 to March 2020 in a spina bifida center were retrospectively analyzed. Questionnaires were completed in English or Spanish independently or with caregiver assistance. Medical records were reviewed for demographic and clinical characteristics. Primary exposure was catheterization route (urethra or channel). Primary outcome was health-related QOL, measured by Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pediatric Global Health 7 (PGH-7). Secondary outcomes were bladder-related QOL and bladder symptoms, measured by Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score (NBSS). Nested, multivariable linear regression models assessed associations between catheterization route and questionnaire scores. RESULTS: Of 162 patients requiring catheterization, 146 completed both the PGH-7 and NBSS and were included. Seventy-three percent were catheterized via urethra and 27% via channel. Median age was 17.5 years (range 12-31), 58% of patients were female, and 80% had myelomeningocele. Urinary incontinence was more common among those who catheterized via urethra (60%) compared to channel (33%). On adjusted analyses, catheterization route was not significantly associated with PGH-7 or NBSS bladder-related QOL scores. More bladder symptoms were associated with worse bladder-related QOL. Patients who catheterized via channel had fewer bladder symptoms than those who catheterized via urethra. CONCLUSIONS: Catheterization route was not significantly associated with QOL. Though catheterization via channel was associated with fewer bladder symptoms, only degree of current bladder symptoms was significantly associated with bladder-related QOL.

Surgeon, and Institution Characteristics Associated Surgical Preferences in the Pediatric KIDney Stone Care Improvement Network.

OBJECTIVE: To reveal barriers and opportunities to implement evidence for the management of pediatric kidney stone disease, we determined surgeon and institutional factors associated with preferences for the type of surgical intervention for kidney and ureteral stones. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of urologists participating in the Pediatric KIDney Stone Care Improvement Network (PKIDS) trial. Questionnaires ascertained strengths of urologists' preferences for types of surgery as well as characteristics of participating urologists and institutions. The outcome was the strength of preferences for ureteroscopy, shockwave lithotripsy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy for four scenarios for which two alternative procedures are recommended by the AUA guidelines: (1) 2 cm kidney stone, (2) 9 mm proximal ureteral stone, (3) 1.5 cm lower pole kidney stone, (4) 1 cm nonlower pole kidney stone. Principal component analysis was performed to identify unique clusters of factors that explain surgical preferences. RESULTS: One hundred forty-eight urologists at 29 sites completed surveys. Stated preferences were highly skewed except for the choice between ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy for a 1.5 cm kidney stone. Shockwave lithotripsy ownership and local practice patterns most frequently associated with the strength of surgeons' preferences for the type of surgery. Principal component analysis revealed that three clusters of stone, patient, and heterogenous characteristics explained 30% of the variance in preferences. CONCLUSION: There is wide variation in the strengths of preferences for surgical interventions supported by current guidelines that are partially explained by surgeon and institutional characteristics. These results reveal opportunities to develop strategies for guidelines that consider real-world drivers of care.

Roflumilast foam 0.3% for adolescent and adult patients with seborrheic dermatitis: A randomized, double-blinded, vehicle-controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: The topical phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor roflumilast has been studied in several dermatologic conditions. OBJECTIVE: Roflumilast foam 0.3% is being investigated as a topical treatment for seborrheic dermatitis (SD). METHODS: In this phase 3, double-blinded trial, patients with SD were randomly assigned (2:1 ratio) to once-daily roflumilast foam 0.3% or vehicle foam for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome was Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) Success at week 8, defined as IGA of 0 (Clear) or 1 (Almost Clear) plus ≥2-point improvement from baseline. Safety was also assessed. RESULTS: 79.5% of roflumilast-treated and 58.0% of vehicle-treated patients met the primary endpoint (P < .001); statistically significant differences in IGA Success also favored roflumilast at week 2 (roflumilast: 43.0%; vehicle: 25.7%; P < .001) and week 4 (roflumilast: 73.1%; vehicle: 47.1%; P < .001). Roflumilast was well-tolerated with a low rate of treatment-emergent adverse events. LIMITATIONS: Study limitations include the 8-week treatment period for this chronic condition. CONCLUSIONS: Once-daily roflumilast foam was superior to vehicle in leading to IGA of Clear or Almost Clear plus ≥2-point improvement from baseline at 8 weeks in patients with SD. Longer trials are needed to determine durability and safety of roflumilast foam in SD.

Feasibility of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) implementation in Pediatric Urology: Pilot-phase outcomes of a prospective, multi-center study.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a fundamental shift in perioperative care that has consistently demonstrated an improved outcome for a wide variety of surgeries in adults but has only limited evidence in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the success with and barriers to implementation of ERAS in a prospective, multi-center study on patients undergoing complex lower urinary tract reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Centers were directed to implement an ERAS protocol using a multidisciplinary team and quality improvement methodologies. Providers completed pre- and post-pilot surveys. An audit committee met after enrolling the first 5 patients at each center. Pilot-phase outcomes included enrollment of ≥2 patients in the first 6 months of enrollment, completion of 90 days of follow-up, identification of barriers to implementation, and protocol adherence. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were enrolled across 8 centers. The median age at surgery was 10.3 years (IQR 6.4-12.5). Sixty five percent had a diagnosis of myelomeningocele, and 33 % had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. A bladder augmentation was performed in 70 %, Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy in 52 %, Monti ileovesicostomy in 15 %, and antegrade continence enema channel in 38 %. The most commonly perceived barriers to implementation on the pre-pilot survey were "difficulty initiating and maintaining compliance with care pathway" in 51 % followed by a "lack of time, money, or clinical resources" in 36 %. The pre-pilot study experience, implementation, and pilot-phase outcomes are provided in the Table. All primary and secondary outcomes were achieved. DISCUSSION: The findings of the present study were similar to several small comparative studies with regard to the importance of a multidisciplinary team, strong leadership, and continuous audit for successful implementation of ERAS. Similar barriers were also encountered to other studies, which primarily related to a lack of administrative support, leadership, and buy-in from other services. The limitations of the present study included a relatively small heterogeneous cohort and absence of a comparative group, which will be addressed in the larger exploratory phase of the trial. The findings may also not be generaziable due to the need for sustainable processes that were unique to each center as well as an absence of adequate volume or resources at smaller centers. CONCLUSIONS: ERAS was successfully implemented for complex lower urinary tract reconstruction across 8 centers through a multidisciplinary team, structured approach based on the local context, and focus on a continuous audit.

Male perspectives on clinical communication about sexual health in spina bifida.

AIM: To assess perspectives on clinical communication about sexual health in young adult males with spina bifida. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted between February and May 2021 with males at least 18 years of age with spina bifida to assess their perspectives and experiences of sexual health communication with clinicians. Demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained from chart review and a survey of patients. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and conventional content analysis was used for transcript coding. RESULTS: Twenty individuals participated with a median age of 22 years 6 months (range 18-29 years). Sixteen had myelomeningocele. Most identified as heterosexual (n = 17) and not sexually active (n = 13). Barriers and facilitators of successful interactions were identified. Barriers for participants included general discomfort with talking about sex and variability in individual preferences for how conversations occur. Facilitators included participants' comfort with their urologist and discussing sex in relation to disability. Suggestions for improving discussions included (1) notifying individuals that discussion about sex will occur before clinic visits; (2) creating space for discussions; (3) respecting individuals' readiness to discuss; and (4) making discussions disability specific. INTERPRETATION: Young adult males with spina bifida are interested in discussing sexual health with their clinicians. Great variability exists about conversation preferences, emphasizing the need to individualize clinical communication about sex. Current health guidelines for males may not be in line with individuals' wishes. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Great variability exists in individual preference around sexual health communication. Patient-level barriers hinder successful conversations about sex. Individuals have great insight into how conversations about sex can be improved.

Comparison of endovascular therapies for chronic limb-threatening ischemia and claudication.

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of regional data from the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) suggested improved survival for patients undergoing stent placement compared with balloon angioplasty and atherectomy. Using national data from the VQI linked to Medicare claims data through the Vascular Implant Surveillance and Interventional Outcomes Network program, this study aimed to compare the rates of mortality, reintervention, and amputation after endovascular interventions (atherectomy, stenting, and balloon angioplasty) for two separate cohorts: patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and patients with claudication. METHODS: This was a secondary data analysis of Society for Vascular Surgery National VQI data linked to Medicare claims, between October 2016 and December 2019. Patients aged ≥65 years with symptoms of claudication or CLTI and a diagnosis of occlusive disease were included. Urgent or emergent interventions or those with concurrent procedures (endarterectomy, bypass, or bilateral intervention) were excluded. Interventions were grouped into (1) balloon angioplasty only; (2) stent (with or without balloon angioplasty); or (3) atherectomy (alone, with or without stent, with or without balloon angioplasty). Propensity score-matched cohorts were constructed to conduct pairwise intervention comparisons of mortality, reintervention, and amputation rates. Multivariable logistic regression was used to derive propensity scores for each patient. Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards ratios (HRs) (95% confidence interval [CI]) analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 9785 (2665 claudication, 7120 CLTI) eligible patients were identified. After propensity score matching for the CLTI group, 2826, 3608, and 2796 pairs of cases were used to compare balloon angioplasty vs atherectomy, balloon angioplasty vs stent, and stent vs atherectomy, respectively. No statistically significant difference in mortality was observed among all interventions. However, atherectomy was associated with a significant increase in reintervention rate compared with balloon angioplasty (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06-1.39; P = .01) and compared with stenting (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.10-1.46; P < .01) within the first year after the index procedure. Of note, both atherectomy (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68-0.98; P < .05) and stenting (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.64-0.90; P < .01) showed lower rates of major amputation when compared with balloon angioplasty within 1 year after the index procedure. In the claudication group, there were no significant differences observed among interventions for peripheral arterial disease for mortality, reintervention, or amputation rates. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are needed to identify appropriate indications for atherectomy, because there may be a subset of patients with CLTI who benefit from this therapy with respect to amputation rates. Until then, caution should be exercised when using atherectomy because it is also associated with higher reintervention rates.

A Systematic Scoping Review of Comparative Effectiveness Studies in Kidney Stone Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To review the status of comparative effectiveness studies for kidney stone disease with focus on study outcome, type, population, time trends, and patient-centered approaches. METHODS: A systematic scoping review was performed for articles published between January 1, 2005, and March 30, 2021, using keywords relevant to kidney stone disease. Studies published in English that compared two or more alternative methods for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, or care delivery were included. Two reviewers independently reviewed abstracts and an arbitrator resolved discrepancies. Nine reviewers abstracted information from full-length studies. Descriptive statistics were summarized, and linear regression was performed to evaluate temporal trends of study characteristics. RESULTS: We reviewed 1773 abstracts and 707 full-length manuscripts focused on surgical intervention (440); medical expulsive therapy (MET) (152); analgesic control (80); and homeopathic, diagnostics, and/or prophylaxis (84). Randomized controlled trials were common across all outcome categories, including surgery (41.6%), MET (60.2%), analgesic control (81.3%), homeopathic (41.2%), diagnostic (47.6%), and prophylaxis (49.1%). Patient-reported outcomes were utilized in 71.7% and 95% of MET and analgesic control studies, respectively, but in the minority of all other study themes. Over time, meta-analyses and multicenter studies increased [P < .001]. CONCLUSION: Surgical and MET themes dominate published comparative literature in kidney stone disease. There is substantial variation in use of patient-reported outcomes across surgical themes. Multicentered studies and those generating higher level evidence have increased over time but opportunities exist to improve collaborative, high-quality, and patient-centered research in kidney stone disease.

Distinguishing characteristics of pediatric patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 in PEDSnet.

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of metabolism that causes oxalate deposition, leading to recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stones, chronic kidney disease and systemic oxalosis, which produces a broad range of serious life-threatening complications. Patients with PH1 have delayed diagnosis due to the rarity of the disease and the overlap with early-onset kidney stone disease not due to primary hyperoxaluria. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the clinical features of individuals <21 years of age with PH1 that precede its diagnosis. We hypothesized that a parsimonious set of features could be identified that differentiate patients with PH1 from patients with non-primary hyperoxaluria-associated causes of early-onset kidney stone disease. STUDY DESIGN: We determined the association between clinical characteristics and PH1 diagnosis in a case-control study conducted between 2009 and 2021 in PEDSnet, a clinical research network of eight US pediatric health systems. Each patient with genetically confirmed PH1 was matched by sex and PEDSnet institution to up to 4 control patients with kidney stones without PH of any type. We obtained patient characteristics and diagnostic test results occurring before to less than 6 months after study entrance from a centralized database query and from manual chart review. Differences were examined using standardized differences and multivariable regression. RESULTS: The study sample included 37 patients with PH1 and 147 controls. Patients with PH1 were younger at diagnosis (median age of 3 vs 13.5 years); 75 % of children with PH1 were less than 8 years-old. Patients with PH1 were more likely to have combinations of nephrocalcinosis on ultrasound or CT (43 % vs 3 %), lower eGFR at diagnosis (median = 52 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs 114 mL/min/1.73 m2), and have normal mobility. Patients with PH1 had higher proportion of calcium oxalate monohydrate kidney stones than controls (median = 100 % vs 10 %). There were no differences in diagnosis of failure to thrive, stone size, or echocardiography results. CONCLUSIONS: Children with PH1 are characterized by presentation before adolescence, nephrocalcinosis, decreased eGFR at diagnosis, and calcium oxalate monohydrate stone composition. If externally validated, these characteristics could facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment of children with PH1.

Recurrent and chronic anterior uveitis: Long-term outcome and treatment strategies.

PURPOSE: To study the long-term clinical outcome and treatment strategies of recurrent and chronic non-infectious anterior uveitis. METHODS: Multicenter study of anterior uveitis patients from 2001 to 2022. Outcome measures included ocular complications, medical and surgical therapies, and visual acuity measured at the beginning of follow-up and at 1, 2, and 5 years thereafter. RESULTS: In total, 76 patients were included, with a mean follow-up of 6.8 years. Idiopathic anterior uveitis was the most common etiology (56%). Immunomodulatory agents (IMAs) were used in almost half of the cohort. Early initiation of IMAs was associated with a lower risk of developing glaucoma ( P = 0.019). Mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved after 5 years in both groups. Early use of immunomodulation was correlated with a better visual outcome at 2 years ( P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Chronic and recurrent anterior uveitis were associated with greater risk than expected for ocular complications, surgeries, and vision impairment. Early initiation of immunomodulation should be strongly considered to improve clinical course and outcome.

Association Between Quality of Life and Neurogenic Bowel Symptoms by Bowel Management Program in Spina Bifida.

OBJECTIVE: To compare differences in bowel-specific quality of life (QOL), overall qQOL, and neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) severity by bowel management program in patients with spina bifida (SB). METHODS: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients ≥12 years old at our multidisciplinary SB center who completed both a modified Peristeen NBD questionnaire (assessing bowel symptom severity and bowel-specific QOL) and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pediatric Global Health questionnaire (assessing overall QOL). Nested, multivariable models were fit for associations between outcomes and bowel management program (enemas, conservative management, and none). RESULTS: A total of 173 patients, 56.1% female and 64.6% with myelomeningocele, were included in our analysis. Median age was 18.2 years old. Patients reported using enemas (n = 42), conservative management (n = 63), and no bowel program (n = 68). When adjusting for covariates, there was no significant association between bowel-specific QOL nor overall QOL across bowel management programs. However, the use of conservative management compared to enemas was associated with worse bowel symptoms severity (adjusted beta=2.58, 95%CI=[0.09,5.06]). Additionally, greater bowel symptom severity was significantly associated with lower overall QOL (adjusted beta=-0.33, 95%CI=[-0.57,-0.10]). CONCLUSION: NBD symptom severity in SB is more strongly associated with QOL than the individual bowel program being utilized. Our findings suggest that different degrees of NBD require different invasiveness of bowel programs, but it is the outcome of the bowel management program and not the specific program itself that is most associated with QOL.

Causes of death among people with myelomeningocele: A multi-institutional 47-year retrospective study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze organ system-based causes and non-organ system-based mechanisms of death (COD, MOD) in people with myelomeningocele (MMC), comparing urological to other COD. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 16 institutions in Canada/United States of non-random convenience sample of people with MMC (born > = 1972) using non-parametric statistics. RESULTS: Of 293 deaths (89% shunted hydrocephalus), 12% occurred in infancy, 35% in childhood, and 53% in adulthood (documented COD: 74%). For 261 shunted individuals, leading COD were neurological (21%) and pulmonary (17%), and leading MOD were infections (34%, including shunt infections: 4%) and non-infectious shunt malfunctions (14%). For 32 unshunted individuals, leading COD were pulmonary (34%) and cardiovascular (13%), and leading MOD were infections (38%) and non-infectious pulmonary (16%). COD and MOD varied by shunt status and age (p < = 0.04), not ambulation or birthyear (p > = 0.16). Urology-related deaths (urosepsis, renal failure, hematuria, bladder perforation/cancer: 10%) were more likely in females (p = 0.01), independent of age, shunt, or ambulatory status (p > = 0.40). COD/MOD were independent of bladder augmentation (p = >0.11). Unexplained deaths while asleep (4%) were independent of age, shunt status, and epilepsy (p >= 0.47). CONCLUSION: COD varied by shunt status. Leading MOD were infectious. Urology-related deaths (10%) were independent of shunt status; 26% of COD were unknown. Life-long multidisciplinary care and accurate mortality documentation are needed.

Acthar® Gel Treatment for Patients with Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases: An Historical Perspective and Characterization of Clinical Evidence.

Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection) is a naturally sourced complex mixture of adrenocorticotropic hormone analogs and other pituitary peptides that is believed to have both steroidogenic and nonsteroidogenic immunomodulatory effects via activation of melanocortin receptors in various cells throughout the body. Since 1952, Acthar has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Since 2014, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals has conducted a large number of preclinical, clinical, and real-world-evidence studies of Acthar for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis and polymyositis, multiple sclerosis relapse, ophthalmic disorders, sarcoidosis, and nephrotic syndrome. To date, Acthar has been the subject of more than 500 publications, many of which demonstrate the safety and efficacy of Acthar in patients with inflammatory diseases for whom standard treatments were ineffective or intolerable. Here, we review the history of Acthar and the findings of studies that have investigated the mechanism of action, safety, efficacy, and real-world effectiveness of Acthar for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Acthar^® Gel is an anti-inflammatory drug that directly affects the immune system in a manner that differs from other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids. Since 1952, Acthar has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat a variety of diseases involving inflammation. The commercial rights to produce Acthar have changed hands several times over the years, beginning with Armour Pharmaceuticals and most recently ending with Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals in 2014. Since then, Mallinckrodt has conducted multiple studies in animals to demonstrate the function of Acthar compared with other anti-inflammatory drugs. Further, several clinical trials in humans and studies of hospital or clinical practice records have confirmed the safety and effectiveness of Acthar as a treatment for many inflammatory diseases. INFOGRAPHIC: A podcast discussion by the authors on Acthar^® Gel treatment for patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including their own personal reflections and experiences with Acthar^® Gel. For a transcript of the podcast see the electronic supplementary material. (MP4 177883 kb).

The Utility of a Virtual Emergency Medicine Elective for Visiting Medical Students.

Background Away rotations allow emergency medicine (EM)-bound fourth-year medical students to experience a residency program's educational culture and influence the ranking of residency programs. The financial cost and geographic distance have limited student participation in away electives. In recent years, COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions on away rotations resulted in the creation of multiple virtual courses. Despite the lifting of restrictions, these courses may still have utility in helping students circumvent barriers to away rotations. Limitations of previously described courses include insufficient student-faculty interaction, which influences students' understanding of the educational environment. We sought to develop and evaluate a virtual EM elective for fourth-year medical students, focused on student-faculty interaction including precepted patient contact. Methodology We developed a two-week virtual EM elective for fourth-year medical students incorporating teaching sessions designed to optimize student-faculty interactions and attending-supervised telemedicine visits. After completion of the course, students completed an anonymous course evaluation. Results Course evaluations showed that the course improved students' understanding of our residency's educational environment by providing students with access to our residency program. The most frequently cited factors preventing participation in a traditional away elective were financial cost, limit in the allowed number of away rotations, and challenges in finding housing. Conclusions We believe this course may be an effective way of improving visiting students' understanding of the educational culture of our EM residency program. Thus, although pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted, this course may serve as a valuable adjunct to the traditional away EM rotation.

Association of fat mass and fat-free mass with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in Asian individuals: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The study's objective was to investigate the association of fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) with all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality in the Chinese population. METHODS: A total of 422,430 participants (48.1% men and 51.9% women) from the Taiwan MJ Cohort with an average follow-up of 9 years were included. RESULTS: The lowest (Q1) and highest (Q5) quintiles of FMI and FFMI were associated with increased all-cause mortality. Compared with those in the third quintile (Q3) group of FMI, participants in Q1 and Q5 groups of FMI had hazard ratios and 95% CI of 1.32 (1.24-1.40) and 1.13 (1.06-1.20), respectively. Similarly, compared with those in Q3 group of FFMI, people in Q1 and Q5 groups of FFMI had hazard ratios of 1.14 (1.06-1.23) and 1.16 (1.10-1.23), respectively. In the restricted cubic spline models, both FMI and FFMI showed a J-shaped association with all-cause mortality. People in Q5 group of FFMI had a hazard ratio of 0.72 (0.58-0.89) for respiratory disease. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality risk increases in those with excessively high or low FMI and FFMI, yet the associations between FMI, FFMI, and the risk of death varied across subgroups and causes of death.

Extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa panophthalmitis from contaminated artificial tears.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the common gram-negative organisms that cause severe invasive infections in different organ systems. P. aeruginosa has unique intrinsic mechanisms to develop antimicrobial resistance quickly, making it extremely difficult to treat. We report a case of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa panophthalmitis due to contaminated artificial tears. This report investigates the role of systemic and intravitreal antimicrobials, summarizes the resistance mechanisms of P. aeruginosa, and provides an overview on cefiderocol, a novel antimicrobial that targets multidrug-resistant (MDR) and XDR Gram-negative pathogens.

Retrograde incision from orifice (RIO) technique for endoscopic incision of ureterocele: 15 years of outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Management of obstructing ureterocele often includes endoscopic transurethral incision (TUI) that can be challenging secondary to uncertainty in anatomic landmarks with risk of serious complications. To this end, we innovated a technique using predictable landmarks that begins endoscopic incision at the ureterocele orifice and extends retrograde proximal to the bladder neck (Figure). OBJECTIVE: With over 15 years of experience in performing this retrograde incision from orifice (RIO) technique, we aimed to examine post-operative outcomes and risk of surgical failure after RIO compared to traditional TUI techniques for ureteroceles. We hypothesized that clinical outcomes after RIO would be superior to traditional endoscopic approaches to decompression of obstructing ureterocele in infants. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of patients ≤12 months old who underwent TUI ureterocele at our institution between 2007 and -2021 was conducted. Pre-, intra- and post-operative characteristics were compared between patients who underwent RIO vs non-RIO TUI. Primary outcome was post-incision febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI). Secondary outcome was a composite failure measure of fUTI, secondary surgery, de novo bladder outlet obstruction, or vesicoureteral reflux. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were fitted to compare the time-to-event risk of primary and secondary outcomes between groups. RESULTS: Ninety patients with 92 ureteroceles were included (49 RIO, 43 non-RIO). Median follow-up from TUI was 33 months. RIO had a shorter median operative duration (27 vs 35 min, p = 0.021). Primary and secondary outcomes were similar between groups (fUTI: 29% RIO vs 19% non-RIO, p = 0.27; composite failure 54% RIO vs 69% non-RIO, p = 0.15). In multivariable Cox proportional hazard models, there was no significant difference in risk of fUTI (RIO aHR 0.98, 95% CI 0.38-2.54, p = 0.97) or composite failure (RIO aHR 0.80, 95% CI 0.45-1.44, p = 0.46) between TUI techniques. DISCUSSION: RIO technique for TUI ureterocele is attractive in that it uses predictable anatomic landmarks making it simple to perform. In analyzing this 15-year institutional experience of TUI ureterocele, RIO showed similar success to non-RIO endoscopic incisions. This study is a retrospective, non-randomized, single-institutional study over 15 years and is therefore subject to change in surgeon practice over time and variable practices between providers. CONCLUSIONS: Given comparable success and durability over time to other TUI ureterocele techniques, and with the advantage of operator ease using consistent anatomic landmarks, RIO is a worthy option for endoscopic ureterocele decompression.

A Patient With Miller Fisher Syndrome With Positive GQ1b and Aquaporin-4 Antibodies: Will There Be an Aquaporin-4 Antibody Associated Disorder?

There have been many advancements in the field of neuromyelitis optica and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder since the discovery of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies. It is also recognized that the pathological features associated with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies are beyond the domain of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and there is a separate nomenclature, namely myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disease. Currently, there is no aquaporin-4 antibody associated disorder, even though aquaporin-4 antibodies are not as widely present in other disorders.  Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a variant of Guillain Barré syndrome, in which there are positive GQ1b antibodies with no evidence of myelitis or optic neuritis. MFS is not considered a component of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. We report on a patient with MFS that was positive for GQ1b and aquaporin-4 antibodies but negative for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies and is devoid of any features of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. This finding may lead to investigations and reports of other pathologies that are associated with the aquaporin-4 antibody.