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Comprehensive studies on the incidence, risk factors, and prophylactic measures related to venous thromboembolism (VTE) are lacking in burn care. This study characterizes VTE risk and existing prevention measures to improve and inform overall patient care in the field of burn care on a national scale. The US National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) was queried from 2007 to 2021 to identify burn-injured patients. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analyses were used to explore the association between demographic/clinical characteristics and VTE risk as well as compare various VTE chemoprophylaxis types. There were 326,614 burn-injured patients included for analysis; 5,642 (1.7%) experienced a VTE event during their hospitalization. Patients with VTE were significantly older, had greater BMIs and %TBSA, and were more likely to be male (p<0.001). History of smoking, hypertension or myocardial infarction, and/or substance use disorder were significant predictors of VTE (p<0.001). Patients who received low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) were less likely to have VTE compared to patients treated with heparin when controlling for other VTE risk factors (OR: .564 95% CI .523-.607, p<0.001). Longer time to VTE chemoprophylaxis (>6 hours) initiation was significantly associated with VTE (OR=1.04 95% CI 1.03=1.07, p<0.001). This study sheds light on risk factors and chemoprophylaxis in VTE to help guide clinical practice when implementing prevention strategies in burn patients. This knowledge can be leveraged to refine risk stratification models, inform evidence-based prevention strategies, and ultimately enhance the quality of care for burn patients at risk of VTE.

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BACKGROUND: The timing of primary repair in nonsyndromic cleft palate remains controversial. Recent evidence suggests earlier repair is associated with a lower incidence of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). The authors aim to evaluate these findings in a large cohort study using causal inference. METHODS: All nonsyndromic cleft palate repairs in California were extracted between 2000 and 2021 from the California Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) database. Cases were linked with VPI surgery following cleft palate repair based on unique identifiers. The main outcome measure was incidence of VPI surgery evaluated with propensity score matching. Early cleft palate repair was defined as <7 months of age versus traditional cleft palate repair at >11 months of age. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were measured before and after matching for potential confounders including sex, race, payer, and distance from patient home to hospital. RESULTS: In all, 52,007 cleft palate repairs were included, of which 12,169 (23.3%) were repaired early and 39,838 (76.7%) were repaired traditionally. Early cleft palate repairs underwent VPI surgery in 1.2% (13/1,000) of cases, compared with 6.1% (61/1000) in the traditional repair cohort. Post-matching, the average treatment effect of early repair was a 6.3% reduction in VPI surgery (P<0.001, 95% CI -6.3, -5.4%). All covariate SMDs were <|0.1| after matching. CONCLUSION: Our cohort study demonstrates a significantly reduced incidence of VPI surgery in children with primary cleft palate repair <7 months of age. Craniofacial centers should consider early cleft palate repair in appropriate patients.

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Background: As HIV-positive individuals utilizing highly active antiretroviral therapy live longer, the burden of breast cancer increases in the population. Breast reconstruction is an integral aspect of surgical treatment for many patients after a breast cancer diagnosis, prompting this examination of the characteristics and outcomes of breast reconstruction in this growing patient population. Methods: Using Merative MarketScan Research Databases, a large multipayer database, HIV-positive adult patients who underwent autologous or implant-based breast reconstruction between 2007 and 2021 were identified using International Classification of Disease codes and Common Procedural Terminology codes. In both HIV-positive and -negative cohorts, patient demographics, procedure-related complications, and postoperative revisions were recorded. Shapiro-Wilk, chi-square, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, and multivariable logistic regression tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Of 173,421 patients who underwent breast reconstruction, 1816 had an HIV diagnosis. HIV-positive patients were younger (P < 0.001), underwent surgery more recently (P < 0.001), more often underwent immediate breast reconstruction (P < 0.001), and had higher comorbidity levels (P < 0.001). There was a regional variation in which the patient cohorts underwent breast reconstruction. There was no significant difference in overall complication rates between patient groups, but HIV-negative patients more often underwent revision procedures (P = 0.009). Conclusions: When compared to their HIV-negative counterparts, breast reconstruction can be considered safe and efficacious in patients living with HIV. HIV-positive patients are a growing demographic who seek breast reconstruction, and surgeons must continue to further understand the unique implications of breast reconstruction in this population.

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OBJECTIVE: Medical decision-making is often uncertain. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) are conditional probabilities characterizing diagnostic tests and assessing diagnostic interventions in clinical medicine and epidemiology. The PPV is the probability that a patient has a specified disease, given a positive test result for that disease. The NPV is the probability that a patient does not have the disease, given a negative test result for that disease. Both values depend on disease incidence or prevalence, which may be highly uncertain for unfamiliar diseases, epidemics, etc. Probability distributions for this uncertainty are usually unavailable. We develop a non-probabilistic method for interpreting PPV and NPV with uncertain prevalence. METHODS: Uncertainty in PPV and NPV is managed with the non-probabilistic concept of robustness in info-gap theory. Robustness of PPV or NPV estimates is the greatest uncertainty (in prevalence) at which the estimate's error is acceptable. RESULTS: Four properties are demonstrated. Zeroing: best estimates of PPV or NPV have no robustness to uncertain prevalence; best estimates are unreliable for interpreting diagnostic tests. Trade-off: robustness increases as error increases; this trade-off identifies robustly reliable error in PPV or NPV. Preference reversal: sometimes sub-optimal PPV or NPV estimates are more robust to uncertain incidence or prevalence than optimal estimates, motivating reversal of preference from the putative optimum to the sub-optimal estimate. Trade-off between specificity and robustness to uncertainty: the robustness increases as test-specificity decreases. These four properties underlie the interpretation of PPV and NPV. CONCLUSIONS: The PPV and NPV assess diagnostic tests, but are sensitive to lack of knowledge that generates non-probabilistic uncertain prevalence and must be supplemented with robustness analysis. When uncertainties abound, as with unfamiliar diseases, assessing robustness is critical to avoiding erroneous decisions.

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Upregulation of MYC is a hallmark of cancer, wherein MYC drives oncogenic gene expression and elevates total RNA synthesis across cancer cell transcriptomes. Although this transcriptional anabolism fuels cancer growth and survival, the consequences and metabolic stresses induced by excess cellular RNA are poorly understood. Herein, we discover that RNA degradation and downstream ribonucleotide catabolism is a novel mechanism of MYC-induced cancer cell death. Combining genetics and metabolomics, we find that MYC increases RNA decay through the cytoplasmic exosome, resulting in the accumulation of cytotoxic RNA catabolites and reactive oxygen species. Notably, tumor-derived exosome mutations abrogate MYC-induced cell death, suggesting excess RNA decay may be toxic to human cancers. In agreement, purine salvage acts as a compensatory pathway that mitigates MYC-induced ribonucleotide catabolism, and inhibitors of purine salvage impair MYC+ tumor progression. Together, these data suggest that MYC-induced RNA decay is an oncogenic stress that can be exploited therapeutically. Significance: MYC is the most common oncogenic driver of poor-prognosis cancers but has been recalcitrant to therapeutic inhibition. We discovered a new vulnerability in MYC+ cancer where MYC induces cell death through excess RNA decay. Therapeutics that exacerbate downstream ribonucleotide catabolism provide a therapeutically tractable approach to TNBC (Triple-negative Breast Cancer) and other MYC-driven cancers.

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Neoplasias de la Mama , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-myc , Estabilidad del ARN , Ribonucleótidos , Humanos , Femenino , Neoplasias de la Mama/metabolismo , Neoplasias de la Mama/genética , Neoplasias de la Mama/patología , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-myc/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-myc/genética , Ribonucleótidos/farmacología , Línea Celular Tumoral , Ratones , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , Animales

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We recently discovered that steroid receptor coactivators (SRCs) SRCs-1, 2 and 3, are abundantly expressed in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and their activation with the SRC small molecule stimulator MCB-613 improves cardiac function and dramatically lowers pro-fibrotic signaling in CFs post-myocardial infarction. These findings suggest that CF-derived SRC activation could be beneficial in the mitigation of chronic heart failure after ischemic insult. However, the cardioprotective mechanisms by which CFs contribute to cardiac pathological remodeling are unclear. Here we present studies designed to identify the molecular and cellular circuitry that governs the anti-fibrotic effects of an MCB-613 derivative, MCB-613-10-1, in CFs. We performed cytokine profiling and whole transcriptome and proteome analyses of CF-derived signals in response to MCB-613-10-1. We identified the NRF2 pathway as a direct MCB-613-10-1 therapeutic target for promoting resistance to oxidative stress in CFs. We show that MCB-613-10-1 promotes cell survival of anti-fibrotic CFs exposed to oxidative stress by suppressing apoptosis. We demonstrate that an increase in HMOX1 expression contributes to CF resistance to oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis via a mechanism involving SRC co-activation of NRF2, hence reducing inflammation and fibrosis. We provide evidence that MCB-613-10-1 acts as a protectant against oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial damage. Our data reveal that SRC stimulation of the NRF2 transcriptional network promotes resistance to oxidative stress and highlights a mechanistic approach toward addressing pathologic cardiac remodeling.

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Fibroblastos , Miocardio , Factor 2 Relacionado con NF-E2 , Estrés Oxidativo , Transducción de Señal , Factor 2 Relacionado con NF-E2/metabolismo , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal/efectos de los fármacos , Miocardio/metabolismo , Miocardio/patología , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Activación Transcripcional/efectos de los fármacos , Fibrosis , Hemo-Oxigenasa 1/metabolismo , Hemo-Oxigenasa 1/genética , Ratas , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Supervivencia Celular/genética , Ratones

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Not available.

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Radiotherapy (RT) treatment is an important strategy for the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Local recurrence amongst patients with late-stage NSCLC remains a challenge. The loss of PTEN has been associated with radio-resistance. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of RT combined with ataxia telangiectasia-mutated Rad3-related (ATR) inhibition using Ceralasertib in phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-depleted NSCLC cells and to assess early inflammatory responses indicative of radiation pneumonitis (RP) after combined-modality treatment. Small hairpin RNA (shRNA) transfections were used to generate H460 and A549 PTEN-depleted models. Ceralasertib was evaluated as a single agent and in combination with RT in vitro and in vivo. Histological staining was used to assess immune cell infiltration in pneumonitis-prone C3H/NeJ mice. Here, we report that the inhibition of ATR in combination with RT caused a significant reduction in PTEN-depleted NSCLC cells, with delayed DNA repair and reduced cell viability, as shown by an increase in cells in Sub G1. Combination treatment in vivo significantly inhibited H460 PTEN-depleted tumour growth in comparison to H460 non-targeting PTEN-expressing (NT) cell-line-derived xenografts (CDXs). Additionally, there was no significant increase in infiltrating macrophages or neutrophils except at 4 weeks, whereby combination treatment significantly increased macrophage levels relative to RT alone. Overall, our study demonstrates that ceralasertib and RT combined preferentially sensitises PTEN-depleted NSCLC models in vitro and in vivo, with no impact on early inflammatory response indicative of RP. These findings provide a rationale for evaluating ATR inhibition in combination with RT in NSCLC patients with PTEN mutations.

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Proteínas de la Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutada , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas , Neoplasias Pulmonares , Fosfohidrolasa PTEN , Pirimidinas , Tolerancia a Radiación , Fosfohidrolasa PTEN/metabolismo , Fosfohidrolasa PTEN/genética , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas/radioterapia , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas/metabolismo , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas/patología , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas/tratamiento farmacológico , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas/genética , Animales , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/metabolismo , Neoplasias Pulmonares/patología , Neoplasias Pulmonares/radioterapia , Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Neoplasias Pulmonares/tratamiento farmacológico , Proteínas de la Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutada/antagonistas & inhibidores , Proteínas de la Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutada/metabolismo , Proteínas de la Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutada/genética , Ratones , Tolerancia a Radiación/efectos de los fármacos , Pirimidinas/farmacología , Pirimidinas/uso terapéutico , Línea Celular Tumoral , Pirazinas/farmacología , Pirazinas/uso terapéutico , Ensayos Antitumor por Modelo de Xenoinjerto , Reparación del ADN/efectos de los fármacos , Indoles , Morfolinas , Sulfonamidas

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Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a single-gene disorder that affects the lung, digestive system, and other organs. Mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene are classified into several classes based on their pathogenic mechanism and clinical severity. The distinct and heterogeneous clinical behavior of each CF class and the respective CFTR mutations have made the development of a durable therapy for all CF patients extremely challenging. While the FDA-approved drug elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (Trikafta) benefits CF patients carrying at least one F508del mutation in CFTR, it's not effective for many CF patients carrying a variety of other CFTR mutations. To establish a better understanding of CF pathophysiology and aid the development of novel therapeutics for different classes of CF patients, we have created four CF-mutation-specific cell models that recapitulate respectively four distinct CF classes and disease phenotypes, as confirmed by sequencing, CFTR mRNA and protein quantification. The channel function of each cell model was first validated using a well-established FLIPR (Fluorescent Imaging Plate Reader) membrane potential assay and then assessed by the YFP-based functional assay. Integrated with a halide-sensitive fluorescent reporter, these CF cell models can be used for high-throughput drug screening, as demonstrated by a proof-of-concept study using Trikafta. These cell models have the potential to advance CFTR mutation-specific therapies thus addressing the unmet needs of CF patients with rare mutations.

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Regulador de Conductancia de Transmembrana de Fibrosis Quística , Fibrosis Quística , Evaluación Preclínica de Medicamentos , Ensayos Analíticos de Alto Rendimiento , Fibrosis Quística/genética , Fibrosis Quística/tratamiento farmacológico , Humanos , Regulador de Conductancia de Transmembrana de Fibrosis Quística/genética , Ensayos Analíticos de Alto Rendimiento/métodos , Evaluación Preclínica de Medicamentos/métodos , Aminofenoles/uso terapéutico , Aminofenoles/farmacología , Mutación , Benzodioxoles/uso terapéutico , Benzodioxoles/farmacología , Indoles/uso terapéutico , Indoles/farmacología , Quinolonas/farmacología , Quinolonas/uso terapéutico

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OBJECTIVE: Delayed repair of cleft palate is associated with worse speech outcomes. Social determinants of health may influence the timing of surgery; however, there are no population health investigations to evaluate factors such as travel distance, language barriers, and payer. This study sought to identify factors that may interfere with timely cleft palate repair. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: National/multi-center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: All cleft palate repairs within California were extracted from 2000-2021. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The primary outcome was age at surgical repair, which was modeled with linear regression. Covariates included race, primary language, distance from patient home to hospital, socioeconomic status, primary payer, and managed care enrollment status. RESULTS: 11 260 patients underwent surgical repair of a cleft palate. Black race was associated with delayed repair (22 additional days, P = .004, 95% CI 67.00-37.7) along with Asian/Pacific-Islander race (11 additional days, P = .006, 95% CI 3.26-18.9) compared to white race. Spanish-speaking patients had significantly later cleft palate repairs by 19 days, (P < .001, 95% CI 10.8-27.7) compared with English-speaking. Further distances from the hospital were significantly associated with later cleft surgeries with out-of-state patients undergoing surgery 52 days later (P < .001, 95% CI 11.3-24.3). Managed care plans and Medi-Cal were significantly associated with earlier surgical repair compared with private insurance. CONCLUSION: Black, Asian Pacific Islander, and Spanish-speaking patients and greater distance traveled to hospital were associated with delayed cleft palate repairs. These results underscore the importance of addressing structural and social barriers to care to improve outcomes and reduce health disparities for patients with cleft palate.

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Neutrophil-derived proteases are critical to the pathology of many inflammatory lung diseases, both chronic and acute. These abundant enzymes play roles in key neutrophil functions, such as neutrophil extracellular trap formation and reactive oxygen species release. They may also be released, inducing tissue damage and loss of tissue function. Historically, the neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) have been the main subject of neutrophil protease research. Despite highly promising cell-based and animal model work, clinical trials involving the inhibition of NSPs have shown mixed results in lung disease patients. As such, the cutting edge of neutrophil-derived protease research has shifted to proteases that have had little-to-no research in neutrophils to date. These include the cysteine and serine cathepsins, the metzincins and the calpains, among others. This review aims to outline the previous work carried out on NSPs, including the shortcomings of some of the inhibitor-orientated clinical trials. Our growing understanding of other proteases involved in neutrophil function and neutrophilic lung inflammation will then be discussed. Additionally, the potential of targeting these more obscure neutrophil proteases will be highlighted, as they may represent new targets for inhibitor-based treatments of neutrophil-mediated lung inflammation.

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Neutrófilos , Neumonía , Humanos , Neutrófilos/metabolismo , Neutrófilos/enzimología , Neutrófilos/inmunología , Animales , Neumonía/metabolismo , Neumonía/enzimología , Neumonía/patología , Serina Proteasas/metabolismo , Péptido Hidrolasas/metabolismo

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The development of electric vehicles (EVs) has introduced novel technologies and manufacturing processes that expose workers to new risks of burn injury. We identified 6 patients who were admitted to our burn center for injuries that occurred while working in EV manufacturing facilities. The burns fell into 3 categories: flash flame burns due to lithium-ion battery explosions, high-voltage electrical injuries, and burns caused by contact with molten metal. Recognizing these recurrent patterns of injury should inform future prevention efforts and prepare health systems to evaluate and treat patients burned in EV manufacturing.

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Quemaduras por Electricidad , Humanos , Masculino , Adulto , Quemaduras por Electricidad/etiología , Suministros de Energía Eléctrica/efectos adversos , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Unidades de Quemados , Quemaduras/etiología , Quemaduras/terapia , Accidentes de Trabajo , Traumatismos Ocupacionales/prevención & control

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INTRODUCTION: Burn injuries among the homeless are increasing as record numbers of people are unsheltered and resort to unsafe heating practices. This study characterizes burns in homeless encounters presenting to US emergency departments (EDs). METHODS: Burn encounters in the 2019 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) were queried. ICD-10 and CPT codes identified homelessness, injury regions, depths, total body surface area (TBSA %), and treatment plans. Demographics, comorbidities, and charges were analyzed. Discharge weights generated national estimates. Statistical analysis included univariate testing and multivariate modeling. RESULTS: Of 316,344 weighted ED visits meeting criteria, 1919 (0.6%) were homeless. Homeless encounters were older (mean age 44.83 vs. 32.39 years), male-predominant (71% vs. 52%), and had more comorbidities, and were more often White or Black race (p < 0.001). They more commonly presented to EDs in the West and were covered by Medicaid (51% vs. 33%) (p < 0.001). 12% and 5% of homeless burn injuries were related to self-harm and assault, respectively (p < 0.001). Homeless encounters experienced more third-degree burns (13% vs. 4%; p < 0.001), though TBSA % deciles were not significantly different (34% vs. 33% had TBSA % of ten or lower; p = 0.516). Homeless encounters were more often admitted (49% vs. 7%; p < 0.001), and homelessness increased odds of admission (OR 4.779; p < 0.001). Odds of transfer were significantly lower (OR 0.405; p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: Homeless burn ED encounters were more likely due to assault and self-inflicted injuries, and more severe. ED practitioners should be aware of these patients' unique presentation and triage to burn centers accordingly.

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Quemaduras , Servicio de Urgencia en Hospital , Personas con Mala Vivienda , Humanos , Quemaduras/epidemiología , Personas con Mala Vivienda/estadística & datos numéricos , Servicio de Urgencia en Hospital/estadística & datos numéricos , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Conducta Autodestructiva/epidemiología , Adulto Joven , Superficie Corporal , Violencia/estadística & datos numéricos , Medicaid/estadística & datos numéricos , Comorbilidad , Población Blanca/estadística & datos numéricos , Negro o Afroamericano/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente

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INTRODUCTION: Autologous breast reconstruction (ABR) has increased in recent decades, although concerns for access remain. As such, our goal is to trend national demographics and operative characteristics of ABR in the United States. METHODS: Using the National Inpatient Sample, 2016-2019, the International Classification of Disease , Tenth Edition codes identified adult female encounters undergoing ABR. Demographics and procedure-related characteristics were recorded. Discharge weights generated national estimates. Statistical analysis included univariate testing and multivariate regression modeling. RESULTS: A total of 52,910 weighted encounters met the criteria (mean age, 51.5 ± 10.0 years). Autologous breast reconstruction utilization increased (Δ = +5%), 2016-2019, primarily driven by a rise in deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) reconstructions (Δ = +28%; incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.070; P < 0.001), which were predominant throughout the study period (69%). More recent surgery year, bilateral reconstruction, higher income levels, commercial insurance, and care in the South US region increased the odds of DIEP-based ABR ( P ≤ 0.036). Transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps, bilateral reconstructions, higher comorbidity levels, and experiencing complications increased the length of stay ( P ≤ 0.038). Most ABRs (75%) were privately insured. The rates of immediate reconstructions increased over the study period (from 26% to 46%; IRR, 1.223; P < 0.001), as did the rates of bilateral reconstructions (from 54% to 57%; IRR, 1.026; P = 0.030). The rates of ABRs performed at teaching hospitals remained high (90% to 93%; P = 0.242). CONCLUSIONS: As of 2019, ABR has become more prevalent, with the DIEP flap constituting the most common modality. With the increasing ABR popularity, efforts should be made to ensure geographic and financial accessibility.

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Neoplasias de la Mama , Mamoplastia , Colgajo Miocutáneo , Colgajo Perforante , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Estados Unidos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Mamoplastia/efectos adversos , Colgajo Miocutáneo/trasplante , Comorbilidad , Proyectos de Investigación , Hospitales de Enseñanza , Neoplasias de la Mama/cirugía , Neoplasias de la Mama/complicaciones , Estudios Retrospectivos , Recto del Abdomen/trasplante , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/epidemiología , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/etiología

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This cross-sectional study examines burn incidence rates and accessibility of American Burn Association­verified or self-designated burn centers from 2013 to 2019.

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Quemaduras , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud , Humanos , Quemaduras/terapia , Estados Unidos

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Methamphetamine intoxication frequently complicates inpatient burn admissions. While single-institution studies describe adverse outcomes during resuscitation, little is known about the risks of amphetamine intoxication on inpatient complications and perioperative management. The US National Trauma Data Bank was queried for burn encounters between 2017 and 2021. Amphetamine intoxication was identified on admission. Primary outcomes included death, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI). Secondary outcomes included organ failure and surgical management. Multivariable regressions modeled outcomes adjusting for available covariates including demographics, TBSA burned, and inhalation injury. Bonferroni adjustments were applied. Our study identified a total of 73,968 primary burn encounters with toxicology screens. Among these, 800 cases (1.1%) were found to have positive methamphetamine drug screens upon admission. Methamphetamine users were significantly older (41.7 vs 34.9 years, P < .001), had a greater percentage of males (69.6 vs 65.4, P = .045), were more likely to have inhalation injury (P < .001), and had larger %TBSA burns (16% vs 13%, P < .001). Methamphetamine users were no more likely to die, experience MI, or experience stroke during admission. In contrast, methamphetamine users were significantly more likely to have alcohol withdrawal (P = .019), acute kidney injury (AKI) (P < .001), deep vein thrombosis (P = .001), pulmonary embolism (PE) (P = .039), sepsis (P = .026), and longer intensive care unit (ICU) stays (P < .001). Methamphetamine use was associated with a longer number of days to the first procedure (P = .005). Of all patients who required surgery (15.0%), methamphetamine users required significantly more total debridements and reconstructive procedures (P < .001). While not associated with mortality, methamphetamine intoxication was associated with an increased risk of many complications including PE, deep vein thrombosis, AKI, sepsis, and longer ICU stays. Methamphetamine intoxication was associated with delays in surgical care.

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Quemaduras , Metanfetamina , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Metanfetamina/efectos adversos , Metanfetamina/envenenamiento , Quemaduras/complicaciones , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Trastornos Relacionados con Anfetaminas/complicaciones , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Anciano

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OBJECTIVE: To measure commercial price variation for cancer surgery within and across hospitals. BACKGROUND: Surgical care for solid-organ tumors is costly, and negotiated commercial rates have been hidden from public view. The Hospital Price Transparency Rule, enacted in 2021, requires all hospitals to list their negotiated rates on their website, thus opening the door for an examination of pricing for cancer surgery. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study using 2021 negotiated price data disclosed by US hospitals for the 10 most common cancers treated with surgery. Price variation was measured using within-hospital and across-hospital ratios. Commercial rates relative to cancer center designation and the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index at the facility level were evaluated with mixed effects linear regression with random intercepts per procedural code. RESULTS: In all, 495,200 unique commercial rates from 2232 hospitals resulted for the 10 most common solid-organ tumor cancers. Gynecologic cancer operations had the highest median rates at $6035.8/operation compared with bladder cancer surgery at $3431.0/operation. Compared with competitive markets, moderately and highly concentrated markets were associated with significantly higher rates (HHI 1501, 2500, coefficient $513.6, 95% CI, $295.5, $731.7; HHI >2500, coefficient $1115.5, 95% CI, $913.7, $1317.2). National Cancer Institute designation was associated with higher rates, coefficient $3,451.9 (95% CI, $2853.2, $4050.7). CONCLUSIONS: Commercial payer-negotiated prices for the surgical management of 10 common, solid tumor malignancies varied widely both within and across hospitals. Higher rates were observed in less competitive markets. Future efforts should facilitate price competition and limit health market concentration.

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Hospitales , Neoplasias , Humanos , Femenino , Estados Unidos , Estudios Transversales , Costos y Análisis de Costo , Neoplasias/cirugía

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Maternal cigarette use is associated with the fetal development of orofacial clefts. Air pollution should be investigated for similar causation. We hypothesize that the incidence of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without palate (NSCLP) and non-syndromic cleft palate (NSCP) would be positively correlated with air pollution concentration. METHODS: The incidence of NSCLP and NSCP per 1000 live births from 2016 to 2020 was extracted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vital Statistics Database and merged with national reports on air pollution using the Environmental Protection Agency Air Quality Systems annual data. The most commonly reported pollutants were analyzed including benzene, sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM) 2.5, PM 10, ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO). Multivariable negative binomial and Poisson log-linear regression models evaluated the incidence of NSCLP and NSCP as a function of the pollutants, adjusting for race. All p-values are reported with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: The median NSCLP incidence was 0.22/1000 births, and isolated NSCP incidence was 0.18/1000 births. For NSCLP, SO2 had a coefficient estimate (CE) of 0.60 (95% CI [0.23, 0.98], p < 0.007) and PM 2.5 had a CE of 0.20 (95% CI [0.10, 0.31], p < 0.005). Among isolated NSCP, no pollutants were found to be significantly associated. CONCLUSION: SO2 and PM 2.5 were significantly correlated with increased incidence of NSCLP. The American people and perinatal practitioners should be aware of the connection to allow for risk reduction and in utero screening.

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Contaminación del Aire , Labio Leporino , Fisura del Paladar , Contaminantes Ambientales , Embarazo , Femenino , Humanos , Labio Leporino/epidemiología , Labio Leporino/etiología , Fisura del Paladar/epidemiología , Fisura del Paladar/etiología , Incidencia , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Contaminación del Aire/efectos adversos , Material Particulado/efectos adversos , Material Particulado/análisis

RESUMEN

The treatment of burn patients using amphetamines is challenging due hemodynamic liabilty and altered physiology. Wide variation exists in the operative timing for this patient population. We hypothesize that burn excision in patients admitted with amphetamine positivity is safe regardless of timing. Data from two verified burn centers between 2017 and 2022 with differing practice patterns in operative timing for amphetamine-positive patients. Center A obtains toxicology only on admission and proceeds with surgery based on hemodynamic status and operative urgency, whereas Center B sends daily toxicology until a negative test results. The primary outcome was the use of vasoactive agents during the index operation, modeled using logistic regression adjusting for burn severity and hospital days to index operation. Secondary outcomes included death and inpatient complications. A total of 270 patients were included, and there were no significant differences in demographics or burn characteristics between centers. Center A screened once and Center B obtained a median of four screens prior to the surgery. The adjusted OR of requiring vasoactive support intraoperatively was not associated with negative toxicology result (P = .821). Having a body surface area burned >20% conferred a significantly higher risk of vasoactive support (adj. OR 13.42 [3.90-46.23], P < .001). Mortality, number of operations, stroke, and hospital length of stay were similar between cohorts. Comparison between two verified burn centers indicates that waiting until a negative amphetamine toxicology result does not impact intraoperative management or subsequent burn outcomes. Serial toxicology tests are unnecessary to guide operative timing of burn patients with amphetamine use.

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Quemaduras , Humanos , Tiempo de Internación , Estudios Retrospectivos , Quemaduras/cirugía , Hospitalización , Anfetamina

RESUMEN

Achieving health equity is forefront in national discussions on healthcare structuring. Burn injuries transcend racial and socioeconomic boundaries. Burn center funding ranges from safety-net to for-profit without an understanding of how funding mechanisms translate into equity outcomes. We hypothesized that health equity would be highest at safety-net facilities and lowest at for-profit centers. All verified and non-verified American Burn Association burn centers were collated in 2022. Safety-net status, for-profit status, and health equity rating were extracted from national datasets. Equity ratings were compared across national burn centers and significance was determined with comparative statistics and ordinal logistic regression. On an equity grade of A-D (A is the best), 27.6% of centers were rated A, 27.6% rated B, 41.5% rated C, and 3.3% rated D. About 17.1% of all burn centers were designated as for-profit compared to 21.1% of centers that were safety-net. About 73.1% of safety-net centers scored an A rating, and 14.3% of for-profit centers scored an A rating. Safety-net centers were 21.8 times more likely (P < .001) to have the highest equity score compared to nonsafety-net centers. There was an 80% decrease in the odds of having a rating of A for for-profit centers compared to nonprofit centers (P = .04). Safety-net centers had the highest equity ratings while for-profit burn centers scored the lowest. For-profit funding mechanisms may lead to the delivery of less equitable burn care. Burn centers should focus on health equity in the triage and management of their patients.

Asunto(s)

Quemaduras , Equidad en Salud , Humanos , Estados Unidos , Unidades de Quemados , Quemaduras/epidemiología , Quemaduras/terapia , Triaje