CRISPR-Cas Gene Editing to the Genetic Rescue
The diverse capabilities of CRISPR-Cas systems now are beginning to have major impacts on the practice of clinical medicine. These encompass not only the initial applications of deletion, addition and modification of genes relevant to human diseases, but also detection of genes in pathogenic microbes and gene-specific delivery of proteins, drugs and cells. Basic concepts and methods involved are briefly described here and will become commonplace soon in clinical medicine. (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 26, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Edward J. Goetzl, Joseph Alpert Tags: Commentary Source Type: research
A case of lip swelling
A previously healthy 50-year-old woman presented with progressive and fixed asymptomatic upper lip and periorbital swelling of a three-month duration. She had suffered multiple episodes of swelling of the eyes and lips in the prior three years, warranting several visits to the emergency room. These episodes were thought to represent angioedema and initially responded well to systemic steroids. The patient had a history of nasal septum and sinus surgery 4 years prior, but was otherwise well with no intake of any medications. (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 26, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Noor Almaani, Ahmad T. Mansour, Zain Al Ta'ani Tags: Images in Dermatology Source Type: research
Microaggressions and Resiliency During Residency: Creating More Inclusive Environments
Based on a true experience during residency:Female Attending Physician: “So, how was the rotation for you two?”Male Resident: “It was great! I learned so much.”Female Resident: “I had a good experience too, but there were a few times where I felt left out.”Female Attending Physician: “What do you mean?”Female Resident: “Well, there were several times w hen I was not included in procedures or medical decisions because my senior resident asked me to handle other tasks like family and social worker discussions and discharge planning.”Male Resident: “Really? I didn't even notice that.”Female Resident (t...
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 25, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Alana Biggers, Ashley Binder, Ben S. Gerber Tags: AAIM Perspectives Source Type: research
Prevalence of Guideline-Discordant Aspirin Use and Associated Adverse Events in Patients on Warfarin for Mechanical Valve Replacement
For patients on warfarin for mechanical heart valve replacement, the 2020 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association Guidelines recommend only adding aspirin in patients with a specific indication for antiplatelet therapy. This contrasts with prior guidelines, which recommended concomitant aspirin therapy. We sought to assess the prevalence of guideline-discordant aspirin use among patients on warfarin for mechanical heart valve replacement and to compare adverse event rates among patients with and without concomitant aspirin. (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 25, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Brian Haymart, Xiaowen Kong, Mona Ali, Jordan K. Schaefer, James B. Froehlich, Noelle Ryan, Beverly Stallings, Geoffrey D. Barnes, Scott Kaatz Tags: Clinical Research Study Source Type: research
Interesting New Directions in Aging
Having reached an age officially labeled as “geriatric”, we have noticed a steadily increasing interest in clinical and scientific articles that deal with aging. Material involving graceful aging and techniques for slowing the aging process are the favorites! Several interesting and even fascinating studies in this area have recently been published. These articles are listed below briefly discussed. The references are provided in the bibliography for readers who would like to examine the results in greater detail. (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 25, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Joseph S. Alpert, Michael W. Rich Tags: Commentary Source Type: research
Prevalence of Guideline Discordant Aspirin use and Associated Adverse Events in Patients on Warfarin for Mechanical Valve Replacement
Antithrombotic therapy guidelines change over time due to evolving research and available treatments. For concomitant aspirin in patients on vitamin K antagonists for ischemic stroke prevention in mechanical heart valves, guidelines have shifted. In 2020, citing the fact that previous studies included many patients with older-generation valve prostheses and acknowledging the increased risk of major bleeding, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) reversed their previous recommendations to routinely add aspirin to VKA therapy. (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 25, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Brian Haymart, Xiaowen Kong, Mona Ali, Jordan K. Schaefer, James B. Froehlich, Noelle Ryan, Beverly Stallings, Geoffrey D. Barnes, Scott Kaatz Tags: Clinical Research Study Source Type: research
Artificial Intelligence Electrocardiography Detecting Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis Following a SARS-CoV-2 Infection
A 22-year-old man presented to the emergency department (ED) with acute paralysis of both the lower limbs, palpitations, and cold sweats after exercising. He had no systemic diseases and was not on any regular medication. He had a history of mild severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection 6 weeks ago. After contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), he started to experience palpitations, tiredness, excessive sweating, nervousness, recent weight loss, intermittent lower-limb weakness, and tremors. (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 25, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Ang Lu, Chien-Chou Chen, Chin Lin, Tsung-Jui Wu, Shih-Hua Lin Source Type: research
Microaggressions and resiliency during residency: creating more inclusive environments based on a true experience during residency:
Female Attending Physician: "So, how was the rotation for you two?"Male Resident: "It was great! I learned so much."Female Resident: "I had a good experience too, but there were a few times where I felt left out."Female Attending Physician: "What do you mean?"Female Resident: "Well, there were several times when I was not included in procedures or medical decisions because my senior resident asked me to handle other tasks like family and social worker discussions and discharge planning."Male Resident: "Really? I didn't even notice that."Female Resident (to Male Resident): “Did you notice how our senior resident treated m...
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 25, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Alana Biggers, Ashley Binder, Ben S. Gerber Tags: AAIM Perspectives Source Type: research
Thoughts for food
Nearly every human being is interested in food, and most find eating to be one of life's most enjoyable experiences, particularly when dining with friends and family. Indeed, I am writing this commentary during the December holiday season, when numerous parties offer a variety of delicious food items. (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 24, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Joseph S. Alpert Tags: Commentary Source Type: research
Medical Jeopardy Quiz: Medicinal plants
Mother nature has bestowed this planet with a myriad of plants, a substantial number of which possess medicinal properties. Plants have been used to treat human ailments since the time of ancient civilization. Technical advances have resulted in the crystallization of several plant-derived components either in their natural form or following modification to obtain ‘drugs’ that are routinely used in modern medicine. Below is a set of 15 plants whose component (s) are used as drugs, either directly, or indirectly in today's medicine (table-1). (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 24, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Ankur Jain Tags: Commentary Source Type: research
Cystocele – an underappreciated cause of severe obstructive uropathy
An 84-year-old independent woman was admitted with fever, hematuria and extreme lassitude over 3 days. Past medical history included obesity, hypertension (on ramipril), diabetes (on diet, atorvastatin), osteoporosis, and constipation. One year prior she developed urinary frequency and incontinence and was diagnosed with cystocele. She refused surgical repair and received mirabegron 50 mg/day. Recent serum creatinine was 0.9 mg/dL, eGFR 61 ml/min. (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 24, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Ami Schattner, Ina Dubin, Yair Glick Tags: Clinical Communication to the Editor Source Type: research
Progressive dysphagia followed by sudden diplegia due to a posterior mediastinal tumor
A 72-year-old woman visited our hospital due to back pain and dysphagia. She had a 7-month history of difficulty in swallowing solid food and a 2-month history of progressive scapula pain. An orthopedist diagnosed cervical spondylosis based on a cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and relief of the pain with analgesics. However, the patient's back pain worsened progressively. Therefore, she was referred to our department. We noted that the pain was aggravated by movement but was also present at rest. (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 24, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Yasutaka Yanagita, Hiroki Tamura, Kazutaka Noda, Takanori Uehara, Masatomi Ikusaka Tags: Clinical Communication to the Editor Source Type: research
Cultural Considerations in Healthcare for Older Asian Indian US Adults
Approximately 4.8 million Asian Indians were documented by the US Census Bureau in 2023. Members of this population follow different religious practices, speak a multitude of languages, and belong to different socioeconomic classes. Asian Indians immigrated to this country in different waves, leading to transgenerational diversity. Immigration, financial, religious, and cultural factors uniquely impact how Asian Indians interact with their healthcare providers. Asian Indians have settled throughout the country, and it is important that clinicians familiarize themselves with the specific health concerns that affect this rap...
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 17, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Indu S. Partha Tags: Review Source Type: research
Cultural Considerations in Healthcare for Older Asian Indian U.S. Adults
Approximately 4.8 million Asian Indians were documented by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2023. Members of this population follow different religious practices, speak a multitude of languages, and belong to different socioeconomic classes. Asian Indians immigrated to this country in different waves, leading to transgenerational diversity. Immigration, financial, religious, and cultural factors uniquely impact how Asian Indians interact with their healthcare providers. Asian Indians have settled throughout the country, and it is important that clinicians familiarize themselves with the specific health concerns that affect this r...
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 17, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Indu S. Partha Tags: Review Source Type: research
Chapter 4: Summary and a Patient Perspective on Living with Heart Failure
This chapter is intended to provide a plain language overview of heart failure suitable for non-medical professionals, including patients and caregivers, and a patient perspective on living with heart failure. (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - January 5, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Rhonda E. Monroe, James Thrasher Source Type: research
