Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Gun violence remains a significant public health problem. Although gun violence prevention efforts mostly target homicides, nationally, two-thirds of all firearm deaths are suicides. The purpose of this study was to define patterns of firearm-related deaths and examine the effect of population size. ⋯ Although homicides account for the majority of firearm-related deaths in metropolitan areas, suicides constitute a disproportionate number in smaller urban areas. Although the rate of homicides has stabilized, the rate of firearm-related suicides continues to increase significantly, underscoring the need for better direct prevention efforts and public health policy.
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Robotic surgery is a burgeoning minimally invasive approach to pancreaticoduodenectomy. This study was undertaken to compare survival after robotic vs "open" pancreaticoduodenectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma using propensity score-matched patients. ⋯ Patients that underwent robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy had longer operations, less estimated blood loss, shorter length of stay, and fewer 30-day readmissions; they lived much longer than patients who underwent open pancreaticoduodenectomy. We believe that robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy provides salutary and survival benefits for reasons yet unknown.
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Several studies have reported decreased trauma admissions and increased physical abuse in children resulting from stay-at-home measures. However, these studies have focused on a limited period after the implementation of lockdown policies. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of quarantine and reopening initiatives on admissions for varying types of injuries in pediatric patients. ⋯ This is the first study to comprehensively examine the effects of quarantine and reopening policies on admission patterns for a pediatric trauma center in a metropolitan area. Total admissions and child abuse evaluations were not impacted. If shutdown measures are re-instituted, preventative efforts should be directed towards ATV use and recreational activities.
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Our previous studies have found that burn injury induces cardiac dysfunction through interruption of the antioxidant-response element (ARE) pathway in cardiac mitochondria. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key regulator that activates many antioxidant enzymes. Oltipraz (Olti) is a Nrf2 activator and a well-known inducer of NQO1 along with other enzymes that comprise the Nrf2-associated antioxidants. We propose that Nrf2 activation will induce the ARE pathway, leading to abrogation of burn-induced cardiac dysfunction. ⋯ In summary, Nrf2 depletion worsens cardiac dysfunction after burn injury. Nrf2 activation, with a drug such as Olti, offers a promising therapeutic strategy for abrogating burn-induced cardiac dysfunction.