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Background: Abdominoplasty is a common surgical procedure in which excess abdominal skin and fat are reduced to improve body contouring. Fibrin sealant has been proposed to reduce postsurgical bleeding and exudation. In this study, we evaluated whether there was a significant statistical difference in surgical output between the use of fibrin glue and its nonuse in abdominoplasty surgery, specifically in reducing bleeding and exudation. Material and methods: A retrospective chart review of 68 postbariatric abdominoplasty patients (58 females, 10 males) was performed. We divided the patients into Group A (30 cases, 44%), in which we used fibrin sealant, and Group B (38 cases, 56%), in which we did not use fibrin glue. We calculated the total amount of liquid in suction drainages until the day of their removal. Statistical analysis included the independent t-test with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The average drainage output in Group A was 620.0 ± 375.0 mL, whereas in Group B, it was 500.0 ± 290.0 mL. Results indicate an insignificant correlation between the use of fibrin glue and the amount of liquid in the surgical drains (t = 1.52, p = 0.13). The result is not significant at p

BackgroundThe Ohio Cardiovascular and Diabetes Health Collaborative (Cardi-OH) unites general and subspecialty medical staff at the 7 medical schools in Ohio with community and public health partnerships to improve cardiovascular and diabetes health outcomes and eliminate disparities in Ohio’s Medicaid population. Although statewide collaboratives exist to address health improvements, few deploy needs assessments to inform their work. ObjectiveCardi-OH conducts an annual needs assessment to identify high-priority clinical topics, screening practices, policy changes for home monitoring devices and referrals, and preferences for the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based best practices. The results of the statewide needs assessment could also be used by others interested in disseminating best practices to primary care teams. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was distributed electronically via REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture; Vanderbilt University) to both Cardi-OH grant-funded and non–grant-funded members (ie, people who have engaged with Cardi-OH but are not funded by the grant). ResultsIn total, 88% (103/117) of Cardi-OH grant-funded members and 8.14% (98/1204) of non–grant-funded members completed the needs assessment survey. Of these, 51.5% (53/103) of Cardi-OH grant-funded members and 47% (46/98) of non–grant-funded members provided direct clinical care. The top cardiovascular medicine and diabetes clinical topics for Cardi-OH grant-funded members (clinical and nonclinical) were lifestyle prescriptions (50/103, 48.5%), atypical diabetes (38/103, 36.9%), COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease (CVD; 38/103, 36.9%), and mental health and CVD (38/103, 36.9%). For non–grant-funded members, the top topics were lifestyle prescriptions (53/98, 54%), mental health and CVD (39/98, 40%), alcohol and CVD (27/98, 28%), and cardiovascular complications (27/98, 28%). Regarding social determinants of health, Cardi-OH grant-funded members prioritized 3 topics: weight bias and stigma (44/103, 42.7%), family-focused interventions (40/103, 38.8%), and adverse childhood events (37/103, 35.9%). Non–grant-funded members’ choices were family-focused interventions (51/98, 52%), implicit bias (43/98, 44%), and adverse childhood events (39/98, 40%). Assessment of other risk factors for CVD and diabetes across grant- and non–grant-funded members revealed screening for social determinants of health in approximately 50% of patients in each practice, whereas some frequency of depression and substance abuse screening occurred in 80% to 90% of the patients. Access to best practice home monitoring devices was challenging, with 30% (16/53) and 41% (19/46) of clinical grant-funded and non–grant-funded members reporting challenges in obtaining home blood pressure monitoring devices and 68% (36/53) and 43% (20/46) reporting challenges with continuous glucose monitors. ConclusionsCardi-OH grant- and non–grant-funded members shared the following high-priority topics: lifestyle prescriptions, CVD and mental health, family-focused interventions, alcohol and CVD, and adverse childhood experiences. Identifying high-priority educational topics and preferred delivery modalities for evidence-based materials is essential for ensuring that the dissemination of resources is practical and useful for providers.

Given that Ecuadorians are one of the largest groups of Hispanics living in New York, they have become a tight community that they now call little Ecuador. Although Ecuadorians living in the diaspora in NYC come from different parts of the country (mostly from the Andean region), they share the same cultural practices they performed in Ecuador that give them the sense of being in their country without bearing the instability and turmoil their country experiences. This shows how the group has fostered a sense of a multifaceted, multidimensional simultaneity between the host country and the motherland. The goal of this paper is to analyze the strategies Ecuadorian migrants use to validate their language and cultural practices to negotiate their identity as a group. Data for this paper come from ethnographic observations, semi-spontaneous conversations, oral interviews with members of the group, along with pictures taken while walking the community and participating in some of their events. Our study reveals that participants hold varying perceptions regarding their linguistic and cultural practices. However, it is noteworthy that they recognize these practices as a manifestation of Ecuadorianness, signifying a sense of solidarity among community members.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations between plasma biomarkers of brain injury and MRI and cognitive measures in participants with type 1 diabetes (T1D) from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma amyloid-β-40, amyloid-β-42, neurofilament light chain (NfL), phosphorylated Tau-181 (pTau-181), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were measured in 373 adults who participated in the DCCT/EDIC study. MRI assessments included total brain and white matter hyperintensity volumes, white matter mean fractional anisotropy, and indices of Alzheimer disease (AD)–like atrophy and predicted brain age. Cognitive measures included memory and psychomotor and mental efficiency tests and assessments of cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Participants were 60 (range 44–74) years old with 38 (30–51) years' T1D duration. Higher NfL was associated with an increase in predicted brain age (0.51 years per 20% increase in NfL; P < 0.001) and a 19.5% increase in the odds of impaired cognition (P < 0.01). Higher NfL and pTau-181 were associated with lower psychomotor and mental efficiency (P < 0.001) but not poorer memory. Amyloid-β measures were not associated with study measures. A 1% increase in mean HbA1c was associated with a 14.6% higher NfL and 12.8% higher pTau-181 (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this aging T1D cohort, biomarkers of brain injury did not demonstrate an AD-like profile. NfL emerged as a biomarker of interest in T1D because of its association with higher HbA1c, accelerated brain aging on MRI, and cognitive dysfunction. Our study suggests that early neurodegeneration in adults with T1D is likely due to non-AD/nonamyloid mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate quantitative and qualitative changes in retinal structure using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and their associations with systemic or other risk factors in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study, OCT images were obtained during study years 25–28 (2019–2022) in 937 participants; 54% and 46% were from the original intensive (INT) and conventional (CONV) glycemic management treatment groups, respectively. RESULTS: Average age for participants was 61 years old, diabetes duration 39 years, and HbA1c 7.6%. Participants originally in the CONV group were more likely to have disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL) (CONV 27.3% vs. INT 18.7%; P = 0.0003), intraretinal fluid (CONV 24.4% vs. INT 19.2%; P = 0.0222), and intraretinal cysts (CONV 20.8% vs. INT 16.6%; P = 0.0471). In multivariable models, sex, age, smoking, mean updated systolic blood pressure, and history of "clinically significant" macular edema (CSME) and of anti-VEGF treatment were independently associated with changes in central subfield thickness, while HbA1c, BMI, and history of CSME and of ocular surgery were associated with DRIL. Visual acuity (VA) decline was associated with significant thinning of all retinal subfields except for the central and inner nasal subfields. CONCLUSIONS: Early intensive glycemic management in T1D is associated with a decreased risk of DRIL. This important morphological abnormality was associated with a history of macular edema, a history of ocular surgery, and worse VA. This study reveals benefits of intensive glycemic management on the retina beyond features detected by fundus photographs and ophthalmoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether type 1 diabetes and its complications are associated with bone geometry and microarchitecture. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was embedded in a long-term observational study. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) scans of the distal radius and distal and diaphyseal tibia were performed in a subset of 183 participants with type 1 diabetes from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) study and 94 control participants without diabetes. HbA1c, skin advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and diabetes-related complications were assessed in EDIC participants with >30 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Compared with control participants (aged 60 ± 8 years, 65% female), EDIC participants (aged 60 ± 7 years, diabetes duration 38 ± 5 years, 51% female) had lower total bone mineral density (BMD) at the distal radius (−7.9% [95% CI −15.2%, −0.6%]; P = 0.030) and distal tibia (−11.3% [95% CI −18.5%, −4.2%]; P = 0.001); larger total area at all sites (distal radius 4.7% [95% CI 0.5%, 8.8%; P = 0.030]; distal tibia 5.9% [95% CI 2.1%, 9.8%; P = 0.003]; diaphyseal tibia 3.4% [95% CI 0.8%, 6.1%; P = 0.011]); and poorer radius trabecular and cortical microarchitecture. Estimated failure load was similar between the two groups. Among EDIC participants, higher HbA1c, AGE levels, and macroalbuminuria were associated with lower total BMD. Macroalbuminuria was associated with larger total area and lower cortical thickness at the distal radius. Higher HbA1c and AGE levels and lower glomerular filtration rate, peripheral neuropathy, and retinopathy were associated with deficits in trabecular microarchitecture. CONCLUSIONS: Type 1 diabetes is associated with lower BMD, larger bone area, and poorer trabecular microarchitecture. Among participants with type 1 diabetes, suboptimal glycemic control, AGE accumulation, and microvascular complications are associated with deficits in bone microarchitecture and lower BMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is common; however, the features and burden of neuropathic pain (NP) in type 1 diabetes (T1D) are poorly understood. We evaluated the incidence of first occurrence, annual prevalence, remission, and risk factors for NP during long-term follow-up of participants with T1D. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) was administered annually (1994–2020) for 1,324 participants in the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study. NP with clinical signs of DPN (NP DPN+) was defined according to self-reported NP plus an examination score >2, while NP without clinical signs of DPN (NP DPN−) was defined according to self-reported NP and an examination score ≤2. RESULTS: At EDIC year 1, median age for participants was 36 years (interquartile range 30, 41), diabetes duration 13 years (10, 18), and HbA1c 7.9% (7.2, 8.9). At year 26 (median diabetes duration 39 years), cumulative incidence of NP was 57%, regardless of concomitant clinical signs of DPN (36% NP DPN+ vs. 46% NP DPN−). NP prevalence was 20% at 26 years (11% NP DPN+ and 9% NP DPN−), suggesting frequent remission. Annualized remission rates were similar regardless of pain medication use. In addition to HbA1c, female sex was associated with NP DPN−. CONCLUSIONS: NP incidence in T1D was high and frequently occurred in the absence of clinical signs of neuropathy, as assessed with the MNSI. Pain remission was not explained by pain medication use. Effective clinical strategies for identification and management are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) face an increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia. Diabetes-related and vascular risk factors have been linked to cognitive decline using detailed neuropsychological testing; however, it is unclear if cognitive screening batteries can detect cognitive changes associated with aging in T1D. Method: 1,049 participants with T1D (median age 59 years; range 43–74) from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), and the follow-up Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study, completed the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-C) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Neuropsychological assessments, depression, glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c), severe hypoglycemia, T1D complications, and vascular risk factors were assessed repeatedly over 32 years to determine associations with current NIHTB-C performance. Available cognitive data was clinically adjudicated to determine cognitive impairment status. Results: NIHTB-C scores had moderate associations (r = 0.36–0.53) with concurrently administered neuropsychological tests. In multivariate models, prior severe hypoglycemic episodes, depression symptoms, nephropathy, lower BMI, and higher HbA1c and LDL cholesterol were associated with poorer NIHTB-C Fluid Cognition Composite scores. The NIHTB-C adequately detected adjudicated cognitive impairment (Area Under the Curve = 0.86; optimal cut score ≤90). The MoCA performed similarly (Area Under the Curve = 0.83; optimal cut score ≤25). Conclusions: The NIHTB-C is sensitive to the cognitive effects of diabetes-related and vascular risk factors, correlated with neuropsychological testing, and accurately detects adjudicated cognitive impairment. These data support its use as a screening test in middle to older aged adults with T1D to determine if referral for detailed neuropsychological assessment is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]