Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) of the liver is a rare type of liver cancer that is prevalent in children and young adults, often less than 40 years old. The etiology is unclear. It presents without underlying liver disease with distinctive histological features such as fibrous collagen bands surrounding the tumor cells. Fusion protein DNAJB1-PRKACA is found in most of the cases. The prognosis of FLC is poor. Even though curative treatment option is surgery for a certain patient population, other treatment modalities including radiation, chemotherapy are currently being used without significant improvement of overall survival. Recently, targeted therapy and immunotherapy have been studied which may provide survival advantage in the future. This review sought to compile data from clinical trials and case reports/series to outline the current state of FLC treatment.

As the use of wearable devices continues to expand, their integration into various aspects of healthcare becomes increasingly prevalent. Indeed, significant advancements have been made in the field of cardiology through the application of wearable technology to monitor heart rate, rhythm, and other biological signals. This review examines the various applications of wearable technology in cardiology, with the goal of improving patient care. We evaluate the accuracy and functionality of existing wearable electrocardiograms, defibrillators, blood pressure monitors, fitness trackers, activity trackers, and sleep trackers, including their roles in cardiac rehabilitation. Furthermore, we highlight the significant advancements in wearable electrocardiograms, demonstrating their accuracy comparable to that of traditional monitoring devices, as shown by studies such as the Apple Heart Study and the Fitbit Heart Study. Recent research suggests that wearable electrocardiograms are comparable to conventional monitoring devices in terms of performance and can help reduce healthcare costs. However, as technological improvements continue to evolve, challenges related to accessibility, patient privacy, and the need for improved accuracy are also emerging. This review highlights recent advancements that aim to address these challenges. Nonetheless, further research is crucial to critically assess and identify shortcomings, as wearable devices possess significant potential to enhance cardiovascular and overall health.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). However, data on the burden and predictors of MACCE in geriatric patients with OSA (G-OSA) remain limited. Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample from 2018, we identified G-OSA admissions (age ≥ 65 years) and divided them into non-MACCE vs. MACCE (all-cause mortality, stroke, acute myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrest). We compared the demographics and comorbidities in both cohorts and extracted the odds ratio (multivariate analysis) of MACCE and associated in-hospital mortality. Results: Out of 1,141,120 geriatric obstructive sleep apnea G-OSA admissions, 9.9% (113,295) had MACCE. Males, Asians, or the Pacific Islander/Native American race, and patients from the lowest income quartile revealed a higher MACCE rate. Significant clinical predictors of MACCE in elderly OSA patients on multivariable regression analysis in decreasing odds were pulmonary circulation disease (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.31–1.66), coagulopathy (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.35–1.50), peripheral vascular disease (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.28–1.40), prior sudden cardiac arrest (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.11–1.62), prior myocardial infarction (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.22–1.33), fluid and electrolyte imbalances (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.20–1.29), male sex (OR 1.22, 95% CI-1.18–1.26), hyperlipidemia (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.16–1.24), low household income (OR 1.19, CI 1.13–1.26), renal failure (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.12–1.19), diabetes (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.10–1.17), metastatic cancer (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03–1.25), and prior stroke or TIA (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.07–1.17) (All p value < 0.05). Conclusions: This study emphasizes the significant association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in the geriatric population. Among the elderly OSA patients, a substantial 9.9% were found to have MACCE, with specific demographics like males, Asian or Pacific Islander/Native American individuals, and those from the lowest income quartile being particularly vulnerable. The study sheds light on several significant clinical predictors, with pulmonary circulation disease, coagulopathy, and peripheral vascular disease topping the list. The highlighted predictors provide valuable insights for clinicians, allowing for better risk stratification and targeted interventions in this vulnerable patient cohort. Further research is essential to validate these findings and inform how tailored therapeutic approaches for geriatric OSA patients can mitigate MACCE risk. Clinical Implications: Elderly individuals with a high risk for MACCE should undergo routine OSA screening using tools like the sensitive STOP-BANG Questionnaire. Implementing CPAP treatment can enhance cardiovascular outcomes in these patients.

One of the rare complications following acute COVID-19 infection is acute transverse myelitis (ATM). With only a few cases of ATM reported in the literature, an addition of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) diagnosed in our patient would underscore the complexity and diversity of neurological manifestations associated with this viral illness. A 54-year-old patient presented to the emergency department with fever, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting. The patient’s nasopharyngeal swab for COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) resulted positive. Few days later, the patient developed bilateral upper, lower extremities weakness, back pain, urinary retention and dysphagia. Subsequently, the clinical presentation, MRI, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and laboratory findings pointed toward LETM as a complication of COVID-19 infection over other differentials. The aggressiveness of this disease necessitated high-dose steroids and plasmapheresis, pain control medication and rehabilitation which led to a slight improvement in the neurological symptoms at the time of discharge to the rehabilitation facility.

Body Mass Index (BMI) has a significant impact on Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patient outcomes; however, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular outcomes in patients with severe sepsis have been poorly understood. Our study aims to explore and provide insight into its association. This is an observational study looking at the impact of BMI on COVID-19-severe sepsis hospitalizations. The primary outcomes are adjusted odds of all-cause in-hospital mortality, respiratory failure, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), which include acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and acute ischemic stroke. The secondary outcome was healthcare resource utilization. Coexisting comorbidities and patient features were adjusted with multivariable regression analyses. Of 51,740 patients with severe COVID-19-sepsis admissions, 11.4% were overweight, 24.8% had Class I obesity (BMI 30–34.9), 19.8% had Class II obesity (BMI 35–39.9), and 43.9% had the categorization of Class III obesity (BMI >40) cohorts with age>18 years. The odds of MACCE in patients with class II obesity and class III obesity (OR 1.09 and 1.54; 95CI 0.93–1.29 and 1.33–1.79) were significantly higher than in overweight (p < 0.001). Class I, Class II, and Class III patients with obesity revealed lower odds of respiratory failure compared to overweight (OR 0.89, 0.82, and 0.82; 95CI 0.75–1.05, 0.69–0.97, and 0.70–0.97), but failed to achieve statistical significance (p = 0.079). On multivariable regression analysis, all-cause in-hospital mortality revealed significantly higher odds in patients with Class III obesity, Class II, and Class I (OR 1.56, 1.17, and 1.06; 95CI 1.34–1.81, 0.99–1.38, and 0.91–1.24) vs. overweight patients (p < 0.001). Patients with Class II and Class III obesity had significantly higher odds of MACCE and in-hospital mortality in COVID-19-severe sepsis admissions.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus - 2 (SARS-CoV-2), later renamed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified in Wuhan, China, in early December 2019. Initially, the China office of the World Health Organization was informed of numerous cases of pneumonia of unidentified etiology in Wuhan, Hubei Province on December 31, 2019. This would subsequently result in a global pandemic with over 76 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 6.9 million deaths reported to the WHO. We have analyzed most of the data published since the beginning of the pandemic to compile this comprehensive review of SARS-CoV-2. We look at the core ideas, such as the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnostics, histopathologic findings, consequences, therapies, and vaccines. We have also included the long-term effects and myths associated with some therapeutics of COVID-19. This study comprehensively assesses of the SARS-CoV-2 virology, vaccines, medicines, and significant variants identified during the pandemic. Our review article is intended to provide medical practitioners with a better understanding of the fundamental sciences, clinical treatment, and prevention of COVID-19. As of June 2023, this paper contains the most recent data made accessible.