Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are endogenous danger molecules released from the extracellular and intracellular space of damaged tissue or dead cells. Recent evidence indicates that DAMPs are associated with the sterile inflammation caused by aging, increased ocular pressure, high glucose, oxidative stress, ischemia, mechanical trauma, stress, or environmental conditions, in retinal diseases. DAMPs activate the innate immune system, suggesting their role to be protective, but may promote pathological inflammation and angiogenesis in response to the chronic insult or injury. DAMPs are recognized by specialized innate immune receptors, such as receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), toll-like receptors (TLRs) and the NOD-like receptor family (NLRs), and purine receptor 7 (P2X7), in systemic diseases. However, studies describing the role of DAMPs in retinal disorders are meager. Here, we extensively reviewed the role of DAMPs in retinal disorders, including endophthalmitis, uveitis, glaucoma, ocular cancer, ischemic retinopathies, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and inherited retinal disorders. Finally, we discussed DAMPs as biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and therapeutic agents for retinal disorders.

Placenta percreta is the most severe form of placenta accreta and is characterized by placental invasion through the entirety of the myometrium and possibly into extrauterine tissues. It is associated with prior cesarean deliveries and placenta previa. Herein, we present the case of a patient who developed placenta percreta and experienced massive blood loss of 27 liters. She developed many complications over the next 11 months, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, preeclampsia after pregnancy, hematoma, blood clots in the bladder, lactation failure, ileus, vesicovaginal fistula, excessive scar tissue requiring surgery, loss of an ovary, and recurrent bladder perforation. We analyze the mechanisms of these complications and the most common complications associated with placenta percreta.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes in the retina. Chronic hyperglycemia damages retinal microvasculature embedded into the extracellular matrix (ECM), causing fluid leakage and ischemic retinal neovascularization. Current treatment strategies include intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or steroidal injections, laser photocoagulation, or vitrectomy in severe cases. However, treatment may require multiple modalities or repeat treatments due to variable response. Though DR management has achieved great success, improved, long-lasting, and predictable treatments are needed, including new biomarkers and therapeutic approaches. Small-leucine rich proteoglycans, such as decorin, constitute an integral component of retinal endothelial ECM. Therefore, any damage to microvasculature can trigger its antifibrotic and antiangiogenic response against retinal vascular pathologies, including DR. We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the association between aqueous humor (AH) decorin levels, if any, and severity of DR. A total of 82 subjects (26 control, 56 DR) were recruited. AH was collected and decorin concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Decorin was significantly increased in the AH of DR subjects compared to controls (p = 0.0034). AH decorin levels were increased in severe DR groups in ETDRS and Gloucestershire classifications. Decorin concentrations also displayed a significant association with visual acuity (LogMAR) measurements. In conclusion, aqueous humor decorin concentrations were found elevated in DR subjects, possibly due to a compensatory response to the retinal microvascular changes during hyperglycemia.

Sarcomas, tumors of mesenchymal origin, comprise a small percentage of all malignant tumors and are often challenging to diagnose. Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare form of cancer arising from smooth muscle cells. While a soft tissue sarcoma diagnosis is rare in and of itself, LMS diagnosis at an adolescent age is even more unique. Vulvar LMS can easily be misdiagnosed as a benign vaginal lesion, leading to a delay in proper treatment and poorer outcomes. In this case, we present a 14-year-old female who was diagnosed with a grade 2 vulvar LMS that clinically mimicked a Bartholin’s gland cyst.

Legionnaires' disease is caused by a potentially life-threatening infection with the opportunistic Gram-negative bacilli species Legionella pneumophila, which is transmitted via inhalation or aspiration of water droplets. Legionnaires’ commonly presents as atypical community-acquired pneumonia with accompanying diarrhea. Although hepatic and renal involvement are relatively uncommon, in this report, we present a case of Legionella pneumonia with acute hepatitis.

Background: Clinical documentation of patient care alters coding accuracy of Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Groups (MS-DRGs), expected mortality, and expected length of stay (LOS) which impact quality metrics. We aimed to determine if neurosurgical quality metrics could be improved by facilitating accurate documentation and subsequently developed a mobile application and educational video to target areas of opportunity. Methods: Vizient software was used to analyze MS-DRGs and expected LOS for sample of patients requiring surgery for spinal pathology, brain tumors, and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) between January 2019 and August 2021. Chart reviews were conducted to discover variables missed by documenting provider and/or coder. Results: Review of 114 spinal surgeries, 20 brain tumors, and 53 SAH patients revealed at least one additional variable impacting LOS in 43% of spine, 75% of brain tumor, and 92% of SAH patients, with an average of 1 (1.25), 2 (1.75), and 3 (2.89) new variables, respectively. Recalculated expected LOS increased by an average of 0.86 days for spine, 3.08 for brain tumor, and 6.46 for SAH cases. Conclusion: Efforts to accurately document patient care can improve quality metrics such as expected LOS, mortality, and cost estimates. We determined several missing variables which impact quality metrics, showing opportunity exists in neurosurgical documentation improvement. Subsequently, we developed an educational video and mobile-supported application to specifically target these variables. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first initiative to utilize the proven powers of mobile phones in health care toward the novel application of specifically improving neurosurgical quality metrics.