The Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) is a private medical school with a main campus in the neighborhood of Central Harlem in New York City and an additional campus in Middletown, New York. It is a division of Touro College and University System. The college's inaugural class graduated in 2011. It was the first medical school to open in New York State in nearly 30 years and is the first osteopathic medical school with a special emphasis on training minority doctors. TouroCOM currently has a student body of about 1080 students.TouroCOM has a stated goal of particularly identifying and recruiting students willing to make a commitment to practice in underserved communities such as Harlem and Middletown. The neighborhood has been designated by the federal government as underserved by medical professionals. Community service events such as free health counseling, screenings, and flu shots are offered to local residents by students and faculty several times a year.
Recommendations concerning the language used to describe autism center primarily around preferences for person-first language (PFL; e.g., person with autism) or identity-first language (IFL; e.g.., autistic person). Empirical research on this topic has recently proliferated, yet there is no clear consensus. In this study, we systematically reviewed prior research on the autistic community’s language preferences. Our search generated 2483 articles. Nineteen studies (N = 6350) quantitatively assessed autistic people’s perspectives of autism language terms. We extracted data regarding most preferred terms and terms deemed acceptable for use. All studies were conducted online. Fourteen assessed preferred terminology; 10 found that more participants preferred IFL than PFL, though there was also considerable PFL endorsement (4–39
The platelet-rich plasma in achilles tendon healing 2 (PATH-2) trial is the largest randomized study of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in acute Achilles tendon rupture. While the original frequentist analysis showed no significant benefit, such methods cannot quantify the probability of clinically meaningful improvement. We conducted a Bayesian re-analysis of PATH-2 data (n = 177) with Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) and patient-specific functional scale (PSFS) at 24 months as outcomes. Minimally clinically important differences (MCIDs) were defined as 8 ATRS points and 2.3 PSFS points. Across flat, neutral, optimistic, and pessimistic priors, posterior probabilities of PRP providing benefit ≥MCID were <0.001% for ATRS and ~5×10-13 for PSFS. Probabilities of any benefit were 39.6% and 47.0%, respectively, with posterior mean differences close to zero. Results were robust across priors. This analysis demonstrates that PRP is unlikely to yield clinically meaningful functional improvement after Achilles tendon rupture.
Objectives Pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction (PIPO) is a severe bowel motility disorder characterized by impaired propulsion of gastrointestinal contents without mechanical obstruction. PIPO encompasses congenital and acquired disorders, including neuropathies, myopathies, and mesenchymopathies. PIPO presents with abdominal distension, bilious vomiting, and severe constipation. Diagnosis is based on objective measures of neuromuscular dysfunction, dilated bowel on imaging, parenteral and/or enteral nutrition dependence, and genetic or metabolic testing. Antroduodenal manometry permits objective assessment of proximal bowel neuromuscular function. Genetic testing is increasingly valuable although causes of PIPO often remain incompletely defined. Understanding genotype-phenotype correlations is essential for clarifying disease mechanisms and guiding therapies. This study aimed to characterize the clinical and genetic profiles of children with PIPO, utilizing manometric data for subtype classification.Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted at a tertiary care pediatric medical center, with inclusion criteria of PIPO diagnosis, completed manometry testing, and genetic evaluation.Results Nineteen children met inclusion criteria. Antroduodenal manometry classified 59% as neuropathic, 35% as myopathic, and one with mixed neuropathic and myopathic dysfunction. Genetic testing revealed pathogenic ACTG2 mutations in all myopathic cases, while neuropathic PIPO exhibited more genetic variability. Histopathology was inconsistent and often nonspecific. Therapeutic approaches focused on nutritional support and promotility agents, with surgical intervention more common in myopathic cases.Conclusions This study highlights the association of ACTG2 mutations with a myopathic phenotype, and genetic diversity in neuropathic PIPO, emphasizing the need for further research to improve phenotyping to enhance diagnosis and treatment.
Chronic knee pain in young adults is frequently managed through conservative modalities, yet persistent dysfunction often leads to early orthopedic referral and eventual surgical intervention. This case describes a 26-year-old female medical student with nearly a decade of debilitating right lateral knee pain that persisted despite bracing, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections. In the setting of valgus alignment and chronic symptoms, surgical options were discussed during orthopedic evaluation, but the patient pursued osteopathic manipulative treatment prior to reconsidering operative management. This patient also presented with multiple chronic comorbidities, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and a history of obesity, all of which are known to increase mechanical stress and systemic inflammation contributing to musculoskeletal pain. Despite medical management for these metabolic and autoimmune disorders, her knee symptoms persisted and progressively worsened over several years. Osteopathic structural examination identified a right anterior fibular head somatic dysfunction. High-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation was performed, resulting in immediate and substantial pain reduction from 9/10 to 4/10, with near-complete relief over the following 24 hours. Continued myofascial and muscle-energy treatments were administered to maintain pain reduction and function for weeks thereafter. This case highlights the potential of targeted osteopathic manipulative treatment as a non-surgical, low-risk alternative for chronic knee pain in young adults and supports broader consideration of fibular head biomechanics in musculoskeletal diagnosis and management.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a common pigmentary disorder that is especially prevalent among individuals with skin of color. Lesions can persist for months to years and may contribute to psychosocial distress. Given its chronicity and significant impact, it is important to optimize treatment approaches tailored to diverse skin types. This review evaluated emerging therapies and treatment algorithms for PIH across adult and pediatric populations, with a focus on evidence specific to skin of color. A comprehensive literature search covering 2015 to 2025 identified clinical studies including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, case series, and case reports that reported on topical, systemic, or procedural interventions for PIH. Emphasis was placed on therapies that were evaluated in skin-of-color cohorts. Topical agents such as hydroquinone (HQ), retinoids, azelaic acid (AA), cysteamine, and tranexamic acid (TXA) remain first-line therapies alongside photoprotection. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated their efficacy: cysteamine 5% cream reduced hyperpigmentation indices within 16 weeks, while topical TXA combinations yielded a 30-40% improvement in pigmentation with favorable safety. Oral TXA and emerging nutraceuticals have also shown promise as systemic options. Procedural interventions, including chemical peels and laser therapies, must be used cautiously in individuals with darker skin. In pediatric PIH, first-line management includes gentle skincare, sun protection, and treatment of the underlying inflammatory condition before considering more aggressive interventions. Emerging therapies such as cysteamine and TXA expand the range of treatment options for PIH, providing effective and safe alternatives to HQ in skin of color. Stepwise, individualized regimens that integrate topical therapy, photoprotection, and adjunctive interventions can optimize outcomes while minimizing risks. Further research in pediatric and skin-of-color populations is needed to refine treatment algorithms.
