Publications by authors named "Czechowicz"

Regulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis plays a critical role in maintaining cell survival. When ER stress occurs, a network of three pathways called the unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated to reestablish homeostasis. While it is known that there is cross-talk between these pathways, how this complex network is regulated is not entirely clear.

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  • HSCT is a potentially curative treatment for blood and immune diseases but often involves harmful chemotherapy or radiation, leading to serious side effects like infections and secondary cancers.
  • Research has shown that using targeted monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against αCD117 can offer a safer alternative for HSCT preparations, with promising results in SCID mouse models.
  • The study identifies that the ACK2 mAb effectively inhibits HSC proliferation and enhances engraftment after HSCT, and when combined with the αCD47 mAb, it significantly improves outcomes in wildtype mouse models.
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Although our current knowledge of the molecular crosstalk between the ER stress, the unfolded protein response (UPR), and lipid homeostasis remains limited, there is increasing evidence that dysregulation of either protein or lipid homeostasis profoundly affects the other. Most research regarding UPR signaling in human diseases has focused on the causes and consequences of disrupted protein folding. The UPR itself consists of very complex pathways that function to not only maintain protein homeostasis, but just as importantly, modulate lipid biogenesis to allow the ER to adjust and promote cell survival.

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A shortage of transplant and cellular therapy (TCT) physicians is expected given the expansion of TCT indications and the scope of practice of TCT programs in recent years. American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) conducted a survey of early career transplant physicians and trainees to assess the factors that prompted them to pursue to career in TCT. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted via emails sent to the ASTCT membership.

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Anti-CD117 monoclonal antibody (mAb) agents have emerged as exciting alternative conditioning strategies to traditional genotoxic irradiation or chemotherapy for both allogeneic and autologous gene-modified hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Furthermore, these agents are concurrently being explored in the treatment of mast cell disorders. Despite promising results in animal models and more recently in patients, the short- and long-term effects of these treatments have not been fully explored.

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  • * This experiment produced 2.05 MJ of laser energy, resulting in 3.1 MJ of total fusion yield, which exceeds the Lawson criterion for ignition, demonstrating a key milestone in fusion research.
  • * The report details the advancements in target design, laser technology, and experimental methods that contributed to this historic achievement, validating over five decades of research in laboratory fusion.
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Objective: Limited data exists regarding otolaryngological (ENT) disease in refugees and we aim to characterize its prevalence.

Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive chart review of adult US-born, immigrant, and refugee patients receiving care at a primary care clinic between 2014 and 2017. We report the prevalence of ENT disease by immigration status.

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Aims: Ischaemic heart disease results from insufficient coronary blood flow. Direct measurement of absolute flow (mL/min) is feasible, but has not entered routine clinical practice in most catheterization laboratories. Interventional cardiologists, therefore, rely on surrogate markers of flow.

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Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are a rare type of hematopoietic cell that can entirely reconstitute the blood and immune system after transplantation. Allogeneic HSC transplantation (HSCT) is used clinically as a curative therapy for a range of hematolymphoid diseases; however, it remains a high-risk therapy because of its potential side effects, including poor graft function and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Ex vivo HSC expansion has been suggested as an approach to improve hematopoietic reconstitution in low-cell dose grafts.

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Aim: To describe experience using general practitioners (GPs), with an extended role (GPwER) in spinal medicine, to expedite assessment, triage, and management of patients referred from primary care for specialist spinal surgical opinion.

Background: Low back and neck pain are common conditions in primary care. Indiscriminate or inappropriate referral to a spinal surgeon contributes to long waiting times.

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Objectives: Cochlear implantation (CI) in children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) before 12 months of age (mo) improves language outcomes. MRI is important to assess CI candidacy. Anesthesia before 3 years old may increase risk of neurocognitive delay.

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In recent years, clinicians and doctors have become increasingly interested in fungal infections, including those affecting the mucous membranes. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is no exception. The etiology of this infection remains unexplained to this day, as well as the role and significance of asymptomatic vaginal colonization.

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  • * In inertially confined fusion, ignition allows the fusion process to spread into surrounding fuel, potentially leading to higher energy output.
  • * Recent experiments at the National Ignition Facility achieved capsule gains of 5.8 and approached ignition, even though "scientific breakeven" has not yet been fully realized.
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Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative treatment for patients with many different blood and immune diseases; however, current treatment regimens contain non-specific chemotherapy and/or irradiation conditioning, which carry both short-term and long-term toxicities. The use of such agents may be particularly harmful for patients with Fanconi anemia (FA), who have genetic mutations resulting in deficiencies in DNA repair, leading to increased sensitivity to genotoxic agents. mAb-based conditioning has been proposed as an alternative conditioning strategy for HSCT that minimizes these toxicities by eliminating collateral tissue damage.

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Drugs can be toxic to the fetus depending on the amount that permeates across the maternal-fetal barrier. One way to limit the amount which penetrates this barrier is to increase the molecular size of the drug. In this study, we have achieved this by encapsulating our model antibiotic (vancomycin hydrochloride, a known nephrotoxic agent) in liposomes.

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Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is one of the most common types of vaginal infections in women around the world and is often underestimated by both patients and doctors. Research on the pathogenesis of fungal vaginal infections over the last 20 years has resulted in a closer understanding of the virulence factors involved in epithelial invasion and their mechanisms of action. Recently, attention was drawn to the enormous complexity of the interaction between yeast-like fungi and host cells, as well as the level of complexity of the host's response to infection and their impact on the course and treatment of VVC.

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Waste glycerol generated during biofuel production accounts for ~10% of total biodiesel volume. Increasing the use of renewable energy sources, including so-called biodiesel, will significantly increase the amount of waste glycerol for disposal. One possible route for waste glycerol reuse is to use it as a draw solution in forward osmosis (FO).

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Objectives: To assess the impact of demographic factors and telehealth on access to pediatric otolaryngology care during the COVID-19 pandemic, as measured by attendance.

Methods: Retrospective, observational study of all referrals to pediatric otolaryngology at a single, tertiary care pediatric hospital system in the US. All referrals placed to pediatric otolaryngology from March through December 2020 were compared with referrals between March and December 2019.

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Triplex gene editing relies on binding a stable peptide nucleic acid (PNA) sequence to a chromosomal target, which alters the helical structure of DNA to stimulate site-specific recombination with a single-strand DNA (ssDNA) donor template and elicits gene correction. Here, we assessed whether the codelivery of PNA and donor template encapsulated in Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA)-based nanoparticles can correct sickle cell disease and x-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. However, through this process we have identified a false-positive PCR artifact due to the intrinsic capability of PNAs to aggregate with ssDNA donor templates.

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Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) occurs in over 75% of women at least once during their lifetime and is an infection that significantly affects their health. strains resistant to standard azole antifungal therapy and relapses of VVC are more and more common. Hypothetically, biofilm is one of the main reasons of relapses and failure of the therapy.

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Understanding racial and ethnic disparities in diagnostic rates of genetic testing is critical for health equity. We sought to understand the extent and cause of racial and ethnic disparities in diagnostic efficacy of comprehensive genetic testing (CGT) for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). We performed a retrospective cohort study at two tertiary children's hospitals on a diverse cohort of 240 consecutive pediatric patients (76% publicly insured, 82% non-White) with SNHL of unknown etiology who underwent CGT.

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Fungi from the genus are widespread commensals and, at the same time, are the leading cause of fungal infections worldwide. For instance, vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) affects approximately 75% of women at least once in their lifetime, remaining the second most common gynecological infection. On the contrary, hospital-acquired fungal bloodstream infections (BSIs), although less frequent, are characterized by a high mortality rate.

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Objectives: To compare treatment outcomes for sinogenic subdural empyema (SE) between those managed with initial endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) alone versus those treated with a combination of ESS and craniotomy over the last decade at our institution. To better characterize subdural empyema with regard to presentation, causative pathogens, and treatment course.

Methods: Retrospective single-center chart review to identify and evaluate pediatric SE patients between 2009 and 2019.

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