Prevalence of Cochlear Nerve Deficiency and Hearing Device Use in Children With Single-Sided Deafness.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of cochlear nerve deficiency (CND) in a cohort of pediatric patients with single-sided deafness (SSD). A secondary objective was to investigate trends in intervention and hearing device use in these children.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

The Relationship between Croup and Gastroesophageal Reflux: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The mechanism by which recurrent croup occurs is unknown. Gastroesophageal reflux is commonly implicated, although this relationship is only loosely documented. We conducted a systematic review with a meta-analysis component to evaluate the relationship between recurrent croup and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and to assess for evidence of improvement in croup symptoms when treated.

Operative Versus Nonoperative Management of Appendicitis: A Long-Term Cost Effectiveness Analysis.

Recent clinical trials suggest that nonoperative management (NOM) of patients with acute, uncomplicated appendicitis is an acceptable alternative to surgery. However, limited data exist comparing the long-term cost-effectiveness of nonoperative treatment strategies. We constructed a Markov model comparing the cost-effectiveness of three treatment strategies for uncomplicated appendicitis: 1) laparoscopic appendectomy, 2) inpatient NOM, and 3) outpatient NOM.

Saliva: An all-rounder of our body.

Saliva is a multifaceted bodily fluid that is often taken for granted but is indispensable for oral health and overall well-being in humans. Although mainly comprised of water (99.5%), proteins, ions and enzymes turn saliva into a viscoelastic solution that performs a variety of vital tasks.

Local and Visiting Physician Perspectives on Short Term Surgical Missions in Guatemala: A Qualitative Study.

Objective: To explore the impact of short-term surgical missions (STMs) on medical practice in Guatemala as perceived by Guatemalan and foreign physicians.

Summary Background Data: STMs send physicians from high-income countries to low and middle-income countries to address unmet surgical needs. Although participation among foreign surgeons has grown, little is known of the impact on the practice of foreign or local physicians.

Retrograde parotidectomy under local anesthesia for benign, malignant, and inflammatory lesions.

Objective: To report the patient selection, surgical technique, and outcomes of parotidectomy using local anesthesia under monitored anesthesia care (MAC).

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for patients undergoing parotidectomy under local anesthesia at an academic head and neck surgery center.

Results: Six patients deemed high risk for general anesthesia (GA) due to medical comorbidities or with a strong preference to avoid GA underwent parotidectomy using local anesthesia and MAC.

Analysis of induced pluripotent stem cells from a BRCA1 mutant family.

Understanding BRCA1 mutant cancers is hampered by difficulties in obtaining primary cells from patients. We therefore generated and characterized 24 induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from fibroblasts of eight individuals from a BRCA1 5382insC mutant family. All BRCA1 5382insC heterozygous fibroblasts, iPSCs, and teratomas maintained equivalent expression of both wild-type and mutant BRCA1 transcripts.

Huntingtin-interacting protein 1 phosphorylation by receptor tyrosine kinases.

Huntingtin-interacting protein 1 (HIP1) binds inositol lipids, clathrin, actin, and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). HIP1 is elevated in many tumors, and its expression is prognostic in prostate cancer. HIP1 overexpression increases levels of the RTK epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and transforms fibroblasts.

Separate checkpoints regulate splenic plasma cell accumulation and IgG autoantibody production in Lyn-deficient mice.

Accumulation of plasma cells and autoantibodies against nuclear antigens characterize both human and murine lupus. Understanding how these processes are controlled may reveal novel therapeutic targets for this disease. Mice deficient in Lyn, a negative regulator of B and myeloid cell activity, develop lupus-like autoimmune disease.