Tissue-Resident Memory CD4 T Cells Play a Dominant Role in the Initiation of Antitumor Immunity.

Tumor immunology has been studied extensively. Tumor immunology-based cancer immunotherapy has become one of the most promising approaches for cancer treatment. However, one of the fundamental aspects of tumor immunology-the initiation of antitumor immunity-is not fully understood.

Chronic Alcohol Consumption Enhances Skeletal Muscle Wasting in Mice Bearing Cachectic Cancers: The Role of TNFα/Myostatin Axis.

Background: Chronic alcohol consumption enhances cancer-associated cachexia, which is one of the major causes of decreased survival. The precise molecular mechanism of how alcohol consumption enhances cancer-associated cachexia, especially skeletal muscle loss, remains to be elucidated.

Methods: We used a mouse model of chronic alcohol consumption, in which 20% (w/v) alcohol was provided as sole drinking fluid, and Lewis lung carcinoma to study the underlying mechanisms.

Chronic alcohol consumption exacerbates murine cytomegalovirus infection via impairing nonspecific and specific NK activation in mice.

Chronic alcohol consumption increases the susceptibility to infectious diseases by compromising immune system. Cytomegalovirus infection is common in human and usually is asymptomatic in immunocompetent people. However, it can induce life-threatening medical complications in immunocompromised individuals such as alcoholics.

Chronic alcohol consumption exacerbates murine cytomegalovirus infection via impairing nonspecific and specific NK activation in mice.

Chronic alcohol consumption increases the susceptibility to infectious diseases by compromising the immune system. Cytomegalovirus infection is common in humans and usually is asymptomatic in immunocompetent people. However, it can induce life-threatening medical complications in immunocompromised individuals such as alcoholics.

Optimal surgical intervention for achalasia: laparoscopic or robotic approach.

Laparoscopic esophageal myotomy is the standard surgical intervention for achalasia. Compared to standard laparoscopic techniques, use of the robot has theoretical advantages of improved visualization and dexterity. We evaluated the University of Arizona's experience with the two alternatives to compare outcomes.

Changes in Tracheostomy- and Intubation-Related Tracheal Stenosis: Implications for Surgery.

Background: This study sought to identify the changing characteristic patterns and locations of stenosis after tracheostomy or intubation and to assess the risk factors associated with perioperative complication and restenosis after primary resection and reconstruction.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed (January /2012 to March 2015) on patients treated at the University of Arizona Medical Center (Tucson, Arizona) who had symptomatic tracheal stenosis secondary to prolonged intubation or tracheostomy. Data on demographics, surgical approach, and outcome were obtained.

Quality of routine health data collected by health workers using smartphone at primary health care in Ethiopia.

Background: Mobile phone based applications are considered by many as potentially useful for addressing challenges and improving the quality of data collection in developing countries. Yet very little evidence is available supporting or refuting the potential and widely perceived benefits on the use of electronic forms on smartphones for routine patient data collection by health workers at primary health care facilities.

Methods: A facility based cross sectional study using a structured paper checklist was prepared to assess the completeness and accuracy of 408 electronic records completed and submitted to a central database server using electronic forms on smartphones by 25 health workers.

Chronic alcohol consumption inhibits peripheral NK cell development and maturation by decreasing the availability of IL-15.

NK cells are innate immune cells and have important roles in antiviral and antitumor immunity. Based on the transcriptional regulation, organ distribution, and cell function, NK cells have recently been further divided into cytotoxic conventional NK cells (cNK) and noncytotoxic helper-like group 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s). It is well known that chronic alcohol consumption decreases peripheral NK cell number and cytolytic activity; however, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated.

Changes in Thoracic Surgery Experience During General Surgery Residency: A Review of the Case Logs From the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Background: Although exposure to thoracic surgery is mandated in general surgery residency, little is known about the mix of cases that residents use to meet this requirement and how this has changed over time. We report the experience of general thoracic surgery among general surgery residents using the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) database.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the prospectively maintained ACGME resident case log database from 2003 to 2013.

Thermal conditions experienced during differentiation affect metabolic and contractile phenotypes of mouse myotubes.

Central pathways regulate metabolic responses to cold in endotherms to maintain relatively stable internal core body temperatures. However, peripheral muscles routinely experience temperatures lower than core body temperature, so that it would be advantageous for peripheral tissues to respond to temperature changes independently from core body temperature regulation. Early developmental conditions can influence offspring phenotypes, and here we tested whether developing muscle can compensate locally for the effects of cold exposure independently from central regulation.

Factors in the Selection and Management of Chest Tubes After Pulmonary Lobectomy: Results of a National Survey of Thoracic Surgeons.

Background: This study determined patterns of chest tube (CT) selection and management after open lobectomy and minimally invasive lobectomy by thoracic surgeons.

Methods: Surveys were sent electronically to 5,175 thoracic surgeons, and 475 were completed. Responses, blinded so individuals could not be identified, were analyzed and compared according to surgeon characteristics (academic/private practice, years in practice, lobectomy volume, and geographic region).

Health workers' experiences, barriers, preferences and motivating factors in using mHealth forms in Ethiopia.

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) applications, such as innovative electronic forms on smartphones, could potentially improve the performance of health care workers and health systems in developing countries. However, contextual evidence on health workers' barriers and motivating factors that may influence large-scale implementation of such interfaces for health care delivery is scarce.

Methods: A pretested semistructured questionnaire was used to assess health workers' experiences, barriers, preferences, and motivating factors in using mobile health forms on smartphones in the context of maternal health care in Ethiopia.

Mobile health data collection at primary health care in Ethiopia: a feasible challenge.

Objectives: Feasibility assessment of mobile health (mHealth) data collection at primary health care in Ethiopia.

Study Design And Setting: A total of 14 health workers were recruited from 12 primary health care facilities to use smartphones, installed with customized data collection application and electronic maternal health care forms for assessing pregnant women's health for 6 months. Qualitative approaches comprising in-depth interviews and field notes were used to document the users' perception and experience in using the application and forms.

Meeting community health worker needs for maternal health care service delivery using appropriate mobile technologies in Ethiopia.

Background: Mobile health applications are complex interventions that essentially require changes to the behavior of health care professionals who will use them and changes to systems or processes in delivery of care. Our aim has been to meet the technical needs of Health Extension Workers (HEWs) and midwives for maternal health using appropriate mobile technologies tools.

Methods: We have developed and evaluated a set of appropriate smartphone health applications using open source components, including a local language adapted data collection tool, health worker and manager user-friendly dashboard analytics and maternal-newborn protocols.

Safety-net burden hospitals and likelihood of curative-intent surgery for non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Black patients are less likely to undergo surgery for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared with white patients, and are more likely to undergo resection at low-volume hospitals. However, little is known about the relationship between hospital safety-net burden and the likelihood of curative-intent surgery for black and white patients. This study analyzes whether hospital safety-net burden is associated with curative-intent surgery among adult early-stage NSCLC patients treated at facilities accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

Characterization of the Interaction between hantavirus nucleocapsid protein (N) and ribosomal protein S19 (RPS19).

Hantaviruses, members of the Bunyaviridae family, are negative-stranded emerging RNA viruses and category A pathogens that cause serious illness when transmitted to humans through aerosolized excreta of infected rodent hosts. Hantaviruses have evolved a novel translation initiation mechanism, operated by nucleocapsid protein (N), which preferentially facilitates the translation of viral mRNAs. N binds to the ribosomal protein S19 (RPS19), a structural component of the 40 S ribosomal subunit.

Large flap preservation in a patient with extensive necrotizing fasciitis: is vertical transmission of infection directly proportional to centrifugal spread of disease? .

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare yet rapidly progressive life-threatening soft tissue infection. Historically, radical excision (including skin) along with broad-spectrum antibiotics has been the treatment regimen of choice. The authors report a patient treated in the burn unit with extensive necrotizing fasciitis in whom large skin flap preservation was achieved.

Surgical practice: evidence or anecdote.

Objectives: Our objective is to highlight a few surgical practices that are not based on evidence but are still taught in surgical education, and to assess our experience with these practices.

Design: We identified 3 practices (clamping of nasogastric tubes before removal, bowel preparation before elective colon resection, and elective sigmoid colectomy following 2 bouts of diverticulitis), identified the data supporting each practice, and administered a survey to faculty and residents at our institution.

Setting: Wright State University Department of Surgery, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio.

Choice of first intervention is related to outcomes in the management of empyema.

Background: The study determined whether the first procedure; simple drainage (tube thoracostomy, pigtail catheter) or operation (video-assisted thoracic surgery [VATS], thoracotomy) was related to outcomes in the management of empyema.

Methods: Data were collected from 104 consecutive patients with empyema. Primary outcomes were additional procedures and death.