Publications by authors named "Alvin Nguyen"

Introduction: Cannabinoid-related emergency department (ED) visits are increasing, yet little has been published about how the route of cannabinoid use (inhaled versus oral) affects ED presentations. We sought to compare ED visits from inhaled versus oral cannabinoid use.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using ED patients with a cannabinoid related diagnosis from January 1, 2020 and May 31, 2023 from a single hospital system in Florida.

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Background: Enophthalmos is a surgical indication for orbital fracture repair. However, guidelines to predict enophthalmos in orbital fractures are ambiguous. We systematically reviewed the existing literature on utilizing CT findings to establish objective metrics to predict enophthalmos in asymptomatic patients during initial trauma work-up.

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Objective: Fronto-orbital advancement involves removal of the fronto-orbital bandeau. Visualization of the saw blade is lost as it passes through the fronto-orbital-sphenoid junction (FOSJ), placing the temporal lobe at risk of injury. We aim to provide a 3D analysis of the space surrounding this osteotomy to differentiate various types of craniosynostoses.

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Background: Myriad options are available for plastic surgeons to perform soft-tissue analysis, which is vital to perioperative evaluation and research. Our objective is to compare the accuracy, precision, and efficiency of the available cephalometric modalities for conducting facial soft-tissue measurements.

Methods: Twenty soft-tissue facial measurements were performed by 5 measurers with varying experiences on 5 adult subjects, using 6 methods-manual calipers, cone-beam CT, virtual reality (VR), 3D stereophotogrammetry, iPad-based 3D photogrammetry, and 2-dimensional photographs.

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How recently originated gene copies become stable genomic components remains uncertain as high sequence similarity of young duplicates precludes their functional characterization. The tandem multigene family Sdic is specific to Drosophila melanogaster and has been annotated across multiple reference-quality genome assemblies. Here we show the existence of a positive correlation between Sdic copy number and total expression, plus vast intrastrain differences in mRNA abundance among paralogs, using RNA-sequencing from testis of four strains with variable paralog composition.

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Objective: Describe the tracheostomy and ventilation management of patients admitted due to COVID-19 as facilitated by speech language pathologists (SLPs) and otolaryngologists within the long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) setting.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Long-term acute care hospital.

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Purpose: Long term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) saw a significant increase in COVID-19 patients with prolonged acute illness recovery. Speech language pathologists (SLP) in LTACHs were integral in assessing swallowing and providing rehabilitation for dysphagia, however, there is limited research on LTACHs and dysphagia. Our aim was to describe this unique dysphagia management experience to improve future patient care.

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated masking in public spaces. Masks may impact the perceived attractiveness of individuals and hence, interpersonal relations.

Objectives: To determine if facial coverings affect attractiveness.

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Intrathecal amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmB-d) can be prescribed as an adjunct to systemic therapy for severe or recalcitrant cases coccidioidal meningitis. Recently intravenous (IV) Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) has been recommended as monotherapy therapy for refractory coccidioidal meningitis based on its advantages over (AmB-d), however, its intrathecal use has not been reported. Moreover, there is nothing in the literature quantifying clinical improvement with objective laboratory data in human patients.

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Nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) are FDA-approved devices used to bridge gaps across severed nerve cables and help direct axons sprouting from the proximal end toward the distal stump. In this article, we present the development of a novel electrically conductive, biodegradable NGC made from a polypyrrole-block-polycaprolactone (PPy-PCL) copolymer material laminated with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). The PPy-PCL has a bulk conductivity ranging 10-20 S/cm and loses 40 wt % after 7 months under physiologic conditions.

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