Copper-Induced Chemosensory Impairment is Reversed by a Short Depuration Period in Northern Clearwater Crayfish (Faxonius propinquus).

Crayfish rely on their chemosensory system for many essential behaviours including finding food, finding mates, and to recognize individuals. Copper can impair chemosensation in crayfish at low concentrations; however, it is not clear if the effect is ameliorated once copper is removed. To better understand the effect of and recovery from copper exposure in crayfish, we exposed Northern clearwater crayfish (Faxonius propinquus) to 31.

A systematic review of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the chest wall.

Background: Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) accounts for approximately 15% of all soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) cases and have a 5-year survival prognosis of around 60%. Due to its complexity, tumors are often identified by clinical and pathological exclusion. UPS is commonly found in the extremities, so finding them in the trunk and chest wall is rare.

Consensus for Thoracoscopic Lower Lobectomy: Essential Components and Targets for Simulation.

Background: Despite demonstration of its clear benefits relative to open approaches, a video-assisted thoracic surgery technique for pulmonary lobectomy has not been universally adopted. This study aims to overcome potential barriers by establishing the essential components of the operation and determining which steps are most useful for simulation training.

Methods: After randomly selecting experienced thoracic surgeons to participate, an initial list of components to a lower lobectomy was distributed.

Cannabis Use Is Associated With Recurrence After Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a frequently encountered entity that carries a high rate of recurrence. The current study aims to investigate if cannabis use at time of initial PSP is associated with disease recurrence. Patients presenting with PSP between 2010 and 2018 at a single institution were identified.

Redefining the Risk of Surgery for Clinical Stage IIIA (N2) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Pooled Analysis of the STS GTSD and ESTS Registry.

Background: Management of clinical stage IIIA-N2 (cIIIA-N2) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. We evaluated treatment strategies and outcomes in cIIIA-N2 NSCLC patients who underwent pulmonary resection in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database (STS GTSD) and the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) Registry.

Methods: The STS GTSD and ESTS Registry were queried for patients who underwent pulmonary resection for cIIIA-N2 NSCLC between 2012 and 2016.

Sarcopenia after induction therapy is associated with reduced survival in patients undergoing esophagectomy for locally-advanced esophageal cancer.

Background: The impact of sarcopenia on the outcome of esophageal cancer patients remains unknown in North American populations. The current study aims to investigate if sarcopenia at the time of esophagectomy for locally-advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC) is associated with survival.

Methods: Patients who underwent induction therapy followed by esophagectomy for LAEC between 2010-2018 at a single institution were identified.

Determination of right ventricular function with adjusted systolic to diastolic duration ratio after transannular patch repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Background: Early detection of right ventricular dysfunction after transannular patch for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF-TAP) is essential for management.

Objectives: To evaluate echocardiographic metrics of ventricular function correlate with functional MRI measurements, in patients with TOF-TAP.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients with TOF-TAP between 2007 and 2017 who had an echocardiogram and MRI within six months were analyzed.

Serum Biomarkers May Prognosticate Recurrence in Node-Negative, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers Less Than 4 Centimeters.

Background: A significant proportion of patients who undergo lung resection for less than 4 cm non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) will die of disease recurrence within 5 years. The ability to identify patients at greatest risk for recurrence may help individualize treatment and surveillance regimens and improve outcomes. We hypothesized that a serum-based biomarker panel could help risk stratify patients with node-negative NSCLC less than 4 cm for recurrence after lung resection.

Durability of Silicone Airway Stents in the Management of Benign Central Airway Obstruction.

Purpose: The literature is devoid of a comprehensive analysis of silicone airway stenting for benign central airway obstruction (BCAO). With the largest series in the literature to date, we aim to demonstrate the safety profile, pattern of re-intervention, and duration of silicone airway stents.

Methods: An institutional database was used to identify patients with BCAO who underwent rigid bronchoscopy with dilation and silicone stent placement between 2002 and 2015 at Rush University Medical Center.

A large giant cell tumor of the larynx: case report and review of the literature.

Background: Giant cell tumors (GCTs) are typically found in the metaphyseal-epiphyseal area of long bones but can also occur in the head and neck region. GCT of the larynx is a rare entity with only 42 reported cases in the international literature. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge this is the largest laryngeal GCT reported in the literature to date.

Number of Ribs Resected is Associated with Respiratory Complications Following Lobectomy with en bloc Chest Wall Resection.

Purpose: Pulmonary lobectomy with en bloc chest wall resection is a common strategy for treating lung cancers invading the chest wall. We hypothesized a direct relationship exists between number of ribs resected and postoperative respiratory complications.

Methods: An institutional database was queried for patients with non-small cell lung cancer that underwent lobectomy with en bloc chest wall resection between 2003 and 2014.

Pleural space complications associated with lung transplantation.

Lung transplantation represents a life-saving option for some end-stage lung diseases. Despite the magnitude of anatomic manipulation and the fragility of the patient population, the procedures have become progressively safer. Perioperative morbidity, however, remains high.

Lactone synthesis activity in a site-directed mutant of an extradiol catechol dioxygenase enzyme.

A H115Y site-directed mutant of extradiol catechol dioxygenase MhpB catalyses an intramolecular lactonisation reaction upon its natural substrate.

Acid-base catalysis in the extradiol catechol dioxygenase reaction mechanism: site-directed mutagenesis of His-115 and His-179 in Escherichia coli 2,3-dihydroxyphenylpropionate 1,2-dioxygenase (MhpB).

The extradiol catechol dioxygenases catalyze the non-heme iron(II)-dependent oxidative cleavage of catechols to 2-hydroxymuconaldehyde products. Previous studies of a biomimetic model reaction for extradiol cleavage have highlighted the importance of acid-base catalysis for this reaction. Two conserved histidine residues were identified in the active site of the class III extradiol dioxygenases, positioned within 4-5 A of the iron(II) cofactor.