Dual Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CL Protease and Human Cathepsin L Containing Glutamine Isosteres Are Anti-CoV-2 Agents.

SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease (Main protease) and human cathepsin L are proteases that play unique roles in the infection of human cells by SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Both proteases recognize leucine and other hydrophobic amino acids at the P position of a peptidomimetic inhibitor. At the P position, cathepsin L accepts many amino acid side chains, with a partial preference for phenylalanine, while 3CL-PR protease has a stringent specificity for glutamine or glutamine analogues.

A Bacteriophage Protein-Based Impedimetric Electrochemical Biosensor for the Detection of .

is a common foodborne pathogen found in poultry that can cause severe life-threatening illnesses in humans. It is important to detect this pathogen in food to manage foodborne outbreaks. This study reports a novel impedimetric phage protein-based biosensor to detect NCTC 11168 at 100 CFU/mL concentrations using a genetically engineered receptor-binding phage protein, FlaGrab, as a bioreceptor.

A Retrospective Review of Patient-reported Outcomes after Postaxial Polydactyly Ligation and Surgical Excision.

Background: Interventions for type B postaxial polydactyly include suture ligation and surgical excision, yet there is a paucity of literature comparing the outcomes of these procedures. This study sought to compare patient-reported long-term outcomes of postaxial digit excision.

Methods: A six-question survey was distributed from January 2021 to March 2022 to patients who underwent treatment for type B postaxial polydactyly at a single pediatric institution from 2010 to 2016.

Post-translational modification by the Pgf glycosylation machinery modulates Streptococcus mutans OMZ175 physiology and virulence.

Streptococcus mutans is commonly associated with dental caries and the ability to form biofilms is essential for its pathogenicity. We recently identified the Pgf glycosylation machinery of S. mutans, responsible for the post-translational modification of the surface-associated adhesins Cnm and WapA.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Inpatient Interventional Pain Management for Lumbar Radiculopathy.

Background: Chronic pain is a common reason adults seek care; patients often feel that their pain is inadequately managed. Spine-related pain is the most common chronic pain concern, and lumbar radiculopathy is often the cause. Racial and ethnic disparities in the pharmacologic management of pain are well described, but less is known about these disparities regarding interventional procedures.

Botulinum Toxin to Improve Scar Quality in Cleft Lip Repair: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Cleft lip repair (CLR) can be complicated by hypertrophic scar or keloid. Botulinum toxin type A (BTA) may improve postoperative scarring by reducing muscle tension and cytokine activity at the scar site. This systematic review analyzes the available evidence regarding the effect of BTA on scar quality after CLR.

Prevalence of Prohibited Questions during Plastic Surgery Residency Interviews.

Unlabelled: Despite rules set forth by the National Resident Matching Program and American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), prohibited questions during the residency interview process are well documented. This study describes the prevalence of these encounters by surveying residency applicants to integrated plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) programs for the 2022 match cycle.

Methods: An anonymous 16-question REDCap survey was distributed to 2022 cycle applicants of a single PRS program.

Examining the unmet needs of chronic wound patients with common mental disorders.

Background: Common mental disorders (CMD) are highly morbid conditions not routinely screened for in chronic wound care. A comorbid psychiatric condition's influence on a patient with chronic wounds' quality of life (QoL) is unknown. This study investigates the implications of CMD on QoL in patients with chronic lower extremity (LE) wounds.

Amputation Acceptance: A Survey of Factors Influencing the Decision to Undergo Lower Extremity Amputation.

Accepting to undergo amputation is an arduous process often fraught with confusion, fear, and uncertainty. To assess how to best facilitate discussions with at-risk patients, we surveyed lower extremity amputees about their experiences surrounding this decision-making process. Patients who underwent lower extremity amputation at our institution from October 2020 to October 2021 were asked to complete a 5-item telephone survey assessing their decision to undergo amputation and postoperative satisfaction.

Involvement of the Streptococcus mutans PgfE and GalE 4-epimerases in protein glycosylation, carbon metabolism, and cell division.

Streptococcus mutans is a key pathogen associated with dental caries and is often implicated in infective endocarditis. This organism forms robust biofilms on tooth surfaces and can use collagen-binding proteins (CBPs) to efficiently colonize collagenous substrates, including dentin and heart valves. One of the best characterized CBPs of S.

Trends in Craniofacial Fellowship Career Outcomes: A Call for Expanding Professional Opportunities in Craniofacial Surgery.

Purpose: Limited available pediatric plastic surgery positions fail to accommodate the increasing number of craniofacial fellows trained annually. However, many adult indications have increased the demand for craniofacial expertise. Given new opportunities available to craniofacial surgeons, the authors aim to evaluate career prospects for recent craniofacial graduates and explore additional career opportunities.

A 10-Year Retrospective Review of the Nonsurgical Treatment of Infant Ear Anomalies.

Background: A review of a single surgeon's 10-year experience treating congenital ear anomalies using nonsurgical ear molding is presented. This study assesses the efficacy of treating a variety of anomalies in infants with age ranging from younger than 1 week to 22 weeks and identifies potential barriers to care.

Methods: A retrospective chart and photographic review of 246 consecutive infants treated with ear molding between 2010 and 2019 was undertaken.

Evolution of Anomaly-Specific Techniques in Infant Ear Molding: A 10-Year Retrospective Study.

Background: Congenital ear anomalies occur in at least one-third of the population, and less than one-third of cases self-correct. Ear molding is an alternative to surgery that spares operative morbidity and allows for significantly earlier intervention. In this retrospective study, the senior author (S.

TeleNeuroICU: Expanding the Reach of Subspecialty Neurocritical Care.

Telemedicine is a rapidly growing field of medicine due to a combination of high-speed global telecommunication systems and accessibility of small, fast mobile computing platforms with bidirectional audiovisual camera capabilities. Teleneurology is a subset of telemedicine. TeleNeuroICU, one form of teleneurology, is the practice of virtually consulting on patients in the ICU setting with neurological and neurosurgical conditions.

The Relationship Between Autoimmune Disease and Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs on Wound Healing.

To evaluate the role of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on wound healing outcomes of patients with autoimmune disease at our tertiary wound care center. Retrospective review of patients presenting to our wound care center between 2014 and 2018 with both chronic wounds and a history of inflammatory disease. Patient demographics, comorbid conditions, and progression to complete wound healing were compared between those taking DMARDs or not at the time of wound onset.

Development, Phenotypic Characterization and Genomic Analysis of a Panel for Tularemia Vaccine Testing.

is one of several biothreat agents for which a licensed vaccine is needed to protect against this pathogen. To aid in the development of a vaccine protective against pneumonic tularemia, we generated and characterized a panel of isolates that can be used as challenge strains to assess vaccine efficacy. Our panel consists of both historical and contemporary isolates derived from clinical and environmental sources, including human, tick, and rabbit isolates.

Nutritional markers for predicting lower extremity free tissue transfer outcomes in the chronic wound population.

Background: Optimizing nutritional status is critical to maximize flap success and healing. Prealbumin and albumin have been utilized as easily obtained proxies for overall nutritional status. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these markers are correlated with healing time and overall flap healing after lower extremity (LE) free tissue transfer (FTT) in the chronic wound population.

Time Is Brain: Prehospital Emergency Medical Services Response Times for Suspected Stroke and Effects of Prehospital Interventions.

Objectives: To compare prehospital time for patients with suspected stroke in Florida with the American Stroke Association (ASA) time benchmarks, and to investigate the effects of dispatch notification and stroke assessment scales on prehospital time.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using data from Florida's Emergency Medical Services Tracking and Reporting System database. All patients with suspected stroke transported to a treatment center from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018, were analyzed.

Value of Broad Range 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene PCR / Sequencing (Br-PCR) of CSF in the Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening condition that requires quick and definitive diagnosis. Bacterial cultures from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) return with a negative result as treatment with antimicrobials are sometimes started before sampling of CSF can be obtained which makes isolating the causative bacteria challenging. The value of Broad Range 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Polymerase Chain Reaction / Sequencing of CSF (Br-PCR) can address this problem by amplifying and identifying any bacterial DNA present in a clinical sample.

"But the Law Won't Help Us": Challenges of Mobilizing Law 348 to Address Violence Against Women in Bolivia.

Drawing on findings of an original 12-month ethnographic study, this article presents the challenges that Bolivian women face in accessing a new law that has been designed to protect them, Law 348 to "Guarantee Women a Life Free from Violence." Data reveal that while the law creates opportunities for the (re)conceptualization of violence, mobilizing the law is fraught with difficulties and a culture of impunity prevails. The challenges of implementation are both nationally and internationally significant as other countries seek to enact similar legal strategies.

Nerve Repair with Nerve Conduits: Problems, Solutions, and Future Directions.

Nerve conduits are becoming increasingly popular for the repair of peripheral nerve injuries. Their ease of application and lack of donor site morbidity make them an attractive option for nerve repair in many situations. Today, there are many different conduits to choose in different sizes and materials, giving the reconstructive surgeon many options for any given clinical problem.

Risk factors for bacteremia and central line-associated blood stream infections in children with acute myelogenous leukemia: A single-institution report.

Background: Central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs) are a source of high morbidity and mortality in children with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).

Procedure: To understand the epidemiology and risk factors associated with the development of CLABSI in children with AML.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with AML over a 5-year period between 2007 and 2011 at the Children's Hospital Colorado.

Ischemic Stroke After Wasp Sting.

Background: Despite the common occurrence of hymenopteran stings worldwide, primary neurologic manifestations including stroke are rare. We report a case of a healthy male who developed a right middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory ischemic stroke after getting stung by a wasp.

Case Report: A 44-year-old man with hypertension presented to the hospital with sudden-onset left hemiparesis, left facial weakness, and dysarthria after being stung by a wasp.