Long-Term Patient Satisfaction and Surgical Outcomes With Sophono Implants: A Single-Institution Experience.

Objectives Percutaneous and transcutaneous bone conduction hearing implants are used in various otological conditions. This study aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction with Sophono implants and their long-term surgical outcomes. Methods This retrospective study was conducted at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, between October 2022 and May 2023.

Evaluation of Clinical Performance of Ponto Implantation Using a Minimally Invasive Surgical Technique-A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Objective: To investigate the clinical outcomes of bone-anchored hearing implant surgery using the MONO procedure.

Study Design: Multicenter, multinational, single-arm, prospective trial with a 12-month follow-up.

Setting: Seven European university hospitals from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, and The Netherlands.

The multifaceted nature of HIV tissue reservoirs.

Purpose Of Review: To underline the complexity and the heterogeneity of the HIV reservoir.

Recent Findings: While lymphoid tissues (spleen, lymph nodes, gut-associated lymphoid tissue) harbor specific subsets of specialized CD4 +  T cells enriched in HIV-infected cells, non-CD4 +  T cell reservoirs such as tissue-resident macrophages and dendritic cells have also been implicated to contribute to viral persistence. Moreover, studies have applied highly sensitive tools to detect transcriptional activity within HIV-infected cells during prolonged ART and revealed a broader spectrum of transcriptional activity for proviruses than previously thought.

Management and mechanism of calciphylaxis in a patient treated with the FGFR inhibitor pemigatinib-a case report.

Background: Small molecule fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitors, such as pemigatinib, have been developed for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) with rearrangements or fusions in the FGFR2. FGFR inhibitors (FGFRis) have dermatologic side effects such as dry skin or nail bed damage. However, in very rare instances, a life-threatening vascular calcification disease known as calciphylaxis has been linked to these therapies.

Lymph node dendritic cells harbor inducible replication-competent HIV despite years of suppressive ART.

Although gut and lymph node (LN) memory CD4 T cells represent major HIV and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) tissue reservoirs, the study of the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in HIV persistence has long been limited to the blood due to difficulties to access lymphoid tissue samples. In this study, we show that LN migratory and resident DC subpopulations harbor distinct phenotypic and transcriptomic profiles. Interestingly, both LN DC subpopulations contain HIV intact provirus and inducible replication-competent HIV despite the expression of the antiviral restriction factor SAMHD1.

EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF KNOTLESS BARBED SUTURES IN CAPSULAR CLOSURE FOLLOWING DISTAL FEMUR FRACTURE FIXATION.

Introduction: Good wound closure is an important step in management of distal femur fracture to prevent infection and faster rehabilitation. Knotless barbed sutures can save time and distribute wound tension evenly. However, its role in terms of functional outcome, closure time, and postoperative complications has not been studied in a distal femur fracture.

Host Molecule Incorporation into HIV Virions, Potential Influences in HIV Pathogenesis.

During the last phase of HIV viral production, nascent HIV virions acquire a fraction of the cellular lipid membrane to create the external lipid envelope, a process by which cellular proteins present on the surface of the infected cell can be incorporated along with Env trimers. Interestingly, several studies indicated that these incorporated host molecules could conserve their biological activity and consequently contribute to HIV pathogenesis either by enhancing the infectivity of HIV virions, their tissue tropism or by affecting immune cell functions. The following review will describe the main approaches used to characterize membrane bound host molecule incorporation into HIV virions, the proposed mechanisms involved, and the role of a non-exhaustive list of incorporated molecules.

Elite and posttreatment controllers, two facets of HIV control.

Purpose Of Review: The quest for HIV-1 cure could take advantage of the study of rare individuals that control viral replication spontaneously (elite controllers) or after an initial course of antiretroviral therapy (posttreatment controllers, PTCs). In this review, we will compare back-to-back the immunological and virological features underlying viral suppression in elite controllers and PTCs, and explore their possible contributions to the HIV-1 cure research.

Recent Findings: HIV-1 control in elite controllers shows hallmarks of an effective antiviral response, favored by genetic background and possibly associated to residual immune activation.

Active PD-L1 incorporation within HIV virions functionally impairs T follicular helper cells.

The limited development of broadly neutralizing antibodies (BnAbs) during HIV infection is classically attributed to an inadequate B-cell help brought by functionally impaired T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. However, the determinants of Tfh-cell functional impairment and the signals contributing to this condition remain elusive. In the present study, we showed that PD-L1 is incorporated within HIV virions through an active mechanism involving p17 HIV matrix protein.

Cemented Calcar Replacement versus Long Stem Cemented Hemiarthroplasty in Unstable Intertrochanteric Fractures in Octogenarians.

 The aim of the present study was to compare functional results after Cemented Calcar replacement vis-a-vis Long stem Cemented hemiarthroplasty in patients aged more than 80 years with unstable intertrochanteric fractures.  The present prospective, randomized trial included 140 patients with AO/OTA type 31-A2, A3 intertrochanteric femur fracture, randomized into 2 treatment groups and followed-up for a minimum of 2 years. Sixty-seven patients in group A were treated with a cemented calcar replacing prosthesis, and 65 patients in group B were treated with a cemented long stem femoral stem prosthesis.

Effects of autophagy modulators tamoxifen and chloroquine on the expression profiles of long non-coding RNAs in MIAMI cells exposed to IFNγ.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can be utilized clinically for treatment of conditions that result from excessive inflammation. In a pro-inflammatory environment, MSCs adopt an anti-inflammatory phenotype resulting in immunomodulation. A sub-type of MSCs referred to as "marrow-isolated adult multilineage inducible" (MIAMI) cells, which were isolated from bone marrow, were utilized to show that the addition of autophagy modulators, tamoxifen (TX) or chloroquine (CQ), can alter how MIAMI cells respond to IFNγ exposure in vitro resulting in an increased immunoregulatory capacity of the MIAMI cells.

The Influence of Examiner Gender on Responses to Tonic Heat Pain Assessments: A Preliminary Investigation.

The influence of examiner gender on pain reporting has been previously explored in both research and clinical settings. However, previous investigations have been limited, with the majority of studies employing single, static assessments of pain (e.g.

Climate causes shifts in grey seal phenology by modifying age structure.

There are numerous examples of phenological shifts that are recognized both as indicators of climate change and drivers of ecosystem change. A pressing challenge is to understand the causal mechanisms by which climate affects phenology. We combined annual population census data and individual longitudinal data (1992-2018) on grey seals, , to quantify the relationship between pupping season phenology and sea surface temperature.

Relationship Between Clinical Features and the Arc and Length of Dehiscence in SCDS: A Single Center Review of 42 Cases.

Introduction: Superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS) is a rare disorder characterized by an array of audiovestibular symptoms due to a dehiscence of bone overlying the superior semicircular canal (SSC). In the presence of debilitating symptoms, surgical management, to plug or resurface the SCC is performed. Although computed tomography (CT) may overestimate the size or presence of a dehiscence due to a partial volume effect, it remains an invaluable diagnostic tool.

Clinical trials and tribulations: lessons from spinal cord injury studies registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Study Design: Article.

Objective: ClinicalTrials.gov is an online trial registry that provides public access to information on past, present, and future clinical trials.

Inducible HIV-1 Reservoir Quantification: Clinical Relevance, Applications and Advancements of TILDA.

The presence of a stable HIV-1 reservoir persisting over time despite effective antiretroviral suppression therapy precludes a cure for HIV-1. Characterizing and quantifying this residual reservoir is considered an essential prerequisite to develop and validate curative strategies. However, a sensitive, reproducible, cost-effective, and easily executable test is still needed.

HIV persistence in lymph nodes.

Purpose Of Review: HIV persists in distinct cellular and anatomical compartments in the body including blood, Central nervous system, and lymphoid tissues (spleen, lymph nodes [LNs], gut-associated lymphoid tissue) by diverse mechanisms despite antiretroviral therapy. Within LNs, human and animal studies have highlighted that a specific CD4 T cell subset - called T follicular helper cells locating in B cell follicles is enriched in cells containing replication-competent HIV as compared to extra-follicular CD4 T cells. Therefore, the objective of the present review is to focus on the potential mechanisms allowing HIV to persist within LN microenvironment.

Seropositivity Load in Orthopedic Surgery at Tertiary Care Hospitals in North India - An Observational Study.

Background: Exposure to blood and blood-borne viruses is major concern for orthopedic surgeons and operation theater staff because of constant exposure to sharp instruments and bodily fluids. The objective of this study was to assess the burden of seropositive patients in the orthopedic department of tertiary care hospitals in North India.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study was carried out in author's institute on indoor patients admitted from January 2015 to December 2017.

Blood and Lymph Node Dissemination of Clonal Genome-Intact Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 DNA Sequences During Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy.

The majority of cells with latent human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection are located in lymphoid tissues that are difficult to access. In the current study, we used single-genome near-full-length proviral sequencing to evaluate intact and defective proviruses in blood and lymph node CD4 T cells enriched for specific functional polarizations. We observed minor variations between the frequencies of proviral sequences within individual CD4 T-cell subsets and across tissue compartments.

T-cell exhaustion in HIV infection.

The T-cell response is central in the adaptive immune-mediated elimination of pathogen-infected and/or cancer cells. This activated T-cell response can inflict an overwhelming degree of damage to the targeted cells, which in most instances leads to the control and elimination of foreign invaders. However, in conditions of chronic infection, persistent exposure of T cells to high levels of antigen results in a severe T-cell dysfunctional state called exhaustion.

Novel Minimal Access Bone Anchored Hearing Implant Surgery and a New Surface Modified Titanium Implant, the Birmingham Experience.

Background: Bone anchored hearing implants (BAHI) are widely used and highly successful, accompanied with a high level of patient satisfaction across most techniques. A large UK teaching hospital switched from the previously used wide diameter titanium fixture and drilling system to the novel minimally invasive technique and laser ablated titanium implant. Before this change the rates of fixture failure and skin problems necessitating abutment change were 1% each.

Lymph node migratory dendritic cells modulate HIV-1 transcription through PD-1 engagement.

T-follicular helper (Tfh) cells, co-expressing PD-1 and TIGIT, serve as a major cell reservoir for HIV-1 and are responsible for active and persistent HIV-1 transcription after prolonged antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, the precise mechanisms regulating HIV-1 transcription in lymph nodes (LNs) remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the potential role of immune checkpoint (IC)/IC-Ligand (IC-L) interactions on HIV-1 transcription in LN-microenvironment.

Inter-rater Reliability and Validity of Holgers Scores for the Assessment of Bone-anchored Hearing Implant Images.

Objectives: This study aims to review the utility and interassessor reliability of Holgers classification by simultaneously testing various professionals of the bone-anchored implant team for their impression of a series of randomized images.

Study Design: Retrospective review of a randomized series of bone-anchored implant fixture clinical photographs from the database at a tertiary referral university hospital. Raters were blinded to the contemporaneous Holgers grading assigned by the Clinical Nurse Specialist at initial assessment.