Preclinical experience with a novel single-port platform for transoral surgery.

Background: We investigated a novel minimally invasive surgical platform for use in the oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx for single-port transoral surgery used in concert with standard transoral laryngeal and pharyngeal instrumentation.

Methods: The preclinical investigational device by Fortimedix Surgical B.V.

Compensatory motion scaling for time-delayed robotic surgery.

Background: Round trip signal latency, or time delay, is an unavoidable constraint that currently stands as a major barrier to safe and efficient remote telesurgery. While there have been significant technological advancements aimed at reducing the time delay, studies evaluating methods of mitigating the negative effects of time delay are needed. Herein, we explored instrument motion scaling as a method to improve performance in time-delayed robotic surgery.

Transoral Thyroidectomy Using A Flexible Robotic System: A Preclinical Cadaver Feasibility Study.

Objectives/hypothesis: Traditionally, most thyroid surgery utilizes a curvilinear cervical incision with a resulting permanent scar. Minimally invasive and remote access thyroid surgery techniques continue to evolve. Transoral approaches through a vestibular incision have been developed at several centers throughout the world, obviating the need for a cutaneous incision and optimizing aesthetics.

CXCR4/IgG-expressing plasma cells are associated with human gastrointestinal tissue inflammation.

Background: We previously reported abnormalities in circulating B cells in patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and those with HIV infection. Gastrointestinal complications are common to both diseases and likely involve perturbation of immune cells, including plasma cells (PCs). IgA is the most abundant immunoglobulin in the human body, with roles in protection and maintenance of intestinal homeostasis.

Short communication: Interferon/ribavirin treatment for HCV is associated with the development of hypophosphatemia in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients.

One-third of all HIV-infected individuals in the United States are estimated to be coinfected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients coinfected with HIV is a complex problem associated with toxicities and drug interactions between HIV antiretrovirals and interferon and ribavirin. In recent HCV treatment studies, we observed a previously unreported development of hypophosphatemia in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients treated with interferon/ribavirin (IFN/RBV).

Characterization of plasmablasts in the blood of HIV-infected viremic individuals: evidence for nonspecific immune activation.

Terminal differentiation of B cells and hypergammaglobulinemia are hallmarks of B-cell hyperactivity in HIV disease. Plasmablasts are terminally differentiating B cells that circulate transiently in the blood following infection or vaccination; however, in HIV infection, they arise early and are maintained at abnormally high levels in viremic individuals. Here we show that only a small fraction of plasmablasts in the blood of viremic individuals is HIV specific.

Effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors on HIV production in latently infected, resting CD4(+) T cells from infected individuals receiving effective antiretroviral therapy.

Persistence of the latent viral reservoir has been recognized as a major obstacle to eradicating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy. It has been suggested that histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) may purge HIV in the latent viral reservoir. However, the effect of HDACis on the degree and extent of HIV expression in the latent viral reservoir has not been fully delineated.

Paucity of HIV DNA methylation in latently infected, resting CD4+ T cells from infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Maintenance of HIV latency in vitro has been linked to methylation of HIV DNA. However, examinations of the degree of methylation of HIV DNA in the latently infected, resting CD4(+) T cells of infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy have been limited. Here, we show that methylation of the HIV 5' long terminal repeat (LTR) in the latent viral reservoir of HIV-infected aviremic individuals receiving therapy is rare, suggesting that other mechanisms are likely involved in the persistence of viral latency.