TLR Agonist Nano Immune Therapy Clears Peritoneal and Systemic Ovarian Cancer.

Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of immunogenic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (iMSN) in a mouse model of metastatic ovarian cancer promotes the development of tumor-specific CD8 T cells and protective immunity. IP delivery of iMSN functionalized with the Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists polyethyleneimine (PEI), CpG oligonucleotide, and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) stimulated rapid uptake by all peritoneal myeloid subsets. Myeloid cells quickly transported iMSN to milky spots and fat-associated lymphoid clusters (FALCs) present in tumor-burdened adipose tissues, leading to a reduction in suppressive T cells and an increase in activated memory T cells.

Early Results on the Efficacy of Demineralized Bone Matrix, Bone Morphogenic Protein, and Freeze-dried Bone Chips in Alveolar Cleft Repair.

Background: Conventional treatment for alveolar cleft repair is done using autologous iliac crest alveolar bone graft (ABG). However, this method may not be ideal in all patients. Analysis of the efficacy of a mixture of demineralized bone matrix (DBX), bone morphogenic protein (rhBMP-2), and freeze-dried bone chips (FDBC) as an alternative for alveolar cleft repair was performed.

The Association Between Interview Day and Rank Order in Plastic Surgery Match: Is Recency Effect to Blame?

Introduction: Plastic and reconstructive surgery is among the most competitive specialties in the National Resident Matching Program match. Though efforts to institute unbiased and equitable measures of an applicant's success have been made, many barriers still hinder suitable applicants from successfully matching. We sought to identify whether interview day influenced applicants' likelihood of being ranked favorably in both independent and integrated plastic surgery residency programs at a single academic institution.

Monitoring Therapeutic Responses to Silicified Cancer Cell Immunotherapy Using PET/MRI in a Mouse Model of Disseminated Ovarian Cancer.

Current imaging approaches used to monitor tumor progression can lack the ability to distinguish true progression from pseudoprogression. Simultaneous metabolic 2-deoxy-2-[F]fluoro-D-glucose ([F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers new opportunities to overcome this challenge by refining tumor identification and monitoring therapeutic responses to cancer immunotherapy. In the current work, spatial and quantitative analysis of tumor burden were performed using simultaneous [F]FDG-PET/MRI to monitor therapeutic responses to a novel silicified cancer cell immunotherapy in a mouse model of disseminated serous epithelial ovarian cancer.

Botulinum Toxin A for the Treatment of Sympathomimetic Pressor-Induced Digital Hand Ischemia in the Critically Ill Intensive Care Unit Patient.

Vasopressor-induced ischemia of the hand, while relatively rare, is a severe complication in critically ill intensive care unit (ICU) patients requiring high concentrations of sympathomimetic pressors and often results in digit necrosis and amputation. Currently, there are no widely accepted approaches for treating this cause of peripheral digital ischemia. Case reports have demonstrated that reducing the concentration of vasopressors that patients are given may reverse the progression of ischemic events prior to necrosis.

Cancer vaccines from cryogenically silicified tumour cells functionalized with pathogen-associated molecular patterns.

The production of personalized cancer vaccines made from autologous tumour cells could benefit from mechanisms that enhance immunogenicity. Here we show that cancer vaccines can be made via the cryogenic silicification of tumour cells, which preserves tumour antigens within nanoscopic layers of silica, followed by the decoration of the silicified surface with pathogen-associated molecular patterns. These pathogen-mimicking cells activate dendritic cells and enhance the internalization, processing and presentation of tumour antigens to T cells.

Beyond Men, Women, or Both: A Comprehensive, LGBTQ-Inclusive, Implicit-Bias-Aware, Standardized-Patient-Based Sexual History Taking Curriculum.

Introduction: This standardized-patient-based module prepares medical students to take inclusive, comprehensive sexual histories from patients of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Health disparities faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people are at least partially the result of inadequate access to health care and insufficient provider training. This module incorporates implicit bias activities to emphasize the important role providers can play in mitigating these disparities through compassionate, competent care.

High-fat diet consumption disrupts memory and primes elevations in hippocampal IL-1β, an effect that can be prevented with dietary reversal or IL-1 receptor antagonism.

High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity is reaching worldwide proportions. In addition to causing obesity, HFDs also induce a variety of health disorders, which includes cognitive decline. Hippocampal function may be particularly vulnerable to the negative consequences of HFD, and it is suspected that 'primed' neuroinflammatory processes may mediate this response.