Publications by authors named "J M Tom Pierce"

Objective: Determine whether pollutants such as fire smoke-related particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM) are associated with incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and RA-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD).

Methods: This case-control study used Veterans Affairs data 10/1/2009-12/31/2018.

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Background: Surgical techniques for biceps tenodesis vary in approach, fixation strategy, and anatomic location without clear superior technique for this common procedure.

Hypothesis/purpose: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate a randomized cohort of patients undergoing arthroscopic suprapectoral (ASBT) with interference screw fixation using an inlay technique versus mini-open subpectoral (MOBT) with a unicortical button implant using an onlay technique with regards to 1) clinical outcome measures and 2) structural healing as evaluated by ultrasound.

Methods: From May 2017 to April 2021, patients undergoing biceps tenodesis were preoperatively randomized to either ASBT or MOBT.

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While traditionally studied for their proapoptotic functions in activating the caspase, research suggests BH3-only proteins also have other roles such as mitochondrial dynamics regulation. Here, we find that EGL-1, the BH3-only protein in , promotes the cell-autonomous production of exophers in adult neurons. Exophers are large, micron-scale vesicles that are ejected from the cell and contain cellular components such as mitochondria.

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by infection with the enveloped RNA betacoronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, led to a global pandemic involving over 7 million deaths. Macrophage inflammatory responses impact COVID-19 severity; however, it is unclear whether macrophages are infected by SARS-CoV-2. We sought to identify mechanisms regulating macrophage expression of ACE2, the primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and to determine if macrophages are susceptible to productive infection.

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Objectives/hypothesis: Vocal fold (VF) injury and chronic inflammation can progress to scarring, which is notoriously difficult to treat. Human amniotic fluid (AF) has potential for VF wound healing in a rabbit model, and we hypothesized that AF would demonstrate wound healing properties superior to hyaluronic acid (HA) over time.

Study Design: Randomized, controlled trial.

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