Predictors of Intensive Care Unit Admissions in Patients Presenting with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

 Increased mortality rates among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) highlight a compelling need to establish predictive criteria for ICU admissions. The aim of our study was to identify criteria for recognizing patients with COVID-19 at elevated risk for ICU admission.  We identified patients who tested positive for COVID-19 and were hospitalized between March and May 2020.

Peer review journal publication rates of award-winning presentations from a multi-disciplinary multi-institutional medical education consortium annual research forum: 40-year experience.

Introduction: Resident research has been mandated by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education across all specialties. Southeast Michigan Center for Medical Education (SEMCME) has an annual Research Forum for resident competition, and we assessed the publication status of award-winning presentations.

Methods: The SEMCME Research Forum's winning presentations from 1978 to 2018 were reviewed.

Incentives as a Driving Force for Scholarly Activity in General Surgery Training: Survey of Program Directors and our Institution's Experience.

Introduction: Scholarly activity in a few of the domains is required for both residents and faculty per Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's Common Program Requirements. Increased burden in clinical activities and economic changes in the health care environment have created new challenges, which have negatively affected faculty and residents to participate in scholarly activity. Various avenues are being sought which might help in improving the scholarly activity in an institution by providing dedicated time, salaried positions, grants, paid conferences, and financial incentives.

Publication rates of annual Research Day abstracts in peer-reviewed journals by residents and fellows at a community-based institution - A 10-year review of data and analysis.

Introduction: Research and publications are becoming increasingly important for residents who want to match into competitive fellowship training programs and fellows looking to optimize career opportunities. Institutional Research Days provide trainees the opportunity to gain presentation experience and feedback about their studies. We evaluated all abstracts that were presented at Ascension Providence Hospital (APH) during Research Day over a 10-year period to determine publication rates of manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.

Corrigendum to "Determinants of all-cause in-hospital mortality among patients who presented with COVID-19 to a community teaching hospital in Michigan" [Heliyon 7 (12) (December 2021), Article e08566].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.

Determinants of all-cause in-hospital mortality among patients who presented with COVID-19 to a community teaching hospital in Michigan.

Background & Objectives: Race plays an important role in healthcare disparities, often resulting in worse health outcomes. It is unclear if other patient factors and race interactions may influence mortality in patients with COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate how multiple determinants of all-cause in-hospital mortality from COVID-19 were linked to race.

Disruption of Cross-Feeding Inhibits Pathogen Growth in the Sputa of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis.

A critical limitation in the management of chronic polymicrobial infections is the lack of correlation between antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) and patient responses to therapy. Underlying this disconnect is our inability to accurately recapitulate the environment and complex polymicrobial communities However, emerging evidence suggests that, if modeled and tested accurately, interspecies relationships can be exploited by conventional antibiotics predicted to be ineffective by standard AST. As an example, under conditions where relies on cocolonizing organisms for nutrients (i.

Cross-feeding modulates antibiotic tolerance in bacterial communities.

Microbes frequently rely on metabolites excreted by other bacterial species, but little is known about how this cross-feeding influences the effect of antibiotics. We hypothesized that when species rely on each other for essential metabolites, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for all species will drop to that of the "weakest link"-the species least resistant in monoculture. We tested this hypothesis in an obligate cross-feeding system that was engineered between Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Methylobacterium extorquens.

Relationship of Blood Metal Ion Levels and Leukocyte Profiles in Patients With Articular Surface Replacement Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement.

The purpose of this study was to compare blood leukocyte profiles and metal ion concentrations between hip resurfacing arthroplasty (articular surface replacement) patients with and without revision. A total of 25 articular surface replacement patients were recruited (10 with stable implants and 15 undergoing revision). Blood concentrations of chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) were measured.

Genome-Wide Survey of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 Reveals a Role for the Glyoxylate Pathway and Extracellular Proteases in the Utilization of Mucin.

Chronic airway infections by the opportunistic pathogen are a major cause of mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Although this bacterium has been extensively studied for its virulence determinants, biofilm growth, and immune evasion mechanisms, comparatively little is known about the nutrient sources that sustain its growth Respiratory mucins represent a potentially abundant bioavailable nutrient source, although we have recently shown that canonical pathogens inefficiently use these host glycoproteins as a growth substrate. However, given that , particularly in its biofilm mode of growth, is thought to grow slowly , the inefficient use of mucin glycoproteins may be relevant to its persistence within the CF airways.

Elution Profiles of Two Methods of Antibiotic Tibial Nail Preparations.

Interlocking nails coated with antibiotic-supplemented cement provide effective treatment of infected long bone nonunion, but the thicker coating on guidewires may provide greater antibacterial activity. This study compared the properties of cement cured on each construct by evaluating 2-cm segments of 8-mm interlocking nails and 3.5-mm guidewires coated with antibiotic-supplemented cement.

The Effect of Comorbidities on Discharge Disposition and Readmission for Total Joint Arthroplasty Patients.

Background: As the annual demand and number of total joint arthroplasty cases increase, so do concerns of outcomes of patient with specific comorbidities relative to outcomes and costs of care.

Methods: The study cohort included 2009 primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients and 905 total hip arthroplasty patients. Discharge disposition was classified as discharge to any facility or home.

Impact of medical or surgical admission on outcomes of patients with acute cholecystitis.

Background: Although acute cholecystitis (AC) is a surgical disease, patients with the condition may be admitted to medical-related services (MS). This may lead to delayed cholecystectomy thereby affecting outcomes and quality of care.

Methods: Between July 2010 and March 2013, 329 patients under 70 years old presented to a community-based tertiary care hospital with AC and underwent same admission cholecystectomy.

Evidence and Role for Bacterial Mucin Degradation in Cystic Fibrosis Airway Disease.

Chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are composed of complex microbial communities that incite persistent inflammation and airway damage. Despite the high density of bacteria that colonize the lower airways, nutrient sources that sustain bacterial growth in vivo, and how those nutrients are derived, are not well characterized. In this study, we examined the possibility that mucins serve as an important carbon reservoir for the CF lung microbiota.

Opportunistic Autoimmune Disorders Potentiated by Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors Anti-CTLA-4 and Anti-PD-1.

To improve the efficacy of immunotherapy for cancer and autoimmune diseases, recent ongoing and completed clinical trials have focused on specific targets to redirect the immune network toward eradicating a variety of tumors and ameliorating the self-destructive process. In a previous review, both systemic immunomodulators and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), anti-CTLA-4, and anti-CD52, were discussed regarding therapeutics and autoimmune sequelae, as well as predisposing factors known to exacerbate immune-related adverse events (irAEs). This review will focus on immune-checkpoint inhibitors, and the data from most clinical trials involve blockade with anti-CTLA-4 such as ipilimumab.

Implant wear induced inflammation is mitigated in CX3CR1(-/-) mice.

Wear debris-induced monocyte recruitment plays a key role in the formation of chronic periprosthetic tissue inflammation associated with aseptic loosening. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role(s) of chemokine receptor CX3CR1 in ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particle-induced tissue inflammation using a murine air pouch model developed in CX3CR1 knockout (CX3CR1(-/-) ) mice. UHMWPE debris or saline were introduced into established air pouches on CX3CR1(-/-) and CX3CR1(+/+) mice.

Immunological response to bolus versus multiple injections of hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc) in a murine biocompatibility model.

Local tissue reactivity to intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc) has been described. We used a murine biocompatibility model to study the inflammatory response to Synvisc after a single bolus injection versus the traditional three shot series of injections. Air pouches were established subcutaneously in BALB/c mice, which were injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), 5 mg ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene particles (to simulate synthetic joint wear debris, positive control), 0.

Decreased coenzyme A levels in ridA mutant strains of Salmonella enterica result from inactivated serine hydroxymethyltransferase.

The RidA/Yer057/UK114 family of proteins is well represented across the domains of life and recent work has defined both an in vitro activity and an in vivo role for RidA. RidA proteins have enamine deaminase activity, and in their absence the reactive 2-aminoacrylate (2-AA) accumulates and inactivates at least some pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-containing enzymes in Salmonella enterica. The conservation of RidA suggested that 2-AA was a ubiquitous cellular stressor that was generated in central metabolism.

Enhanced autoimmunity associated with induction of tumor immunity in thyroiditis-susceptible mice.

Background: Immunotherapeutic modalities to bolster tumor immunity by targeting specific sites of the immune network often result in immune dysregulation with adverse autoimmune sequelae. To understand the relative risk for opportunistic autoimmune disorders, we studied established breast cancer models in mice resistant to experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT). EAT is a murine model of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune syndrome with established MHC class II control of susceptibility.

In the absence of RidA, endogenous 2-aminoacrylate inactivates alanine racemases by modifying the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate cofactor.

Members of the RidA (YjgF/YER057c/UK114) protein family are broadly conserved across the domains of life. In vitro, these proteins deaminate 3- or 4-carbon enamines that are generated as mechanistic intermediates of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent serine/threonine dehydratases. The three-carbon enamine 2-aminoacrylate can inactivate some enzymes by forming a covalent adduct via a mechanism that has been well characterized in vitro.

Analysis and implications of changing hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) case loads in general surgery residency training for HPB surgery accreditation.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine whether residents are receiving enough hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) training during general surgery residencies to exclude the necessity of pursuing formal fellowships in HPB surgery.

Methods: Trends in HPB surgery training were examined using Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) operative log data for the academic years 1999/2000 to 2009/2010.

Results: Of 800,000 HPB operations performed annually in the USA, the proportion of HPB procedures performed by general surgery residents increased from 15% (122,007) to 18% (143,000) between the periods under study.

Colorectal cancer: are the "young" being overlooked?

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in young patients. We aimed to assess the trends of CRC and its corresponding clinical presentation in the young.

Methods: Cancer registry patients were divided into 3 groups according to age:<50, 50-75, and >75 years.

Changing paradigms in minimally invasive surgery training.

Background: Realizing the trends toward minimally invasive procedures, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) increased the requirements for laparoscopic procedures effective 2007 to 2008. Our purpose was to analyze the trend of laparoscopic versus open cases.

Methods: We analyzed national ACGME general surgery operative log program data for basic and advanced open and laparoscopic procedures performed by graduating surgical residents between academic years 1996 to 1997 and 2009 to 2010.

Differentiation of septic and aseptic loosening by PET with both 11C-PK11195 and 18F-FDG in rat models.

Purpose: This study aims to determine the value of PET with C-isoquinoline carboxamide (C-PK11195) and F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) in assisting the differentiation of aseptic loosening (AL) from septic loosening (SL) in rat models.

Procedures: Initially, the histological profiles of SL and AL (cellular infiltration and the number of CD68 macrophage and PBR cells) were compared. Subsequently, we investigated whether C-PK11195 alone and also in combination with F-FDG increases the sensitivity and specificity of PET imaging for distinguishing SL from AL.

Conserved YjgF protein family deaminates reactive enamine/imine intermediates of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme reactions.

The YjgF/YER057c/UK114 family of proteins is conserved in all domains of life, suggesting that the role of these proteins arose early and was maintained throughout evolution. Metabolic consequences of lacking this protein in Salmonella enterica and other organisms have been described, but the biochemical function of YjgF remained unknown. This work provides the first description of a conserved biochemical activity for the YjgF protein family.