Publications by authors named "Merritt W"

Human amniotic membrane (hAM), the innermost placental layer, has unique properties that allow for a multitude of clinical applications. It is a common misconception that birth-derived tissue products, such as dual-layered dehydrated amnion-amnion graft (dHAAM), are similar regardless of the manufacturing steps. A commercial dHAAM product, Axolotl Biologix DualGraft™, was assessed for biological and mechanical characteristics.

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Background: Untreated intracranial aneurysms can rupture and result in high rates of morbidity and mortality. Although there are numerous approved endovascular aneurysm treatment devices, most require dual anti-platelet therapy, are minimally biocompatible, or are prone to recanalization. Neurovascular Controlled Uniform Rapid Embolic (NeuroCURE) is an innovative polymer gel material with long-term stability, biocompatibility, and hemocompatibility developed for the treatment of large, wide-neck aneurysms.

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Study Design: Retrospective.

Introduction: Boutonniere deformity (BD) is a troublesome injury occurring from rupture of tissue connecting the extrinsic to intrinsic tendon systems. This causes loss of interphalangeal joint balance, and immobilization often results in adherence and difficulty restoring balance.

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The relative motion concept is simply recognition of the normal functional anatomic relationships that allow powerful extrinsic muscles, the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) and flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), to vary forces on individual finger joints and function in response to the relative position of adjacent metacarpophalangeal joints (MCPJs) in the hand, one to another. First identified as a cause of complications after surgery, a better understanding now allows us to harness these forces by way of differential metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) positioning using an orthosis. This can reduce undesirable tension and allow immediate controlled active motion while permitting functional use of the hand.

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Article Synopsis
  • A quality improvement initiative was implemented at a single academic center to standardize immediate postoperative extubation (IPE) practices for liver transplant recipients, aiming to increase IPE rates while including high-risk patients.
  • A retrospective study of 591 liver transplant patients from 2013 to 2018 showed significant increases in IPE rates over time, especially among high-risk groups, with minimal reintubation rates and no effect on mortality.
  • IPE was found to be linked with shorter intensive care unit and overall hospital lengths of stay, demonstrating the benefits of standardized care practices in liver transplant procedures.
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  • The study investigated the effectiveness of recombinant human activated factor VIIa (rFVIIa) in liver transplant recipients at high risk for massive transfusion between 2012 and 2015.
  • Out of 234 recipients, only 38 received rFVIIa prophylactically, with results showing no significant difference in the occurrence of massive transfusion compared to matched controls.
  • The use of rFVIIa did not increase thromboembolic events overall; however, there were isolated cases of fatal complications in one patient from each treatment group.
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While tetanus toxoid vaccination has reduced the incidence of tetanus in the developed world, this disease remains a substantial health problem in developing nations. Tetanus immune globulin (TIG) is used along with vaccination for prevention of infection after major or contaminated wounds if vaccination status cannot be verified or for active tetanus infection. These studies describe the characterisation of a TIG produced by a caprylate/chromatography process.

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Unlabelled: Affecting behavioural change is a common underlying goal across environmental and agricultural sciences, from climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, water management, to crop diversification. However, many projects fail to drive or sustain change despite sound science and good intentions. This paper draws on existing theories of behavioural change to construct a conceptual framework that explores pathways to initiate and sustain change through the lens of empowerment, self-efficacy and agency.

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Background: Liver transplant centers vary in approach to intraoperative vascular accesses, monitoring of cardiac function and temperature management. Evidence is limited regarding impact of selected modalities on postoperative outcomes.

Objectives: To review the literature and provide expert panel recommendations on optimal intraoperative arterial blood pressure (BP), central venous pressure (CVP), and vascular accesses, monitoring of cardiac function and intraoperative temperature management regarding immediate and short-term outcomes after orthotopic liver transplant (OLT).

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Introduction: A recent randomized trial demonstrated that sorafenib improved progression free survival (PFS) in patients with desmoid tumors despite many patients experiencing stable disease or spontaneous regression without treatment. Utilizing these trial data, we performed a cost analysis of sorafenib efficacy through two years of treatment.

Methods: Current Medicare Part D rates for sorafenib were utilized (dose 400 mg/day, cost $309/day).

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Background: Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are classified based on size (maximal dome diameter) as well as additional parameters such as neck diameter and dome-to-neck ratio (DNR). The neurosurgical literature includes a wide variety of definitions for both IA size and neck classifications. Standardizing the definitions of IA size and wide-neck classifications would help eliminate inconsistencies and potential misunderstandings of aneurysm morphology and rupture risk.

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Background: Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations have provided a significant reduction in infections, effective COVID-19 treatments remain an urgent need.

Methods: Functional characterization of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) hyperimmune immunoglobulin (hIG) from human convalescent plasma was performed by different virus neutralization methodologies (plaque reduction, virus-induced cytotoxicity, median tissue culture infectious dose [TCID50] reduction, and immunofluorimetry) at different laboratories using geographically different SARS-CoV-2 isolates (USA [1], Italy [1], and Spain [2]; 2 containing the D614G mutation). Neutralization capacity against the original Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 strain and variants (D614G mutant, B.

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Background: Human rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is an integral part of post-exposure prophylactic treatment of rabies (along with rabies vaccination). Infiltration of most, if not all, of the RIG dose at the wound site is recommended. RIG produced by a caprylate/chromatography manufacturing process (RIG-C; HyperRAB) increased the potency and purity of this product over the existing licensed RIG from a solvent/detergent process (RIG-S/D; HyperRAB-S/D).

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Vessel models are a first step in developing endovascular medical devices. However, these models, often made from glass or silicone, do not accurately represent the mechanical properties of human vascular tissue, limiting their use to basic training and proof-of-concept testing. This study outlines methods to quantify human vascular tissue mechanical properties and synthetic biomaterials for creating representative vessel models.

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Background: PPODA-QT is a novel liquid embolic under development for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. We sought to test the rabbit-elastase aneurysm model to evaluate the tissue response following PPODA-QT embolization.

Methods: Experimental elastase-induced aneurysms were created in fourteen New Zealand White Rabbits.

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We present the first results of the Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL) Muon g-2 Experiment for the positive muon magnetic anomaly a_{μ}≡(g_{μ}-2)/2. The anomaly is determined from the precision measurements of two angular frequencies. Intensity variation of high-energy positrons from muon decays directly encodes the difference frequency ω_{a} between the spin-precession and cyclotron frequencies for polarized muons in a magnetic storage ring.

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Background: Financial disclosure (FD) highlights potential conflicts of interest but is often overlooked at academic conferences.

Methods: Retrospective review of 2015-2019 Society of Surgical Oncology Cancer Symposium oral presentation slide and/or verbal FD frequency, duration, and content.

Results: Of 963 presentations, 331 (34%) omitted disclosure slide/verbalization.

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Background: In late 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus emerged in China and quickly spread into a worldwide pandemic. Prior to the development of specific drug therapies or a vaccine, more immediately available treatments were sought including convalescent plasma. A potential improvement from convalescent plasma could be the preparation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 hyperimmune globulin (hIVIG).

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Article Synopsis
  • Intraoperative massive transfusion (MT) is a common occurrence during liver transplantation (LT), and developing a predictive model could help optimize blood bank resources.
  • A study identified two cohorts of deceased-donor LT recipients and created a modified risk index (ModRI) to predict the likelihood of needing MT based on specific clinical factors.
  • The ModRI showed strong predictive ability and could significantly reduce unnecessary blood crossmatching, ultimately helping manage blood resources more effectively during liver transplants.
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Background: A randomized controlled trial of routine administration of pasireotide demonstrated decreased incidence of clinically significant postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Recent studies have not replicated these results. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate its efficacy in this setting.

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Background: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of routine administration of pasireotide demonstrated decreased incidence of clinically significant postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Recent studies have not replicated these results. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate its efficacy in this setting.

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Background: As surveys reveal the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among surgeons, it is important to have an appreciation and understanding of surgical ergonomics to protect against long-term injuries and mitigate the symptoms of existing conditions. Surgeons diagnosed with thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis, a progressive and debilitating condition, can be especially vulnerable to the pain caused by the repetitive manual tasks of operating.

Methods: In this article, the authors describe a case of occupational thumb CMC arthritis in a right-hand dominant plastic surgeon and provide an ergonomic analysis of the different needle holders.

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Article Synopsis
  • The article discusses the benefits of starting early protected movement (3-5 days post-surgery) with relative motion splinting for zone 5 extensor tendon lacerations in the hand.
  • It emphasizes that patients can resume normal activities much sooner than the typical 3-4 weeks of splinting after tendon repair.
  • The article also highlights advancements in treating boutonniere deformities and improves overall rehabilitation strategies using relative motion splinting and a unique surgical approach with local anesthesia.
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