Publications by authors named "Michelle Demory-Beckler"

Introduction: The presence of female faculty members in anesthesia residency programs is pivotal for enhancing and supporting diversity and gender equity in medical education. This study probes the intricate interplay between the percentage of female faculty and whether program type and geographical location impact the composition of female faculty.

Methods: For this retrospective cross-sectional analysis, we collected data from the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database Access (FREIDA) system to assess the percentages of female faculty in anesthesia residency programs.

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Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) comprises a spectrum of autoimmune diseases, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Studies have shown that avacopan and mepolizumab are promising therapeutics for partial or complete replacement of glucocorticoids (GC), with sustained remission while completely weaning off GC. Avacopan inhibits C5aR in the complement pathway, preventing neutrophil migration, while mepolizumab targets IL-5R, reducing eosinophil activity.

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Probiotics have garnered increasing attention, particularly within the realm of atopic dermatitis (AD). Although classified as dietary supplements by the Food and Drug Administration, probiotics are being explored for their potential to modify immune system responses and aid in disease recovery. This review aims to provide a current understanding of probiotics, specifically various lactobacilli strains, as a therapeutic option in preventing and treating AD.

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Lactational infective mastitis (LIM) was previously thought to occur due to trapped milk causing inadequate milk drainage and consequent infection. However, advances in genome sequencing techniques have shown that the abundance of , , species, and species in the breast milk of lactating women play a key role in the development of LIM. Recent discoveries have revealed that the breast milk microbiome is composed of bacteria and other microorganisms, which are seeded through multiple pathways and are influenced by maternal factors.

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Ensuring access to proper eye health services is not only a fundamental human right but also crucial for preserving an individual's quality of life, preventing blindness, and promoting overall well-being. This is especially true in low-income countries like Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where recognizing the intricate relationship between access to healthcare and social determinants of health (SDOH ) is crucial to addressing health disparities. The goal of this study was to elucidate and highlight not only the barriers millions face in obtaining eye care but also pave the way for interventions and policies aimed at creating equitable access across diverse populations.

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  • * Atypical cardiac symptoms, such as atrial fibrillation and bundle branch blocks, may also occur and can be the first signs of Lyme disease in some patients.
  • * A literature review of 13 articles was conducted to better understand these atypical cardiac manifestations and their underlying mechanisms, aiming to improve early diagnosis and treatment to reduce long-term complications.
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  • - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting various body systems, and recent research suggests a possible link between gut microbiota imbalances (dysbiosis) and SLE symptoms, although it’s unclear if microbiota changes cause or result from the disease.
  • - A review of literature from 2013 to 2023 focused on studies exploring alterations in gut bacteria among SLE patients and their connection to clinical SLE symptoms, emphasizing the significance of specific bacterial species that either increased or decreased in these patients.
  • - Certain bacteria associated with SLE, like butyrate-producing strains, may impact skin barrier function, which could explain skin-related symptoms in SLE patients,
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Rheumatic diseases are a group of conditions including arthritis and various other conditions that can lead to chronic inflammation within the musculoskeletal system, which can have negative effects on soft tissues, bones, muscles, joints, and connective tissue. One form of arthritis is gout, which is an inflammatory condition in which urate acid crystals build up in joints. Gout is associated with joint swelling, pain, redness, and joint mobility issues.

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As cancer continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide, additional therapeutic options other than traditional platinum-based chemotherapy have become available that target tumor cells in innovative ways. Immunotherapies (e.g.

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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex and chronic autoimmune disease that impacts multiple organ systems and presents with varying symptomatology that makes targeting treatment extremely difficult. The cardiovascular system and more specifically the coronary arteries are heavily affected by SLE causing increased atherosclerosis and subsequently increased acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and increased future cardiac events. ACS is a common occurrence in patients with SLE due to the premature development of atherosclerosis due to the dysregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

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Tobacco use, hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia are known risk factors for peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, additional causes of PAD, such as radiation therapy, should be considered for the prevention and diagnosis of this disease. The patient described in this report had 36 radiation therapies directly to the pelvis and bladder area due to bladder cancer.

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Cancer is a leading cause of mortality around the world, despite continued advancements in the management of cancer. Recent research efforts have shifted to evaluating the role that modifiable risk factors play in cancer risk and development, as diet and nutrition have been found to play a significant role in the onset and progression of cancer. As a result, there has been an increasing focus on the impact of dietary modifications on preventing the onset, progression, and reoccurrence of cancer.

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Context: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. As such, an unmet need exists in the primary and secondary prevention of adverse cardiovascular events (CVEs). Specifically, identifying drugs that can reduce the progression of CVD and serious adverse events is much needed.

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Though the concurrence of primary brain tumors and multiple sclerosis (MS) is exceedingly rare, instances have been noted in the literature as early as 1949. Given these observations, researchers have proposed various ideas as to how these malignancies may be linked to MS. Due to insufficient data, none have gained traction or been widely accepted amongst neurologists or neuro-oncologists.

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Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors have been shown to be well tolerated among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis. Meanwhile, more recently, clinical practice and research efforts have uncovered increasing cases of psoriatic lesion development tied to initiating treatment with a TNF-α inhibitor. The underlying mechanisms associated with this occurrence have yet to be fully elucidated.

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  • This text indicates a correction has been made to the article identified by the DOI 10.7759/cureus.34860.
  • The correction likely addresses an error or oversight in the original publication.
  • Readers are encouraged to refer to the updated version for accurate information.*
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive autoimmune condition that affects up to 1% of the world population and symmetrically affects the joints leading to joint stiffness and decreased mobility. RA patients present with increased pain and chronic inflammation within their joint spaces, which researchers have linked to poorer sleep patterns, including difficulty falling asleep and non-restorative sleep. As such, identifying mediators of poor sleep quality among RA patients may improve their long-term quality of life.

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Diabetes mellitus, a condition in which the body's ability to produce insulin is impaired, and osteoarthritis (OA), a painful degeneration of joint cartilage, are both serious conditions that affect millions of people in the United States (U.S.).

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  • The oral cavity microbiome contains over 700 species of both harmless and harmful bacteria, but there's limited research specifically on the microbiome of patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP).
  • This review aims to understand how the oral microbiome in CLP patients might indicate their risk for systemic diseases, particularly in the short and long term.
  • A systematic literature search identified five articles that showed mixed results concerning the levels of certain bacteria in CLP patients compared to controls, suggesting that CLP patients may face unique health challenges.
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  • * There are both non-surgical treatments (like physical therapy, injections) and surgical options (like total knee arthroplasty) available for knee osteoarthritis, with non-surgical treatments often tried first to minimize surgical risks.
  • * A study review suggests that patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty after 12 weeks of non-surgical treatment experience better pain relief and functional improvements at 12 and 24 months compared to those who only receive non-surgical care.
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Context: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that commonly affects joints. Although many treatment options exist, the most common, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), have been associated with pulmonary infections. These types of infections (specifically pneumonia) can be detrimental to RA patients.

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting approximately 32.5 million adults in the United States. OA is characterized as a degenerative joint disease or "wear and tear" arthritis.

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an incurable autoimmune disease known to cause widespread demyelinating lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) and a host of debilitating symptoms in patients. The development of MS is believed to be driven by the breakdown of the blood brain barrier, subsequent infiltration by CD4 and CD8 T cells, and widespread CNS inflammation and demyelination. Disease modifying therapies (DMTs) profoundly disrupt these processes and therefore compose an essential component of disease management.

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Anogenital warts are considered one of the most common sexually transmitted infections caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). One of the primary considerations with HPV is the virus's high rate to develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). SCC is one of the leading causes of skin cancer with a variety of treatment options.

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Of the many symptoms associated with cow's milk allergy (CMA), many populations face the burden of the appearance or worsening of atopic dermatitis (AD) when consuming milk products. Due to the prevalence and possible severity of symptoms, it is important to understand the underlying immune mechanisms involved in such reactions. Hypersensitivity reactions are exaggerated immune responses to often benign antigens, many times resulting in a cascade of pro-inflammatory processes.

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