Publications by authors named "Nichols F"

Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) experience reduced pain assessment and treatment, less comprehensive physical exams, and fewer explanations of the next steps in care. These disparities persist in hospitals with staffed professional interpreters, raising questions about interpreter access and the impact on outcomes. A retrospective review of 1133 trauma activations at a single center Level 1 Trauma Center in 2021-2022 was conducted.

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  • The COVID-19 pandemic continues despite widespread vaccination, emphasizing the need for new therapeutic and preventive strategies, particularly through exploring the oral microbiome's role in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • Research revealed that certain compounds from oral bacteria, such as phosphoglycerol dihydroceramide (PGDHC) and gingipains, can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection, while other unidentified factors may interfere with the virus's ability to fuse with host cells.
  • Variability in oral microbial communities among individuals means some saliva cultures can inhibit while others may enhance infection, highlighting the complex relationship between oral bacteria and COVID-19, and suggesting potential avenues for new treatment options.
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How the microbiome regulates responses of systemic innate immune cells is unclear. In the present study, our purpose was to document a novel mechanism by which the microbiome mediates crosstalk with the systemic innate immune system. We have identified a family of microbiome -derived lipopeptides-the serine-glycine (S/G) lipids, which are TLR2 ligands, access the systemic circulation, and regulate proinflammatory responses of splenic monocytes.

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Objectives: The aim of this study was to create and validate a 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound model with normal and abnormal pediatric hip joint anatomy that is comparable to a pediatric hip joint in appearance and anatomy and replicates sonographic characteristics of a pediatric hip joint.

Methods: A 3D rendering of the bone and soft tissue was created from a computed tomography pelvic scan of a pediatric patient. This rendering was modified to include a unilateral joint effusion.

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Background: This study unveils the intricate functional association between cyclic di-3',5'-adenylic acid (c-di-AMP) signaling, cellular bioenergetics, and the regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) profile in , a Gram-negative obligate anaerobe considered as a keystone pathogen involved in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis. Previous research has identified variations in LPS profile as a major virulence factor, yet the underlying mechanism of its modulation has remained elusive.

Methods: We employed a comprehensive methodological approach, combining two mutants exhibiting varying levels of c-di-AMP compared to the wild type, alongside an optimized analytical methodology that combines conventional mass spectrometry techniques with a novel approach known as FLAT.

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  • The study examines the role of the oral microbiome in SARS-CoV-2 infection, highlighting its potential in developing new COVID-19 treatments.
  • Researchers found that specific compounds like phosphoglycerol dihydroceramide (PGDHC) and gingipains significantly inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection, with some bacteria inducing cytotoxic effects on infected cells.
  • The study reveals variability among individuals regarding how oral microbial communities can either inhibit or enhance SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting a complex interplay that could lead to innovative therapeutic strategies.
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Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease defined by the pathologic loss of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone in relation to aging. Although clinical cohort studies reported that periodontitis is significantly elevated in males compared to females, emerging evidence indicates that females with dementia are at a greater risk for periodontitis and decreased alveolar bone.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether dementia is a potential sex-dependent risk factor for periodontal bone loss using an experimental model of periodontitis induced in the triple transgenic (3x-Tg) dementia-like mice and clinical samples collected from senior 65 plus age patients with diagnosed dementia.

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Background: Prolonged survival of patients with metastatic disease has furthered interest in metastasis-directed therapy (MDT).

Research Question: There is a paucity of data comparing lung MDT modalities. Do outcomes among sublobar resection (SLR), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), and percutaneous ablation (PA) for lung metastases vary in terms of local control and survival?

Study Design And Methods: Medical records of patients undergoing lung MDT at a single cancer center between January 2015 and December 2020 were reviewed.

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Background: Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is a procedure with high morbidity and mortality. This study developed a Multidisciplinary Esophagectomy Enhanced Recovery Initiative (MERIT) pathway and analyzed implementation outcomes in a single institution.

Methods: The MERIT pathway was developed as a practice optimization and quality improvement initiative.

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Introduction: The distribution of cerebral age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) may be indicative of the underlying etiology and could suggest optimal interventions. We aimed to determine if left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a marker of uncontrolled hypertension, along with additional risk factors are associated with the distribution of cerebral ARWMC.

Methods: We analyzed data of 172 patients from a hospital stroke registry who had acute stroke and brain MRI.

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Porphyromonas gingivalis produces five classes of serine/glycine lipids that are recovered in lipid extracts from periodontitis-afflicted teeth and diseased gingival tissues, particularly at sites of periodontitis. Because these lipids are recovered in diseased gingival tissues, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the capacity of cultured human gingival fibroblasts (HGF), keratinocytes, and macrophages to hydrolyze these lipids. We hypothesize that one or more of these cell types will hydrolyze the serine/glycine lipids.

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  • This study investigated how outer-membrane vesicles (OMVs) from oral bacteria influence the degeneration of neuroblastoma cells, specifically using in situ Raman spectroscopy to track metabolomic changes.
  • OMVs are associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) as they deliver harmful toxins that can damage neurons, but the exact chemical processes involved are not well understood.
  • The research revealed important chemical signatures and mechanisms related to neuronal degradation, including the roles of lipopolysaccharides and proteins involved in forming amyloid plaques and Tau tangles that worsen AD symptoms.
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  • Long-term survival rates for esophageal cancer patients after esophagectomy are low, with a 15-year overall survival rate of just 25.2% and various factors influencing outcomes, both unmodifiable (like age and sex) and modifiable (like treatment choices).
  • A study analyzed data on 870 patients who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2010, revealing that better care and adherence to treatment guidelines can significantly improve survival probabilities.
  • Notably, once a patient survives 5 years post-surgery, the likelihood of recurrence becomes very rare, indicating that prolonged follow-up and specialized care are crucial for better outcomes.
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2Duf, named after the presence of a transmembrane (TM) Duf421 domain and a small Duf1657 domain in its sequence, is likely located in the inner membrane (IM) of spores in some species carrying a transposon with an operon termed . These spores are known for their extreme resistance to wet heat, and 2Duf is believed to be the primary contributor to this trait. In this study, we found that the absence of YetF or YdfS, both Duf421 domain-containing proteins and found only in wild-type (wt) spores with YetF more abundant, leads to decreased resistance to wet heat and agents that can damage spore core components.

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Background: A significant proportion of patients with clinical stage IA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) experience will recurrence and decreased survival after surgery. This study examined the impact of preoperative primary tumor positron emission tomography (PET) scan maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on oncologic outcomes after surgery.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of 251 patients who underwent surgical treatment of clinical stage IA NSCLC at an academic medical center (2005-2014).

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The maintenance of diminished acid ceramidase (ASAH1) gene expression leading to the accumulation of antiproliferative intracellular ceramides in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has emerged as a prospective oral cancer therapeutic regimen. Our published study demonstrated that the key periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis downregulates the expression patterns of ASAH1 mRNA in normal epithelial cells in vitro. Therefore, P.

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  • The study investigated how the presence of the 2Duf protein in Bacillus subtilis spores affects their resistance to wet heat and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and aimed to understand the properties of the spore's inner membrane (IM).
  • Findings showed that spores with the 2Duf protein were less susceptible to killing by wet heat and H2O2, exhibiting slower viability loss and requiring higher heat activation for germination, indicating enhanced resistance compared to wild-type spores.
  • It is suggested that the killing mechanism of wet heat and H2O2 may involve damage to IM enzymes associated with oxidative phosphorylation, while the composition of IM remains similar regardless of the presence of 2Duf
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Bacterial colonization of open wounds is common, and patients with infected wounds often report significantly elevated pain sensitivity at the wound site. Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1 (TRPV1) channels are known to play an important role in pain signaling and may be sensitized under pro-inflammatory conditions. Bacterial membrane components, such as phosphoethanolamine dihydroceramide (PEDHC), phosphoglycerol dihydroceramide (PGDHC), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), are released in the environment from the Gram-negative bacteria of the Bacteroidetes species colonizing the infected wounds.

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Copper compounds have been extensively investigated for diverse applications. However, studies of cuprous hydroxide (CuOH) have been scarce due to structural metastability. Herein, a facile, wet-chemistry procedure is reported for the preparation of stable CuOH nanostructures via deliberate functionalization with select organic ligands, such as acetylene and mercapto derivatives.

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Design and engineering of effective electrode catalysts represents a critical first step for hydrogen production by electrochemical water splitting. Nanocomposites based on ruthenium atomically dispersed within a carbon scaffold have emerged as viable candidates. In the present study, ruthenium metal centers are atomically embedded within graphitic carbon nitride/reduced graphene oxide nanosheets by thermal refluxing.

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Reimbursement for cardiothoracic surgery continues to be threatened with enormous financial cuts ranging from 5% to 10% in recent years. In this policy perspective, we describe the history of reimbursement for cardiothoracic surgery, highlight areas in need of urgent reform, propose possible solutions that Congress and the Executive Branch may enact, and call cardiothoracic surgeons to action on this critical issue. Meaningful engagement of members of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons with their elected representatives is the only way to prevent these cuts.

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Background: A preoperative type and screen (T&S) is traditionally routinely obtained before noncardiac thoracic surgery; however an intraoperative blood transfusion is rare. This practice is overly cautious and expensive.

Methods: We included adult patients undergoing major thoracic surgery at the Mayo Clinic from 2007 to 2016.

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