Publications by authors named "Nikhil R Oak"

Case: Electronic cigarettes are an increasingly popular and poorly regulated alternative to traditional cigarettes that deliver nicotine and other aerosolized substances to the user via a battery-powered atomizer. We report a case in which an electronic cigarette explosion resulted in a high-pressure injection injury of the finger.

Conclusion: Explosions involving electronic cigarettes and similar handheld products should be treated as high-pressure injection injuries until proven otherwise.

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Background: A fracture through the proximal radius is a theoretical concern after cortical button distal biceps fixation in an active patient. The permanent, nonossified cortical defect and medullary tunnel is at risk during a fall eliciting rotational and compressive forces. We hypothesized that during simulated torsion and compression, in comparison with unaltered specimens, the cortical button distal biceps repair model would have decreased torsional and compressive strength and would fracture in the vicinity of the bicipital tuberosity bone tunnel.

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Purpose: Metacarpal fractures are commonly treated by a variety of means including casting or open reduction internal fixation when unacceptable alignment is present following attempted closed reduction. Dorsal plating with either single-row 2-dimensional or double-row 3-dimensional plates has been proposed. This study's purpose was to determine if there are any differences in fixation construct stability under cyclic loading and subsequent load to failure between the lower profile 3-dimensional and the larger 2-dimensional plates in a metacarpal fracture gap sawbone model.

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Hand compartment syndrome has many etiologies; untreated, it has dire functional consequences. Intracompartmental pressure exceeding capillary filling pressure causes decreased tissue perfusion resulting in progressive ischemic death of compartment contents. Clinical findings can evolve.

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Background: The repair and restoration of function after chronic rotator cuff tears are often complicated by muscle atrophy, fibrosis, and fatty degeneration of the diseased muscle. The inflammatory response has been implicated in the development of fatty degeneration after cuff injuries. Licofelone is a novel anti-inflammatory drug that inhibits 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), as well as cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 enzymes, which play important roles in inducing inflammation after injuries.

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A fracture of the lateral margin of the distal tibia has commonly been called a Tillaux fracture, which is an avulsion-type fracture that can result from the pull of the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament. The common mechanism of injury described and observed has been one of external rotation of the foot relative to the tibia. Historically, this fracture pattern has been noted in the pediatric and adolescent populations and classified as a Salter-Harris III fracture through the epiphysis.

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Most Lisfranc or tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint injuries result from a horizontally directed force in which the metatarsals are displaced relative to the midfoot. The injury pattern that is described in this article is one of a longitudinal force through the first ray and cuneiform. A reliable measure to recognize the longitudinal Lisfranc variant injury has been the height difference between the distal articular surfaces of the first and second cuneiform bones in an anteroposterior (AP) weight-bearing radiograph.

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Background: Patients with neutropenia are at increased risk for infections. Granulocyte transfusions (GT) have had mixed success in treatment of neutropenic infections in adult patients with hematologic malignancy. This study examined the outcomes of GT therapy in neutropenic solid organ transplant recipients, a novel population for this therapy.

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The transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha) is required during adipogenesis for development of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Modes for regulating this function of C/EBPalpha have yet to be determined. Phosphorylation of C/EBPalpha on Ser-21 has been implicated in the regulation of granulopoiesis and hepatic gene expression.

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