Publications by authors named "Nneamaka Agochukwu"

A noncontact electron multiplying charge-coupled-device (EMCCD)-based speckle contrast diffuse correlation tomography (scDCT) technology has been recently developed in our laboratory, allowing for noninvasive three-dimensional measurement of tissue blood flow distributions. One major remaining constraint in the scDCT is the assumption of a semi-infinite tissue volume with a flat surface, which affects the image reconstruction accuracy for tissues with irregular geometries. An advanced photometric stereo technique (PST) was integrated into the scDCT system to obtain the surface geometry in real time for image reconstruction.

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Background: Infection following augmentation and prosthetic-based breast reconstruction can cause significant physical and psychological distress for patients. It may delay adjuvant therapies and compromise aesthetic outcomes. The aim of this study is to identify modifiable risk factors for infection and identify common bacterial isolates to achieve optimal outcomes for patients.

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The rectus abdominis is a workhorse flap for perineal reconstruction, in particular after abdominoperineal resection (APR). Laparoscopic and robotic techniques for abdominoperineal surgery are becoming more common. The open harvest of the rectus abdominis negates the advantages of these minimally invasive approaches.

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Background: Use of dermal regeneration template (DRT) is well documented in the literature for complex wounds ranging from the scalp, trunk, and lower extremity.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed of the use of dermal regeneration template and skin grafting. A literature review was performed of all studies where DRT was used for scalp reconstruction.

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Unlabelled: A new advanced technology, noncontact diffuse correlation spectroscopy, has been recently developed for the measurement of tissue blood flow through analyzing the motions of red blood cells in deep tissues. This technology is portable, inexpensive, and noninvasive, and can measure up to 1.5-cm tissue depth.

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Recent advancements in near-infrared diffuse correlation techniques and instrumentation have opened the path for versatile deep tissue microvasculature blood flow imaging systems. Despite this progress there remains a need for a completely noncontact, noninvasive device with high translatability from small/testing (animal) to large/target (human) subjects with trivial application on both. Accordingly, we discuss our newly developed setup which meets this demand, termed noncontact speckle contrast diffuse correlation tomography (nc_scDCT).

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Diabetic mastopathy is a benign condition of the breast that typically manifests in patients with diabetes mellitus. Lymphocytic mastopathy is the term used to describe this condition in patients without diabetes mellitus. Most patients undergo excisional biopsy, but the use of mastectomy, even in cases of diffuse, bilateral disease, is rarely reported.

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Carpal coalition, the union of 2 or more carpal bones, can be congenital or acquired. Congenital, nonsyndromic carpal coalition usually presents in otherwise healthy individuals. The most common coalition is between the lunate and the triquetrum, followed by the capitate and the hamate.

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Objective: To investigate executive function and adaptive behavior in individuals with Muenke syndrome using validated instruments with a normative population and unaffected siblings as controls.

Study Design: Participants in this cross-sectional study included individuals with Muenke syndrome (P250R mutation in FGFR3) and their mutation-negative siblings. Participants completed validated assessments of executive functioning (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function [BRIEF]) and adaptive behavior skills (Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Second Edition [ABAS-II]).

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Objective: This review addresses hearing loss as it occurs and has been reported in Muenke syndrome as well as six additional FGFR related craniosynostosis syndromes (Apert syndrome, Pfeiffer syndrome, Crouzon syndrome, Beare-Stevenson syndrome, Crouzon syndrome with acanthosis nigricans, and Jackson-Weiss syndrome.

Data Sources: Pub-Med, Medline, Cochrane Database, Science Direct, NLM Catalog.

Review Methods: A Medline search was conducted to find all reported cases of the 7 FGFR related syndromic craniosynostosis.

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Purpose: There are a number of craniosynostosis syndromes with hearing loss-including Muenke, Apert, Pfeiffer, Crouzon, Beare-Stevenson, Crouzon with acanthosis nigricans, and Jackson-Weiss syndromes-that result from mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) genes. Studies of FGFRs and their ligands, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), have revealed clues to the precise contribution of aberrant FGFR signaling to inner ear morphogenesis and the hearing loss encountered in craniosynostoses. The purpose of this article is to review basic studies of FGFRs with emphasis on their function and expression in the inner ear and surrounding structures.

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Muenke syndrome is an autosomal dominant craniosynostosis syndrome resulting from a defining point mutation in the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor3 (FGFR3) gene. Muenke syndrome is characterized by coronal craniosynostosis (bilateral more often than unilateral), hearing loss, developmental delay, and carpal and/or tarsal bone coalition. Tarsal coalition is a distinct feature of Muenke syndrome and has been reported since the initial description of the disorder in the 1990s.

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Epilepsy, a neurologic disorder characterized by the predisposition to recurrent unprovoked seizures, is reported in more than 300 genetic syndromes. Muenke syndrome is an autosomal-dominant craniosynostosis syndrome characterized by unilateral or bilateral coronal craniosynostosis, hearing loss, intellectual disability, and relatively subtle limb findings such as carpal bone fusion and tarsal bone fusion. Muenke syndrome is caused by a single defining point mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene.

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Purpose: The Muenke syndrome mutation (FGFR3 (P250R)), which was discovered 15 years ago, represents the single most common craniosynostosis mutation. Muenke syndrome is characterized by coronal suture synostosis, midface hypoplasia, subtle limb anomalies, and hearing loss. However, the spectrum of clinical presentation continues to expand.

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Article Synopsis
  • * A literature review highlights that patients with Apert syndrome face severe issues like intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and hearing loss among other complications.
  • * Effective treatment for syndromic craniosynostosis necessitates a multidisciplinary approach to manage impacts across multiple organ systems, rather than focusing solely on craniosynostosis.
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Article Synopsis
  • Muenke syndrome is a common type of craniosynostosis, but there hasn’t been much documentation on related oral and palatal anomalies like cleft lip or palate among these patients.
  • This study examined the prevalence of palatal anomalies in 21 patients with Muenke syndrome, finding that 71% had some structural anomaly, and 5% had cleft lip and palate.
  • While Muenke syndrome has a lower incidence of cleft palate compared to other craniosynostosis syndromes, high-arched palate is quite common and can lead to issues like ear infections and hearing loss.
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Background: Tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF) with/or without esophageal atresia (EA) is a common congenital malformation that is often accompanied by other anomalies. The causes of this condition are thought to be heterogeneous but are overall not well understood.

Case Report: We identified a patient with a TEF/EA, as well as cardiac and genitourinary anomalies, who was found to have a 0.

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VACTERL association, a relatively common condition with an incidence of approximately 1 in 20,000 -35,000 births, is a non-random association of birth defects that includes vertebral defects (V), anal atresia (A), cardiac defects (C), tracheo-esophageal fistula (TE), renal anomalies (R) and limb malformations (L). Although the etiology is unknown in the majority of patients, there is evidence that it is causally heterogeneous. Several studies have shown evidence for inheritance in VACTERL, implying a role for genetic loci.

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Article Synopsis
  • A tRNA gene near the HMR locus in yeast (S. cerevisiae) acts as a barrier to prevent the spread of gene silencing from heterochromatin into adjacent regions of chromosome III.
  • A genetic screen identified YTA7, a gene with bromodomain and ATPase features, as important for restricting this silencing, while the deletion of RSC2, part of a chromatin-remodeling complex, increased silencing spread.
  • The study implies that YTA7 and the tRNA element work independently to limit silencing, indicating that various bromodomain proteins play a role in managing heterochromatin spread at the HMR locus.
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