Publications by authors named "Ronak Rahmanian"

Background: Helios (encoded by ), a member of the Ikaros family of transcription factors, is a zinc finger protein involved in embryogenesis and immune function. Although predominantly recognised for its role in the development and function of T lymphocytes, particularly the CD4 regulatory T cells (Tregs), the expression and function of Helios extends beyond the immune system. During embryogenesis, Helios is expressed in a wide range of tissues, making genetic variants that disrupt the function of Helios strong candidates for causing widespread immune-related and developmental abnormalities in humans.

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Objectives: To investigate the outcomes of pediatric tracheostomy as influenced by demographics and comorbidities.

Study Design: Retrospective national database review.

Setting: Fifty-two children's hospitals across the United States.

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Gastric pull-up (GPU) is among the oldest techniques for reconstructing the pharyngoesophageal junction following cancer resection. This review examines morbidity and mortality rates following GPU pharyngoesophageal junction reconstruction from 1959 until present: 77 studies, 2,705 patients. The odds of mortality, anastomotic complications, and other complications decreased by 37.

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Tracheal-bronchus is an aberrant bronchus arising from the lateral tracheal wall, superior to the carina. A "False-carina" can be classified as a sub-type. This clinical entity will be defined and the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of five patients with variations of the anatomical definition of a False-carina, identified at our institution, will be reviewed.

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Calcific tendonitis of the longus colli (CTLC) muscle is an underrecognized cause of spontaneous acute or subacute neck pain, dysphagia, or odynophagia. Imaging may reveal a retropharyngeal fluid collection leading to the presumed diagnosis of retropharyngeal abscess. Recognition of this uncommon presentation is important to prevent unnecessary surgical incision and drainage.

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Adenotonsillectomy, a common ambulatory surgical procedure performed in the pediatric population, may at times lead to serious postoperative complications. The case of a 10-year-old with extensive cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) following routine adenotonsillectomy is presented and the likely risk factors are discussed. Recent literature regarding CVT in children will be reviewed.

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Importance: Sinonasal disease and, specifically, nasal polyps, occur frequently in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). As survival rates have improved, it has become imperative that otolaryngologists become involved in the care of patients with CF to provide appropriate medical and surgical interventions for sinonasal disease. Despite significant variability in the subjective reporting of clinical symptoms, previous work has suggested there may be a relationship between clinical indicators and sinonasal disease in this population.

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Influenza A viruses cause yearly epidemics, in part, due to their ability to overcome immunity from previous infections through acquisition of mutations. Amino acid sequences encoded by genes 4 (HA), 6 (NA), 7 (M), and 8 (NS) from 77 H3N2 influenza A isolates, collected between November 2003 and March 2005, were analyzed to determine the extent to which the viruses mutated within epidemic periods and between the epidemics. Nucleotide and amino acid sequences were stable throughout the epidemics but experienced substantial changes between epidemics.

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