The Role of Socioeconomic Status in Patients With Cutaneous Melanoma of the Head and Neck.

Objective: To determine the effects of socioeconomic status (SES) on cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck.

Data Source: Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program.

Review Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck from 2006 to 2018, utilizing population-based data including socioeconomic status (SES) assessed by the US-based Yost quintile index.

Comparing the Use of Crotaline-Polyvalent Immune Fab (Ovine) Versus Observation in Children.

Objectives: In the United States, studies are inconclusive regarding the indications for polyvalent antivenom administration for crotaline envenomation. We compared polyvalent antivenom administration versus observation used at 2 separate institutions. We hypothesized that deferring antivenom leads to increased hospital length of stay and surgical interventions.

Muscle activation patterns during active external rotation after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: an electrophysiological study of the teres minor and associated musculature.

Background: Preoperative teres minor insufficiency has been identified as a risk factor for poor restoration of external rotation (ER) after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). However, there has been little investigation regarding muscle activation patterns generating ER. This prospective study sought to determine the timing and activation levels of the shoulder girdle musculature during ER in well-functioning RTSAs with an intact teres minor using a lateralized design.

Comparing maternal substance use and perinatal outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal substance abuse and neonatal outcomes.

Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study of neonates admitted to the NICU and born to mothers with evidence of substance abuse pre-pandemic compared to during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Result: We noted a significant increase in fentanyl (12% vs.

Comparing Rates of Fusion and Time to Fusion in Viable Cellular Allograft and Autograft.

Background: Autograft or allograft frequently are used to enhance bone union in foot and ankle surgery. Viable cellular bone allograft uses viable cells and bone scaffolding in a gel base, but uncertainty remains around allograft's greater efficacy than autograft regarding rates of fusion (ROF) and time to fusion (TTF).

Methods: Autograft, viable cellular allograft, and viable cellular allograft with autograft were compared in 199 forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot arthrodeses performed over a 6-year period.

Pyeloplasty with ureteral stent placement in children: Do prophylactic antibiotics serve a purpose?

Objectives: Ureteral stents are commonly used during pyeloplasty to ensure drainage and anastomotic healing. Antibiotic prophylaxis is often used due to concerns for urinary tract infection (UTI). Although many surgeons prescribe prophylactic antibiotics following pyeloplasty, practices vary widely due to lack of clear evidence-based guidelines.

Allergic airway recall responses require IL-9 from resident memory CD4 T cells.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease with intermittent flares predominately mediated through memory T cells. Yet, the identity of long-term memory cells that mediate allergic recall responses is not well defined. In this report, using a mouse model of chronic allergen exposure followed by an allergen-free rest period, we characterized a subpopulation of CD4 T cells that secreted IL-9 as an obligate effector cytokine.

Predictive biomarker modeling of pediatric atopic dermatitis severity based on longitudinal serum collection.

The pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) results from complex interactions between environmental factors, barrier defects, and immune dysregulation resulting in systemic inflammation. Therefore, we sought to characterize circulating inflammatory profiles in pediatric AD patients and identify potential signaling nodes which drive disease heterogeneity and progression. We analyzed a sample set of 87 infants that were at high risk for atopic disease based on atopic dermatitis diagnoses.

Granzyme A-producing T helper cells are critical for acute graft-versus-host disease.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) can occur after hematopoietic cell transplant in patients undergoing treatment for hematological malignancies or inborn errors. Although CD4+ T helper (Th) cells play a major role in aGVHD, the mechanisms by which they contribute, particularly within the intestines, have remained elusive. We have identified a potentially novel subset of Th cells that accumulated in the intestines and produced the serine protease granzyme A (GrA).

Sexually Transmitted Infections and Contraceptive Use in Adolescents.

Introduction: Although a number of contraception methods exist, long-acting reversible contraceptives have been recommended for female adolescents owing to their low failure rates. However, concern exists that the increasing use of long-acting reversible contraceptive among female adolescents may have unintended consequences of decreasing condom use for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Despite this concern, few studies have directly explored the relationship between the use of long-acting reversible contraceptive versus other forms of contraception and diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections in female adolescents.

Innate Immunity Induced by the Major Allergen Alt a 1 From the Fungus Is Dependent Upon Toll-Like Receptors 2/4 in Human Lung Epithelial Cells.

Allergens are molecules that elicit a hypersensitive inflammatory response in sensitized individuals and are derived from a variety of sources. Alt a 1 is the most clinically important secreted allergen of the ubiquitous fungus, . It has been shown to be a major allergen causing IgE-mediated allergic response in the vast majority of -sensitized individuals.

Characterizing and measuring endocytosis of lipid-binding effectors in mammalian cells.

Pathogen-host interactions are mediated in part by secreted microbial proteins capable of exploiting host cells for their survival. Several of these manipulations involve, but are not limited to, suppression of defense responses, alterations in host vesicular trafficking, and manipulation of gene expression. The delivery of such molecules from microbe to host has been of intense interest in several microbe-host systems.

Microbe-independent entry of oomycete RxLR effectors and fungal RxLR-like effectors into plant and animal cells is specific and reproducible.

A wide diversity of pathogens and mutualists of plant and animal hosts, including oomycetes and fungi, produce effector proteins that enter the cytoplasm of host cells. A major question has been whether or not entry by these effectors can occur independently of the microbe or requires machinery provided by the microbe. Numerous publications have documented that oomycete RxLR effectors and fungal RxLR-like effectors can enter plant and animal cells independent of the microbe.