Lower extremity surgical sites are at an increased risk of wound infection following Mohs micrographic surgery.
To evaluate the rate of lower extremity surgical site infections following a 14-day ...regimen of preoperative 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) rinses and postoperative wound occlusion for 14 days.
Retrospective data were collected from procedures performed by the senior author from January 2022 through June 2023. To meet inclusion, patients must have completed waist-down CHG soak and rinse for 14 days before surgery, including the day before surgery. In addition, the patient must have kept the dressing clean, dry, and intact until the postoperative appointment at 14 days.
A total of 100 Mohs cases met inclusion criteria. Zero patients developed a surgical site infection.
Chlorhexidine gluconate preoperative rinsing and postoperative occlusion for 14 days may minimize the risk of wound infection. Although further research is indicated, an opportunity exists for the adoption of CHG into routine clinical practice in the outpatient dermatology setting.
Ocular infectious diseases are an important cause of potentially preventable vision loss and blindness. In the following manuscript, we will review ocular immunology and the pathogenesis of ...herpesviruses and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections of the cornea and posterior segment. We will highlight areas of future research and what is currently known to promote bench-to-bedside discoveries to improve clinical outcomes of these debilitating ocular diseases.
The highly infectious and zoonotic pathogen
is the etiologic agent of tularemia, a potentially fatal disease if untreated. Despite the high average nucleotide identity, which is >99.2% for the ...virulent subspecies and >98% for all four subspecies, including the opportunistic microbe
subsp.
, there are considerable differences in genetic organization. These chromosomal disparities contribute to the substantial differences in virulence observed between the various
subspecies and subtypes. The methods currently available to genotype
cannot conclusively identify the associated subpopulation without using time-consuming testing or complex scoring matrices. To address this need, we developed both single and multiplex quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays that can accurately detect and identify the hypervirulent
subsp.
subtype A.I, the virulent
subsp.
subtype A.II,
subsp.
(also referred to as type B), and
subsp.
, as well as opportunistic
subsp.
from each other and near neighbors, such as
,
, and
-like endosymbionts found in ticks. These fluorescence-based singleplex and non-matrix scoring multiplex qPCR assays utilize a hydrolysis probe, providing sensitive and specific
subspecies and subtype identification in a rapid manner. Furthermore, sequencing of the amplified
targets provides clade confirmation and informative strain-specific details. Application of these qPCR- and sequencing-based detection assays will provide an improved capability for molecular typing and clinical diagnostics, as well as facilitate the accurate identification and differentiation of
subpopulations during epidemiological investigations of tularemia source outbreaks.
During the third year general surgery clerkship, medical students are required to develop laparoscopic knot-tying skills. Knot-tying skills studies often rely on objective variables (e.g., time, ...materials used, number of iterations) that lend themselves to correlational analysis of pre- and post-intervention skill level. This study differs by examining how instructional interventions-role modeling and feedback-affect medical students' skill acquisition and self-efficacy during a laparoscopic surgical simulation training session.
Seventy-eight surgical clerkship students were assigned randomly to one cell of a 2X2 factorial design. Participants observed one of two types of role modeling (expert vs. coping) and received either process-oriented or outcome-oriented feedback during a 30-min laparoscopic training session. Participants also completed several surveys that assessed their interest in surgery and their self-efficacy for laparoscopic knot tying.
Coping model groups tended to perform better on the knot tying task, though this was less the case in the presence of outcome feedback. Expert model groups slightly outperformed the coping model group on the peg transfer task, but in the presence of outcome feedback they reported the lowest satisfaction with their performance and the lowest self-efficacy for the knot tying task. The coping model combined with process feedback had a positive influence on students' efficiency in learning the task, on their satisfaction with their performance, and on their self-efficacy for laparoscopic knot typing.
Results are discussed relative to self-regulated learning theory.
Epithelial adenocarcinoma of the ovary and colon are associated with the highest rates of cancer-related deaths in women in the U.S. The literature supports the role of HDL-associated apolipoproteins ...in the treatment of cancer and other pro-inflammatory diseases. Previously, we developed a novel 20-amino acid mimetic peptide, HM-10/10, which potently inhibits tumor development and growth in colon and ovarian cancer. Here, we report the properties of HM-10/10 relative to its stability in vitro. The results demonstrated that HM-10/10 had the highest half-life in human plasma compared to plasma from other species tested. HM-10/10 demonstrated stability in human plasma and simulated gastric environment, increasing its promise as an oral pharmaceutical. However, under conditions modeling the small intestine, HM-10/10 demonstrated significant degradation, likely due to the peptidases encountered therein. Furthermore, HM-10/10 demonstrated no evidence of time-dependent drug-drug interactions, although it demonstrated CYP450 induction slightly above cutoff. As proteolytic degradation is a common limitation of peptide-based therapeutics, we are pursuing strategies to improve the stability properties of HM-10/10 by extending its bioavailability while retaining its low toxicity profile. HM-10/10 holds promise as a new agent to address the international women's health crisis of epithelial carcinomas of the ovary and colon.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Olefin oligomerization by γ‐Al2O3 has recently been reported, and it was suggested that Lewis acid sites are catalytic. The goal of this study is to determine the number of active sites per gram of ...alumina to confirm that Lewis acid sites are indeed catalytic. Addition of an inorganic Sr oxide base resulted in a linear decrease in the propylene oligomerization conversion at loadings up to 0.3 wt %; while, there is a >95 % loss in conversion above 1 wt % Sr. Additionally, there was a linear decrease in the intensity of the Lewis acid peaks of absorbed pyridine in the IR spectra with an increase in Sr loading, which correlates with the loss in propylene conversion, suggesting that Lewis acid sites are catalytic. Characterization of the Sr structure by XAS and STEM indicates that single Sr2+ ions are bound to the γ‐Al2O3 surface and poison one catalytic site per Sr ion. The maximum loading needed to poison all catalytic sites, assuming uniform surface coverage, was ∼0.4 wt % Sr, giving an acid site density of ∼0.2 sites per nm2 of γ‐Al2O3, or approximately 3 % of the alumina surface.
Olefin oligomerization to liquid hydrocarbons by γ‐Al2O3 has recently been reported, and it was suggested that Lewis acid sites are catalytic. In this paper, single Sr2+ ions poison the oligomerization activity and Lewis acid sites confirm these are catalytic, and also allow for determination of the number of active sites.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The two studies reported here explored the factor structure of the newly constructed Writing Achievement Goal Scale (WAGS), and examined relationships among secondary students' writing achievement ...goals, writing self-efficacy, affect for writing, and writing achievement. In the first study, 697 middle school students completed the WAGS. A confirmatory factor analysis revealed a good fit for this data with a three-factor model that corresponds with mastery, performance approach, and performance avoidance goals. The results of Study 1 were an indication for the researchers to move forward with Study 2, which included 563 high school students. The secondary students completed the WAGS, as well as the Self-efficacy for Writing Scale, and the Liking Writing Scale. Students also self-reported grades for writing and for language arts courses. Approximately 6 weeks later, students completed a statewide writing assessment. We tested a theoretical model representing relationships among Study 2 variables using structural equation modeling including students' responses to the study scales and students' scores on the statewide assessment. Results from Study 2 revealed a good fit between a model depicting proposed relationships among the constructs and the data. Findings are discussed relative to achievement goal theory and writing.
Olefin oligomerization by γ-Al
O
has recently been reported, and it was suggested that Lewis acid sites are catalytic. The goal of this study is to determine the number of active sites per gram of ...alumina to confirm that Lewis acid sites are indeed catalytic. Addition of an inorganic Sr oxide base resulted in a linear decrease in the propylene oligomerization conversion at loadings up to 0.3 wt %; while, there is a >95 % loss in conversion above 1 wt % Sr. Additionally, there was a linear decrease in the intensity of the Lewis acid peaks of absorbed pyridine in the IR spectra with an increase in Sr loading, which correlates with the loss in propylene conversion, suggesting that Lewis acid sites are catalytic. Characterization of the Sr structure by XAS and STEM indicates that single Sr
ions are bound to the γ-Al
O
surface and poison one catalytic site per Sr ion. The maximum loading needed to poison all catalytic sites, assuming uniform surface coverage, was ∼0.4 wt % Sr, giving an acid site density of ∼0.2 sites per nm
of γ-Al
O
, or approximately 3 % of the alumina surface.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
OBJECTIVESThe objectives of this study were to determine whether differences in CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 haplotype influence the dose of ibuprofen self-administered by individuals, and to examine the ...potential relationship between CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 reduced metabolism haplotypes and adverse events.
PARTICIPANTS AND METHODSWe investigated relationships between genetic variations in CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 and ibuprofen use, dose, and side effects (reported by questionnaire) in 445 participants from the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative.
RESULTSCarriers of reduced metabolism haplotypes for CYP2C8 (*2, *3, *4) and CYP2C9 (*2, *3) were significantly (P=0.0171) more likely than those lacking these variants to take less than the recommended dose of ibuprofen, after controlling for sex, age, race, and cohort. In contrast to ibuprofen dose, there were no differences in ibuprofen use frequency or reported side effects based on haplotype. However, there are often no early signs of acute kidney injury, the most serious side effect of elevated ibuprofen exposure.
CONCLUSIONThese results suggest a subset of individuals with genetic variation in CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 recognize that they obtain adequate drug efficacy with lower ibuprofen doses, or take lower doses due to prior side effects. However, most (82.6%) individuals with reduced metabolism haplotypes nonetheless took recommended or higher doses, potentially putting them at increased risk for side effects.
RADx SM Tech's mission is to rapidly accelerate deployment of SARS-CoV-2 tests and could not utilize typical grant application and review processes that can run 4 to 6 months. Instead, RADx Tech ...leveraged methodologies developed by CIMIT and utilized by POCTRN as described further in this special issue. RADx Tech uses a multi-stage review with two review panels, a Viability Panel and a Steering Panel, that are supported by subject matter experts and a Deep Dive team. Members of the panels have extensive commercialization and business experience in addition to scientific and technical knowledge. The Viability Panel is responsible for assessing whether the proposal is a good fit with the RADx Tech Program and whether it should be recommended to move into a Deep Dive. Less detailed information is requested in the application than a typical SBIR application since the application is refined and details added during the Deep Dive. The Steering Panel reviews the results from the Deep Dive and decides whether to recommend further funding. Everyone on the Viability Panel and Steering Panel reviews every application, thereby providing consistency and context for the reviewers. Utilization of an "assess, improve, and then select" process with review panels comprised of highly experienced review panel members has resulted in improved timing, efficiency, and effectiveness of reviews and has the potential to be extensible beyond RADx Tech.
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