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The purpose of this study is to determine areas of agreement and disagreement among American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA)members in the clinical practice of alveolar bone grafting (ABG), to guide further research to optimize ABG practices., A cross-sectional survey was conducted., The respondents were in an academic, combination, or private practice., The respondents were either plastic or oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMFS) from various countries., A de-identified 24-question online survey was distributed to ACPA surgeon members utilizing the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) tool., Data collected included surgeon specialty, use of various alveolar bone graft surgical techniques, as well as protocols., There was more variability than consensus between specialties with regards to the preoperative workup, timing of surgery, materials used for bone graft, surgical techniques, perioperative management, and postoperative evaluation. There was consensus on grafting during mixed dentition, not staging soft and hard tissue closure, and using iliac crest for primary and secondary grafting. Disagreements involved factors used to time the procedure and type of imaging used to assess viability. Technical differences involved incision type, part of bone grafted, use of minimally invasive technique, and material used for revisions., Aside from areas of consensus among surgeons on ABG, several areas, including use of bone substitutes in revision grafting, incision and type of iliac crest graft used during initial grafting, and postoperative protocols, had no consensus. These areas should be targets of further research to determine if there truly is an optimal method to perform ABG., The study was approved by the University of Illinois at Chicago Institutional Review Board. A de-identified 24-question online survey was distributed to surgeon members of the ACPA utilizing the REDCap tool on August 7, 2020. The survey questions consisted of multiple choice and multiple selection questions including an option to select "other" and specify the information in a blank space. Data collected included surgeon specialty, use of various alveolar bone graft surgical techniques, as well as pre and postoperative protocols. The full survey is included in online Supplemental material. Data analysis was performed in SPSS Statistics 27 (IBM Corp.). Descriptive statistics were performed, and chi-square was used to test for significant differences in survey responses between groups., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Primary rhinoplasty during correction of unilateral cleft lip continues to be a topic of debate because of concerns that early nasal intervention may affect nasal and maxillary development over the long term. This study aims to determine the volume and quality of evidence for and against primary unilateral cleft rhinoplasty., Methods: A systematic review was performed adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Articles were pulled from PubMed and EMBASE and screened by title and abstract. Studies with human participants undergoing rhinoplasty at the time of unilateral cleft lip repair and some evaluation of the nasal outcome were included. Studies with a large proportion of syndromic patients, case reports, editorials, letters, reviews, studies exclusive to bilateral clefts, and studies not available in English were excluded. Those that met criteria were then systematically reviewed., Results: Twenty-five articles were included. Ten articles that assessed the results of primary rhinoplasty subjectively all supported cleft lip repair with primary rhinoplasty. Sixteen articles assessed the results of primary rhinoplasty objectively, with 15 supporting primary rhinoplasty during cleft lip repair. Eight of nine studies that evaluated nasal growth and development over time found no restriction in nasal development. Five studies with a follow-up period of at least 6 years found that the percentage of patients who avoided revision rhinoplasty ranged from 43% to 100%. There were significant risks of bias in the majority of studies., Conclusion: The majority of studies reviewed support that primary rhinoplasty during unilateral cleft lip repair results in good outcomes with limited or no effect on nasal growth., (Copyright © 2022 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.)

Along with the decrease in sudden infant death syndrome due to the successful "Back to Sleep" Campaign, there was a reciprocal increase in cases of positional plagiocephaly (PP). The prevalence of PP significantly rose from approximately 5% to upward of 46% at age 7 months. Consequently, clinicians have seen a surge in the number of patients presenting with head shape abnormalities. Not only does this increase in patient volume pose a logistical problem to clinics, but it also poses a potential risk to patients with craniosynostosis, whose head shape anomalies are similar to a "needle in a haystack" of patients with more common PP. This review explores the causes, risk factors, and treatment options of PP and craniosynostosis, along with the differential of head shape anomalies based on phenotypic presentation. In doing so, we hope to provide pediatric care clinicians with the tools necessary to effectively evaluate and manage patients with head shape abnormalities. [ Pediatr Ann . 2023;52(1):e10-e17.] .

Background: The influence of anthropometric characteristics on colorectal neoplasia biology is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine if adult-attained height is independently associated with the risk of colorectal cancer or adenoma., Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception to August 2020 for studies on the association between adult-attained height and colorectal cancer or adenoma. The original data from the Johns Hopkins (Baltimore, MD) Colon Biofilm study was also included. The overall HR/OR of colorectal cancer/adenoma with increased height was estimated using random-effects meta-analysis., Results: We included 47 observational studies involving 280,644 colorectal cancer and 14,139 colorectal adenoma cases. Thirty-three studies reported data for colorectal cancer incidence per 10-cm increase in height; 19 yielded an HR of 1.14 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11-1.17; P < 0.001), and 14 engendered an OR of 1.09 (95% CI, 1.05-1.13; P < 0.001). Twenty-six studies compared colorectal cancer incidence between individuals within the highest versus the lowest height percentile; 19 indicated an HR of 1.24 (95% CI, 1.19-1.30; P < 0.001), and seven resulting in an OR of 1.07 (95% CI, 0.92-1.25; P = 0.39). Four studies reported data for assessing colorectal adenoma incidence per 10-cm increase in height, showing an overall OR of 1.06 (95% CI, 1.00-1.12; P = 0.03)., Conclusions: Greater adult attained height is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma., Impact: Height should be considered as a risk factor for colorectal cancer screening., (©2022 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Studies have found a positive association between metabolic risk factors, such as obesity and diabetes, and adenomatous polyps (AP). However, fewer studies have assessed the association between sessile serrated polyps (SSP) or synchronous diagnosis of APs and SSPs (synch polyps). Study participants ( N = 1,370; ages 40-85) undergoing screening colonoscopy were enrolled between August 2016 and February 2020. Self-reported metabolic risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and overweight/obesity, were evaluated for associations with new diagnoses of APs, SSPs, and synch polyps at the present colonoscopy. Average participant age was 60.73 ± 8.63 (SD) years; 56.7% were female and 90.9% white. In an assessment of individual metabolic risk factors, adjusted for age, sex, race, and smoking status, increased body mass index (BMI; overweight or obese vs. normal BMI of <25 kg/m 2 ) was associated with an increased odds for new onset of colon APs ( P trend < 0.001) as was a diagnosis of diabetes [adjusted conditional OR (aCOR) = 1.59 (1.10-2.29)]. No associations were seen between the metabolic risk factors and onset of SSPs. Being obese or hypertensive each increased the odds of new onset of synch polyps with aCOR values of 2.09 (1.01-4.32) and 1.79 (1.06-3.02), respectively. Self-reported risk factors may help assess polyp type risk. Because SSPs and synch polyps are rare, larger studies are needed to improve our understanding of the contribution of these factors to polyp risk. These data lead us to hypothesize that differences in observed metabolic risk factors between polyp types reflect select metabolic impact on pathways to colorectal cancer. PREVENTION RELEVANCE: Self-reported medical history provides valuable insight into polyp risk, potentially enabling the use of larger retrospective studies of colonoscopy populations to assess knowledge gaps. More aggressive colonoscopy screening, critical to colorectal cancer prevention, may be considered in populations of individuals with metabolic risk factors and modifiable lifestyle risk factors., (©2021 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Unlabelled: Disruptions to the microbiome can impact host health as can exposure to environmental contaminants. However, few studies have addressed how environmental contaminants impact the microbiome. We explored this question for frogs that breed in wetlands contaminated with fly ash, a by-product of coal combustion that is enriched in trace elements. We found differences in the bacterial communities among a fly ash-contaminated site and several reference wetlands. We then experimentally assessed the impacts of fly ash on the skin microbiome of adult spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer). Frogs were exposed to fly ash in the laboratory for 12 h, the duration of a typical breeding event, and the skin microbiome was assessed after 5 days (experiment 1) or after 5 and 15 days (experiment 2). We examined bacterial community structure using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and metabolite profiles using high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). We found little impact as the result of acute exposure to fly ash on the bacterial communities or metabolite profiles in either experiment, suggesting that the bacterial symbiont communities of adults may be relatively resistant to brief contaminant exposure. However, housing frogs in the laboratory altered bacterial community structure in the two experiments, which supports prior research suggesting that environmental source pools are important for maintaining the amphibian skin microbiome. Therefore, for contaminants like fly ash that may alter the potential source pool of symbionts, we think it may be important to explore how contaminants affect the initial assembly of the amphibian skin microbiome in larval amphibians that develop within contaminated sites., Importance: Animals are hosts to many symbiotic microorganisms, collectively called the microbiome, that play critical roles in host health. Therefore, environmental contaminants that alter the microbiome may impact hosts. Some of the most widespread contaminants, produced worldwide, are derived from the mining, storage, and combustion of coal for energy. Fly ash, for example, is a by-product of coal combustion. It contains compounds such as arsenic, selenium, cadmium, and strontium and is a recognized source of ground and surface water contamination. Here, we experimentally investigated the impacts of short-term fly ash exposure on the skin microbiome of spring peepers, one of many species of amphibian that sometimes breed in open fly ash disposal ponds. This research provides a look into the potential impacts of fly ash on an animal's microbiome and suggests important future directions for research on the effects of environmental contaminants on the microbiome., (Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)

The current external inflammatory root resorption treatment protocol, which uses calcium hydroxide dressing, usually comprises multiple and long-term applications. In addition to the need for multiple appointments for calcium hydroxide replacement, the long-term maintenance of this compound in the root canal weakens dental structures. A modification of this therapy would be advisable. In this clinical investigation, 3 patients with external inflammatory root resorption were submitted to revascularization therapy protocol usually used in teeth with necrotic pulp and open apices. The teeth were treated with revascularization therapy protocol, which consisted of disinfecting the root canal system with triantibiotic paste, filling it with blood clot, and sealing of the root canal with mineral trioxide aggregate and bonded resin restoration. During the follow-up, the pathologic process was arrested with tissue repair in pre-existing radiolucent areas. Reduced mobility was observed in the treated teeth. The 3 cases were followed up for 30, 18, and 15 months, respectively. All teeth remained asymptomatic and retained function and physiological mobility. The therapy used in the revascularization procedure was efficient in the treatment of external inflammatory root resorption, reducing the number of appointments and increasing patient compliance., (Copyright © 2015 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Symbiotic microbes can dramatically impact host health and fitness, and recent research in a diversity of systems suggests that different symbiont community structures may result in distinct outcomes for the host. In amphibians, some symbiotic skin bacteria produce metabolites that inhibit the growth of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a cutaneous fungal pathogen that has caused many amphibian population declines and extinctions. Treatment with beneficial bacteria (probiotics) prevents Bd infection in some amphibian species and creates optimism for conservation of species that are highly susceptible to chytridiomycosis, the disease caused by Bd. In a laboratory experiment, we used Bd-inhibitory bacteria from Bd-tolerant Panamanian amphibians in a probiotic development trial with Panamanian golden frogs, Atelopus zeteki, a species currently surviving only in captive assurance colonies. Approximately 30% of infected golden frogs survived Bd exposure by either clearing infection or maintaining low Bd loads, but this was not associated with probiotic treatment. Survival was instead related to initial composition of the skin bacterial community and metabolites present on the skin. These results suggest a strong link between the structure of these symbiotic microbial communities and amphibian host health in the face of Bd exposure and also suggest a new approach for developing amphibian probiotics., (© 2015 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.)

A series of 34 amphiphilic compounds varying in both number of quaternary ammonium groups and length of alkyl chains has been assembled. The synthetic preparations for these structures are simple and generally high-yielding, proceeding in 1-2 steps without the need for chromatography. Antibacterial MIC data for these compounds were determined, and over half boast single digit MIC values against a series of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. MIC variation mostly hinged on the length of the alkyl chain, where a dodecyl group led to optimal activity; surprisingly, the number of cations and/or basic nitrogens was less important in dictating bioactivity. Additional structural variation was prepared in a trisamine series dubbed 12,3,X,3,12, providing a series of potent amphiphiles functionalized with varied allyl, alkyl, and benzyl groups. Tetraamines were also investigated, culminating in a two-step preparation of a tetracationic structure that showed only modestly improved bioactivity versus amphiphiles with two or three cations., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)