Economic Evaluation of Pediatric Tracheostomy: A Cost of Illness Analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the direct costs of pediatric tracheostomy care within a health care system.

Study Design: Prospective analysis.

Setting: Academic children's hospital.

Pediatric tracheostomy audiometric outcomes - A quality improvement initiative.

Objective: Pediatric tracheostomy patients disproportionately experience hearing loss and are at risk for delayed identification due to their medical complexity. Nonetheless, protocols to monitor hearing in these children are lacking. This quality improvement (QI) initiative aimed to increase the rates of audiometric testing within 12 months of pediatric tracheostomy placement.

The Use of Patient-Specific Orbital Reconstruction Implants During Maxillectomy Reconstruction.

Reconstruction of the orbital floor after maxillectomy can result in significant functional and aesthetic morbidity. To measure eyelid position, self-reported visual outcomes, and complications in patients undergoing concurrent maxillectomy and reconstruction with a patient-specific orbital reconstruction implant (PSORI). Case series.

Characterization of Otolaryngology Referrals among Pacific Islanders in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The burden of otolaryngology disease in Pacific Islander populations is relatively uncharacterized. A single-institution retrospective review was undertaken at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation in Saipan, the only hospital in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Demographic, diagnostic, and treatment data were compiled from the clinical charts of all patients seen by an otolaryngologist between January 2015 and April 2020.

Oral Cavity Cancer Outcomes in Remote, Betel Nut-Endemic Pacific Islands.

Background: Oral cavity carcinomas individually are the fifth-leading cause of overall cancer mortality in the Northern Mariana Islands, which is likely a representative statistic for many other betel-nut-endemic Pacific islands. Factors associated with survival have been minimally evaluated in this region. The purpose of this study is to further characterize oral cavity carcinoma outcomes and associated prognostic factors in the United States commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

A Survey of Areca (Betel) Nut Use and Oral Cancer in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Areca nut use is a cause of higher rates of oral cavity cancer in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Little is known about patient insights into the risks of areca nut use worldwide. The purpose of this study is to evaluate perceptions of areca nut use and oral cancer among chewers in the CNMI.

Meta-analysis does not support routine traditional nuclear medicine studies for malignant otitis.

Objectives: The role of traditional nuclear medicine studies in the management of malignant otitis externa (MOE) is unclear and there are ongoing debates regarding their diagnostic value. The authors perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the sensitivity and specificity of traditional nuclear medicine studies in the diagnosis of MOE.

Methods: In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, a query of the Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases was undertaken.

Characterizing Posterior Neck Masses: A Single-Institution Retrospective and Systematic Review.

Objective: Posterior neck masses are a relatively poorly characterized entity. The authors attempt to further characterize the anatomy and pathology of the posterior neck by way of a combined single-institution retrospective chart review and systematic review of the literature.

Methods: A single-institution retrospective chart review was undertaken for all patients undergoing excision of a posterior neck mass between January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2017.

Weight gain velocity as a predictor of severe obstructive sleep apnea among obese adolescents.

Objectives/hypothesis: To evaluate a cohort of obese adolescents with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to determine if increased yearly weight gain was a predictor of severe OSA.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: Obese adolescents (body mass index percentile >95% for that age and sex based upon the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weight classifications), ages 12 to 17 years, referred for full night polysomnography (PSG) were analyzed.

The profound oral cavity cancer burden in the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: A global health opportunity.

Purpose: Betel nut consumption contributes to higher rates of oral cavity cancer throughout Micronesia. The purpose of this study is to review local surveys and cancer data to further characterize these issues in the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Methods: Two commonwealth-wide health inquiries were reviewed: The Non-Communicable Diseases Survey (NCDS), 2016 and The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), 2013.

Asthma and obesity as predictors of severe obstructive sleep apnea in an adolescent pediatric population.

Objective: To study a cohort of children referred for full-night polysomnography (PSG) due to suspicion of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We examined the relationship between asthma, obesity, and severe OSA (sOSA).

Methods: We performed a retrospective case control analysis of children, ages 9 to 17 years, who underwent full-night PSG.

Defining Genetic Fitness Determinants and Creating Genomic Resources for an Oral Pathogen.

Periodontitis is a microbial infection that destroys the structures that support the teeth. Although it is typically a chronic condition, rapidly progressing, aggressive forms are associated with the oral pathogen One of this bacterium's key virulence traits is its ability to attach to surfaces and form robust biofilms that resist killing by the host and antibiotics. Though much has been learned about since its initial discovery, we lack insight into a fundamental aspect of its basic biology, as we do not know the full set of genes that it requires for viability (the essential genome).

Placental Toll-like receptor 3 and Toll-like receptor 7/8 activation contributes to preeclampsia in humans and mice.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive syndrome characterized by excessive maternal immune system activation, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 activation by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and TLR7/8 activation by single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) expressed by viruses and/or released from necrotic cells initiates a pro-inflammatory immune response; however it is unknown whether viral/endogenous RNA is a key initiating signal that contributes to the development of PE. We hypothesized that TLR3/7/8 activation will be evident in placentas of women with PE, and sufficient to induce PE-like symptoms in mice.