Publications by authors named "Deborah Watson"

Purpose: To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing pretreatment testing in patients with gastrointestinal cancer and its impact compared with a biobank population.

Materials And Methods: A prospective, nonrandomized implementation trial of pretreatment testing with preemptive dose reduction was conducted in patients initiating treatment with a fluoropyrimidine (FP, [fluorouracil or capecitabine]) or irinotecan. The primary end point was feasibility, defined as proportion of results available prior to cycle 1 of treatment.

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Disease-causing variants in synaptic function genes are a common cause of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and epilepsy. Here, we describe 14 individuals with de novo disruptive variants in BSN, which encodes the presynaptic protein Bassoon. To expand the phenotypic spectrum, we identified 15 additional individuals with protein-truncating variants (PTVs) from large biobanks.

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Atopic dermatitis is a highly heritable and common inflammatory skin condition affecting children and adults worldwide. Multi-ancestry approaches to atopic dermatitis genetic association studies are poised to boost power to detect genetic signal and identify loci contributing to atopic dermatitis risk. Here, we present a multi-ancestry GWAS meta-analysis of twelve atopic dermatitis cohorts from five ancestral populations totaling 56,146 cases and 602,280 controls.

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Disease-causing variants in synaptic function genes are a common cause of neurodevelopmental disorders and epilepsy. Here, we describe 14 individuals with disruptive variants in , which encodes the presynaptic protein Bassoon. To expand the phenotypic spectrum, we identified 15 additional individuals with protein-truncating variants (PTVs) from large biobanks.

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The COVID-19 pandemic forced an abrupt reevaluation of traditional subinternship models in surgical education, with the adoption of virtual subinternships (VSIs) emerging as a prominent response. This review assesses VSIs as a cost-effective, equitable alternative, especially as virtual education continues since the end of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and may be crucial in future crises. Our research question asks how curriculum delivery, learner outcomes, and interpretation of program fit occur within the VSI model.

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Cystic kidney diseases (CyKD) are a diverse group of disorders affecting more than 1 in 1000 individuals. Over 120 genes are implicated, primarily encoding components of the primary cilium, transcription factors, and morphogens. Prognosis varies greatly by molecular diagnosis.

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One of the most common reasons a patient would see an otolaryngologist is for nasal obstruction. This article provides an overview of the physical principles related to nasal airflow as well as the critical role that the internal nasal valve plays in regulating airflow resistance. Common treatment options for internal nasal valve obstruction are discussed as well as an in-depth tutorial on an alternate lateral nasal suspension suture technique for internal nasal valve collapse.

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  • * Recent innovations include improved cell source selection, scaffold design, and 3D bioprinting techniques, allowing for more effective and customizable cartilage constructs.
  • * The future of this field looks promising, with potential to enhance accessibility, lower costs, and expand clinical applications for nasal cartilage reconstruction.
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  • This study investigates secondary findings (SFs) from clinical next-generation sequencing in a large pediatric group, including many African-American participants, focusing on their types and frequencies.
  • It uses specific criteria to identify pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants in established genes, assessing their potential health impacts on participants.
  • The results reveal a total of 1464 pathogenic variants identified in over 16,700 participants, with notable frequencies in both ACMG and non-ACMG genes, such as TTR and CHEK2.
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Purpose: Hardikar syndrome (HS, MIM #301068) is a female-specific multiple congenital anomaly syndrome characterized by retinopathy, orofacial clefting, aortic coarctation, biliary dysgenesis, genitourinary malformations, and intestinal malrotation. We previously showed that heterozygous nonsense and frameshift variants in MED12 cause HS. The phenotypic spectrum of disease and the mechanism by which MED12 variants cause disease is unknown.

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Objective: To assess applicant opinions regarding program signaling and to understand the effect of 25 signals on interview outcomes during the 2023-2024 otolaryngology residency cycle.

Methods: A 36-item anonymous online survey regarding signaling was sent to applicants who had applied to an otolaryngology residency program at a single institution. Participant demographics, performance in medical school, number of interviews received in relation to signals sent, and applicant perceptions regarding preference signaling were assessed.

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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly heritable and common inflammatory skin condition affecting children and adults worldwide. Multi-ancestry approaches to AD genetic association studies are poised to boost power to detect genetic signal and identify ancestry-specific loci contributing to AD risk. Here, we present a multi-ancestry GWAS meta-analysis of twelve AD cohorts from five ancestral populations totaling 56,146 cases and 602,280 controls.

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Background: Cartilage harvest and transplantation is a common surgery using costal, auricular, and septal cartilage for craniofacial reconstruction. However, absorption and warping of the cartilage grafts can occur due to inflammatory factors associated with wound healing. Transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is activated by the various stimulation such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), and plays a central role in the transactivation of this inflammatory cytokine gene.

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Background: Patients with birth defects (BD) exhibit an elevated risk of cancer. We aimed to investigate the potential link between pediatric cancers and BDs, exploring the hypothesis of shared genetic defects contributing to the coexistence of these conditions.

Methods: This study included 1454 probands with BDs (704 females and 750 males), including 619 (42.

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Purpose: RNF213, encoding a giant E3 ubiquitin ligase, has been recognized for its role as a key susceptibility gene for moyamoya disease. Case reports have also implicated specific variants in RNF213 with an early-onset form of moyamoya disease with full penetrance. We aimed to expand the phenotypic spectrum of monogenic RNF213-related disease and to evaluate genotype-phenotype correlations.

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Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of a hands-on simulation-based course with emphasis on procedural techniques, clinical reasoning, and communication skills developed to improve junior Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) residents' preparedness in managing otolaryngologic emergencies.

Methods: Junior OHNS residents and faculty from residency programs in California, Nevada, and Arizona participated in this workshop in 2020 and 2021. The stations featured airway management techniques, ultrasound-guided needle aspiration, nasoseptal hematoma evacuation, and facial fracture repair using various models and cadavers.

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Article Synopsis
  • A 20-year-old female patient from India, who was adopted, exhibited multiple health issues including intellectual disability, ataxia, schizophrenia, and progressive sensorineural hearing loss, among others.
  • Genetic analysis revealed three pathogenic variants in nuclear genes that contributed to her condition, including variants linked to Bardet-Biedl syndrome and nonsyndromic deafness, as well as congenital hypothyroidism.
  • The findings suggest the importance of investigating diverse genetic causes for complex health conditions, especially in patients with a family history of consanguinity, rather than assuming known disorders are solely responsible.
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Children with birth defects (BD) express distinct clinical features that often have various medical consequences, one of which is predisposition to the development of cancers. Identification of the underlying genetic mechanisms related to the development of cancer in BD patients would allow for preventive measures. We performed a whole genome sequencing (WGS) study on blood-derived DNA samples from 1566 individuals without chromosomal anomalies, including 454 BD probands with at least one type of malignant tumors, 767 cancer-free BD probands, and 345 healthy individuals.

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Age-related effects on motor asymmetry provide insight into changes in cortical activation during aging. To investigate potential changes in manual performance associated with aging, we conducted the Jamar hand function test and the Purdue Pegboard test on young and older adults. All tests indicated reduced motor asymmetry in the older group.

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has made facial masks an essential part of daily life. While protective facial masks are crucial to help the spread of viral infections, they are common causes of facial skin breakdown, acne, and superficial injuries. Masks with elastic ear loops are also particularly likely to cause ear pressure injuries.

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Reducing complications after rhinoplasty is critical to ensuring optimal functional, aesthetic, and patient satisfaction outcomes. Many of the most frequent complications of rhinoplasty are technical in nature and can be prevented with meticulous attention to detail and preservation of critical nasal support structures. In this article, the authors review many of the common pitfalls of rhinoplasty and discuss preventative measures that can be used by the competent rhinoplasty surgeon.

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  • AMOTL1 is a gene that codes for a protein involved in regulating cell behavior, including how cells stick together and move.
  • A study identified specific mutations in AMOTL1 that are linked to a set of health issues, including orofacial clefting, congenital heart disease, tall stature, ear abnormalities, and gastrointestinal problems.
  • The findings suggest that certain variants in AMOTL1, particularly those affecting a critical region of the protein, are associated with a new syndrome characterized by these conditions.
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Background: Children with birth defects (BD) are more likely to develop cancer and the increased risk of cancer persists into adulthood. Prior population-based assessments have demonstrated that even non-chromosomal BDs are associated with at least two-fold increase of cancer risk. Identification of variants that are associated with malignant tumor in BD patients without chromosomal anomalies may improve our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and provide clues for early cancer detection in children with BD.

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  • The study compared the experiences and costs of virtual interviews during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) with traditional in-person interviews from the previous year (2019-2020).
  • A survey was conducted among otolaryngology residency program directors, who provided insights on application numbers, interview formats, and associated costs.
  • Results showed an increase in applications, a drop in costs by $1,940.46 (73%), and estimated total savings of $6,941.66 per program, indicating that virtual interviews were more cost-effective and altered application patterns.
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