It is becoming increasingly clear that commensal bacteria inhabiting our body surfaces interact closely with the host to modulate a vast number of physiological functions. Metabolism of dietary components by gut microbiota can result in formation of a variety of reactive compounds associated with both favorable and unfavorable health effects. N-nitrosamines and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) have been associated with detrimental health effects, including increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Contrary, bacteria-dependent formation of nitric oxide and related bioactive nitrogen oxides from dietary nitrate have been associated with salutary effects on cardiovascular function, metabolic control and more. Here we briefly discuss how the microbiota interacts with dietary factors to regulate host functions in health and disease, focusing on formation of reactive nitrogen compounds.
  Humanitarian surgeries are performed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to help address untreated surgical disease. Post-operative follow-up is challenging but crucial to monitor recovery, detect complications, and assess outcomes. Establishing a comprehensive protocol in partnership with local healthcare personnel may improve patient adherence.
 
  A retrospective review of missions from 2011 to 2019 to Sierra Leone by the International Surgical Health Initiative (ISHI). In 2017, a protocol was established with the following key elements patient education, community leader recruitment, and logistical support. Patient demographics and follow-up rates were compared between groups.
 
  In total, 396 patients underwent operations from 2011 to 2019. Most patients were male (84%), mean age 40±14 years, and primarily underwent hernia repair (68%). Initially, follow-up rates of 205 patients were <5%; after protocol implementation, follow-up rates among 128 patients who received operations increased to 96-97%.
 
  A community-based follow-up protocol in Sierra Leone yielded high patient adherence. The protocol emphasizes context-appropriate patient education and community engagement. Protocols are feasible and generalizable to patients cared for by international and hosting surgical teams.
 A community-based follow-up protocol in Sierra Leone yielded high patient adherence. The protocol emphasizes context-appropriate patient education and community engagement. Protocols are feasible and generalizable to patients cared for by international and hosting surgical teams.
  The objective of this study was to define the relative impact of alcohol and/or hepatitis-related HCC etiology on the outcomes of patients who underwent resection or transplantation for HCC.
 
  The SEER-Medicare database was used to identify patients with HCC between 2004 and 2015. Patients with history of alcohol abuse or hepatitis were identified. Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable Cox regression analysis.
 
  Among 1140 patients, 11.9% (n=136) of patients had alcohol-related HCC, 30.0% (n=342) hepatitis-related HCC, and 58.1% (n=662) had other cause-related HCC. On multivariable analysis, patients with alcohol-related HCC (HR1.06, 95%CI0.82-1.35) or hepatitis-related HCC (HR1.05, 95%CI0.88-1.26) had similar hazards of death compared with patients who had non-alcohol/non-hepatitis-related HCC. Patients who had tumor size ≤5cm had lower hazards of death (HR0.81, 95%CI0.68-0.97), while individuals who underwent liver resection (vs. transplantation) had almost a two-fold higher hazards of death (HR1.99, 95%CI1.47-2.69).
 
  Tumor specific factors (i.e. tumor size and stage) and operative approach (i.e. resection vs. transplantation) -rather than HCC etiology- dictated both OS and CSS.
 Tumor specific factors (i.e. tumor size and stage) and operative approach (i.e. resection vs. transplantation) -rather than HCC etiology- dictated both OS and CSS.
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the management strategies and outcomes of isolated severe pelvic fractures in level I and II ACS verified trauma centers.
 
  ACS-TQIP database study, including patients with blunt, isolated severe pelvic facture (AIS 3-5).
 
  2629 level I and 1277 level II patients were included. Early blood product transfusion was significantly higher, pharmacological VTE prophylaxis significantly lower and ICU length of stay significantly longer in level II centers (p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, treatment at level II centers was independently associated with increased overall complications, specifically ARDS, but not mortality.
 
  In isolated severe pelvic fractures there was a significantly higher use of early blood products, less VTE pharmacological prophylaxis, longer ICU length of stay and higher overall complications and ARDS in level II centers. Blood product utilization and pharmacological VTE prophylaxis are potential areas of quality improvement in level II centers.
 In isolated severe pelvic fractures there was a significantly higher use of early blood products, less VTE pharmacological prophylaxis, longer ICU length of stay and higher overall complications and ARDS in level II centers. Blood product utilization and pharmacological VTE prophylaxis are potential areas of quality improvement in level II centers.Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic rheumatic autoimmune disorder affecting multiple organ systems. The clinical findings in SS patients show considerable heterogeneity and overlap with other autoimmune diseases. In addition, the autoimmune response in SS initiates several years before the appearance of clinical symptoms. Thus, understanding the pathogenic mechanisms involved in the disease process have been a challenge. Several animal model systems of SS-like disease have been developed to overcome these issues. The New Zealand Black (NZB) x New Zealand White (NZW) F1 (NZB/W F1) mouse represents the first spontaneous mouse model of SS.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rilematovir.html  In this review, we provide a historical perspective and detailed description of this mouse model focusing on exocrine gland histopathology, autoantibody populations, and glandular dysfunction. Considering that NZB/W F1 mice also develop a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like disease, this mouse model mimics the clinical presentation of polyautoimmunity seen in a sizable subset of SS patients.