The effects of two representative surfactants, Rhamnolipids and Tween 80, on the microbial diversity of a PCE-degrading consortium during surfactant-enhanced biodegradation, were explored. The biodegradation efficiency was increased from 47.25% to 73.44%, and 47.25%-66.69%, with the addition of Rhamnolipid at 10 mg/L and Tween 80 at 50 mg/L, respectively. PCE biodegradation kinetics can be described by the pseudo-first-order reaction model for both scenarios. Analyses of alpha and beta indices of the microbial consortium showed that the microbial diversity of both groups exposed to either surfactant was not significantly different from the PCE only group. However, the bacterial abundance in the consortium changed significantly at both the phylum and genus levels. The results demonstrated that the composition of the PCE-degrading consortium is relatively stable, but the exposure to both surfactants results in the enrichment of some genera, which could contribute to the increased biodegradation efficiency. Laryngeal clefts are rare congenital anomalies characterized by failed fusion of the posterior cricoid lamina or incomplete development of the tracheoesophageal septum. While most cases are sporadic, laryngeal cleft may be associated with other congenital anomalies or syndromes. Though not frequently reported, familial occurrence of laryngeal cleft has been noted in our clinical experience. The goal of this research is to describe the existing literature and our own experience surrounding familial occurrence of laryngeal cleft that may help elucidate its underlying genetic basis. Comprehensive literature search was conducted and retrospective chart review was performed on 8 sets of siblings diagnosed at our institution. Data assessed included demographics, type of cleft, and genetic findings. Laryngeal cleft appears to be mostly sporadic. We evaluated data at our institution over a 10-year period and identified 19 patients from 8 families demonstrating familial occurrence of laryngeal cleft. Six (75%) families had two affected siblings, one family (12.5%) had three affected siblings, and one family (12.5%) had four affected siblings. There was no evidence of sex predilection, with half the patients being male (10/19, 52.6%). Fourteen patients (73.7%) had Type 1 clefts and five (26.3%) had Type 2 clefts. Genetic findings were available for review in five patients from three families. Beyond a few known syndromes, laryngeal cleft has largely been thought to be sporadic. However, findings from the existing literature and our own experience with familial laryngeal cleft in eight families suggest additional genetic factors are yet to be elucidated. Beyond a few known syndromes, laryngeal cleft has largely been thought to be sporadic. However, findings from the existing literature and our own experience with familial laryngeal cleft in eight families suggest additional genetic factors are yet to be elucidated. Nervous system is affected in 25% of patients with sarcoidosis. Current literature is largely limited to case reports with disproportionate Caucasian population. We aim to evaluate differences in presentation, management and outcomes by race in neurosarcoidosis. Clinical and demographic data on consecutive patients fulfilling Zajicek criteria for neurosarcoidosis from 1995 to 2016 at Henry Ford Hospital were extracted. Disparities in clinical presentation, laboratory values, radiological features, treatment and outcomes, were compared between two groups African Americans (AA) and non-AA using chi-squared tests, two sample t-test for age and Wilcoxon two sample tests. A total of 118 patients were included, of which 58% were female and 73% were AA. The diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis was noted to be definite (25%), probable (64%) and possible (11%). AA patients had a significantly higher rate of elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (62% vs 24%, P=.005) and had lower resolution of abnormalities on follow-up imaging (14% vs 41%, P=.017). There was no difference in disability on follow-up (25% vs 33%, P=.43) or mortality (13% vs 9%, P=.6). There were no differences in presentation, management and outcomes by race. Discordance in the clinical and radiological data by race has clinical implications and needs further investigation. There were no differences in presentation, management and outcomes by race. Discordance in the clinical and radiological data by race has clinical implications and needs further investigation. Although elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG) at admission is associated with poor outcome in patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, it has not been investigated in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). We aimed to determine the correlation between elevated FBG and severity and outcome among CVT patients. Consecutive CVT patients between 2009 and 2019 were identified for this retrospective study. Patients with a history of diabetes mellitus or incomplete clinical data were excluded. Hyperglycemia was defined as FBG≥6.1mmol/L, further classified as mild (6.1-6.9mmol/L) and severe hyperglycemia (≥7.0mmol/L). The severity of CVT was assessed at admission using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), CVT-related complications, and intracranial pressure. The outcome was assessed at discharge using mRS; mRS 3-6 indicated poor outcome. Of 160 patients, 36 (22.5%) had hyperglycemia, and 24 (15%) had severe hyperglycemia. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Sunitinib-Malate-(Sutent).html Baseline FBG positively correlated with NIHSS at admission (r=0.55, P<.001). Patients with hyperglycemia had higher baseline mRS scores (P<.001), higher incidence of cerebral venous infarction (P=.039), intracranial hemorrhage (P=.005), coma (P<.001), and seizure (P=.010). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that patients with hyperglycemia had a higher risk of poor outcome (adjusted OR 4.47; 95% CI 1.05-18.95), and subgroup analysis showed that severe hyperglycemia (adjusted OR 6.66; 95% CI 1.35-32.81) was a stronger independent predictor of poor outcome. Admission FBG was associated with severity of CVT, and elevated FBG is a predictor of short-term poor outcome among CVT patients. Admission FBG was associated with severity of CVT, and elevated FBG is a predictor of short-term poor outcome among CVT patients.