Regulation of mTOR by phosphatidic acid.

mTORC1, the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1, is a key regulator of cellular physiology. The lipid metabolite phosphatidic acid (PA) binds to and activates mTORC1 in response to nutrients and growth factors. We review structural findings and propose a model for PA activation of mTORC1.

Inhibiting glutamine utilization creates a synthetic lethality for suppression of ATP citrate lyase in KRas-driven cancer cells.

Metabolic reprogramming is now considered a hallmark of cancer cells. KRas-driven cancer cells use glutaminolysis to generate the tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate α-ketoglutarate via a transamination reaction between glutamate and oxaloacetate. We reported previously that exogenously supplied unsaturated fatty acids could be used to synthesize phosphatidic acid-a lipid second messenger that activates both mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2).

Molecular and clinical profiles of syndecan-1 in solid and hematological cancer for prognosis and precision medicine.

Syndecan-1 (SDC1, CD138) is a key cell surface adhesion molecule essential for maintaining cell morphology and interaction with the surrounding microenvironment. Deregulation of SDC1 contributes to cancer progression by promoting cell proliferation, metastasis, invasion and angiogenesis, and is associated with relapse through chemoresistance. SDC1 expression level is also associated with responses to chemotherapy and with prognosis in multiple solid and hematological cancers, including multiple myeloma and Hodgkin lymphoma.

Combined effects of tauroursodeoxycholic Acid and glutamine on bacterial translocation in obstructive jaundiced rats:

Background: Bacterial Translocation is believed to be an important factor on mortality and morbidity in Obstructive Jaundiced.

Aims: We investigated the probable or estimated positive effects of tauroursodeoxycholic acid, which has antibacterial and regulatory effects on intestinal flora, together with glutamine on BT in an experimental obstructive jaundiced rat model.

Study Design: Animal experimentation.

Is clipping superior to cauterization in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis?

Background: Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy has been accepted as the most effective treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis (PH). However, there is a debate regarding the surgical techniques in terms of effectiveness, recurrence, and reversibility. In this study, sympathetic chain disruptions were compared in terms of whether the clipping or ablation technique had an effect on the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent thoracic sympathectomy for primary PH.

Textiloma mimicking superior sulcus tumor: positron emission tomography/computed tomography findings of a pseudotumor.

We present an interesting case report of a 52-year-old man with a superior sulcus tumor. To evaluate the suspicious left lung tumor, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) was used. Increased FDG level was indicative of a malignant tumor.

A thoracic surgeon's perspective on the elastofibroma dorsi: A benign tumor of the deep infrascapular region.

Background: An elastofibroma is a benign, soft-tissue tumor and is important in the differential diagnosis of thoracic wall masses. Here, patients with elastofibromas who underwent thoracic surgery were retrospectively reviewed to elucidate elastofibroma formation and to facilitate the differential diagnosis.

Methods: This is a retrospective and descriptive study of a series of 30 patients with elastofibroma dorsi.

When is transthoracic approach indicated in retrosternal goiters?

Purpose: It is critical to differentiate among pathologies of substernal thyroid gland diseases because surgical approaches (i.e., median sternotomy or thoracotomy) might also include a cervical incision.

Management of descending mediastinal infections with an unusual cause: a report of 3 cases.

Mediastinal infections are a life-threatening and distinctly rare event, especially when they are caused by a dental abscess or by a foreign body that has not perforated the esophagus. We evaluated how best to treat descending mediastinal infections occurring from an unusual cause. We report 3 female patients with mediastinal infections: two aged 45 and 80 years, each with a dental abscess, and one 62 with a foreign-body injury of the retropharyngeal wall.

Necessity of lung resection in neglected cases of pulmonary hydatidosis.

In pulmonary hydatid disease, lung resection is not a desirable treatment. Two young boys, aged 9 and 15, presented at our institution, the 9-year-old with a destroyed lung as the result of a delayed diagnosis of a giant cyst; the second with a massive hemoptysis as the result of preoperative albendazole use. Both children underwent a lobectomy for the treatment of pulmonary hydatidosis.

The management of gastric perforation in a girl with Rett syndrome: report of a case.

Introduction: Rett syndrome is a neurologically disorder that affects approximately one in 10,000 females.

Case Report: A 21-year-old girl with Rett syndrome was hospitalized for abdominal distention and pain. Physical examination revealed abdominal tenderness.

The amount of comorbidities as a single parameter has no effect in predicting the outcome in appendicitis patients older than 60 years.

Background: Retrospective analysis of acute appendicitis patients older than 60 and statistical evaluation of the association between the accompanying illnesses, severity of peritonitis, morbidity, and mortality rates.

Introduction: Although acute appendicitis is not frequent among aged populations, accompanying comorbidities of the geriatric patients are always fear factors before an emergency abdominal surgery even for acute appendicitis.

Methods: The data of the 27 patients older than 60 years who underwent appendectomy were retrospectively analyzed.

The effects of melatonin on postoperative intraabdominal adhesion formation.

Purpose: Postoperative intraabdominal adhesion formation is a major clinical problem. No previous study was found, reporting the relationship between adhesion formation and melatonin administration, but melatonin, a strong antioxidant, is recognized to have certain effects on the progression of adhesion formation mechanism. It was therefore decided to investigate the effects of melatonin on postoperative adhesion formation.

Management of complicated hydatid cyst of the thorax.

Background: Complicated hydatid cyst of the thorax is important to the clinical approaches and treatment methods in hydatid disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the problems of complicated pulmonary hydatid cyst, including choice of surgical methods, diagnostic clues and to discuss the inherent risks of medical therapy and the delay of surgical treatment in pulmonary hydatid disease.

Methods: Between 2002 and 2006, 40 operations were carried out in 37 patients whose diagnoses were complicated hydatid cyst.

Low-molecular-weight heparin for treatment of submassive pulmonary embolism after pneumonectomy.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) after lung resection has a high mortality rate, and it is one of the most severe complications after lung resection. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential. We present a case of severe PE after left pneumonectomy for lung cancer.

Multiple primary chest wall hydatid cysts associated with spinal canal involvement.

Primary multiple chest wall hydatid cysts associated with spinal canal involvement through an intervertebral foramen is an uncommon clinical entity. We present a 54-year-old man who underwent cystotomy and total resection of ribs five through seven via a left posterolateral thoracotomy followed by Th5-Th6 anterolateral partial pediculotomies for removal of cysts in the spinal canal. Although spinal reconstruction was not required, the chest wall defect was repaired with mersilene mesh-methyl methacrylate sandwich graft.

Primary hydatid disease of the chest wall.

The chest wall is an unusual location for primary echinococcus disease. We report on case of a primary chest wall hydatid cysts, resembling a mass lesion, in a 50-year-old woman who had no prior surgery for hydatid disease before. Chest wall hydatid disease should be considered in the atypical location and differential diagnosis of chest wall masses.

Hepatic hydatid disease in children and adults living in different areas in Turkey.

Objective: To compare the clinical features of the hepatic hydatid disease in the operated children and adults living in the east and west part of Turkey.

Methods: Between January 2001 and May 2005, 105 patients were operated with the diagnosis of hepatic hydatid cyst in Trakya and Yuzuncu Yil University Hospitals, Turkey. The patients (n=105) were retrospectively evaluated in 4 groups; Edirne Ch: (18 children under 18 year-old) and Edirne Ad: (20 adults) were from Edirne, Van Ch: (22 children under 18 year-old) and Van Ad: (44 adults) from Van.

Description of a new technique: management of pleural effusion with a Cystofix catheter.

Pleural effusion (PE) is a common and serious complication of respiratory disease that often requires drainage. Forty-four patients whose PE were successfully treated with a Cystofix catheter are reported. This is a new technique for draining PE that should be considered in all patients.

[Mersilene mesh-methyl methacrylate sandwich graft reconstruction for repair of chest wall defects].

The diameter of the defect after resection exceeds 5 cm especially in primary malignant and metastasis of chest wall tumors and bronchial carcinomas invading chest wall. Reconstruction must be performed in cases in which antero-lateral chest wall and sternum were resected in order to prevent paradoxical respiration caused by chest wall instability and to protect the vital organs from external effects. Eight cases undergoing chest wall resection for varying indications and reconstruction with methyl methacrylate-mersilene mesh (MM-MM) sandwich graft between March 2003 and September 2005 were reviewed.

A different application method of talc pleurodesis for the treatment of persistent air leak.

Persistent air leak is a serious problem that may cause empyema, hypoxia, respiratory insufficiency, and other life-threatening complications. Chemical pleurodesis may be carried out for the treatment of persistent air leak if the lung is fully expanded. However, the standard method of chemical pleurodesis entails clamping the chest tube for a period of time after instillation of the agent.