Modification of the inflammatory profile of mesenchymal stem cells using different culture conditions.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent cells with significant therapeutic potential. The objective of this study was to examine the inflammatory profile of MSCs cultured under different conditions. MSCs were cultured by three strategies: seeding on an extracellular matrix (ECM), spheroids in static culture and spheroids in a bioreactor.

Design and Synthesis of Novel and Selective Glycine Transporter-1 (GlyT1) Inhibitors with Memory Enhancing Properties.

We report here the identification and optimization of a novel series of potent GlyT1 inhibitors. A ligand design campaign that utilized known GlyT1 inhibitors as starting points led to the identification of a novel series of pyrrolo[3,4- c]pyrazoles amides (21-50) with good in vitro potency. Subsequent optimization of physicochemical and in vitro ADME properties produced several compounds with promising pharmacokinetic profiles.

Lateralized swim positions are conserved across environments for beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) mother-calf pairs.

Research with wild belugas has indicated that, during mother-calf swims, calves spend more time on their mothers' right side, which enables the calves to maintain visual contact with their mothers using their left eye. This bias may facilitate processing of social information by the right hemisphere, much like human and non-human primates and other animals. The current study explored the social laterality of the Cook Inlet, AK beluga population in comparison to a beluga population in managed care.

Successful Treatment of Persistent Postcholecystectomy Bile Leak Using Percutaneous Cystic Duct Coiling.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most commonly performed operations worldwide. Cystic duct is the most common site of bile leak after cholecystectomy. The treatment of choice is usually conservative.

Review of computed tomographic colonography from a surgeon's perspective.

New research has addressed many of the early concerns of computed tomographic colonography (CTC) and these studies are now beginning to shape clinical practices. A review of the literature demonstrates that the sensitivity of CTC in screening for large polyps (>/= 1cm) or cancers in the large intestine is as high as that of conventional optical colonoscopy, however, the sensitivity decreases with the diameter of the polyp. Despite this, CTC is well tolerated, more acceptable to patients than optical colonoscopy and therefore may improve colorectal cancer screening compliance.

Bariatric aftercare and outcomes in the Medicaid population following sleeve gastrectomy.

Background: Medicaid patients tend to have poor access to care and suffer from more obesity and obesity-related co-morbidities compared to their privately insured counterparts. The impact of Medicaid status on outcomes after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is unknown. The aim of this study was to identify factors that influence outcomes following LSG in the adult Medicaid population of Louisiana with particular focus on adherence to bariatric aftercare attendance and access to care.

Watchful waiting for ventral hernias: a longitudinal study.

Ventral hernias are a common clinical problem. Immediate repair is recommended for most ventral hernias despite significant recurrence rates. This practice may be related to a lack of understanding of the natural history of ventral hernias.

In vitro study of biofilm growth on biologic prosthetics.

Biologic prosthetics are increasingly used for the repair of abdominal wall hernia defects but can become infected as a result of peri- or early post-operative bacterial contamination. Data evaluating biofilm formation on biologic prosthetics is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different biologic prosthetics on the growth behavior of two different bacterial species and their ability to form biofilms.

Diabetes mellitus and colorectal cancer prognosis: a meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased incidence of colorectal cancer, but the impact of diabetes mellitus on colorectal cancer prognosis is not clear.

Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies to examine the association between preexisting diabetes mellitus and colorectal cancer all-cause mortality, cancer-specific mortality, and recurrence.

Data Sources: Medline and Embase were searched through August 22, 2012.

Doublecortin-like kinase 1 exhibits cancer stem cell-like characteristics in a human colon cancer cell line.

Objective: Colon cancer stem cells (CSCs) are implicated in colorectal cancer carcinogenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. The identification of these cells could help to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) has been viewed as a marker for gastrointestinal stem cells that fuel the self-renewal process, however others view them as a marker of Tuft cells or as an enteroendocrine subtype.

Early report of a randomized comparative clinical trial of Strattice™ reconstructive tissue matrix to lightweight synthetic mesh in the repair of inguinal hernias.

Purpose: Biologic grafts are rarely used for inguinal herniorrhaphy. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes between patients undergoing a Lichtenstein's hernioplasty with a porcine mesh versus a standard synthetic.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded multicenter, evaluation of inguinal hernia repair was conducted between 2008 and 2010.

Simultaneous quantification of davalintide, a novel amylin-mimetic peptide, and its active metabolite in beagle and rat plasma by online SPE and LC-MS/MS.

Background: Davalintide, an investigational therapeutic peptide for the treatment of obesity, is rapidly metabolized by enzymatic cleavage of its N-terminal lysine residue to produce an active des-Lys metabolite in vivo. While a sensitive ELISA assay is available, it is unable to distinguish davalintide from its metabolite. Consequently, we developed an online SPE-LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of the drug and its active metabolite in beagle and rat plasma samples and compared the resulting pharmacokinetic profiles with those determined by ELISA.

Repair of incisional hernias with biological prosthesis: a systematic review of current evidence.

Background: No consensus has been reached on the use of bioprosthetics to repair abdominal wall defects. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the outcomes from studies describing this use of various bioprosthetics for incisional hernia repair.

Methods: Studies published by October 2011 were identified through literature searches using EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.

Immunolocalization of DCAMKL-1, a putative intestinal stem cell marker, in normal colonic tissue.

Doublecortin and CaM kinase-like-1 (DCAMKL-1) is a microtubule-associated protein kinase which has been recently proposed as a gastrointestinal stem cell marker. The aim of our study was to characterize DCAMKL-1 expression in normal human colon by immunohistochemistry. DCAMKL-1 immunostaining was performed on histologically normal colorectal biopsies from 14 patients.

DCLK1 immunoreactivity in colorectal neoplasia.

Introduction: Microtubule-associated doublecortin and CaM kinase-like-1 (DCLK1) is a novel candidate marker for intestinal stem cells. The aim of our study was to assess DCLK1 immunoreactivity in colorectal carcinogenesis and its correlation with prognosis.

Methods: DCLK1 immunostaining was performed in colorectal tissue from 71 patients, including 18 adenomatous polyps, 40 primary adenocarcinomas, and 14 metastatic lesions.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis after gastrointestinal surgery.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis has been identified as a rare but potentially devastating entity after trauma, and burns, as well as in critically ill patients, and in the postoperative period. Gastrointestinal surgery is most frequently implicated in postoperative acute acalculous cholecystitis, especially after gastric and colorectal procedures. Review of the English literature identified 28 articles reporting 76 cases of acute acalculous cholecystitis after gastrointestinal operations, which included a case from Tulane University Medical Center of a 64-year-old man who developed postoperative acute acalculous cholecystitis after elective left hemicolectomy.

Transaxillary gasless robotic thyroidectomy: a single surgeon's experience in North America.

Objective: To describe a robotic technique for transaxillary gasless thyroidectomy with the addition of intraoperative peripheral nerve monitoring in the surgical management of thyroid disease.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Academic institution.

Histologic and biomechanical evaluation of biologic meshes following colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Background: Biologic meshes have become increasingly popular for the repair of abdominal wall defects, especially in contaminated sites. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the histologic and biomechanical properties of biologic mesh in response to a bacterial encounter.

Material And Methods: A rat model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization and infection of subcutaneously implanted biologic mesh was used.

Effective home laparoscopic simulation training: a preliminary evaluation of an improved training paradigm.

Background: Laparoscopic simulation training has proven to be effective in developing skills but requires expensive equipment, is a challenge to integrate into a work-hour restricted surgical residency, and may use nonoptimal practice schedules. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic skills training at home using inexpensive trainer boxes.

Methods: Residents (n = 20, postgraduate years 1-5) enrolled in an institutional review board-approved laparoscopic skills training protocol.

Motor and sensory branching of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in thyroid surgery.

Introduction: Recognition of extralaryngeal bifurcation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is crucial, because inadvertent intraoperative division may lead to significant morbidity. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of extralaryngeal bifurcation of the RLN and the distance that the initial bifurcation occurs from the cricothyroid insertion site of the RLN. We also sought to demonstrate the location of the RLN branches containing a predominance of motor fibers.

Initial experience using robot- assisted transaxillary thyroidectomy for Graves' disease.

Introduction: Graves' disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism and surgery to remove the thyroid gland is a common treatment option for many of these patients. Interestingly, due to the enlarged gland size, their high vascularity, and the difficulty to control bleeding, many authors feel that Graves' disease remains a contraindication to current endoscopic techniques. We hypothesize that performing robotic subtotal thyroidectomy in Graves' disease settings could overcome the limitations of conventional endoscopic surgeries in the surgical management of this challenging thyroid disease.

Colonic large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma obscured by an initial diagnosis of diverticulitis.

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas are rare and aggressive colorectal malignancies that have a dismal prognosis. We present the following case of a patient who presented with signs and symptoms of diverticulitis. After failure of medical management, surgical intervention revealed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with a component of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma.