Stem Cell Therapies: A Way to Promising Cures.

Stem cells carry the remarkable ability to differentiate into different cell types while retaining the capability to self-replicate and maintain the characteristics of their parent cells, referred to as potency. Stem cells have been studied extensively to better understand human development and organogenesis. Because of advances in stem cell-based therapies, regenerative medicine has seen significant growth.

Development and characterization of co-loaded curcumin/triazole-halloysite systems and evaluation of their potential anticancer activity.

Positively charged halloysite nanotubes functionalized with triazolium salts (f-HNT) were employed as a carrier for curcumin molecules delivery. The synthesis of these f-HNT new materials is described. Their interaction with curcumin was evaluated by means dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV-vis spectroscopy in comparison with pristine unmodified HNT (p-HNT).

In vitro phenotypic, genomic and proteomic characterization of a cytokine-resistant murine β-TC3 cell line.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is caused by the selective destruction of insulin-producing β-cells. This process is mediated by cells of the immune system through release of nitric oxide, free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which induce a complex network of intracellular signalling cascades, eventually affecting the expression of genes involved in β-cell survival.The aim of our study was to investigate possible mechanisms of resistance to cytokine-induced β-cell death.

BRAFV600E mutation, TIMP-1 upregulation, and NF-κB activation: closing the loop on the papillary thyroid cancer trilogy.

BRAF(V600E) is the most common mutation found in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB have been shown to play an important role in thyroid cancer. In particular, TIMP-1 binds its receptor CD63 on cell surface membrane and activates Akt signaling pathway, which is eventually responsible for its anti-apoptotic activity.

In vitro identification and characterization of CD133(pos) cancer stem-like cells in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell lines.

Background: Recent publications suggest that neoplastic initiation and growth are dependent on a small subset of cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs). Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma (ATC) is a very aggressive solid tumor with poor prognosis, characterized by high dedifferentiation. The existence of CSCs might account for the heterogeneity of ATC lesions.

Fine-needle aspiration molecular analysis for the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma through BRAF V600E mutation and RET/PTC rearrangement.

Objective: To evaluate BRAF(V600E) mutation on consecutive fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) specimens in order to assess FNAB's usefulness in preoperative papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) diagnosis with the contemporaneous analysis of RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 rearrangements obtained from ex vivo thyroid nodules.

Design: Thyroid FNABs from 156 subjects with nodules and 49 corresponding surgical samples were examined for the presence of BRAF mutation by real-time allele-specific polymerase chain reaction, confirmed with the use of a laser pressure catapulting system. Samples were also examined for RET/PTC rearrangements.

A new technique for the rapid dissolution of retained ductal gallstones with monoctanoin in T-tube patients.

Retained gallstones in the biliary ducts have been therapeutically managed with monoctanoin (Moctanin; Ethitek Pharmaceuticals Company, Skokie, IL) since Food and Drug Administration approval in 1985. The clinical usefulness of monoctanoin therapy has previously been regarded by some investigators as limited because of the length of time required to achieve complete dissolution (2 to 10 days) and less than optimal results (50% to 86% efficacy). Here, the authors describe a safe technique for the rapid dissolution of retained stones that they have used successfully in four patients.

Total peripheral parenteral nutrition in pregnancy.

Twenty pregnant patients needing nutritional support for various indications received hypercaloric, hyperosmotic, "3 in 1," peripheral parenteral nutrition as a bridge to enteral therapy. This system, named total peripheral parenteral nutrition, was evaluated as to tolerance and efficacy in pregnant patients. Patients were in various stages of pregnancy and had an average weight loss of 10.

Clinical experience with three-in-one admixtures administered peripherally.

The purpose of this report was to describe the tolerance of hyperosmolar nutritionally complete solutions infused peripherally, as a bridge to enteral therapy in the surgical patient. Solutions providing approximately 40% of calories as carbohydrates were administered to 23 surgical patients with the fats, amino acids, and dextrose mixed in one container. Final osmolarity, when measured directly with additives, ranged from 1200-1350 mOsm/L.

Evaluation of demand analgesia in a community hospital.

Since more than 60% of patients with cancer at some time will experience pain that requires medical or surgical intervention, pain control is an important priority for these patients. Demand analgesia literally places pain control in the hands of the patient. Based on their experience with patients who have used this system of pain treatment, the authors discuss the therapeutic advantages, economic considerations, and guidelines for use of patient-controlled analgesia.