Ski-interacting protein (SKIP) interacts with androgen receptor in the nucleus and modulates androgen-dependent transcription.

Background: The androgen receptor (AR) is a member of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of ligand-inducible DNA transcription factors, and is the major mediator of male sexual development, prostate growth and the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. Cell and gene specific regulation by the AR is determined by availability of and interaction with sets of key accessory cofactors. Ski-interacting protein (SKIP; SNW1, NCOA62) is a cofactor shown to interact with several NRs and a diverse range of other transcription factors.

Childhood craniopharyngioma: 20-year institutional experience in Western Australia.

Aim: A retrospective audit was undertaken to evaluate modes of presentation and treatment outcomes for craniopharyngioma in a single paediatric institution over a 20-year period.

Methods: A search of the neurosurgical and histopathological databases for patients under 21 years of age treated for craniopharyngioma between 1990 and 2010 was performed at our institution. The clinical records of eligible patients were reviewed and information regarding presentation, medical and surgical management and post-treatment outcome were extracted and collated.

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea: computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea is a rare clinical entity. The accurate localisation of the leakage site is essential for surgical planning. Imaging techniques such as high-resolution computed tomography (CT), CT cisternography and magnetic resonance cisternography in variable combinations are performed for this purpose.

Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) and its susceptibility to schizophrenia: a case-control study and meta-analysis.

Neuregulin-1 is widely investigated due to its hypothesised association with schizophrenia. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs764059, rs2954041 and rs3924999 were investigated (417 patients with schizophrenia and 429 controls). We failed to demonstrate a significant association between rs2954041 and rs3924999 with schizophrenia in the three ethnic groups studied (Malay, Chinese, and Indian), while rs764059 was found to be monomorphic.

Acute neck edema after (131)I ablation of the thyroid.

A 36-year-old woman with Graves' disease underwent thyroid ablation with oral I (20 mCi) following poor control of hyperthyroidism with carbimazole. Three days later, she presented to the emergency department with a choking sensation, shortness of breath, dysphagia, neck discomfort, and swelling. The prevertebral soft tissue was grossly thickened on the lateral neck radiograph.

Enhancing antibacterial activity of surface-grafted chitosan with immobilized lysozyme on bioinspired stainless steel substrates.

Bacterial infections have been widely recognized as a major cause of the failure of medical implants and devices. One promising strategy to reduce the incidence of infections is to impart the material surfaces with bactericidal function for inhibiting bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. In this study, stainless steel (SS) surface was first activated by a biomimetic dopamine anchor to provide active amino groups, followed by covalently immobilizing chitosan (CS) with glutaraldehyde (GA) as a bifunctional linker.

Multifunctional P(PEGMA)-REDV conjugated titanium surfaces for improved endothelial cell selectivity and hemocompatibility.

Pre-vascularization of scaffolds using endothelial cells (ECs) and preservation of hemocompatibility are effective strategies to improve the long-term viability of tissue engineered constructs. The current work reports a multifunctional titanium (Ti) surface for simultaneous enhancement of EC selectivity while preserving hemocompatibility. This is achieved by REDV conjugation on surface-grafted PEGMA polymer brushes via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) on a dopamine (DOPA)-modified Ti surface.

Can theory of mind deficits be measured reliably in people with mild and moderate Alzheimer's dementia?

Background: Patients suffering from Alzheimer's dementia develop difficulties in social functioning. This has led to an interest in the study of "theory of mind" in this population. However, difficulty has arisen because the associated cognitive demands of traditional short story theory of mind assessments result in failure per se in this population, making it challenging to test pure theory of mind ability.

Accuracy of routine clinical ultrasound for staging of liver fibrosis.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of routine clinical ultrasound in the staging of liver fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective evaluation of the ultrasound images of 156 patients with chronic viral hepatitis who underwent liver biopsy was performed. Two radiologists in consensus, blind to the biopsy results and clinical details, evaluated the ultrasound images for liver fibrosis.

Acute pulmonary embolectomy.

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common condition frequently associated with a high mortality worldwide. It can be classified into non-massive, sub-massive and massive, based on the degree of haemodynamic compromise. Surgical pulmonary embolectomy, despite having been in existence for over 100 years, is generally regarded as an option of last resort, with expectedly high mortality rates.

Decision making and algorithm for the management of pleural effusions.

Pleural effusions can be catagorised in to transudative effusions or exudative effusions. Causes include cardiovascular disease, infection and neoplasm. Diagnosis is the key to determining what management is required.

Anatomy and pathophysiology of the pleura and pleural space.

Pleural effusions are most often secondary to an underlying condition and may be the first sign of the underlying pathologic condition. The balance between the hydrostatic and oncotic forces dictates pleural fluid homeostasis. The parietal pleura has a more significant role in pleural fluid homeostasis.

Anti-cAngptl4 Ab-conjugated N-TiO(2) /NaYF(4) :Yb,Tm nanocomposite for near infrared-triggered drug release and enhanced targeted cancer cell ablation.

Nanomedicine: NIR-active N-TiO(2) /NaYF(4) :Yb,Tm nanocomposites (NCs) were synthesized for the first time and its potential applications in drug release and targeted cancer cell ablation are explored. Upon 980 nm laser irradiation, the anti-cAngptl4 Ab-conjugated N-TiO(2) /NaYF(4) :Yb,Tm NCs shows a significant increase in apoptotic A-5RT3 cells when compared with that of the unconjugated NCs. The mechanisms for NIR-induced photocatalysis, drug release and targeted cancer cell killing are proposed.

Zinc-substituted hydroxyapatite: a biomaterial with enhanced bioactivity and antibacterial properties.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a synthetic biomaterial and has been found to promote new bone formation when implanted in a bone defect site. However, its use is often limited due to its slow osteointegration rate and low antibacterial activity, particularly where HA has to be used for long term biomedical applications. This work will describe the synthesis and detailed characterization of zinc-substituted HA (ZnHA) as an alternative biomaterial to HA.

Lung T-cell responses to nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by pulmonary inflammation that persists after the cessation of smoking. T cells have a major role in driving inflammation in patients with COPD and are activated by specific antigens to produce mediators, such as cytokines. The antigens that activate lung T cells have not been clearly defined.

A novel NR5A1 variant in an infant with elevated testosterone from an Australasian cohort of 46,XY patients with disorders of sex development.

Background: NR5A1 loss-of-function mutations are increasingly found to be the cause of 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD).

Objective: To determine the presence of NR5A1 mutations in an Australasian cohort of 17 46,XY DSD patients with presumed androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) who were negative for androgen receptor gene (AR) mutation.

Design: Exons 2-7 of NR5A1 were PCR amplified and sequenced.

Survival after surgical repair of ischemic ventricular septal rupture.

Objectives: We reviewed our results and experience over a 14-year period to identify predictors of outcome following surgical repair of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture.

Methods: A retrospective review was carried over a 14-year period. All patients had surgical repair of a postinfarction ventricular septal rupture.

Exploring the endocrine manifestations of DICER1 mutations.

The discovery of each new cancer susceptibility gene answers one set of questions but poses many more. In this article, we outline a recent example: a new cancer syndrome caused by germline mutations in DICER1, responsible for microRNA processing. In particular, we discuss the endocrine manifestations of mutations in this crucial gene.

Immobilization of gelatin onto poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-grafted polycaprolactone substrates for improved cell-material interactions.

To enhance the cytocompatibility of polycaprolactone (PCL), cell-adhesive gelatin is covalently immobilized onto the PCL film surface via two surface-modified approaches: a conventional chemical immobilization process and a surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) process. Kinetics studies reveal that the polymer chain growth from the PCL film using the ATRP process is formed in a controlled manner, and that the amount of immobilized gelatin increases with an increasing concentration of epoxide groups on the grafted P(GMA) brushes. In vitro cell adhesion and proliferation studies demonstrate that cell affinity and growth are significantly improved by the immobilization of gelatin on PCL film surfaces, and that this improvement is positively correlated to the amount of covalently immobilized gelatin.

Prolonged stay in intensive care unit is a powerful predictor of adverse outcomes after cardiac operations.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay on in-hospital mortality and long-term survival.

Methods: Prospectively collected data from 6,101 consecutive patients who underwent surgery between 2003 and 2007 were analyzed. Prolonged ICU stay was defined as a total duration of ICU stay of 3 days or more postoperatively, including readmissions; patients with an ICU stay less than 3 days were identified as controls.

Stage migration: results of lymph node dissection in the era of modern imaging and invasive staging for lung cancer.

Objectives: Lung cancer staging has improved in recent years. Assuming that contemporary detailed preoperative staging may yield a lower rate of stage change after surgery, we were interested to determine the impact of our lymph node dissections performed at the time of surgical resection.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed a database in our surgical unit that prospectively captured information on all patients assessed and treated for lung cancer.

GH secretagogue receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with stature throughout childhood.

Context: Ghrelin plays a major role in GH physiology and energy metabolism. Polymorphisms of its receptor (GH secretagogue receptor (GHSR)) may influence childhood growth and weight regulation.

Objective: To correlate GHSR polymorphisms with auxological parameters throughout childhood in a healthy cohort.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with isolated central nervous system reactivation and optic nerve involvement.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare childhood disorder characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of benign lymphocytes and histiocytes in multiple organs. Neurological presentations of central nervous system involvement are highly variable. The authors present a case of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an 8-month-old girl with isolated central nervous system reactivation and optic nerve involvement.