Beyond the Burn: Leukemia Threats Following Radioactive Iodine Ablation Therapy for Thyroid Cancer.

Radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation therapy is a common minimally invasive treatment for patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Although previous studies have identified a link between RAI and the mortality from secondary solid cancers, the connection between RAI and leukemia remains under-researched. This study investigated the differential risk of leukemia and its subtypes in DTC patients following RAI treatment.

Self-Reported Study Analyzing Physicians' Personal Compliance with Health Prevention Guidelines in a Medium-Sized Canadian Community.

There have only been limited studies that have assessed the attitude of Canadian physicians toward their own physical health. The aim of our study was to explore the self-reported health maintenance behavior and the predictors of health practices among physicians in a small-medium sized Canadian community. We used a descriptive mailed in self-report survey to contact all 649 physicians registered with the Essex County Medical Society, with a 36% response rate.

Analgesic Efficacy of Multiple Single-Shot Peripheral Nerve Blocks on Postoperative Short-Term Opioid Usage and Clinical Outcomes in a Suburban Hospital Setting.

Background: Preoperative single-shot peripheral nerve blocks (sPNBs) represent promising candidates for controlling postoperative pain, reducing dependence on opioid medications, and reducing postoperative constipation and ileus. However, there is not yet complete consensus regarding their efficacy. The primary aim of this study was to assess the impact of various sPNBs on patient short-term opioid demands and pain management parameters.

Proposed Treatment Algorithm for Invasive Fungal Infections in Trauma Patients.

Invasive fungal infections, most commonly caused by species, are an underrecognized sequalae of traumatic injury that can complicate management of patients. The injury mechanism can introduce environmental spores into areas of the body normally not exposed to pathogens and this inoculation can progress rapidly to severe disease. The objective of this study was to present a case series of four trauma patients with invasive fungal infections that was used to develop an algorithm for work-up and treatment of these complex patients in future admissions.

Advancing designer crops for climate resilience through an integrated genomics approach.

Climate change and exponential population growth are exposing an immediate need for developing future crops that are highly resilient and adaptable to changing environments to maintain global food security in the next decade. Rigorous selection from long domestication history has rendered cultivated crops genetically disadvantaged, raising concerns in their ability to adapt to these new challenges and limiting their usefulness in breeding programmes. As a result, future crop improvement efforts must rely on integrating various genomic strategies ranging from high-throughput sequencing to machine learning, in order to exploit germplasm diversity and overcome bottlenecks created by domestication, expansive multi-dimensional phenotypes, arduous breeding processes, complex traits and big data.

Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma with Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a heterogeneous group of neoplasms derived from the renal tubular epithelial cells. Chromophobe RCC (chRCC) is the third most common subtype of RCC, accounting for 5% of cases. chRCC may be detected as an incidental finding or less commonly may manifest with clinical symptoms.

Bispecific Anti-HIV Immunoadhesins That Bind Gp120 and Gp41 Have Broad and Potent HIV-Neutralizing Activity.

We have constructed bispecific immunoglobulin-like immunoadhesins that bind to both the HIV-envelope glycoproteins: gp120 and gp41. These immunoadhesins have N terminal domains of human CD4 engrafted onto the N-terminus of the heavy chain of human anti-gp41 mAb 7B2. Binding of these constructs to recombinant Env and their antiviral activities were compared to that of the parental mAbs and CD4, as well as to control mAbs.

Divergent Synthesis of γ-Amino Acid and γ-Lactam Derivatives from meso-Glutaric Anhydrides.

The first divergent synthesis of both γ-amino acid and γ-lactam derivatives from meso-glutaric anhydrides is described. The organocatalytic desymmetrisation with TMSN relies on controlled generation of a nucleophilic ammonium azide species mediated by a polystyrene-bound base to promote efficient silylazidation. After Curtius rearrangement of the acyl azide intermediate to access the corresponding isocyanate, hydrolysis/alcoholysis provided uniformly high yields of γ-amino acids and their N-protected counterparts.

Enantioselective acyl-transfer catalysis by fluoride ions.

The asymmetric nucleophilic catalysis by fluoride ions at a carbon-based electrophile has been demonstrated for the first time. Using a library of ad hoc designed bifunctional phase-transfer catalysts in which both the anion and the cation are directly involved in the reaction, the desymmetrisation of meso-succinic and -glutaric anhydrides is possible. 19F NMR spectroscopic studies support the intermediacy of an acyl fluoride intermediate.

Enantioselective Alkylation of 2-Oxindoles Catalyzed by a Bifunctional Phase-Transfer Catalyst: Synthesis of (-)-Debromoflustramine B.

A new bifunctional phase-transfer catalyst that employs hydrogen bonding as a control element was developed to promote efficient enantioselective S 2 reactions for the construction all-carbon quaternary stereocenters in high yield and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97 % ee) utilizing the alkylation of a malleable oxindole substrate. The utility of the methodology was demonstrated through a concise and highly enantioselective synthesis of (-)-debromoflustramine B.

Anti-HIV double variable domain immunoglobulins binding both gp41 and gp120 for targeted delivery of immunoconjugates.

Background: Anti-HIV immunoconjugates targeted to the HIV envelope protein may be used to eradicate the latent reservoir of HIV infection using activate-and-purge protocols. Previous studies have identified the two target epitopes most effective for the delivery of cytotoxic immunoconjugates the CD4-binding site of gp120, and the hairpin loop of gp41. Here we construct and test tetravalent double variable domain immunoglobulin molecules (DVD-Igs) that bind to both epitopes.

The cyclin-dependent kinase activator, Spy1A, is targeted for degradation by the ubiquitin ligase NEDD4.

Spy1A is a cyclin-like protein required for progression through the G(1)/S phase of the cell cycle. Elevated Spy1A protein levels have been implicated in tumorigenesis and are attributed to overriding the DNA damage response and enhancing cell proliferation. Understanding how Spy1A is produced and degraded is essential in resolving how it contributes to normal and abnormal growth processes.

Administering Plasmid DNA Encoding Tumor Vessel-anchored IFN-α for Localizing Gene Product Within or Into Tumors.

Tumor-targeted gene delivery has been intensively studied in the field of gene therapy, but no attention has been given to targeting the therapeutic gene products, which are transcribed and translated from the injected genes, into tumors. Targeting immune stimulatory gene products into tumors is the key to triggering tumor-specific CD8 T-cell responses and reducing systemic toxicity. To target the gene products generated from the injected genes into tumors, genes encoding the tumor-targeted fusion gene product were generated and administered locally and systemically via electroporation.

Administering plasmid DNA encoding tumor vessel-anchored IFN-alpha for localizing gene product within or into tumors.

Tumor-targeted gene delivery has been intensively studied in the field of gene therapy, but no attention has been given to targeting the therapeutic gene products, which are transcribed and translated from the injected genes, into tumors. Targeting immune stimulatory gene products into tumors is the key to triggering tumor-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses and reducing systemic toxicity. To target the gene products generated from the injected genes into tumors, genes encoding the tumor-targeted fusion gene product were generated and administered locally and systemically via electroporation.

Function and molecular mechanism of tumor-targeted peptides for delivering therapeutic genes and chemical drugs.

Tumor-targeted chemo- or gene-therapies is a new form of treatment which provides the benefits of reducing systemic toxicity, increasing the tolerance, and enhancing therapeutic efficacy. This review will discuss the discovery, function, application, and mechanism by which the short peptides (5-9) work for tumor-targeted gene or drug delivery.