Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy with primary anastomosis for experimental modeling in the nonhuman primate.

Laparoscopic colon surgery is performed frequently in the clinical setting for a multitude of reasons including cancer, infection, and autoimmune disease. As a result, extensive research has been conducted in relation to clinical outcomes after surgery, but more recently, in relation to the impact of surgery and other patient factors on physiologic homeostasis including the host microbiome. Despite this, experimental surgical models for laparoscopic colon surgery are scarce in the literature with most studies utilizing rodents.

Targeted mapping and utilization of the perihepatic surface for therapeutic beta cell replacement and retrieval in diabetic non-human primates.

Introduction: Successful diabetes reversal using pancreatic islet transplantation by various groups illustrates the significant achievements made in cell-based diabetes therapy. While clinically, intraportal islet delivery is almost exclusively used, it is not without obstacles, including instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR), relative hypoxia, and loss of function over time, therefore hindering long-term success. Here we demonstrate the perihepatic surface of non-human primates (NHPs) as a potential islet delivery site maximizing favorable characteristics, including proximity to a dense vascular network for adequate oxygenation while avoiding IBMIR exposure, maintenance of portal insulin delivery, and relative ease of accessibility through minimally invasive surgery or percutaneous means.

A bioengineered artificial interstitium supports long-term islet xenograft survival in nonhuman primates without immunosuppression.

Cell-based therapies hold promise for many chronic conditions; however, the continued need for immunosuppression along with challenges in replacing cells to improve durability or retrieving cells for safety are major obstacles. We subcutaneously implanted a device engineered to exploit the innate transcapillary hydrostatic and colloid osmotic pressure generating ultrafiltrate to mimic interstitium. Long-term stable accumulation of ultrafiltrate was achieved in both rodents and nonhuman primates (NHPs) that was chemically similar to serum and achieved capillary blood oxygen concentration.

Technical Considerations and Approach to Redo Foregut Surgery.

Foregut surgical techniques have advanced significantly over the years and have become increasingly popular. However, new challenges and technical considerations have arisen when dealing with reoperation for complications or surgical failure. This study focuses on the technical considerations and approach when dealing with reoperative foregut surgery, particularly redo hiatal hernia repair.

Suture Tape With Broad Full-Width Core Versus Traditional Round Suture With Round Core: A Mechanical Comparison.

Purpose: To compare the inherent mechanical properties of suture in tape configuration with a flat, evenly distributed core to a round suture with a round core composed of the same materials.

Methods: SutureTape and FiberWire composed of equivalent materials were used to tie surgical knots. Knot height was measured.

Fowl Aviadenovirus 9 dUTPase Plays a Role in Regulation of the Host Immune Response.

Fowl aviadenoviruses (FAdVs) are distributed worldwide in poultry farms. Some FAdVs are the causative agents of inclusion body hepatitis and hydropericardium syndrome that cause significant economic losses to the poultry industry. In contrast with human adenovirus, the study of the molecular biology of FAdV is still far behind.

Replication and Oncolytic Activity of an Avian Orthoreovirus in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.

Oncolytic viruses are cancer therapeutics with promising outcomes in pre-clinical and clinical settings. Animal viruses have the possibility to avoid pre-existing immunity in humans, while being safe and immunostimulatory. We isolated an avian orthoreovirus (ARV-PB1), and tested it against a panel of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Avian bornavirus in free-ranging waterfowl: prevalence of antibodies and cloacal shedding of viral RNA.

We surveyed free-ranging Canada Geese (Branta canadensis), Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator), Mute Swans (Cygnus olor), and Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) to estimate the prevalence of antibodies to avian bornavirus (ABV) and of cloacal shedding of ABV RNA in southern Ontario, Canada. Blood samples and cloacal swabs were collected from 206 free-ranging Canada Geese, 135 Trumpeter Swans, 75 Mute Swans, and 208 Mallards at 10 main capture sites between October 2010 and May 2012. Sera were assessed for antibodies against ABV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and swabs were evaluated for ABV RNA using real-time reverse-transcription PCR.

Evidence for a role of MCM (mini-chromosome maintenance)5 in transcriptional repression of sub-telomeric and Ty-proximal genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The MCM (mini-chromosome maintenance) genes have a well established role in the initiation of DNA replication and in the elongation of replication forks in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study we demonstrate elevated expression of sub-telomeric and Ty retrotransposon-proximal genes in two mcm5 strains. This pattern of up-regulated genes resembles the genome-wide association of MCM proteins to chromatin that was reported earlier.

The role of the carboxyterminal domain of RNA polymerase II in regulating origins of DNA replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

MCM (minichromosome maintenance) proteins function as a replication licensing factor (RLF-M), which contributes to limiting initiation of DNA replication to once per cell cycle. In the present study we show that a truncation of the pol II CTD in a S. cerevisiae strain harboring a mutation in mcm5 partially reverses its ts phenotype and improves maintenance of CEN/ARS minichromosomes.