Development of functional trait biomarkers for trace metal exposure in freshwater clams (Musculium spp.).

Exposure to trace metals typically causes oxidative stress; these consequences are better-characterized in estuarine and marine species than in freshwater species. How cellular-level responses to metal pollution influence whole-organism and population-level traits is poorly understood. We tested whether exposure to single metals (zinc and cadmium) and to metal mixtures (water in equilibrium with sediment from a highly polluted lake) alters two ecologically-relevant traits in freshwater clams, locomotion and reproduction.

Oxidative stress and lung pathology following geogenic dust exposure.

This study was designed to evaluate markers of systemic oxidative stress and lung histopathology following subacute exposure to geogenic dust with varying heavy metal content collected from a natural setting prone to wind erosion and used heavily for off-road vehicle recreation. Adult female B6C3F1 mice were exposed to several concentrations of dust collected from seven different types of surfaces at the Nellis Dunes Recreation Area in Clark County, Nevada, designated here as CBN 1-7. Dust representing each of the seven surface types, with an average median diameter of 4.

Cancer therapy in the necroptosis era.

Necroptosis is a caspase-independent form of regulated cell death executed by the receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIP1), RIP3, and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL). Recently, necroptosis-based cancer therapy has been proposed to be a novel strategy for antitumor treatment. However, a big controversy exists on whether this type of therapy is feasible or just a conceptual model.

Management of branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms: a large single-center study to assess predictors of malignancy and long-term outcomes.

Background And Aims: Management of branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMNs) remains challenging. We determined factors associated with malignancy in BD-IPMNs and long-term outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all patients with established BD-IPMNs by the International Consensus Guidelines (ICG) 2012 and/or pathologically confirmed BD-IPMNs in a tertiary care referral center between 2001 and 2013.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas, one manifestation of a more systemic disease?

Background: Several studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of extrapancreatic malignancies, and an association with autoimmune pancreatitis in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). We hypothesized that IPMNs were associated with an increase rate of systemic diseases.

Methods: From 1996 to 2013, a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database was performed and supplemented with electronic medical charts review.

Associating Changes in the Immune System with Clinical Diseases for Interpretation in Risk Assessment.

This overview is an update of the unit originally published in 2004. While the basic tenets of immunotoxicity have not changed in the past 10 years, several publications have explored the application of immunotoxicological data to the risk assessment process. Therefore, the goal of this unit is still to highlight relationships between xenobiotic-induced immunosuppression and risk of clinical diseases progression.

Immunotoxicological and neurotoxicological profile of health effects following subacute exposure to geogenic dust from sand dunes at the Nellis Dunes Recreation Area, Las Vegas, NV.

Exposure to geogenic particulate matter (PM) comprised of mineral particles has been linked to human health effects. However, very little data exist on health effects associated with geogenic dust exposure in natural settings. Therefore, we characterized particulate matter size, metal chemistry, and health effects of dust collected from the Nellis Dunes Recreation Area (NDRA), a popular off-road vehicle area located near Las Vegas, NV.

Transpapillary drainage has no added benefit on treatment outcomes in patients undergoing EUS-guided transmural drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts: a large multicenter study.

Background And Aims: The need for transpapillary drainage (TPD) in patients undergoing transmural drainage (TMD) of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) remains unclear. The aims of this study were to compare treatment outcomes between patients with pancreatic pseudocysts undergoing TMD versus combined (TMD and TPD) drainage (CD) and to identify predictors of symptomatic and radiologic resolution.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of 375 consecutive patients with PFCs who underwent EUS-guided TMD from 2008 to 2014 at 15 academic centers in the United States.

Comparison of EUS-guided tissue acquisition using two different 19-gauge core biopsy needles: a multicenter, prospective, randomized, and blinded study.

Background And Study Aims: The optimal core biopsy needle for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is unknown. The principle aim of this study is to compare outcomes of EUS-fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) with a new 19-gauge EUS histology needle (ProCore, Cook Medical Inc., Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States) to a conventional 19-gauge Tru-Cut biopsy (EUS-TCB) needle (19G, Quick-Core, Cook Medical Inc.

Prospective Cross-Sectional Study of the Prevalence of Incidental Pancreatic Cysts During Routine Outpatient Endoscopic Ultrasound.

Objective: Incidental pancreatic cysts are often detected during abdominal imaging and require follow-up since some have malignant potential. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is highly sensitive for pancreatic diseases, yet the prevalence of incidental pancreatic cysts discovered with EUS is unknown. The objective of the study was to determine its prevalence by EUS.

EUS-guided liver biopsy for parenchymal disease: a comparison of diagnostic yield between two core biopsy needles.

Background And Aims: EUS-guided biopsy of the liver has a variable diagnostic accuracy and specimen adequacy. A new core biopsy needle has been developed that may improve performance. The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic yield of a new core biopsy needle with the previous standard needle.

Invasive, mixed-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm: superior prognosis compared to invasive main-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.

Purpose: It is unclear whether the duct involvement subtypes of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), ie, main (MD), mixed (MT), and branch (BD), confer any survival advantage when invasive IPMN occurs. We hypothesized that invasive MT-IPMN was associated with a better prognosis than invasive MD-IPMN.

Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was performed of patients who underwent resection for IPMN at a single academic institution from 1992 to 2014.

Effectiveness and safety of serial endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus block for chronic pancreatitis.

Background And Study Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound - guided celiac plexus block (EUS-CPB) is an established treatment for pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), but the effectiveness and safety of repeated procedures are unknown. Our objective is to report our experience of repeated EUS-CPB procedures within a single patient.

Patients And Methods: A prospectively maintained EUS database was retrospectively analyzed to identify patients who had undergone more than one EUS-CPB procedure over a 17-year period.

Grouping Promotes Equality: The Effect of Recipient Grouping on Allocation of Limited Medical Resources.

Decisions about allocation of scarce resources, such as transplant organs, often entail a trade-off between efficiency (i.e., maximizing the total benefit) and fairness (i.

Association of Perfluoroalkyl Substances, Bone Mineral Density, and Osteoporosis in the U.S. Population in NHANES 2009-2010.

Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), are detectable in the serum of 95% of the U.S.

Objective: Considering the role of PFASs as endocrine disruptors, we examined their relationships with bone health.