Cardiac function is regulated by the sodium-dependent inhibition of the sodium-calcium exchanger NCX1.

The Na-Ca exchanger (NCX1) is the dominant Ca extrusion mechanism in cardiac myocytes. NCX1 activity is inhibited by intracellular Na via a process known as Na-dependent inactivation. A central question is whether this inactivation plays a physiological role in heart function.

cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein Controls the Appearance of Neuron-Like Traits in Chorion Mesenchymal Cells.

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) from bone marrow have been reported to undergo the initial phases of neural differentiation in response to an increase of intracellular cAMP. We investigated the possibility that a similar effect applies to chorion-derived MSC.

Methods: The intracellular concentration of cAMP was increased either by forskolin, to promote its synthesis, or by inhibitors of its degradation.

Clinical outcomes of patients with complicated post-operative course after gastrectomy for cancer: a GIRCG study using the GASTRODATA registry.

Gastrectomy for gastric cancer is still performed in Western countries with high morbidity and mortality. Post-operative complications are frequent, and effective diagnosis and treatment of complications is crucial to lower the mortality rates. In 2015, a project was launched by the EGCA with the aim of building an agreement on list and definitions of post-operative complications specific for gastrectomy.

An epilepsy-associated K1.2 charge-transfer-center mutation impairs K1.2 and K1.4 trafficking.

We report on a heterozygous KCNA2 variant in a child with epilepsy. KCNA2 encodes KV1.2 subunits, which form homotetrameric potassium channels and participate in heterotetrameric channel complexes with other KV1-family subunits, regulating neuronal excitability.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Hepato-Biliopancreatic Surgery-A Systematic Review.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most important determinants of morbidity after HBP surgery. Their frequency after HPB surgery is variable, from 1-2% after elective cholecystectomy to 25% after PD.

Methods: A systematic review was performed to assess the role of antimicrobial prophylaxis (AP) in HPB elective surgery.