Identification of Small Molecule Inhibitors and Ligand Directed Degraders of Calcium/Calmodulin Dependent Protein Kinase Kinase 1 and 2 (CaMKK1/2).

CaMKK2 signals through AMPK-dependent and AMPK-independent pathways to trigger cellular outputs including proliferation, differentiation, and migration, resulting in changes to metabolism, bone mass accrual, neuronal function, hematopoiesis, and immunity. CAMKK2 is upregulated in tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma, prostate, breast, and gastric cancer, and genetic deletion in myeloid cells results in increased antitumor immunity in several syngeneic models. Validation of the biological roles of CaMKK2 has relied on genetic deletion or small molecule inhibitors with activity against several biological targets.

Unusual cardiac paraganglioma mimicking an atypical carcinoid tumor of the lung.

We present a case of unusual cardiac paraganglioma (PG) initially misdiagnosed as atypical carcinoid tumor of the lung and discuss key clinical and pathologic characteristics that guide surgical management of these rare chromaffin cell tumors. A 64-year-old female with persistent cough and back pain was found to have a 4 cm × 3 cm mass abutting multiple cardiopulmonary structures. A biopsy was performed at an outside institution and pathology reported "atypical neuroendocrine carcinoma, consistent with carcinoid".

Interleukin-18 is associated with protection against rhinovirus-induced colds and asthma exacerbations.

Rhinoviruses cause the common cold and exacerbations of asthma. Animal models of infection have identified a protective role for interleukin-18 (IL-18). Following experimental rhinovirus infection, we observed increased respiratory symptoms in healthy and asthmatic subjects with low nasal and bronchial IL-18 levels.

Business continuity and pandemic preparedness: US health care versus non-health care agencies.

Background: Only limited data are available on US business continuity activities related to biologic events.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered to human resource professionals during May-July 2011 to assess business continuity related to biologic events, incentives businesses are providing to maximize worker surge capacity, and seasonal influenza vaccination policy. Linear regressions were used to describe factors associated with higher business continuity and pandemic preparedness scores.