Endometrial hyperplasia with loss of APC in a novel population of Lyz2-expressing mouse endometrial epithelial cells.

Loss of heterozygosity and promoter hypermethylation of APC is frequently observed in human endometrial cancer, which is the most common gynecological cancer in the USA, but its carcinogenic driver status in the endometrial epithelium has not been confirmed. We have identified a novel population of progenitor endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) in mice that express lysozyme M (LysM) and give rise to approximately 15% of all EECs in adult mice. LysM is a glycoside hydrolase that is encoded by Lyz2 and functions to protect cells from bacteria as part of the innate immune system.

Home Milrinone in Pediatric Hospice Care of Children with Heart Failure.

Context: The symptom profile of children dying from cardiac disease, especially heart failure, differs from those with cancer and other non-cardiac conditions. Treatment with vasoactive infusions at home may be a superior therapy for symptom control for these patients, rather than traditional pain and anxiety management with morphine and benzodiazepines.

Objectives: We report our experience using outpatient milrinone in children receiving hospice care for end-stage heart failure.

Evaluating changes in salivary oxytocin and cortisol following positive reinforcement training in two adult male western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).

Positive reinforcement training (PRT) is associated with increases in species-typical behavior and decreases in stereotypic and abnormal behavior in participating animals. Physiological changes following PRT, for example, increases in oxytocin (OXT) and/or decreases in cortisol (CORT), may facilitate these behavioral changes. This study evaluated salivary OXT and salivary CORT concentrations in two adult male western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) following PRT with their primary animal care staff.

Improving Satisfaction with Pediatric Pain Management by Inviting the Conversation.

Background: Patient satisfaction with pain management is associated with improved patient adherence to medical management and efficient service utilization. Pediatric pain control is challenging, given the inability to elicit reliable histories, particularly in younger patients. Several studies have suggested that communication surrounding pain management can improve satisfaction, although there are limited data describing structured interventions with measurable outcomes.

Training Pediatric Fellows in Palliative Care: A Pilot Comparison of Simulation Training and Didactic Education.

Background: Pediatric fellows receive little palliative care (PC) education and have few opportunities to practice communication skills.

Objective: In this pilot study, we assessed (1) the relative effectiveness of simulation-based versus didactic education, (2) communication skill retention, and (3) effect on PC consultation rates.

Design: Thirty-five pediatric fellows in cardiology, critical care, hematology/oncology, and neonatology at two institutions enrolled: 17 in the intervention (simulation-based) group (single institution) and 18 in the control (didactic education) group (second institution).

Pain care for patients with epidermolysis bullosa: best care practice guidelines.

Background: Inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) comprises a group of rare disorders that have multi-system effects and patients present with a number of both acute and chronic pain care needs. Effects on quality of life are substantial. Pain and itching are burdensome daily problems.

Psychiatric medications for the treatment of pruritus.

Objectives: To review the use of psychiatric medications in the treatment of pruritus.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using the key words pruritus, psychiatric, and treatment.

Results: Three categories of pruritus are described: dermatologic, systemic, and psychogenic.

A1 adenosine receptor upregulation accompanies decreasing myocardial adenosine levels in mice with left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: It is well known that adenosine levels are increased during ischemia and protect the heart during ischemia/reperfusion. However, less is known about the role of adenosine-adenosine receptor (AR) pathways in hearts with left ventricular dilation and dysfunction. Therefore, we assessed adenosine levels and selective AR expression in transgenic mice with left ventricular systolic dysfunction secondary to overexpression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF 1.

Regulated overexpression of the A1-adenosine receptor in mice results in adverse but reversible changes in cardiac morphology and function.

Background: Both the A1- and A3-adenosine receptors (ARs) have been implicated in mediating the cardioprotective effects of adenosine. Paradoxically, overexpression of both A1-AR and A3-AR is associated with changes in the cardiac phenotype. To evaluate the temporal relationship between AR signaling and cardiac remodeling, we studied the effects of controlled overexpression of the A1-AR using a cardiac-specific and tetracycline-transactivating factor-regulated promoter.

Improved pain management in pediatric postoperative liver transplant patients using parental education and non-pharmacologic interventions.

A pain management intervention, consisting of pretransplant parental education and support, pre- and postoperative behavioral pediatrics consultation, postoperative physical and occupational therapy consultation, and implementation of non-pharmacologic pain management strategies, was introduced to all pediatrics patients receiving liver transplants at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital beginning August 2001. Children receiving transplants pre-intervention (May, 2000 to February, 2001) and post-intervention (August, 2001 to March, 2002) were compared using pain scores, parent perception of pain ratings, length of stay, ventilator days, total cost, and opioid use. A total of 27 children were evaluated (13 historical control, 14 intervention).

Comparison of near-infrared and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for determination of magnesium stearate in pharmaceutical powders and solid dosage forms.

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has become well established in both the pharmaceutical arena and other areas as a useful technique for rapid quantitative analysis of solid materials. Though laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has not been widely applied in the pharmaceutical industry, the technique has been used for rapid quantitative analysis of solids in many other applications. One analysis amenable to each technique is the determination of magnesium stearate in solids during the lubrication blending unit operation of pharmaceutical processing.