Stiffening of human mesenchymal stem cell spheroid microenvironments induced by incorporation of gelatin microparticles.

Culturing multipotent adult mesenchymal stem cells as 3D aggregates augments their differentiation potential and paracrine activity. One caveat of stem cell spheroids, though, can be the limited diffusional transport barriers posed by the inherent 3D structure of the multicellular aggregates. In order to circumvent such limitations, polymeric microparticles have been incorporated into stem cell aggregates as a means to locally control the biochemical and physical properties of the 3D microenvironment.

Systematic analysis of embryonic stem cell differentiation in hydrodynamic environments with controlled embryoid body size.

The sensitivity of stem cells to environmental perturbations has prompted many studies which aim to characterize the influence of mechanical factors on stem cell morphogenesis and differentiation. Hydrodynamic cultures, often employed for large scale bioprocessing applications, impart complex fluid shear and transport profiles, and influence cell fate as a result of changes in media mixing conditions. However, previous studies of hydrodynamic cultures have been limited in their ability to distinguish confounding factors that may affect differentiation, including modulation of embryoid body size in response to changes in the hydrodynamic environment.

Stable isotopes and elasmobranchs: tissue types, methods, applications and assumptions.

Stable-isotope analysis (SIA) can act as a powerful ecological tracer with which to examine diet, trophic position and movement, as well as more complex questions pertaining to community dynamics and feeding strategies or behaviour among aquatic organisms. With major advances in the understanding of the methodological approaches and assumptions of SIA through dedicated experimental work in the broader literature coupled with the inherent difficulty of studying typically large, highly mobile marine predators, SIA is increasingly being used to investigate the ecology of elasmobranchs (sharks, skates and rays). Here, the current state of SIA in elasmobranchs is reviewed, focusing on available tissues for analysis, methodological issues relating to the effects of lipid extraction and urea, the experimental dynamics of isotopic incorporation, diet-tissue discrimination factors, estimating trophic position, diet and mixing models and individual specialization and niche-width analyses.

Chronic postthoracotomy pain and health-related quality of life.

Background: Pain after thoracotomy is common. The objective of this study was to assess whether pain 3 months postthoracotomy negatively impacts quality of life.

Methods: One hundred ten patients were prospectively assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey before and 3 months after elective thoracotomy.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer treatment training varies across different medical specialists.

Background: Physicians from various specialties treat patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). The isolation of specialties from each other may result in different approaches to skin cancer training.

Purpose: Our purpose was to determine the type and amount of NMSC surgical training that is received during dermatology, general surgery, internal medicine, otolaryngology, and plastic surgery residencies.

Mice heterozygous for CREB binding protein are hypersensitive to γ-radiation and invariably develop myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm.

Myelodysplastic syndrome is a complex family of preleukemic diseases in which hematopoietic stem cell defects lead to abnormal differentiation in one or more blood lineages. Disease progression is associated with increasing genomic instability and a large proportion of patients go on to develop acute myeloid leukemia. Primarily a disease of the elderly, it can also develop after chemotherapy.

The deubiquitinase CYLD targets Smad7 protein to regulate transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling and the development of regulatory T cells.

CYLD is a lysine 63-deubiquitinating enzyme that inhibits NF-κB and JNK signaling. Here, we show that CYLD knock-out mice have markedly increased numbers of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in peripheral lymphoid organs but not in the thymus. In vitro stimulation of CYLD-deficient naive T cells with anti-CD3/28 in the presence of TGF-β led to a marked increase in the number of Foxp3-expressing T cells when compared with stimulated naive control CD4(+) cells.

Preoperative gabapentin for acute post-thoracotomy analgesia: a randomized, double-blinded, active placebo-controlled study.

Background: The role of preoperative gabapentin in postoperative pain management is not clear, particularly in patients receiving regional blockade. Patients undergoing thoracotomy benefit from epidural analgesia but still may experience significant postoperative pain. We examined the effect of preoperative gabapentin in thoracotomy patients.

A prospective randomised study of a rotary powered device (OnControl) for bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.

Introduction: Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is an invasive procedure associated with morbidity and mortality risk. We compared a powered bone marrow aspiration and biopsy device to the traditional method by relatively assessing pain scores, procedure times, biopsy capture rates, quality of material retrieved, and safety and operator satisfaction.

Methods: Two large academic medical centres participated in this trial.

The multiparametric effects of hydrodynamic environments on stem cell culture.

Stem cells possess the unique capacity to differentiate into many clinically relevant somatic cell types, making them a promising cell source for tissue engineering applications and regenerative medicine therapies. However, in order for the therapeutic promise of stem cells to be fully realized, scalable approaches to efficiently direct differentiation must be developed. Traditionally, suspension culture systems are employed for the scale-up manufacturing of biologics via bioprocessing systems that heavily rely upon various types of bioreactors.

Factors that influence the decision to perform a karyotype in suspected disorders of sex development: lessons from the Scottish genital anomaly network register.

Background: Although a karyotype represents the first objective evidence of investigating a case of suspected disorder of sex development (DSD), the factors that influence the clinician's decision to initiate investigations are unclear.

Methods: Cases of suspected DSD in Scotland were identified through the Scottish Genital Anomaly Network (SGAN) Register. The timing as well as other factors that influence the decision to perform a karyotype were subsequently studied.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma: twenty-five years of discovery.

Context: The year 2010 commemorates the 25th year since the seminal publication by Karl Lennert and Harald Stein and others in Kiel, West Germany, describing an unusual large cell lymphoma now known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Investigators at many universities and hospitals worldwide have contributed to our current in-depth understanding of this unique peripheral T-cell lymphoma, which in its systemic form, principally occurs in children and young adults.

Objective: To summarize our current knowledge of the clinical and pathologic features of systemic and primary cutaneous ALCL.

Nicorandil induced penile ulceration.

We report the unusual complication of penile ulceration caused by Nicorandil, a nicotinamide ester used in the treatment of symptomatic angina pectoris.

Sub-Saharan Africa's mothers, newborns, and children: where and why do they die?

In the first article in a series on maternal, newborn, and child health in sub-Saharan Africa, Joy Lawn and colleagues outline where and why deaths among mothers and children occur and what known interventions can be employed to prevent these deaths.

Sub-Saharan Africa's mothers, newborns, and children: how many lives could be saved with targeted health interventions?

As part of the series on maternal, neonatal, and child health in sub-Saharan Africa, Robert Black and colleagues estimated mortality reduction for 42 countries and conclude that the use of local data is needed to prioritize the most effective mix of interventions.

Trends in the treatment of acne vulgaris: are measures being taken to avoid antimicrobial resistance?

Background: Acne vulgaris has been treated with long-term courses of antibiotics since the 1960s. Antibiotic-resistance of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) was first documented in the late 1970s, and, over 20 years later, the problem of antibiotic resistance still exists.

Physicians' perceptions of an eczema action plan for atopic dermatitis.

Background: Poor adherence to topical medications in atopic dermatitis may lead to exposure to more costly and potentially toxic systemic agents. Written action plans (WAPs) improve adherence and treatment outcomes in asthma patients and may be useful for children with atopic dermatitis.

Objective: To assess physicians' perceptions of a WAP for atopic dermatitis and their openness to using it.

Hydrodynamic modulation of embryonic stem cell differentiation by rotary orbital suspension culture.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can differentiate into all somatic cell types, but the development of effective strategies to direct ESC fate is dependent upon defining environmental parameters capable of influencing cell phenotype. ESCs are commonly differentiated via cell aggregates referred to as embryoid bodies (EBs), but current culture methods, such as hanging drop and static suspension, yield relatively few or heterogeneous populations of EBs. Alternatively, rotary orbital suspension culture enhances EB formation efficiency, cell yield, and homogeneity without adversely affecting differentiation.

Reducing intrapartum-related deaths and disability: can the health system deliver?

Background: Each year 1.02 million intrapartum stillbirths and 904,000 intrapartum-related neonatal deaths (formerly called "birth asphyxia") occur, closely linked to 536,000 maternal deaths, an estimated 42% of which are intrapartum-related.

Objective: To summarize the results of a systematic evidence review, and synthesize actions required to strengthen healthcare delivery systems and home care to reduce intrapartum-related deaths.

Two million intrapartum-related stillbirths and neonatal deaths: where, why, and what can be done?

Background: Intrapartum-related neonatal deaths ("birth asphyxia") are a leading cause of child mortality globally, outnumbering deaths from malaria. Reduction is crucial to meeting the fourth Millennium Development Goal (MDG), and is intimately linked to intrapartum stillbirths as well as maternal health and MDG 5, yet there is a lack of consensus on what works, especially in weak health systems.

Objective: To clarify terminology for intrapartum-related outcomes; to describe the intrapartum-related global burden; to present current coverage and trends for care at birth; and to outline aims and methods for this comprehensive 7-paper supplement reviewing strategies to reduce intrapartum-related deaths.

Immunomodulator agent-related lymphoproliferative disorders.

The recent development of inhibitors of key immune response proteins has revolutionized the therapy of autoimmune diseases; these immunomodulator agents include monoclonal antibodies and receptor antagonists. However, as with all therapies, these new agents are not without side effects and complications. In particular, anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) agents have been reported to be associated with an increased incidence of lymphoproliferative disorders, infections, and vasculitis.

Effects of opioid receptor activation on thermal antinociception in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta).

Objective: To determine the effects of mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptor (MOR, DOR, and KOR, respectively) activation on thermal antinociception in red-eared slider turtles Trachemys scripta.

Animals: 51 adult turtles.

Procedures: Infrared heat stimuli were applied to the plantar surface of turtle hind limbs.