Recanalisation of the closed ductus arteriosus in a critically ill infant with transposition of the great arteries.

We describe the case of an infant who was a late presenter of transposition of the great arteries where we proceeded with ductal stenting to improve oxygenation and left ventricle training. Stenting improved the infant's saturation while keeping the left ventricle well trained for 4 months after the procedure. This report demonstrates that intermediate-term left ventricle training can be achieved via ductal stenting.

Expression of the human cytomegalovirus pentamer complex for vaccine use in a CHO system.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes significant disease worldwide. Multiple HCMV vaccines have been tested in man but only partial protection has been achieved. The HCMV gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131A complex (Pentamer) is the main target of neutralizing antibodies in HCMV seropositive individuals and raises high titers of neutralizing antibodies in small animals and non-human primates (NHP).

PTPRG suppresses tumor growth and invasion via inhibition of Akt signaling in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Receptor Type G (PTPRG) was identified as a candidate tumor suppressor gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). PTPRG induces significant in vivo tumor suppression in NPC. We identified EGFR as a PTPRG potential interacting partner and examined this interaction.

Complementary and integrative medicine for older adults in palliative care.

Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) encompasses many diverse therapies, including natural products and mind and body practices. Use of CIM is common and can benefit patients in palliative care. However, because patients in palliative care are often frail and elderly, the clinician should consider a patient's comorbidities before recommending certain therapies, such as natural products.

How to define, diagnose and treat poor responders? Responses from a worldwide survey of IVF clinics.

Poor responders represent a significant percentage of couples treated in IVF units (10-24%), but the standard definition of poor responders remains uncertain and consequently optimal treatment options remain subjective and not evidence-based. In an attempt to provide uniformity on the definition, diagnosis and treatment of poor responders, a worldwide survey was conducted asking IVF professionals a set of questions on this complex topic. The survey was posted on www.

STING agonist formulated cancer vaccines can cure established tumors resistant to PD-1 blockade.

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a cytosolic receptor that senses both exogenous and endogenous cytosolic cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs), activating TBK1/IRF3 (interferon regulatory factor 3), NF-κB (nuclear factor κB), and STAT6 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 6) signaling pathways to induce robust type I interferon and proinflammatory cytokine responses. CDN ligands were formulated with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-producing cellular cancer vaccines--termed STINGVAX--that demonstrated potent in vivo antitumor efficacy in multiple therapeutic models of established cancer. We found that rationally designed synthetic CDN derivative molecules, including one with an Rp,Rp dithio diastereomer and noncanonical c[A(2',5')pA(3',5')p] phosphate bridge structure, enhanced antitumor efficacy of STINGVAX in multiple aggressive therapeutic models of established cancer in mice.

A case of bilateral adrenal haemorrhage following traumatic brain injury.

We report the case of a 57-year-old man who sustained an isolated severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). During his admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), he developed marked arterial hypotension of unclear cause. Eventually, the presence of renal angle tenderness on clinical examination and a low random-cortisol level lead to the suspicion of primary adrenal insufficiency.

Regenerative medicine for oesophageal reconstruction after cancer treatment.

Removal of malignant tissue in patients with oesophageal cancer and replacement with autologous grafts from the stomach and colon can lead to problems. The need to reduce stenosis and anastomotic leakage after oesophagectomy is a high priority. Developments in tissue-engineering methods and cell-sheet technology have improved scaffold materials for oesophageal repair.

Surgical outcomes in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer treated with S-1 and oxaliplatin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Background: We wished to evaluate the impact of S-1 combined with oxaliplatin (SOX regimen) as neoadjuvant chemotherapy on surgical outcomes after gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy.

Methods: From February 2012 to September 2013, 170 patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage II-III gastric cancer were assessed retrospectively. Eighty patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy before radical gastrectomy, and 90 patients received surgical treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Metformin use in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment: results of a worldwide web-based survey.

Purpose: To identify trends regarding therapeutic approaches to metformin administration in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment worldwide.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation utilizing the results of a web-based survey, IVFWorldwide ( www.IVF-worldwide.

Further evidence that human acellular dermal matrix decreases inflammatory markers of capsule formation in implant-based breast reconstruction.

Background: Human acellular dermal matrix (HADM; previously termed "acellular cadaveric dermis") may limit inflammatory changes believed to play a role in capsular contracture, a common complication of implant-based breast reconstruction.

Objectives: Differences between HADM and native breast capsule specimens were evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis of key inflammatory markers involved in capsule formation.

Methods: Twenty consecutive patients underwent immediate, 2-stage, implant-based breast reconstruction with dual-plane HADM.

Zipper-interacting protein kinase interacts with human cell division cycle 14A phosphatase.

Zipper‑interacting protein kinase (ZIPK) is a novel serine/threonine protein kinase and a member of a large family of protein kinases, known as the death‑associated protein kinases. However, the function of ZIPK has yet to be fully elucidated, as few physiological substrates have currently been identified. In the present study, a yeast two‑hybrid screen was used and the human cell division cycle 14A (HsCdc14A) phosphatase was identified as a novel ZIPK binding protein.

The management of renal colic.

Renal colic can be a challenging cause of abdominal pain in the military population. This review highlights the management of renal colic in the Royal Navy's operational setting. It provides an overview of the diagnosis, treatment options and occupational health issues in the deployed (Role 1) and hospital environments (Role 2 and 3).

Outcomes with porcine acellular dermal matrix versus synthetic mesh and suture in complicated open ventral hernia repair.

Background: Mesh reinforcement as part of open ventral hernia repair (OVHR) has become the standard of care. However, there is no consensus on the ideal type of mesh to use. In many clinical situations, surgeons are reluctant to use synthetic mesh.

Platform comparison for evaluation of ALK protein immunohistochemical expression, genomic copy number and hotspot mutation status in neuroblastomas.

ALK is an established causative oncogenic driver in neuroblastoma, and is likely to emerge as a routine biomarker in neuroblastoma diagnostics. At present, the optimal strategy for clinical diagnostic evaluation of ALK protein, genomic and hotspot mutation status is not well-studied. We evaluated ALK immunohistochemical (IHC) protein expression using three different antibodies (ALK1, 5A4 and D5F3 clones), ALK genomic status using single-color chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH), and ALK hotspot mutation status using conventional Sanger sequencing and a next-generation sequencing platform (Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine (IT-PGM)), in archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded neuroblastoma samples.

The appropriate use of neurostimulation: new and evolving neurostimulation therapies and applicable treatment for chronic pain and selected disease states. Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee.

Introduction: The International Neuromodulation Society (INS) has determined that there is a need to provide an expert consensus that defines the appropriate use of neuromodulation technologies for appropriate patients. The Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) was formed to give guidance to current practice and insight into future developments.

Methods: The INS executive board selected members of the international scientific community to analyze scientific evidence for current and future innovations and to use clinical experience to fill in any gaps in information.

The appropriate use of neurostimulation: avoidance and treatment of complications of neurostimulation therapies for the treatment of chronic pain. Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee.

Introduction: The International Neuromodulation Society (INS) has determined that there is a need for guidance regarding safety and risk reduction for implantable neurostimulation devices. The INS convened an international committee of experts in the field to explore the evidence and clinical experience regarding safety, risks, and steps to risk reduction to improve outcomes.

Methods: The Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) reviewed the world literature in English by searching MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar to evaluate the evidence for ways to reduce risks of neurostimulation therapies.

The appropriate use of neurostimulation of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system for the treatment of chronic pain and ischemic diseases: the Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee.

Introduction: The Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) of the International Neuromodulation Society (INS) evaluated evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of neurostimulation to treat chronic pain, chronic critical limb ischemia, and refractory angina and recommended appropriate clinical applications.

Methods: The NACC used literature reviews, expert opinion, clinical experience, and individual research. Authors consulted the Practice Parameters for the Use of Spinal Cord Stimulation in the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain (2006), systematic reviews (1984 to 2013), and prospective and randomized controlled trials (2005 to 2013) identified through PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar.

Resolvin D2 supports MCF-7 cell proliferation via activation of estrogen receptor.

Inflammation has been implicated in tumor initiation, angiogenesis, and metastasis, and linked to the development of more aggressive, therapy-resistant estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. Resolvin D2 (RvD2) is a potent anti-inflammatory lipid mediator. As RvD2 may be synthesized within breast tumors by both tumor cells and the surrounding stroma cells and is present in plasma at bioactive concentrations, we sought to characterize the impact of RvD2 on cell processes underlying breast tumor growth and spread.

Embryo catheter loading and embryo culture techniques: results of a worldwide Web-based survey.

Purpose: To identify trends in embryo catheter loading and embryo culture techniques performed worldwide.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation using the results of a web-based survey, (IVF Worldwide ( www.IVF-worldwide.

Research designs for proof-of-concept chronic pain clinical trials: IMMPACT recommendations.

Proof-of-concept (POC) clinical trials play an important role in developing novel treatments and determining whether existing treatments may be efficacious in broader populations of patients. The goal of most POC trials is to determine whether a treatment is likely to be efficacious for a given indication and thus whether it is worth investing the financial resources and participant exposure necessary for a confirmatory trial of that intervention. A challenge in designing POC trials is obtaining sufficient information to make this important go/no-go decision in a cost-effective manner.

Prognosis for patients with CML and >10% BCR-ABL1 after 3 months of imatinib depends on the rate of BCR-ABL1 decline.

In chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, a breakpoint cluster region-Abelson (BCR-ABL1) value >10% at 3 months of therapy is statistically associated with poorer outcome, yet many of these patients still achieve satisfactory outcomes. We investigated 528 first-line imatinib-treated patients to determine whether patients with the poorest outcome can be better discriminated at 3 months. All outcomes were significantly superior for the 410 patients with BCR-ABL1 ≤10% at 3 months (P < .

Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes and endothelial cells in multi-component hydrogel fibers for liver tissue engineering.

Liver tissue engineering requires a suitable cell source, methodologies to assemble the cells within their niche microenvironments in a spatially defined manner, and vascularization of the construct in vivo for maintenance of hepatocyte viability and function. Recently, we have developed methods of encapsulating cells within separate domains in multi-component hydrogel fibers and methods of assembling fibers to form 3D-patterned tissue constructs. In the present work, we have combined these approaches to encapsulate hepatocytes and endothelial cells within their specific niches, and to assemble them into endothelialized liver tissue constructs.