Topological model for the prediction of MRP1 inhibitory activity of pyrrolopyrimidines and templates derived from pyrrolopyrimidine.

Relationship between Wiener's index--a distance-based topological descriptor and multidrug-resistance-associated protein (MRP1) inhibitory activity of pyrrolopyrimidines and their derivatives has been investigated. A dataset comprising of 82 analogues of pyrrolopyrimidine was selected for the present study. The values of Wiener's index were computed for each of the 82 analogues using an in-house computer program.

Minor oral surgery without stopping daily low-dose aspirin therapy: a study of 51 patients.

Purpose: The risk of excessive bleeding prompts physicians to stop low-dose long-term aspirin regimens before surgery, which puts the patient at risk from adverse thrombotic events. We hypothesize that most minor oral surgical procedures can be carried out safely without stopping low-dose aspirin.

Patients And Methods: All minor oral surgery patients at our hospital (Madan Dental Hospital, Ahmedabad, India) from May 2002 to May 2003, who were also on long-term low-dose aspirin therapy regimens (acetylsalicylic acid 75 mg to 100 mg/day), were included.

Patients postoperatively forget aspects of preoperative patient education.

Background: Preoperative patient education is critically important to the success of any bariatric operation. In our clinic, we perform extensive preoperative education and informed consent. Part of the informed consent process includes a preoperative true/false quiz.

Potent and orally active non-peptide antagonists of the human melanocortin-4 receptor based on a series of trans-2-disubstituted cyclohexylpiperazines.

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) plays an important role in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that blockade of the MC4R reverses tumor-induced weight loss in mice. Herein, we describe the synthesis and identification of potent and selective non-peptide antagonists of the human MC4R from a series of 2-ethoxycarbonylcyclohexyl-piperazines.

Multivariate analysis of factors associated with smoking cessation in women.

Background: Appropriate smoking cessation techniques, including counseling patients to stop smoking, could prevent multiple health-related problems. Identification of relevant factors in patients that smoke may be beneficial in targeting smoking cessation efforts. This investigation explores various factors associated with smoking cessation, specifically in women.

Regulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) release by explants of human visceral adipose tissue.

Background: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a chemokine involved in monocyte recruitment during inflammation whose plasma level is elevated in obesity.

Objective: The present studies were designed to examine the release of MCP-1 in primary culture by explants of visceral adipose tissue from morbidly obese women.

Results: Most of the MCP-1 released by adipose tissue explants was derived from the nonfat cells in adipose tissue.

Effects of a laparoscopic course on student interest in surgical residency.

Background: The number of surgical residency applicants has been declining. Early introduction of the discipline of surgery is thought to stimulate early interest in surgical residency. This study investigated the hypothesis that a laparoscopic skills course introduced in preclinical years would stimulate student interest in entering surgical residency.

Inpatient pain medication requirements after laparoscopic gastric bypass.

Introduction: One of the benefits of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) includes decreased pain, possibly resulting in decreased narcotic use, quicker recovery of bowel function, and shorter hospital stay. We utilize a pain management strategy for our patients undergoing laparoscopic RYGBP. We investigated this strategy as well as narcotic use and incidence of ileus.

Immunolocalization of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) during embryonic development of the rat submandibular gland.

Morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation of the salivary glands are dependent on epithelio-mesenchymal interactions, which are mediated either by direct intercellular contacts or by the expression of signaling molecules. One of these signaling molecules, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), is known to play a crucial role in embryonic cell proliferation, cell differentiation and cell migration. FGF-2 has been identified as a factor facilitating neoplastic progression in salivary glands in humans.

Laparoscopic removal of gastric band after open banded gastric bypass.

Open banded gastric bypass has been the choice of some bariatric surgeons. This procedure includes a band (of various materials) around the gastric pouch. While there are advantages to this band, erosion and/or displacement of the band may occur.

Topochemical models for prediction of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 inhibitory activity of indole-2-ones.

The relationship between the topochemical indices and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) inhibitory activity of indole-2-ones has been investigated. The relationship of topochemical versions of well known topological indices of Wiener's index--a distance-based topological descriptor, molecular connectivity index, an adjacency-based topological descriptor and eccentric connectivity index--an adjacency-cum-distance based topological descriptor with CDK2 inhibitory activity of indole-2-ones has been investigated. A data set comprising 67 analogues of substituted indole-2-ones was selected for the present investigation.

Topochemical models for prediction of anti-tumor activity of 3-aminopyrazoles.

Relationship between topochemical indices and inhibition of CDK2/cyclin A by 3-aminopyrazoles was investigated using a data set comprising of 42 3-aminopyrazoles. Three topochemical indices--the Wiener's topochemical index--a distance based topochemical index, atomic molecular connectivity index--an adjacency based topochemical index and superadjacency topochemical index--an adjacency-cum-distance based topochemical index were used for the present investigations. The values of Wiener's topochemical index, atomic molecular connectivity index and superadjacency topochemical index for each of the 42 compounds comprising the data set were computed using an in-house computer program.

Participants' opinions of laparoscopic training devices after a basic laparoscopic training course.

Background: Basic laparoscopic skills are initially best taught and practiced in an inanimate setting. Various devices are used to aid in this education of laparoscopic skills. These devices range from simple box trainers to sophisticated virtual reality trainers.

Immunolocalization of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in the developing root and supporting structures of the murine tooth.

Epithelio-mesenchymal interactions are active during the development of the root of the tooth and are regulated by a variety of growth factors, such as fibroblast growth factors. FGF-2, 3, 4, and 8 have all been shown to play a role in the development of the crown of the tooth, but less is known about the factors that govern root formation, particularly FGF-2. The aim of this study was thus to elucidate the spatial and temporal expression of FGF-2 in the root of the developing tooth, as this growth factor is believed to be a mediator of epithelio-mesenchymal interactions.

Reduction in red blood cell transfusions among preterm infants: results of a randomized trial with an in-line blood gas and chemistry monitor.

Background: Critically ill, extremely premature infants develop anemia because of intensive laboratory blood testing and undergo multiple red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in the early weeks of life. To date, researchers have had only limited success in finding ways to reduce transfusions significantly in this patient population.

Objective: To reduce RBC transfusions for these infants by using a point-of-care bedside monitor that returns analyzed blood to the patient.

Structural and genetic diversity of group B streptococcus capsular polysaccharides.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is an important pathogen of neonates, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. GBS isolates associated with human infection produce one of nine antigenically distinct capsular polysaccharides which are thought to play a key role in virulence. A comparison of GBS polysaccharide structures of all nine known GBS serotypes together with the predicted amino acid sequences of the proteins that direct their synthesis suggests that the evolution of serotype-specific capsular polysaccharides has proceeded through en bloc replacement of individual glycosyltransferase genes with DNA sequences that encode enzymes with new linkage specificities.

Involvement of multiple signaling pathways in the post-bariatric induction of IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA and release in human visceral adipose tissue.

The present studies were designed to determine the site of and the mechanism for the rapid increase in IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA observed in human visceral adipose tissue after removal during laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Upregulation of IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA as well as their release were seen within 3h whether one intact piece of tissue or minced pieces of adipose tissue were incubated in vitro. Most of the IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA content of visceral adipose tissue after 3h of incubation was in the non-fat cells.

A role for hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha in desferoxamine neuroprotection.

The newborn brain has increased vulnerability to hypoxia-ischemia from maturational differences in the oxidative stress response. We hypothesized that desferoxamine (DFO), an iron chelator, would provide protection in an in vitro model of ischemia in part through activation of the hypoxia-inducible gene hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha). Hippocampal neurons from E16 CD1 mice were exposed to 3 h of oxygen and glucose deprivation with and without pretreatment with 10 mmol/L DFO in the presence and absence of 2 micromol/L antisense oligonucleotides specific for HIF-1alpha (antiHIF-1alpha).

Topological models for prediction of anti-HIV activity of acylthiocarbamates.

Relationship of anti-HIV activity of acylthiocarbamates with distance based Wiener's index, adjacency based first-order molecular connectivity index and distance-cum-adjacency based augmented eccentric connectivity index was investigated. The values of all the three indices for each of the 61 compounds involved in the dataset were calculated using an in-house computer program. Resulting data was analyzed and suitable models were developed after identification of the active ranges.

A pulmonary score for assessing the severity of neonatal chronic lung disease.

Background: Limited data are available to describe the spectrum of severity of neonatal chronic lung disease. In the multicenter Supplemental Therapeutic Oxygen for Prethreshold Retinopathy of Prematurity trial, all infants had some degree of pulmonary dysfunction, because eligibility required a median oxygen saturation of < or =94% with room air. Infants randomized to the supplemental oxygen group (oxygen saturation target of 96-99%) had more pulmonary morbidity than did those in the conventional group (oxygen saturation target of 88-94%).

Weight changes in spouses of gastric bypass patients.

Background: The effectiveness of gastric bypass for weight loss has been demonstrated. No study has documented the effect of this surgery on patient spouses' weight. Excess leftover food may be consumed by the spouses of gastric bypass patients, which may increase the total caloric intake compared to the preoperative intake.

Minimally invasive incisional herniorrhaphy: a review of 208 cases.

Background: Minimally invasive incisional herniorrhaphy has become an accepted approach for incisional hernia. However, the ideal technique for this procedure is not known. The authors present their technique and personal experience with minimally invasive incisional herniorrhaphy.

Laparoscopic baseline ability assessment by virtual reality.

Background: Assessment of any surgical skill is time-consuming and difficult. Currently, there are no accepted metrics for most surgical skills, especially laparoscopic skills. Virtual reality has been utilized for laparoscopic training of surgical residents.