Ack1 mediated AKT/PKB tyrosine 176 phosphorylation regulates its activation.

The AKT/PKB kinase is a key signaling component of one of the most frequently activated pathways in cancer and is a major target of cancer drug development. Most studies have focused on its activation by Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK) mediated Phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K) activation or loss of Phosphatase and Tensin homolog (PTEN). We have uncovered that growth factors binding to RTKs lead to activation of a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, Ack1 (also known as ACK or TNK2), which directly phosphorylates AKT at an evolutionarily conserved tyrosine 176 in the kinase domain.

Traditional polypropylene and lightweight meshes in totally extraperitoneal inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Background: Placement of a prosthetic mesh is integral to successful totally extraperitoneal (TEP) herniorrhaphy. Available meshes have supported the surgical efforts well but search for an ideal mesh continues. Post-herniorrhaphy pain is an index of patient reported outcomes (PRO).

Successful pregnancy outcome among women with end-stage renal disease requiring haemodialysis.

Pregnancy is rare in women with end-stage renal disease, and perinatal outcome remains suboptimal because of prematurity and foetal growth restriction. Successful obstetrical outcome in two women presented with chronic renal failure requiring serial haemodialysis and multiple blood transfusions during pregnancy is reported. Both women had vaginal delivery of low birth weight neonates--2100 g and 1540 g at 33 and 37 weeks' gestations respectively.

Internal podalic version for neglected shoulder presentation with fetal demise.

In modern obstetrics, the role of internal podalic version (IPV) is limited to delivery of the second twin. A retrospective study was conducted to assess the efficacy of IPV in singleton neglected shoulder presentation with fetal demise. Women with live fetuses, previous CS or contracted pelvis were excluded.

Divalproex sodium-induced eosinophilic pleural effusion.

Eosinophilic pleural effusion is defined as an effusion in which eosinophils constitute more than 10% of white blood cells. These effusions can be due to multiple causes with drugs being implicated as one of the etiological agents. We report a case of 48-year-old woman with seizure disorder on divalproex sodium (Depakote) who presented with dyspnea.

Insulin-like growth factor-I-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and oligodendrocyte progenitor cell survival require cholesterol-enriched membranes.

Previously we showed that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) promotes sustained phosphorylation of Akt in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and that Akt phosphorylation is required for survival of these cells. The direct mechanisms, however, by which IGF-I promotes Akt phosphorylation are currently undefined. Recently, cholesterol-enriched membranes (CEMs) have been implicated in regulation of growth factor-mediated activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and survival of mature oligodendrocytes; however, less is know about their role in OPC survival.

Prospective double-blind randomized controlled study comparing heavy- and lightweight polypropylene mesh in totally extraperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia: early results.

Background: Success of totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal herniorrhaphy depends upon strengthening of the weakened native tissue by inflammation resulting in mesh-aponeurosis scar tissue (MAST) complex formation. The inflammatory response attributable to polypropylene (PP) content of the mesh is linked to weight of PP and pore size of the mesh. Continuation of the inflammatory process beyond MAST complex formation can entrap contiguous structures, leading to adverse outcome such as groin pain.

Effect of '61-points relaxation technique' on stress parameters in premenstrual syndrome.

Premenstrual Syndrome is a psychoneuroendocrine stress related disorder and more than 300 treatment modalities for PMS show that the existing remedies have not provided satisfactory help to relieve PMS. 61-points relaxation exercise (61-PR), a relatively less known hatha yoga technique, is a successful means of stress relaxation and is expected to relieve PMS as well. The present study was conducted on 50 clinically healthy women volunteers who were in their reproductive age group and in their premenstrual period, from which a control group (n = 20) and a PMS group (n = 30) based on the symptoms were identified.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: innovative anatomical closure, mesh insertion without 10-mm transmyofascial port, and atraumatic mesh fixation: a preliminary experience of a new technique.

Background: Generous overlap by a well-transfixed mesh is important in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR). Mesh is usually introduced through a 10-mm trocar and fixed by tackers or transfixed by sutures. Ten-millimeter trocar sites are more prone to hernia development.

Lung insufflation capacity in neuromuscular disease.

Objective: To compare maximal passive lung insufflation capacity (LIC) with lung inflation by air stacking (to maximum insufflation capacity [MIC]) and with vital capacity (VC); to explore relationships between these variables that correlate with glottic function and cough peak flows (CPF); to demonstrate the effect of routine inflation therapy on LIC and MIC; and to determine the relative importance of lung inflation therapy as a function of disease severity.

Design: Case series of 282 consecutive neuromuscular disease (NMD) clinic patients 7 yrs and older with VC <70% of the predicted normal value. All cooperative patients meeting these criteria were prescribed thrice-daily air stacking and/or maximal passive lung insufflation to pressures of 40-80 cm H2O, and they underwent measurements of VC, MIC, LIC, and unassisted and assisted CPF on every visit.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia meshplasty with "double-breasted" fascial closure of hernial defect: a new technique.

Background: Absence of recurrence, seroma, and pain eludes the laparoscopic surgeon managing ventral and incisional hernias. Multifactorial etiology (i.e.

Spontaneous rupture of iatrogenic (postinguinal herniorrhaphy) venovenous malformation managed endoscopically.

Complications of open inguinal hernia repair, such as wound infection, hematoma, seroma, and neuralgia, are known to occur. Vascular injuries during inguinal hernia repair are rare and documented as case reports only. Vascular malformations are known to occur after trauma or sharp injuries.

Salt preference: age and sex related variability.

Salt preference was assessed in 60 adults of 18-21 yrs of age (30 males and 30 females) and in 60 children of 7-12 yrs of age (30 boys and 30 girls). Subjects rated the preference on Likert scale for popcorns of five salt concentrations (OM, 1M, 2M, 3M and +3M). Statistical analysis using Two way ANOVA revealed statistically significant effect of age and sex on salt preference (F4,100 = 15.