Cooperation of neurotrophin receptor TrkB and Her2 in breast cancer cells facilitates brain metastases.

Background: Patients with primary breast cancer that is positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2+) have a high risk of developing metastases in the brain. Despite gains with systemic control of Her2+ disease using molecular therapies, brain metastases remain recalcitrant to therapeutic discovery. The clinical predilection of Her2+ breast cancer cells to colonize the brain likely relies on paracrine mechanisms.

Sideline concussion testing in high school football on Guam.

Background: The risks of repeat concussions and returning to play (RTP) prior to the resolution of concussive symptoms are medically established. However, RTP guidelines for high school sports are varied and often notably absent. The island of Guam, a US territory, has a robust athletics program but lacks structure to reduce concussions or establish RTP protocols.

Strategic design for pediatric neurosurgery missions across the Western Hemisphere.

Background: With growing interest in global health, surgeons have created outreach missions to improve health care disparities in less developed countries. These efforts are mainly episodic with visiting surgeons performing the operations and minimal investment in local surgeon education. To create real and durable advancement in surgical services in disciplines that require urgent patient care, such as pediatric neurosurgery, improving the surgical armamentarium of the local surgeons must be the priority.