Patients exposed to diagnostic head and neck radiation for the management of shunted hydrocephalus have a significant risk of developing thyroid nodules.

Purpose: External radiation to the head and neck can lead to an increased incidence of thyroid nodules. We investigated whether patients requiring repeated head and neck imaging for the management of shunted hydrocephalus had a higher incidence of ultrasound-detected thyroid nodules compared to reports of comparable age.

Methods: Patients treated at our institution for shunted hydrocephalus from 1990 to 2003 were contacted.

HB-EGF augments the ability of mesenchymal stem cells to attenuate intestinal injury.

Background: We have previously demonstrated that heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) administration protect the intestines from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in vivo, with amniotic fluid-derived MSC (AF-MSC) being more efficacious than bone marrow-derived MSC (BM-MSC). The goal of the current study was to determine whether the protective effects of HB-EGF were from direct effects on MSC or via alternative mechanisms.

Methods: Murine MSC were transfected with an HB-EGF plasmid or control plasmid by electroporation.

Enteric nervous system abnormalities are present in human necrotizing enterocolitis: potential neurotransplantation therapy.

Introduction: Intestinal dysmotility following human necrotizing enterocolitis suggests that the enteric nervous system is injured during the disease. We examined human intestinal specimens to characterize the enteric nervous system injury that occurs in necrotizing enterocolitis, and then used an animal model of experimental necrotizing enterocolitis to determine whether transplantation of neural stem cells can protect the enteric nervous system from injury.

Methods: Human intestinal specimens resected from patients with necrotizing enterocolitis (n = 18), from control patients with bowel atresia (n = 8), and from necrotizing enterocolitis and control patients undergoing stoma closure several months later (n = 14 and n = 6 respectively) were subjected to histologic examination, immunohistochemistry, and real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction to examine the myenteric plexus structure and neurotransmitter expression.

Synergistic effects of HB-EGF and mesenchymal stem cells in a murine model of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Background: We have previously demonstrated that heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) administration protects the intestines from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in vivo. We have also shown that HB-EGF promotes mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) proliferation and migration in vitro. The goals of the current study were to examine the effects of HB-EGF and both bone marrow (BM)- and amniotic fluid (AF)-derived MSC on intestinal I/R injury in vivo.

Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) protects the intestines from radiation therapy-induced intestinal injury.

Purpose: Radiation therapy (RT) often induces enteritis by inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) has been shown to protect the intestine in several animal injury models. The objective of this study was to examine whether HB-EGF affects RT-induced intestinal injury.

Diffuse intestinal ganglioneuromatosis in a child.

A 7 year old male with a history of congenital neutropenia and growth hormone deficiency presented with abdominal pain, fevers, and diarrhea. Imaging and endoscopy revealed significant inflammation of the ascending colon with stenosis at the level of the hepatic flexure. A right hemicolectomy was performed, and pathologic findings were consistent with diffuse intestinal ganglioneuromatosis.

Trends in a changing vascular practice environment for members of the Society for Vascular Surgery.

Objective: To survey the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) membership with regard to practice trends related to work effort, employment status, practice ownership, endovascular cases, and anticipated changes in practice in the near future.

Methods: A survey questionnaire was developed to gather information about member demographics and practice, hours worked, full-time (FT) or part-time status, employment status, practice ownership, competition for referrals, proportion of endovascular vs open procedures, and anticipated changes in practice in the next 3 years. We used SurveyMonkey and distributed the survey to all active vascular surgeon (VS) members of the SVS.

Work effort, productivity, and compensation trends in members of the Society for Vascular Surgery.

Objective: To survey the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) membership with regard to type of practice, employment status, work effort, and productivity criteria.

Methods: A survey questionnaire was developed to gather information about member demographics, academic versus private practice, employment status, time in practice, measures of work, and productivity criteria.

Results: Two-thirds of members were in private practice, 24% were employed by hospitals/health systems and 21% were in solo practice.

Analysis of transcriptional profiles and functional clustering of global cerebellar gene expression in PCD3J mice.

The Purkinje cell degeneration (PCD) mutant mouse is characterized by a degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje cells and progressive ataxia. To identify the molecular mechanisms that lead to the death of Purkinje neurons in PCD mice, we used Affymetrix microarray technology to compare cerebellar gene expression profiles in pcd3J mutant mice 14 days of age (prior to Purkinje cell loss) to unaffected littermates. Microarray analysis, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) and expression analysis systematic explorer (EASE) software were used to identify biological and molecular pathways implicated in the progression of Purkinje cell degeneration.