Patient and surgeon factors contributing to bailout cholecystectomies: a single-institutional retrospective analysis.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomies continue to pose trouble for surgeons in the face of severe inflammation. In the advent of inability to perform an adequate dissection, a "bailout cholecystectomy" is advocated. Conversion to open or subtotal cholecystectomy is among the standard bailout procedures in such instances.

Liver epithelial focal adhesion kinase modulates fibrogenesis and hedgehog signaling.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is an important mediator of extracellular matrix-integrin mechano-signal transduction that regulates cell motility, survival, and proliferation. As such, FAK is being investigated as a potential therapeutic target for malignant and fibrotic diseases, and numerous clinical trials of FAK inhibitors are underway. The function of FAK in nonmalignant, nonmotile epithelial cells is not well understood.

Myeloid sarcoma resulting in a small bowel obstruction with multiple site involvement including ileum and appendix.

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare extra-medullary solid tumor of immature myeloid cells. While it can be an isolated diagnosis, MS is frequently associated with acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic disorders. Although there have been few cases documented that demonstrate the presence of MS in multiple organs at presentation, concomitant involvement of ileum and appendix has never been described.

Lacrimal Gland Repair Using Progenitor Cells.

In humans, the lacrimal gland (LG) is the primary contributor to the aqueous layer of the tear film. Production of tears in insufficient quantity or of inadequate quality may lead to aqueous-deficiency dry eye (ADDE). Currently there is no cure for ADDE.

Spaceflight and simulated microgravity cause a significant reduction of key gene expression in early T-cell activation.

Healthy immune function depends on precise regulation of lymphocyte activation. During the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Apollo and Shuttle eras, multiple spaceflight studies showed depressed lymphocyte activity under microgravity (μg) conditions. Scientists on the ground use two models of simulated μg (sμg): 1) the rotating wall vessel (RWV) and 2) the random positioning machine (RPM), to study the effects of altered gravity on cell function before advancing research to the true μg when spaceflight opportunities become available on the International Space Station (ISS).