Urea Cycle Dysregulation Generates Clinically Relevant Genomic and Biochemical Signatures.

The urea cycle (UC) is the main pathway by which mammals dispose of waste nitrogen. We find that specific alterations in the expression of most UC enzymes occur in many tumors, leading to a general metabolic hallmark termed "UC dysregulation" (UCD). UCD elicits nitrogen diversion toward carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase2, aspartate transcarbamylase, and dihydrooratase (CAD) activation and enhances pyrimidine synthesis, resulting in detectable changes in nitrogen metabolites in both patient tumors and their bio-fluids.

Immunological and inflammatory mapping of vascularized composite allograft rejection processes in a rat model.

Background: Hand and face vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is an evolving and challenging field with great opportunities. During VCA, massive surgical damage is inflicted on both donor and recipient tissues, which may contribute to the high VCA rejection rates. To segregate between the damage-induced and rejection phase of post-VCA responses, we compared responses occurring up to 5 days following syngeneic versus allogeneic vascularized groin flap transplantations, culminating in transplant acceptance or rejection, respectively.

Reckless administration of QT interval-prolonging agents in elderly patients with drug-induced torsade de pointes.

A systematic review was conducted for all published case reports on drug-induced torsade de pointes (TdP) in elderly (≥80 years) patients to study if the administration of the offending agent was reckless. Overall, 61 reports on drug-induced TdP in patients aged 80-97 years were included in the analysis. Non-modifiable risk factors for drug-induced TdP (e.

Head and Neck Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Clinicopathological Risk Factors according to Age and Gender: A Population-based Study.

Background: Clinicopathological risk factors for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (CSCCHN) are associated with local recurrence and metastasis.

Objectives: To compare the incidence and risk factors of CSCCHN by age and gender in order to help refine the clinical evaluation and treatment process.

Methods: Clinical and pathological data of all patients diagnosed with CSCCHN during 2009-2011 were obtained from a central pathology laboratory in Israel.

Psychometric properties of the Hebrew version of the Oswestry Disability Index.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common health complaints, with lifetime prevalence rates as high as 84%. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is often the measure of choice for LBP in both research and clinical settings and, as such, has been translated into 29 languages and dialects. Currently, however, there is no validated version of Hebrew-translated ODI (ODI-H).

Impact of preoperative embolization on the outcomes of carotid body tumor surgery: A meta-analysis and review of the literature.

Background: There is no consensus on the impact of preoperative embolization (EMB) on the surgical outcomes of carotid body tumor (CBT) resections.

Methods: A systematic review and a meta-analysis were conducted to clarify the role of preoperative EMB in patients undergoing surgical removal of CBTs.

Results: Fifteen studies with a total number of 470 patients met the inclusion criteria.

Intraoperative pulmonary function dynamics in adolescents undergoing reduction mammoplasty: A prospective case series.

Background: Improvement of lung function following reduction mammoplasty has been previously reported among adult populations in the medical literature.

Objectives: To evaluate the intraoperative dynamics of pulmonary function in adolescents undergoing reduction mammoplasty.

Methods: The present study is a prospective case series of female patients 13 to 18 years of age who underwent inferior pedicle reduction mammoplasty between November 20, 2006 and April 4, 2011.

Vitamin D Antibodies in Systemic Sclerosis Patients: Findings and Clinical Correlations.

Background: Vitamin D is a pivotal factor in calcium homeostasis and exerts immunomodulatory effects. Hypovitamin D has been demonstrated in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and may be related to more severe disease of longer duration and with extensive skin involvement.

Objectives: To seek anti-vitamin D antibodies in SSc patients, as found by previous research in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Revision endoscopic stapler Zenker's diverticulotomy.

Background: Endoscopic stapler diverticulotomy (ESD) has become an accepted primary treatment for Zenker's diverticulum (ZD). Recurrence of symptoms after surgical treatment of ZD is not uncommon, and traditionally patients with recurrent symptomatic ZD were referred to revision surgery by the transcervical Zenker's diverticulectomy approach. Our objective was to evaluate the technical feasibility, safety and effectiveness of revision endoscopic stapler diverticulotomy (RESD) for recurrent ZD.

One stage combined endoscopic and per-oral buccal fat pad approach for large oro-antral-fistula closure with secondary chronic maxillary sinusitis.

There are numerous surgical approaches for oro-antral-fistula (OAF) closure. Secondary sinus disease is still considered by many experts a relative contra indication for primary closure. To describe a single-stage combined endoscopic sinus surgery and per-oral buccal fat pad (BFP) flap approach for large OAF causing chronic maxillary sinusitis.

Stress-relaxation and tension relief system for immediate primary closure of large and huge soft tissue defects: an old-new concept: new concept for direct closure of large defects.

Stress-relaxation is a well-established mechanism for laboratory skin stretching, with limited clinical application in conventional suturing techniques due to the inherent, concomitant induction of ischemia, necrosis and subsequent suture failure. Skin defects that cannot be primarily closed are a common difficulty during reconstructive surgery. The TopClosure tension-relief system (TRS) is a novel device for wound closure closure, providing secured attachment to the skin through a wide area of attachment, in an adjustable manner, enabling primary closure of medium to large skin defects.