Simulation-based training to teach open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair to surgical residents requires dedicated faculty instruction.

Objective: We assessed the impact of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)-specific simulation training on resident performance in simulated open AAA repair (SOAAAR) and determined whether simulation training required dedicated faculty instruction.

Methods: We randomized 18 residents (postgraduate years 3-5) to an AAA simulation course consisting of two mandatory practice sessions proctored either by a surgical skills lab coordinator (Group A, n = 8) or by a vascular surgery faculty instructor (Group B, n = 10). All residents received a detailed manual and video demonstrating the technique of open AAA repair.

Increased microRNA-155 expression in the serum and peripheral monocytes in chronic HCV infection.

Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), a single stranded RNA virus, affects millions of people worldwide and leads to chronic infection characterized by chronic inflammation in the liver and in peripheral immune cells. Chronic liver inflammation leads to progressive liver damage. MicroRNAs (miRNA) regulate inflammation (miR-155, -146a and -125b) as well as hepatocyte function (miR-122).

Induction of Bcl-3 by acute binge alcohol results in toll-like receptor 4/LPS tolerance.

Acute alcohol binge results in immunosuppression and impaired production of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α. TNF-α production is induced by LPS, a TLR4 ligand, and is tightly regulated at various levels of the signaling cascade, including the NF-κB transcription factor. Here, we hypothesized that acute alcohol induces TLR4/LPS tolerance via Bcl-3, a nuclear protein and member of the NF-κB family.