Gemcitabine and mitomycin induced autophagy regulates cancer stem cell pool in urothelial carcinoma cells.

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is characterized by therapeutic resistance and frequent tumor relapse. It has been suggested that UC are driven by a rare subset of cancer stem cells (CSCs). In order to understand UC recurrence post therapy, we investigated the behavior of urothelial CSCs after exposure to commonly used chemotherapeutic agents, gemcitabine (GC) and mitomycin (MM).

Review of Simulation in Pediatrics: The Evolution of a Revolution.

Recent changes in medical education have highlighted the importance of experiential learning. Simulation is one model that has gained significant attention in the last decade and has been widely adopted as a training and assessment tool in medical education. Pediatric simulation has been utilized to teach various skills including resuscitation and trauma management, procedural skills, and team training.

Incidence and case-fatality of varicella-zoster virus infection among pediatric cancer patients in developing countries.

Unlabelled: Limited evidence is available about varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection among pediatric cancer patients in developing countries, which raises questions about the generalizability of VZV vaccine recommendations for pediatric cancer patients (derived from developed countries) to these settings. We assessed the incidence and case-fatality of VZV infection at three institutions in developing countries (Argentina, Mexico, and Nicaragua). Individuals eligible for our study were aged <20 years and actively receiving cancer-directed therapy.

Distribution of ischemic infarction and stenosis of intra- and extracranial arteries in young Chinese patients with ischemic stroke.

Background: The distribution of cerebral ischemic infarction and stenosis in ischemic stroke may vary with age-group, race and gender. This study was conducted to understand the risk factors and characteristics of cerebral infarction and stenosis of vessels in young Chinese patients with ischemic stroke.

Methods: This was a retrospective study, from January 2007 to July 2012, of 123 patients ≤50 years diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke.

Comparison of Prediction Models for Lynch Syndrome Among Individuals With Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Recent guidelines recommend the Lynch Syndrome prediction models MMRPredict, MMRPro, and PREMM1,2,6 for the identification of MMR gene mutation carriers. We compared the predictive performance and clinical usefulness of these prediction models to identify mutation carriers.

Methods: Pedigree data from CRC patients in 11 North American, European, and Australian cohorts (6 clinic- and 5 population-based sites) were used to calculate predicted probabilities of pathogenic MLH1, MSH2, or MSH6 gene mutations by each model and gene-specific predictions by MMRPro and PREMM1,2,6.

Caspase-mediated crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis: Mutual adjustment or matter of dominance.

In the last decade, it has been well established that programmed cell death (PCD) is not confined to apoptosis (type-I PCD) but cells may use different mechanisms of active self-destruction. One such mechanism is autophagy also called as type-II PCD, which is characterized by different morphological and biochemical features. It is not surprising that the demise of a cell either by PCD-I or by PCD-II is a well-controlled and complex process.

Long-term follow-up for incident cirrhosis among pediatric cancer survivors with hepatitis C virus infection.

Background: Pediatric cancer patients who received blood transfusions were potentially exposed to hepatitis C virus (HCV) prior to second-generation HCV screening of blood products in 1992. Limited evidence is available about long-term incident cirrhosis in this population.

Objectives: We aimed to estimate the overall and sex-specific incidence of cirrhosis among HCV-seropositive survivors of pediatric cancer.

Autophagy in Cancer Stem Cells: A Potential Link Between Chemoresistance, Recurrence, and Metastasis.

Cancer cells require an uninterrupted nutritional supply for maintaining their proliferative needs and this high demand in concurrence with inadequate supply of blood and nutrition induces stress in these cells. These cells utilize various strategies like high glycolytic flux, redox signaling, and modulation of autophagy to avoid cell death and overcome nutritional deficiency. Autophagy allows the cell to generate ATP and other essential biochemical building blocks necessary under such adverse conditions.

A physical scaling model for aggregation and disaggregation of field-scale surface soil moisture dynamics.

Scaling relationships are needed as measurements and desired predictions are often not available at concurrent spatial support volumes or temporal discretizations. Surface soil moisture values of interest to hydrologic studies are estimated using ground based measurement techniques or utilizing remote sensing platforms. Remote sensing based techniques estimate field-scale surface soil moisture values, but are unable to provide the local-scale soil moisture information that is obtained from local measurements.

The Impact of Vaccine Concerns on Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Influenza Vaccine Uptake Among Health Care Workers.

Objectives: We explored whether collective concerns about the safety, effectiveness, and necessity of influenza vaccines mediate racial/ethnic disparities in vaccine uptake among health care workers (HCWs).

Methods: We used a self-administered Web-based survey to assess race/ethnicity (exposure), concerns about influenza vaccination (mediator; categorized through latent class analysis), and influenza vaccine uptake (outcome) for the 2012 to 2013 influenza season among HCWs at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Effect of dyslipidemia on intima-media thickness of intra- and extracranial atherosclerosis by regulating the expression of hsp70 in rabbits.

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of dyslipidemia on intima-media thickness (IMT) of Intra- and extracranial atherosclerosis by regulating the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in rabbits. Twenty-seven male white rabbits were randomly divided into normal control group A, high fat group B and high fat + endothelial injury operation group C (each group was 9), we measured lipids and obtained tissues from different cerebral arteries including Bilateral common carotid artery (CCA), Internal carotid artery (ICA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) and vertebral artery (VA). Pathological analysis were done, western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of HSP70 in CCA and MCA.

Genetic and clinical factors associated with obesity among adult survivors of childhood cancer: A report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort.

Background: The objective of this study was to identify treatment and genetic factors associated with obesity among childhood cancer survivors.

Methods: Participants included 1996 survivors who previously received treatment for cancer at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and who survived ≥10 years from diagnosis (median age at diagnosis, 7.

Molecular characterization of brinjal shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) based on mitochondrial marker cytochrome oxidase I and their phylogenetic relationship.

Shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis is an important insect pest infesting brinjal or eggplant in India. Molecular characterization of nine different populations belonging to various brinjal growing regions was done using Cytochorome C Oxidase I (COI) gene. Nucleotide analysis of genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of the COI indicate that the L.

Challenges in managing infections among pediatric cancer patients: Suboptimal national essential medicines lists for low and middle income countries.

Infection management for pediatric cancer patients may be compromised in low and middle income countries (LMICs) if key antimicrobials are not included in national essential medicines lists. We screened national essential medicines lists for 81 LMICs, and assessed the frequency and corresponding 95% confidence limits (CL) of countries that included the 15 International Society of Paediatric Oncology-recommended antimicrobial agents. Only 19% (95% CL: 11%, 28%) of countries included all recommended antimicrobials in their national essential medicines lists.

Spaced scenario demonstrations improve knowledge and confidence in pediatric acute illness management.

Objectives: Nationally accredited simulation courses such as advance pediatric life support and pediatric advance life support are recommended for health care professionals (HCPs) at two yearly intervals as a minimum requirement, despite literature evidence suggesting rapid decline in knowledge shortly after course completion. The objective of this study was to evaluate an observation-based, educational intervention program aimed at improving previously acquired knowledge and confidence in managing critical illnesses.

Methods: A prospective cohort longitudinal study was conducted over a 6-month period.

Temporal expression profiling of novel Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus-encoded microRNAs upon infection of Sf21 cells.

Baculoviruses are arthropod-specific pathogens, and find extensive applications in pest control strategies and recombinant protein expression. Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpltNPV) infects the tropical armyworm Spodoptera litura, which is an important polyphagous crop pest widely distributed in regions of Asia and Oceania. Using next-generation sequencing, we report stage-specific profiling of SpltNPV-encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) at different time intervals post-infection (p.

Inequalities in vaccination coverage for young females whose parents are informal caregivers.

The effects of caregiver strain and stress on preventive health service utilization among adult family members are well-established, but the effects of informal caregiving on children of caregivers are unknown. We aimed to assess whether inequalities in vaccination coverage (specifically human papillomavirus [HPV] and influenza) exist for females aged 9 to 17 years whose parents are informal caregivers (i.e.

Conformations of a model cyclic hexapeptide, CYIQNC: (1)H-NMR and molecular dynamics studies.

Solution conformation of the cyclic hexapeptide sequence, [cyclo-S-Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-S] (CYIQNC) - a disulfide-linked fragment of a neurohypophyseal peptide hormone oxytocin (OT) - has been investigated by high-field one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopic methods and compared with the results obtained from computer simulation studies. (1)H-NMR results based on temperature dependence of amide proton chemical shifts and nuclear Overhauser effect indicate that peptide in solution populates different conformations, characterized by two fused β-turns. The segment Ile(3)-Gln(4)-Asn(5)-Cys(6) yields a preferred type-III β-turn at residues 4, 5 (HB, 3HN → 6CO), while the segment Cys(6), Cys(1)-Tyr(2)-Ile(3) exhibits inherently weaker, flexible β-turn either of type I/II'/III/half-turn at residues 1, 2 (HB, 6HN → 3CO).

Bloodstream infections and inpatient length of stay among pediatric cancer patients with febrile neutropenia in Mexico City.

We assessed the association between bloodstream infections (BSIs) and inpatient length of stay among pediatric cancer patients with febrile neutropenia in Mexico City. The estimated length of stay for BSIs was 19 days, which corresponded with a 100% (95% confidence limits, 60%-160%) relative increase in the length of stay compared with patients for whom no pathogen was identified. Feasible options for reducing the length of stay should be considered to alleviate patient and resource burden.

Baseline sensitivity of maize borers in India to the Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal proteins Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2.

Background: Among the major pests of maize in India are two stem borers, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) and Sesamia inferens (Walker), and an earworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner). As a pest control strategy, transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize hybrids are undergoing regulatory trials in India. We have determined the sensitivity of the target lepidopterans to the insecticidal Bt proteins expressed in Bt maize, as this determines product efficacy and the resistance management strategy to be adopted.

Synthesis and evaluation of naphthoflavones as a new class of non purine xanthine oxidase inhibitors.

In view of reported xanthine oxidase inhibitory potential of naphthopyrans and flavones, naphthoflavones as hybrids of the two were designed, synthesized and evaluated for in vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity in the present study. The results of the assay revealed that the naphthoflavones possess promising inhibitory potential against the enzyme with IC50 values ranging from 0.62 to 41.

Neonatal presentation of incontinentia pigmenti with a family history extending over four generations--a case report.

We report a case of Incontinentia pigmenti (IP). A day 2 female presented to the special care nursery with seizures. EEG showed multifocal epileptiform discharges and cranial MRI revealed extensive cerebral infarction.

Career readiness in adult survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study.

Purpose: Adult survivors of childhood cancer experience difficulties in obtaining and maintaining employment. Employment-related challenges are associated with treatment-related health conditions and may also be related to vocational factors such as career readiness, skill acquisition, and work experience. Unfortunately, little is known about how treatment-, health-, and vocational-related factors interact to impact career development among childhood cancer survivors.

Autophagy inhibition suppresses the tumorigenic potential of cancer stem cell enriched side population in bladder cancer.

The mechanisms that underlie tumor formation and progression have not been elucidated in detail in cancer biology. Recently, the identification of a tumor cell subset defined as cancer stem cells (CSCs), which is enriched for tumor initiating capacity, has engendered new perspectives towards selective targeting of tumors. In this study, we isolated the side population (SP) cells which share characteristics of CSCs from bladder cancer cell lines, T24 and UM-UC-3 by fluorescence activated cell sorting.