A comprehensive pathway map of IL-18-mediated signalling.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a member of the IL-1 family of cytokines and was initially described as an IFN-γ-inducing factor derived from anti-CD3-stimulated T-helper (Th)1 cells. IL-18 plays a significant role in the activation of hematopoietic cell types mediating both Th1 and Th2 responses and is the primary inducer of interferon-γ in these cells. The biological activity of IL-18 is mediated through its binding to the IL-18 receptor complex and activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), culminating in the production and release of several cytokines, chemokines, and cellular adhesion molecules.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of senior dental students toward management of complications in exodontia.

Introduction: Dental graduates have a professional responsibility of being competent in managing the complications in exodontia, a very commonly performed procedure.

Aim: The aim of this paper was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of senior dental students toward the management of complications in exodontia.

Materials And Methods: Four hundred dental students participated in the study voluntarily.

The impact of preoperative anxiety, depression, and chronic pain on outcomes in abdominal wall reconstruction.

Purpose: An association of anxiety with surgical outcomes has been suggested, including with open ventral hernia repair (OVHR). This study examines the interaction of multiple comorbidities, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and hernia characteristics with outcomes after OVHR.

Methods: Patients with anxiety were identified in an existing, prospectively collected, data set of OVHR with preoperative work-up including CT scans (2007-2018).

Impact of age on morbidity and mortality following bariatric surgery.

Background: Bariatric surgery is the most effective modality to treat obesity and obesity-related comorbidities. This study sought to utilize the MBASQIP® Data Registry to analyze the impact of age at time of surgery on outcomes following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) procedures.

Methods: The MBSAQIP® Data Registry for patients undergoing SG or RYGB procedures between 2015 and 2016 was reviewed.

Sarcopenia in Patients Undergoing Open Ventral Hernia Repair.

Radiologic indicators of sarcopenia have been associated with adverse operative outcomes in some surgical populations. This study assesses the association of radiologic indicators of frailty with outcomes after open ventral hernia repair (OVHR). A prospective, institutional, hernia-specific database was queried for patients undergoing OVHR from 2007 to 2018 with preoperative CT.

Too big to breathe: predictors of respiratory failure and insufficiency after open ventral hernia repair.

Introduction: Increased intra-abdominal pressure in open ventral hernia repair (OVHR) is hypothesized to contribute to postoperative respiratory insufficiency (RI) or failure (RF). This study examines the impact of abdominal volumes on postoperative RI in OVHR.

Methods: OVHR patients with preoperative CT scans were identified.

The use of component separation during abdominal wall reconstruction in contaminated fields: A case-control analysis.

Background: Component separation technique (CST) allows fascial medialization during abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR). Wound contamination increases the incidence of wound complications, which multiplies the incidence of repair failure. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of CST on AWR outcomes in contaminated fields in comparison to those operations without CST.

Recent updates on drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) along with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and malaria rank among the top three fatal infectious diseases which pose threat to global public health, especially in middle and low income countries. TB caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is an airborne infectious disease and one-third of the world's population gets infected with TB leading to nearly 1·6 million deaths annually. TB drugs are administered in different combinations of four first-line drugs (rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol) which form the core of treatment regimens in the initial treatment phase of 6-9 months.

Chronic Exposure to Chewing Tobacco Induces Metabolic Reprogramming and Cancer Stem Cell-Like Properties in Esophageal Epithelial Cells.

Tobacco in its smoke and smokeless form are major risk factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, molecular alterations associated with smokeless tobacco exposure are poorly understood. In the Indian subcontinent, tobacco is predominantly consumed in chewing form.

Use of computed tomography volumetric measurements to predict operative techniques in paraesophageal hernia repair.

Background: Despite advances in diagnostic imaging capabilities, little information exists concerning the impact of physical dimensions of a paraesophageal hernia (PEH) on intraoperative decision making. The authors hypothesized that computerized volumetric analysis and multidimensional visualization to measure hiatal defect area (HDA) and intrathoracic hernia sac volume (HSV) would correlate to operative findings and required surgical techniques performed.

Methods: Using volumetric analysis software (Aquarius iNtuition, TeraRecon, Inc), HDA and HSV were measured in PEH patients with preoperative computerized tomography (CT) scans, and used to predict the likelihood of intraoperative variables.

Expression and Function of Mas-Related G Protein-Coupled Receptor D and Its Ligand Alamandine in Retina.

A local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) exists in the retina and plays a critical role in retinal neurovascular function. The protective axis of RAS comprising of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)/angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)]/Mas receptor attenuate the deleterious actions of increased levels of angiotensin II (Ang II), the main effector peptide of RAS. A new peptide, alamandine, and its receptor Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor D (MrgD) have been recently identified that share structural and functional similarity to Ang-(1-7) and its receptor, Mas, establishing another new protective axis of RAS.

Twelve years of component separation technique in abdominal wall reconstruction.

Background: Component separation technique involves incision of abdominal muscle and its aponeurosis, which generates a myofascial advancement flap to assist with fascial closure in abdominal wall reconstructions. This tissue mobilization allows for musculo-fascial approximation of much larger abdominal wall defects than would otherwise be possible. With extensive tissue mobilization, however, there is concern for significant wound and systemic complications.

Evaluation of in silico designed inhibitors targeting MelF (Rv1936) against Mycobacterium marinum within macrophages.

We recently identified inhibitors targeting Mycobacterium marinum MelF (Rv1936) by in silico analysis, which exhibited bacteriostatic/bactericidal activity against M. marinum and M. tuberculosis in vitro.

Mesh reinforcement of paraesophageal hernia repair: Trends and outcomes from a national database.

Background: Placement of paraesophageal type of "mesh" in paraesophageal hernia repair is controversial. This study examines the trends and outcomes of mesh placement in paraesophageal hernia repair.

Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was queried for patients who underwent paraesophageal hernia repair with or without mesh (2010-2017).

Three-dimensional hernia analysis: the impact of size on surgical outcomes.

Introduction: BMI and hernia defect size are strongly associated with outcomes after open ventral hernia repair (OVHR). The impact of abdominal subcutaneous fat (SQV), intra-abdominal volume (IAV), hernia volume (HV), and ratio of HV to intra-abdominal volume (HV:IAV, representing visceral eventration) is less clearly elucidated. This study examines the interaction of multiple markers of adiposity and hernia size in OVHR.

Relaxation dynamics of l-alanine in water medium investigated by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy.

The complex dielectric permittivity of L-alanine in aqueous medium at different concentrations and different temperatures were measured in the microwave (0.02 < ν/GHz < 20) frequency region by using open-ended coaxial probe technique. From the reflection coefficient and impedance data, the real and imaginary part of the dielectric permittivity values is determined.

Dissecting Alzheimer's Disease Molecular Substrates by Proteomics and Discovery of Novel Post-translational Modifications.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common complex disease and a major public health burden in both developed and developing countries. Postgenomic technologies such as proteomics and intelligent mining of multi-omics Big Data offer new prospects for diagnostics and therapeutics innovation for AD. In this context, it is noteworthy that mass spectrometry (MS) data are often searched against proteomics databases to unravel the identity of protein biomarkers.

The impact of component separation technique versus no component separation technique on complications and quality of life in the repair of large ventral hernias.

Background: Component Separation (CST) typically involves incision of one or more fascial planes to generate myofascial advancement flaps to assist with fascial closure in ventral hernia repair (VHR). The aim of this study was to compare peri-operative outcomes and quality of life (QOL) after CST versus patients without CST (No-CST) in large, preperitoneal VHR (PPVHR).

Methods: A prospective, single institution hernia study examined all patients undergoing PPVHR with synthetic mesh.

Global Proteome Profiling Reveals Drug-Resistant Traits in : An Opportunistic Nosocomial Pathogen.

is Gram-negative, rod-shaped opportunistic bacterial pathogen increasingly reported in hospital-acquired outbreaks. This bacterium is well known to thrive in the hospital environment. One of the leading causes of meningitis in pediatric and immune-compromised patients, has been noted as a "pathogen of interest" in the context of nosocomial diseases associated with device-related infections in particular.

The impact of abnormal BMI on surgical complications after pediatric colorectal surgery.

Background/purpose: While childhood obesity is a growing problem, the implications of BMI on elective pediatric surgery remains poorly described. This study evaluates the impact of obesity on surgical outcomes after elective colorectal procedures.

Methods: Children ages 2-18 years undergoing elective colorectal surgery for IBD were identified from the NSQIP-Pediatric database.

Proteome data of female antennae.

Antennae of female mosquitoes were dissected and lysed with 1% SDS. Proteins were extracted using ultra sonication and analyzed on high resolution mass spectrometer. Proteomic data was analyzed using two search algorithms SEQUEST and Mascot, resulting in the identification of 22,729 peptides corresponding to 3262 proteins.

Outcomes of open abdomen versus primary closure following emergent laparotomy for suspected secondary peritonitis: A propensity-matched analysis.

Background: Optimal management following index laparotomy is poorly defined in secondary peritonitis patients. Although "open abdomen" (OA), or temporary abdominal closure with planned relaparotomy, is used to reassess bowel viability or severity of contamination, recent studies demonstrate comparable morbidity and mortality with primary abdominal closure (PC). This study evaluates differences between OA and PC following emergent laparotomy.