The inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase improves impaired cardiac function and electrical remodeling in two models of right ventricular hypertrophy: resuscitating the hibernating right ventricle.

Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and RV failure contribute to morbidity and mortality in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The cause of RV dysfunction and the feasibility of therapeutically targeting the RV are uncertain. We hypothesized that RV dysfunction and electrical remodeling in RVH result, in part, from a glycolytic shift in the myocyte, caused by activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK).

S100A12 mediates aortic wall remodeling and aortic aneurysm.

Rationale: S100A12 is a small calcium binding protein that is a ligand of RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products). RAGE has been extensively implicated in inflammatory states such as atherosclerosis, but the role of S100A12 as its ligand is less clear.

Objective: To test the role of S100A12 in vascular inflammation, we generated and analyzed mice expressing human S100A12 in vascular smooth muscle under control of the smooth muscle 22alpha promoter because S100A12 is not present in mice.

Bone marrow progenitor cells induce endothelial adherens junction integrity by sphingosine-1-phosphate-mediated Rac1 and Cdc42 signaling.

Rationale: Little is known about the contribution of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells (BMPCs) in the regulation endothelial barrier function as defined by microvascular permeability alterations at the level of adherens junctions (AJs).

Objective: We investigated the role of BMPCs in annealing AJs and thereby in preventing lung edema formation induced by endotoxin (LPS).

Methods And Results: We observed that BMPCs enhanced basal endothelial barrier function and prevented the increase in pulmonary microvascular permeability and edema formation in mice after LPS challenge.

Granulocytic sarcoma of the adrenal gland.

We report a case of primary granulocytic sarcoma (GS) of the left adrenal gland, with no evidence of hematologic involvement. To our knowledge, this is the first case of granulocytic sarcoma of the adrenal gland.

Release of proinflammatory mediators and expression of proinflammatory adhesion molecules by endothelial progenitor cells.

Cell therapy with endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is an emerging therapeutic option to promote angiogenesis or endothelial repair. Although the release of angiogenic paracrine factors is known to contribute to their therapeutic effect, little is known about their release of proinflammatory factors and expression of proinflammatory adhesion molecules. "Early" EPCs and "late" EPCs were isolated from human peripheral blood and their release of chemokines and thromboinflammatory mediators as well as their expression of the proinflammatory adhesion molecules was assessed at baseline and with stimulation.

Management of an enlarged median lobe with ureteral orifices at the margin of bladder neck during robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Objective: To present our technique for the management of an enlarged median lobe when the ureteral orifices are close to the bladder neck during robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Materials And Methods: From January 2005 to January 2007, we performed over 600 robotic assisted radical prostatectomies. We had 63 patients (10%) with enlarged medium lobes.

Recurrent priapism in sickle cell trait with protein S deficiency.

We report the case of a young Omani man, a regular blood donor, who presented twice in two months, with painful penile erection lasting more than 12 hours. The patient is known to have sickle cell trait [HbS 34.6%].

Premature senescence of highly proliferative endothelial progenitor cells is induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Senescence of endothelial cells increases with systemic aging and is thought to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Cell therapy with highly proliferative endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is an emerging therapeutic option to promote endothelial regeneration, but little is known about their senescence and their vulnerability to inflammatory stressors. We therefore studied the senescence of proliferative human EPCs and investigated the effects of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on their senescence.

(1E)-1-[4-(Dimethyl-amino)phen-yl]pent-1-en-3-one.

The title mol-ecule, C(13)H(17)NO, is close to planar: the dihedral angle betweent the dimethyl amino group and the benzene ring is 7.94 (19)°. No significant inter-molecular inter-actions are observed in the crystal structure.

Appraisal of the knowledge of Internet users of Pakistan regarding hepatitis using on-line survey.

Background: Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are global health care problems causing morbidity and mortality. Much of it could be prevented by better education of the masses regarding its spread. The study was conducted to assess the knowledge base of internet users of Pakistan to help in formulating education strategies.

Inherited dyslipidaemic disorders contributing to coronary heart disease.

Background: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] is an established independent risk factor for premature myocardial infarction (MI)/coronary artery disease (CAD). The study was conducted to determine the value of Lp (a) in prediction of CAD or MI in the offspring at risk.

Methods: A total of 160 subjects were investigated.

Robotic radical prostatectomy in patients with preexisting inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP).

Purpose: We present our initial experience with performing robotic-assisted prostatectomies in men with a 3-piece inflatable penile prosthesis with a pelvic reservoir.

Material And Methods: Four patients underwent transperitoneal robotic-assisted radical prostatectomies with a penile prosthetic implant in place. The reservoir was left inflated for easy identification.

Laparoscopic extravesical ureteroneocystostomy by a new "Y" flap technique.

Background And Purpose: Laparoscopic ureteral implantation can be a challenging procedure. We describe a simple "Y" flap technique to facilitate laparoscopic ureteral implantation.

Methods: Three patients with distal ureteral strictures underwent laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation by a modified technique.

Wilm's tumor during pregnancy: report of laparoscopic removal and review of literature.

Wilm's tumor, or nephroblastoma, is a common renal tumor among children. Few cases of Wilm's tumor have been reported in women during pregnancy. The authors present a rare case of a pregnant female, who underwent laparoscopic excision of a large Wilm's tumor.

Incidental seminal vesicle smooth muscle neoplasm of unknown malignancy following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Primary soft tissue sarcomas of the genitourinary tract are rarely seen, especially in the seminal vesicle. While sarcomas have been reported in the seminal vesicle, this is the first report of a smooth muscle neoplasm, of uncertain malignant potential, involving the seminal vesicle. The finding was incidental, following robotic-assisted radical retropubic prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

A case of successful laparoscopic resection of adrenal gland endometriosis.

Objective: To present a case of successful laparoscopic resection of adrenal endometriosis.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University Hospital.

Improvement in HIV-related endothelial dysfunction using the anti-inflammatory agent salsalate: a pilot study.

We hypothesized that heightened systemic inflammation contributes to the increased rate of cardiovascular events in HIV-infected patients not receiving combination antiretroviral therapy. We performed a pilot trial to assess the effects of the nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor salsalate on flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, a measure of endothelial function. Flow-mediated dilation significantly improved after 8 weeks of salsalate.

A percutaneous subcostal approach for intercostal stones.

Purpose: Percutaneous upper pole access may be obtained via the supracostal or subcostal approach. The more cranial the location of the percutaneous nephrostomy tract, the greater the risk of incurring intrathoracic complications. We describe a technique for safely accessing the upper pole calix via a subcostal approach, even when the stone is located well above the 12th rib.

Extraperitoneal laparoscopic removal of eroded midurethral sling: a new technique.

Purpose: Erosion of a midurethral sling is common in women who are treated for stress urinary incontinence. This complication is usually managed by retropubic exploration. We report a novel technique to manage erosion in patients who refuse retropubic exploration.

Production of the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol by endothelial progenitor cells.

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of paracrine growth factors as mediators of pro-angiogenic effects by endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), but little is known about the release of lipid-based factors like endocannabinoids by EPCs. In the current study, the release of the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol by distinct human EPC sub-types was measured using HPLC/tandem mass-spectrometry. Anandamide release was highest by adult blood colony-forming EPCs at baseline and they also demonstrated increased 2-arachidonoylglycerol release with TNF-alpha stimulation.

Increased incidence of stent thrombosis in patients with cocaine use.

Introduction: Coronary stent thrombosis is a rare occurrence in the era of dual-antiplatelet therapy. It is not known whether patients who use cocaine have a higher risk of thrombosis following coronary stent placement.

Methods: We studied 247 consecutive patients who underwent coronary stent placement at an inner-city hospital.

High body mass index in muscular patients and flank position are risk factors for rhabdomyolysis: case report after laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy.

Background And Purpose: Rhabdomyolysis is well known after traumatic crush injuries or ischemia involving muscles. Postoperatively, it most likely is secondary to surgical positioning and patient muscle mass. We report a case after laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy.