Evaluation of three-dimensional computed tomography processing for deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction.

Background: The deep inferior epigastric perforator flap procedure has become a popular alternative for women who require breast reconstruction. One of the difficulties with this procedure is identifying perforator arteries large enough to ensure that the harvested tissue is well vascularized. Current techniques involve imaging the perforator arteries with computed tomography (CT) to produce a grid mapping the locations of the perforator arteries relative to the umbilicus.

COX-2 inhibition results in alterations in nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation but not cytokine production in acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis is characterized by local inflammation and cytokine production, and release is thought to contribute to this process. Nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation and cytokine production are linked and inhibition of NF-kappaB has been shown to decrease the severity of pancreatitis. We have shown that inhibition of COX-2 ameliorates pancreatitis; however, the mechanism by which this effect occurs is unclear.

The PPARgamma ligand, 15d-PGJ2, attenuates the severity of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis.

The prostaglandin D2 metabolite, 15d-PGJ2, a potent natural ligand for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), exerts antiinflammatory effects by inhibiting the induction of inflammatory response genes and NF-kappaB-dependent transcription. AIM To determine whether 15d-PGJ2 decreases the severity of secretagogue-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) and to assess cellular mechanisms contributing to these effects. METHODOLOGY Swiss Webster mice were injected with either saline or cerulein (50 microg/kg) hourly for 8 hours and received either 15d-PGJ2 (2 mg/kg) or vehicle 1 hour before and 4 hours after induction of AP.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ligand inhibits cell growth and invasion of human pancreatic cancer cells.

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is expressed in certain human cancers; ligand-induced PPARgamma activation can result in growth inhibition and differentiation in these cells. However, the precise mechanism for the antiproliferative effect of PPARgamma ligands is not entirely known.

Aim Of Study: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of PPARgamma ligands on pancreatic cancer cell growth and invasiveness.

Selective inhibition of NF-kappaB attenuates the severity of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is associated with increased cytokine production, which can ultimately produce deleterious local and systemic effects. The transcription factor NF-kappaB is activated by degradation of its inhibitory factor, IkappaB, and can stimulate various cytokines. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the inhibition of NF-kappaB binding activity with a novel peptide that binds to the NF-kappaB essential modifier binding domain (NBD) could attenuate the severity of AP.

Cyclooxygenase-2 gene disruption attenuates the severity of acute pancreatitis and pancreatitis-associated lung injury.

Background & Aims: Cyclooxygenase (COX) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in prostaglandin production; the inducible isoform, COX-2, has been implicated in a variety of inflammatory processes. The role of COX in acute pancreatitis and pancreatitis-associated lung injury is not known.

Methods: Acute pancreatitis was induced in Swiss Webster mice or mice deficient in the COX-2 (Ptgs2) or the COX-1 (Ptgs1) genes.