Molecular and Genetic Markers of Peritoneal Metastasis.

Peritoneal surface malignancies (PSMs) represent a biologically diverse group of cancers that range from primary peritoneal mesothelioma to metastatic gastrointestinal cancers. Because of the heterogenous nature of PSM, there is a large gap in molecular characterization of these cancers. This article reviews the underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms for PSM.

Prevalence of Neurovascular Microemboli After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Neurolotic sequelae after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) imaging can show real-time high intensity transient signals (HITS), which reflect active microembolization. Although it is well known that intraprocedural microembolism occurs, it is not known if this embolic phenomenon continues in the postprocedural period.

Prenatal Cannabinoid Exposure Elicits Memory Deficits Associated with Reduced PSA-NCAM Expression, Altered Glutamatergic Signaling, and Adaptations in Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity.

Cannabis is now one of the most commonly used illicit substances among pregnant women. This is particularly concerning since developmental exposure to cannabinoids can elicit enduring neurofunctional and cognitive alterations. This study investigates the mechanisms of learning and memory deficits resulting from prenatal cannabinoid exposure (PCE) in adolescent offspring.

Aneurysm extent-based mortality differences in complex endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms in the Vascular Quality Initiative and the United States Aortic Research Consortium.

Background: Endovascular management of thoracoabdominal aneurysms (TAAA) is becoming more common. Technological advances including custom devices under the Physician-Sponsored Investigational Device Exemption (PS-IDE), physician-modified endografts (PMEG), and parallel stenting techniques have expanded the extent of disease that is amenable to endovascular treatment. Patients within the PS-IDE studies are a highly selected group of patients, whereas patients treated with PMEG as captured within the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative (SVS VQI) represent a real-world experience.

Novel characteristics of soluble fibrin: hypercoagulability and acceleration of blood sedimentation rate mediated by its generation of erythrocyte-linked fibers.

Soluble fibrin (SF) in blood consists of monomers lacking both fibrinopeptides A with a minor population in multimeric clusters. It is a substantial component of isolated fibrinogen (fg), which spontaneously self-assembles into protofibrils progressing to fibers at sub-physiologic temperatures, a process enhanced by adsorption to hydrophobic and some metal surfaces. Comparisons of SF-rich (FR) and SF-depleted (FD) fg isolates disclosed distinct molecular imprints of each via an adsorption/desorption procedure using gold surfaced silica microplates.

Association between thoracoabdominal aneurysm extent and mortality after complex endovascular repair.

Objective: Traditional open surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) has historically resulted in 30-day mortality rates ranging from 6% to 20%, depending on the Crawford anatomic extent. Although short-term survival is important, long-term survival is essential for patients to benefit from these often elective and potentially morbid procedures. The aneurysm extent affects the long-term survival after open repair; however, effect on endovascular repair is unknown and could influence the decision process for repair.

Neuronal CXCL10/CXCR3 Axis Mediates the Induction of Cerebral Hyperexcitability by Peripheral Viral Challenge.

Peripheral infections can potently exacerbate neuropathological conditions, though the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We have previously demonstrated that intraperitoneal (i.p.

Using Enzyme-based Biosensors to Measure Tonic and Phasic Glutamate in Alzheimer's Mouse Models.

Neurotransmitter disruption is often a key component of diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), playing a role in the pathology underlying Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, and anxiety. Traditionally, microdialysis has been the most common (lauded) technique to examine neurotransmitter changes that occur in these disorders. But because microdialysis has the ability to measure slow 1-20 minute changes across large areas of tissue, it has the disadvantage of invasiveness, potentially destroying intrinsic connections within the brain and a slow sampling capability.

A 100% departmental mortality review improves observed-to-expected mortality ratios and University HealthSystem Consortium rankings.

Background: Public reporting of mortality, Patient Safety Indicators (PSI) and hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) is the reality of quality measurement. A review of our department's data identified opportunities for improvement. We began a surgeon-led 100% review of mortality, PSIs, and HACs to improve patient care and surgeon awareness of these metrics.