Preference of Escaped Mice for Live Capture or Glue Traps and Relevance to Pest Control Programs.

Insects are potential disease vectors for research animals. Therefore, implementing an effective pest control program is an essential component of any animal care and use program. The emphasizes the humane use of traps; however, insect traps commonly use glue that can entrap escaped research mice, leading to their potential distress and injury.

Identification and Control of an Infestation in a Rodent Vivarium by Using Molecular Diagnostic Techniques.

, commonly known as the tropical rat mite, is a zoonotic ectoparasite that occasionally infests research rodent colonies. Most infestations have been attributed to wild rodents that harbor the mite and spread it to research animals, often during building construction or other activity that disrupts wild rodent populations. Although infestation may be clinically silent, severe outbreaks have been reported to cause pruritis, dermatitis, decreased reproductive performance, and anemia in rodents.

Impact of Perioperative Absolute Neutrophil Count on Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic and Myeloid Leukemia.

Background: There is lack of evidence concerning safety of placement of tunneled central venous catheters (TCVCs) in neutropenic children with acute leukemias. Here, we evaluate the impact of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) at the time of TCVC placement on development of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in children with lymphoblastic (ALL) or myeloid leukemia (AML).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective observational study of children undergoing TCVC placement at a tertiary referral hospital between January 2000 and December 2019 was performed.

A scientometric analysis of neuroblastoma research.

Background: Thousands of research articles on neuroblastoma have been published over the past few decades; however, the heterogeneity and variable quality of scholarly data may challenge scientists or clinicians to survey all of the available information. Hence, holistic measurement and analyzation of neuroblastoma-related literature with the help of sophisticated mathematical tools could provide deep insights into global research performance and the collaborative architectonical structure within the neuroblastoma scientific community. In this scientometric study, we aim to determine the extent of the scientific output related to neuroblastoma research between 1980 and 2018.

Safety of tunneled central venous catheters in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell recipients with severe primary immunodeficiency diseases.

Tunneled central venous catheters (TCVCs) provide prolonged intravenous access for pediatric patients with severe primary immunodeficiency disease (PID) undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, little is known about the epidemiology and clinical significance of TCVC-related morbidity in this particular patient group. We conducted the retrospective analysis of patients with severe PID who received percutaneous landmark-guided TCVC implantation prior to HSCT.

Clinical course and pancreas parenchyma sparing surgical treatment of severe pancreatic trauma.

Introduction: Pancreatic trauma (PT) involving the main pancreatic duct is rare, but represents a challenging clinical problem with relevant morbidity and mortality. It is generally classified according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) and often presents as concomitant injury in blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma. Diagnosis may be delayed because of a lack of clinical or radiological manifestation.

The outcome of Bishop-Koop procedure compared to divided stoma in neonates with meconium ileus, congenital intestinal atresia and necrotizing enterocolitis.

To determine the potential value and suitability of Bishop-Koop procedure (BK) compared to divided stoma (DS) in neonates with meconium ileus (MI), congenital intestinal atresia (CIA), and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).A retrospective data collection from 2000 to 2019 on neonates undergoing BK and DS formation and closure for MI, CIA, and NEC was conducted. Ostomy related complications following both procedures were analyzed.

Outcome of landmark-guided percutaneously inserted tunneled central venous catheters in infants and children under 3 years with cancer.

Background: There is a paucity of information on procedural and long-term outcomes of tunneled central venous catheters (TCVC) in infants and children younger than 3 years undergoing anticancer therapy. This study aims to evaluate the success, safety, and complications leading to surgical revision or premature removal of TCVC in this particular patient group.

Methods: The clinical course of pediatric patients with percutaneous inserted TCVC, including Groshong (GC) and Hickman/Broviac (HB) catheters, has been analyzed retrospectively.

Calorie Restriction Governs Intestinal Epithelial Regeneration through Cell-Autonomous Regulation of mTORC1 in Reserve Stem Cells.

Aging is a complex process associated with a decline in functionality of adult stem cells affecting tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Calorie restriction (CR) is the only experimental manipulation known to extend lifespan and reduce the incidence of age-related disorders across numerous species. These benefits are likely mediated, at least in part, through the preservation of stem cell function.

North Carolina Medicaid Reform: Seizing Opportunities and Addressing Challenges.

North Carolina has made progress toward improving the health of its citizens, yet much more needs to be done. Now is the right time for the state to transform its Medicaid and North Carolina Health Choice programs into a managed care delivery system that gives providers more flexibility to deliver care that focuses on the whole person and benefits people's lives beyond the medical setting. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is focused on maximizing opportunities and managing challenges, and the department understands that collaboration of health care professionals and other stakeholders is essential to achieve the right results for North Carolinians.

Msi RNA-binding proteins control reserve intestinal stem cell quiescence.

Regeneration of the intestinal epithelium is driven by multiple intestinal stem cell (ISC) types, including an active, radiosensitive Wnt ISC that fuels turnover during homeostasis and a reserve, radioresistant Wnt ISC capable of generating active Wnt ISCs. We examined the role of the Msi family of oncoproteins in the ISC compartment. We demonstrated that Msi proteins are dispensable for normal homeostasis and self-renewal of the active ISC, despite their being highly expressed in these cells.

Design and validation of an oligonucleotide microarray for the detection of genomic rearrangements associated with common hereditary cancer syndromes.

Background: Conventional Sanger sequencing reliably detects the majority of genetic mutations associated with hereditary cancers, such as single-base changes and small insertions or deletions. However, detection of genomic rearrangements, such as large deletions and duplications, requires special technologies. Microarray analysis has been successfully used to detect large rearrangements (LRs) in genetic disorders.

Cardiovascular control and stabilization via inclination and mobilization during bed rest.

Cardiovascular deconditioning has long been recognized as a characteristic of the physiological adaptation to long-term bed rest in patients. The process is thought to contribute to orthostatic intolerance and enhance secondary complications in a significant way. Mobilization is a cost-effective and simple method to maintain the cardiovascular parameters (i.

Insulin in the medical management of postprandial hypoglycemia in a patient with type 2 diabetes after gastric bypass surgery.

Objective. We evaluated a 47-year-old woman with a history of type 2 diabetes and severe obesity who developed postprandial hypoglycemia after undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and losing 60% of her total body weight. We studied her insulin secretion and blood glucose dynamics and were able to tailor a therapeutic regimen involving insulin that eliminated episodes of hypoglycemia.

Clinical significance of large rearrangements in BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Background: Current estimates of the contribution of large rearrangement (LR) mutations in the BRCA1 (breast cancer 1, early onset) and BRCA2 (breast cancer 2, early onset) genes responsible for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer are based on limited studies of relatively homogeneous patient populations. The prevalence of BRCA1/2 LRs was investigated in 48,456 patients with diverse clinical histories and ancestries, referred for clinical molecular testing for suspicion of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

Methods: Sanger sequencing analysis was performed for BRCA1/2 and LR testing for deletions and duplications using a quantitative multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay.

Diagnostic and therapeutic use of membrane proteins in cancer cells.

As proteomics technologies develop, increasing number of membrane-associated proteins specific for cancer cells are being discovered. These proteins are of great interest, particularly because they are rich in targets for antibodies. Amongst them candidate biomarkers for early tumor diagnosis, prognosis and treatment have been detected.

Characterization of human chondrocytes exposed to simulated microgravity.

Background: Tissue engineering is a strategy of cartilage regeneration, but scaffolds, required for 3D growth of chondrocytes, are still a problem.

Methods: Searching for possibilities to improve scaffold-free engineering of cartilage, we characterized human chondrocytes incubated on a random positioning machine (RPM) to simulate microgravity (microg).

Results: When cultured in simulated microg, human chondrocytes start forming 3D cell assemblies within 5 days.

Changes of apoptosis, p53, and bcl-2 by irradiation in poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma cell lines: a prognostic marker for the prospect of therapeutic success?

Background: Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) has an unfavorable prognosis. Surgical management is the principal treatment approach. In addition, radioiodine treatment and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) are given to reduce the risk of local relapse.

Blockade of neoangiogenesis, a new and promising technique to control the growth of malignant tumors and their metastases.

Neoangiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels from a pre-existing vasculature involves the migration behavior, proliferation and differentiation of endothelial cells. This process is an important aspect to both the growth and metastasis of solid tumors. In growing tumors, the development of a sufficient vascular supply is a highly complex event, which is controlled by many factors.

Radiolabeled annexin V for imaging apoptosis in radiated human follicular thyroid carcinomas--is an individualized protocol necessary?

Introduction: Induction of apoptosis is a widely used strategy for cancer therapy, but evaluating the degree and success of this therapy still poses a problem. Radiolabeled annexin V has been proposed to be a promising candidate for detecting apoptotic cells in tumors following chemotherapy in vivo. In order to see whether radiolabeled annexin V could be a suitable substance for the noninvasive in vivo detection of apoptosis in thyroid tissue and to establish an optimized study protocol, we investigated two poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma cell lines: ML-1 and FTC-133.

Innovative strategies in in vivo apoptosis imaging.

Apoptosis (programmed cell death) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of many disorders including cerebral and myocardial ischemia, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, infections, organ and bone marrow transplant rejection, and tumor response to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Apoptosis in itself represents a complex mechanism where numerous (pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic) molecules interact in an elaborate manner. Since the original description by Kerr et al.

Clinical value of planar and tomographic dual-isotope scintigraphy using 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate and 131I in patients with thyroid cancer.

Purpose: (131)I whole-body scintigraphy is a highly sensitive method for the detection of differentiated thyroid tumours and metastases. However, a lack of anatomical landmarks and the physiological excretion of the tracer complicates the evaluation of the images. Therefore, we determined whether additional bone scintigraphy in combination with (131)I scintigraphy, simultaneously acquired via planar and tomographic techniques, positively contributes to the treatment plan in patients with non-conclusive (131)I images.

Thermography - a valuable tool to test hydrocephalus shunt patency.

Introduction: Shunt-function in hydrocephalic patients is verified by clinical examination and repeated cranial computed tomography (CCT) in most cases. Because of the disadvantages of multiple radiation especially in children it was our aim to introduce video-thermography as a simple and non-invasive methodology to evaluate shunt function.

Methods: 54 patients treated with shunts for hydrocephalus were tested.

Evaluation of the clinical value of bone metabolic parameters for the screening of osseous metastases compared to bone scintigraphy.

BACKGROUND: Bone metastases are common in many types of cancer. As screening methods different imaging modalities are available. A new approach for the screening of osseous metastases represents the measurement of bone metabolic markers.