Growth factor-dependent phosphorylation of Gα shapes canonical signaling by G protein-coupled receptors.

A long-standing question in the field of signal transduction is how distinct signaling pathways interact with each other to control cell behavior. Growth factor receptors and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the two major signaling hubs in eukaryotes. Given that the mechanisms by which they signal independently have been extensively characterized, we investigated how they may cross-talk with each other.

Hypersplenism in liver disease and SLE revisited: current evidence supports an active rather than passive process.

Background: Active and passive theories have been advanced to explain splenomegaly and cytopenias in liver disease. Dameshek proposed active downregulation of hematopoiesis. Doan proposed passive trapping of blood components in a spleen enlarged by portal hypertension.

Ultrasound guided ureteroscopy for the definitive management of ureteral stones: a randomized, controlled trial.

Purpose: Ureteroscopy is central to the surgical management of ureteral stones. Fluoroscopy is conventionally used for intraoperative guidance, although there is growing effort to decrease the exposure of patients and staff to ionizing radiation. We developed a radiation-free approach to ureteroscopy using ultrasound guidance to manage ureteral stones.

Evaluation of the Pericardium with CT and MR.

The pericardium plays an important role in optimizing cardiac motion and chamber pressures and serves as a barrier to pathology. In addition to pericardial anatomy and function, this review article covers a variety of pericardial conditions, with mention of potential pitfalls encountered during interpretation of diagnostic imaging. Normal and abnormal appearance of pericardium on CT and MR imaging is emphasized, including dynamic imaging correlates of pericardial pathophysiology.

Lead in potable water sources in Abakaliki metropolis, South-East, Nigeria.

Lead concentration was analyzed in potable water samples (25 well water, 15 borehole water, 7 tap water and 3 stream/river water samples), collected randomly from 5 zones (Abakaliki urban, Azuiyiokwu, Kpirikpiri, Nkaliki and Onuebonyi/rice mill) in Abakaliki metropolis, South-East Nigeria, using Atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean ± SD lead levels of Tap, well, borehole and stream/river water were 0.13 ± 0.

Complication rates and outcomes of 536 implanted subcutaneous chest ports: do rates differ based on the primary operator's level of training?

Rationale And Objectives: Totally implanted subcutaneous central venous access devices (chest ports) are an attractive option for patients in need of intermittent, recurrent venous access. In our department, these are placed by different operator types including interventional radiology (IR) attending physicians, dedicated IR nurse practitioners (NP), and IR fellows/radiology residents. The purpose of our study is to assess the rate of complications of subcutaneous chest port placement among the different operator types.

Implantable subcutaneous venous access devices: is port fixation necessary? A review of 534 cases.

Conventional surgical technique of subcutaneous venous port placement describes dissection of the port pocket to the pectoralis fascia and suture fixation of the port to the fascia to prevent inversion of the device within the pocket. This investigation addresses the necessity of that step. Between October 8, 2004 and October 19, 2007, 558 subcutaneous chest ports were placed at our institution; 24 cases were excluded from this study.

University-community mental health center collaboration: encouraging the dissemination of empirically-based treatment and practice.

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) are valuable resources for urban youth and families across the nation. Community demands for high volumes of clinical service, however, often render these agencies without ability to fully evaluate provided services or conduct rigorous research with their target populations. This report asserts the importance of establishing effective collaborations between research-oriented universities and CMHCs in an effort to bridge the gap between empirically-based treatments and "real world" clinical practice.

Summation of CT scans during radiofrequency ablation for assessing target lesion coverage.

Objective: In radiofrequency ablation of lesions that require probe repositioning, distinguishing between treated and untreated regions can be difficult. We describe a method of using existing CT equipment to summate images of a current probe placement with those of earlier placements or scans of transiently enhancing targets.

Conclusion: Summation of CT scans during radiofrequency ablation involving multiple probe placements is feasible and results in a better appreciation of probe positioning relative to the target lesion.

Sclerosis of postoperative lymphoceles: avoidance of prolonged catheter drainage with use of a fibrin sealant.

Purpose: To review experience with fibrin-based tissue sealant sclerosis of postsurgical lymphoceles at a single institution.

Materials And Methods: Fifteen patients who presented with postsurgical lymphoceles were treated with injection of fibrin tissue sealant. Procedures were performed under fluoroscopic and sonographic guidance.

Tension pneumothorax after placement of a tunneled pleural drainage catheter in a patient with recurrent malignant pleural effusions.

A case of tension pneumothorax developed after placement of a tunneled pleural catheter for treatment of malignant pleural effusion in a patient with advanced lung cancer. The catheter placement was carried out by an experienced operator under direct ultrasound guidance, and the patient showed immediate symptomatic improvement with acute decompensation occurring several hours later. Possible mechanisms for this serious complication of tunneled pleural catheter placement are described, and potential strategies to avoid or prevent it in future are discussed.

Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy versus percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: a comparison of indications, complications and outcomes in 370 patients.

Objective: Percutaneous access to the stomach can be achieved by endoscopic or fluoroscopic methods. Our objective was to compare indications, complications, efficacy and outcomes of these two techniques.

Methods: Records of 370 patients with feeding tubes placed either endoscopically by gastroenterology, or fluoroscopically by radiology, at our university-based tertiary care center over a 54-month period were reviewed.

Intraoperative ultrasound.

Intraoperative ultrasound is an exciting arena for real-time depiction and evaluation of relevant anatomy and pathology. The information provided by this technique often is pivotal to the surgeon, and not infrequently impacts the nature and extent of the surgical procedure. As more radiologists develop an interest and become facile with IOUS, and as more surgeons appreciate the benefits of this modality, the numbers and applications for this technique will continue to expand.

Caridex: dentin topography and bond strength evaluation.

CARIDEX, is a new approach to pediatric operative dentistry. An in vitro study with the aim of comparing the efficacy of the CRS system against the conventional caries removal system was carried out by studying the dentin topography following caries removal by the two systems restorative materials--Silver amalgam, Composite resin, Glass Ionomer, IRM nad Poly--F to the CARIDEX treated dentin using the Housfield Tensometer. The results were evaluated statistically and significant results were observed.

Multicentre double-blind comparison of sustained action formulations of tiaprofenic acid and indomethacin in osteoarthritis.

In a randomised double-blind, multicentre, crossover study, the short term efficacy and tolerance of a sustained action preparation of tiaprofenic acid 600 mg once daily was compared with sustained release indomethacin 75 mg once daily in 98 patients with osteoarthritis. After a minimum washout period of 3 days, patients were randomly allocated to receive each treatment in turn for a period of 4 weeks. There were no significant differences between the 2 treatments in the clinical assessments of pain level, duration of morning stiffness, articular index and functional impairment performed at the end of each treatment period.

Fenclofenac and diclofenac in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

A six-month single-blind, randomized parallel group study comparing the effects of fenclofenac and diclofenac in 63 patients with rheumatoid arthritis is described. Both treatments produced improvements in clinical measurements, with a significant between-treatment effect in favour of fenclofenac for overall pain, night pain and duration of morning stiffness. Both treatments produced a decrease in IgM and the fenclofenac group produced decreases in plasma viscosity and ESR, the latter showing a significant between-treatment effect in favour of fenclofenac.