Beyond Oncolytics: E1B55K-Deleted Adenovirus as a Vaccine Delivery Vector.

Type 5 human adenoviruses (Ad5) deleted of genes encoding the early region 1B 55-kDa (E1B55K) protein including Onyx-015 (dl1520) and H101 are best known for their oncolytic potential. As a vaccine vector the E1B55K deletion may allow for the insertion of a transgene nearly 1,000 base pairs larger than now possible. This has the potential of extending the application for which the vectors are clinically known.

Psychoactive pharmaceuticals at environmental concentrations induce in vitro gene expression associated with neurological disorders.

Background: A number of researchers have speculated that neurological disorders are mostly due to the interaction of common susceptibility genes with environmental, epigenetic and stochastic factors. Genetic factors such as mutations, insertions, deletions and copy number variations (CNVs) are responsible for only a small subset of cases, suggesting unknown environmental contaminants play a role in triggering neurological disorders like idiopathic autism. Psychoactive pharmaceuticals have been considered as potential environmental contaminants as they are detected in the drinking water at very low concentrations.

Accelerated partial breast irradiation dosimetric criteria for the strut-adjusted volume implant.

Purpose: Current guidelines for high-dose-rate accelerated partial breast irradiation using single-entry implants are based on the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-39/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0413 protocol, which assumed a balloon implant geometry. We have developed robust plan evaluation criteria specifically for the strut-adjusted volume implant (SAVI).

Methods And Materials: Plan evaluation criteria were established using a "training data set" of 62 SAVI treatment plans and included the percentage volume of target receiving 90%, 95%, and 100% of the prescription dose (V90, V95, and V100), the absolute volume of target receiving 150% and 200% of prescription (V150 and V200), and the maximum doses to skin (Dskin max) and ribs (Drib max).

Successful Completion of the Pilot Phase of a Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy to No Further Axillary Staging in Patients with Clinical T1-T2 N0 Breast Cancer and Normal Axillary Ultrasound.

Background: Axillary surgery is not considered therapeutic in patients with clinical T1-T2 N0 breast cancer. The importance of axillary staging is eroding in an era in which tumor biology, as defined by biomarker and gene expression profile, is increasingly important in medical decision making. We hypothesized that axillary ultrasound (AUS) is a noninvasive alternative to sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), and AUS could replace SLNB without compromising patient care.

Copy Number Variants and Congenital Anomalies Surveillance: A Suggested Coding Strategy Using the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Version of ICD-10.

The use of array-based comparative genomic hybridization to assess DNA copy number is increasing in many jurisdictions. Such technology identifies more genetic causes of congenital anomalies; however, the clinical significance of some results may be challenging to interpret. A coding strategy to address cases with copy number variants has recently been implemented by the Alberta Congenital Anomalies Surveillance System and is described.

Evaluation of cognitivity, proinflammatory cytokines, and brain magnetic resonance imaging in minimal hepatic encephalopathy induced by cirrhosis and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction.

Background And Aims: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is the mildest form of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and is characterized by deficits in neurocognitive performance without any clinical symptoms of HE. In the current study, we aim to evaluate and compare the neurocognitive, biochemical, and brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging changes between patients with cirrhotic MHE and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) MHE.

Methods: Thirty-three cirrhotic and 14 EHPVO patients were diagnosed with MHE and were included in the analysis along with 24 normal healthy volunteers.

Maternal exposure to carbamazepine at environmental concentrations can cross intestinal and placental barriers.

Psychoactive pharmaceuticals have been found as teratogens at clinical dosage during pregnancy. These pharmaceuticals have also been detected in minute (ppb) concentrations in drinking water in the US, and are environmental contaminants that may be complicit in triggering neurological disorders in genetically susceptible individuals. Previous studies have determined that psychoactive pharmaceuticals (fluoxetine, venlafaxine and carbamazepine) at environmentally relevant concentrations enriched sets of genes regulating development and function of the nervous system in fathead minnows.

Progression of Kidney Disease in Indigenous Australians: The eGFR Follow-up Study.

Background And Objectives: Indigenous Australians experience a heavy burden of CKD. To address this burden, the eGFR Follow-Up Study recruited and followed an Indigenous Australian cohort from regions of Australia with the greatest ESRD burden. We sought to better understand factors contributing to the progression of kidney disease.

Nurses' Beliefs About Caring for Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury.

Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their families rely on health care providers, particularly nurses, to provide accurate information, yet inaccurate beliefs about TBI have been found among nurses. Although prior studies have assessed nurses' beliefs about TBI recovery and rehabilitation, none have assessed specific beliefs about the nursing role to care for these patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate nurses' beliefs and learning preferences about caring for patients with moderate-to-severe TBI.

TNF-α Modulation of Intestinal Tight Junction Permeability Is Mediated by NIK/IKK-α Axis Activation of the Canonical NF-κB Pathway.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, a key mediator of intestinal inflammation, causes an increase in intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) permeability by activating myosin light chain kinase (MLCK; official name MYLK3) gene. However, the precise signaling cascades that mediate the TNF-α-induced activation of MLCK gene and increase in TJ permeability remain unclear. Our aims were to delineate the upstream signaling mechanisms that regulate the TNF-α modulation of intestinal TJ barrier function with the use of in vitro and in vivo intestinal epithelial model systems.

Activity of ABCG2 Is Regulated by Its Expression and Localization in DHT and Cyclopamine-Treated Breast Cancer Cells.

Elevated expression of the efflux transporter, ATP-binding cassette subfamily G isoform 2 (ABCG2) on the plasma membrane of cancer cells contributes to the development of drug resistance and is a key characteristic of cancer stem cells. In this study, gene expression analysis identified that treatment of the MCF-7 and T-47D breast cancer cell lines with the androgen, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and the Hedgehog signaling inhibitor, cyclopamine downregulated ABCG2 mRNA levels. In MCF-7 cells, and in Hoechst 33342(lo) /CD44(hi) /CD24(lo) breast cancer stem-like cells isolated from MCF-7 cultures, ABCG2 was accumulated in cell-to-cell junction complexes and in large cytoplasmic aggresome-like vesicles.

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with low GABA and high glutamate in the insular cortex.

The insular cortex is injured in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and responds inappropriately to autonomic challenges, suggesting neural reorganization. The objective of this study was to assess whether the neural changes might result from γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate alterations. We studied 14 OSA patients [mean age ± standard deviation (SD): 47.

3D spatially encoded and accelerated TE-averaged echo planar spectroscopic imaging in healthy human brain.

Several different pathologies, including many neurodegenerative disorders, affect the energy metabolism of the brain. Glutamate, a neurotransmitter in the brain, can be used as a biomarker to monitor these metabolic processes. One method that is capable of quantifying glutamate concentration reliably in several regions of the brain is TE-averaged (1) H spectroscopic imaging.

Managing breast cancer in younger women: challenges and solutions.

Breast cancer in young women is relatively rare compared to breast cancer occurring in older women. Younger women diagnosed with breast cancer also tend to have a more aggressive biology and consequently a poorer prognosis than older women. In addition, they face unique challenges such as diminished fertility from premature ovarian failure, extended survivorship periods and its attendant problems, and the psychosocial impact of diagnosis, while still raising families.

Bilateral congenital lumbar hernias in a patient with central core disease--A case report.

Congenital lumbar hernias are rare malformations caused by defects in the development of the posterior abdominal wall. A known association exists with lumbocostovertebral syndrome; however other associated anomalies, including one case with arthrogryposis, have been previously reported. We present an infant girl with bilateral congenital lumbar hernias, multiple joint contractures, decreased muscle bulk and symptoms of malignant hyperthermia.

The use of botanical products and vitamins in sunscreens.

The use of botanical products and vitamins in skin care creams and sunscreens is prevalent. Herein we conduct an evaluation of sunscreens to quantitatively assess how often sunscreens incorporate botanically derived products and vitamins. The most commonly used botanicals products and vitamins are identified and stratified based on the sunscreen sun protection factor (SPF).

Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation: A Safe, Effective, and Convenient Early Breast Cancer Treatment Option.

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is an excellent treatment option for many women with early stage breast cancer. Patient selection criteria include age over 40, status post lumpectomy, breast cancer (invasive or in situ disease) measuring <3 cm, negative margins (at least 2 mm), negative lymph nodes, and no lymphovascular space invasion. APBI is effective, well tolerated, and convenient.

Intravitreal Aflibercept for Neovascular AMD: Short-Term Clinical Effects of Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection as a Predictor of Long-Term Results.

Background And Objective: To study the relationship between early response to intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and long-term visual outcomes

Patients And Methods: Seventeen patients with nAMD participated in this prospective clinical trial. All patients received three initial monthly IAIs, followed by IAIs at 8-week intervals. Study visits were scheduled at 1 week, followed by every 2 weeks for the first 3 months and then every 4 weeks until the conclusion of the study at 48 weeks.

Are vegans the same as vegetarians? The effect of diet on perceptions of masculinity.

Food and food consumption matters in interpersonal interactions. Foods consumed can affect how a person is perceived by others in terms of morality, likeability, and gender. Food consumption can be used as a strategy for gendered presentation, either in terms of what foods are consumed or in the amount of food consumed.

Late endocarditis of Amplatzer atrial septal occluder device in a child.

Bacterial endocarditis following atrial septal defect closure using Amplatzer device in a child is extremely rare. We report a 10-year-old girl who developed late bacterial endocarditis, 6 years after placement of an Amplatzer atrial septal occluder device. Successful explantation of the device and repair of the resultant septal defect was carried out using a homograft patch.

Matrix metalloproteinase 9-induced increase in intestinal epithelial tight junction permeability contributes to the severity of experimental DSS colitis.

Recent studies have implicated a pathogenic role for matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP-9) in inflammatory bowel disease. Although loss of epithelial barrier function has been shown to be a key pathogenic factor for the development of intestinal inflammation, the role of MMP-9 in intestinal barrier function remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of MMP-9 in intestinal barrier function and intestinal inflammation.