Obturator nerve schwannoma: a case report and review of the robotic literature.

Obturator schwannomas are rare and often misdiagnosed as intraperitoneal pelvic masses. The optimal surgical approach for their resection is unclear. This study presents a case demonstrating the safe use of robotics for resecting a benign pelvic schwannoma and reviews the literature on robotic cases.

Emphysematous changes in pneumoperitoneum and tension pneumothorax following robot-assisted bronchoscopy: a case report.

Pneumoperitoneum is most commonly caused by perforation of a hollow viscus but can also result as an extension of pneumothorax and/or pneumomediastinum. We present a case of pneumoperitoneum preceded by intraprocedural hemoptysis and tension pneumothorax that developed during transbronchial needle aspiration using robot-assisted flexible bronchoscopy. After stabilization and management of the pneumothorax, diagnostic laparoscopy was performed and revealed no evidence of diaphragmatic or intra-abdominal perforation but showed diffuse emphysematous changes in the gastrohepatic ligament, small and large bowel mesentery, and preperitoneal space.

Two-factor specification of apoptosis: TGF-β signaling acts cooperatively with ecdysone signaling to induce cell- and stage-specific apoptosis of larval neurons during metamorphosis in Drosophila melanogaster.

Developmentally regulated programmed cell death (PCD) is one of the key cellular events for precise controlling of neuronal population during postembryonic development of the central nervous system. Previously we have shown that a group of corazonin-producing peptidergic neurons (vCrz) undergo apoptosis in response to ecdysone signaling via ecdysone receptor (EcR)-B isoforms and Ultraspiracle during early phase of metamorphosis. Further utilizing genetic, transgenic, and mosaic analyses, we have found that TGF-β signaling mediated by a glia-produced ligand, Myoglianin, type-I receptor Baboon (particularly Babo-A isoform) and dSmad2, is also required autonomously for PCD of the vCrz neurons.

Analysis of nonformulary use of PPIs and excess drug cost in a Veterans Affairs population.

Background: In the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system, a formulary-based approach without beneficiary cost-share incentives is used to limit the pharmacy cost of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, the effectiveness of this approach in reducing the cost of PPIs is unknown.

Objectives: To (a) compare cost differences between the formulary PPI (generic omeprazole) and nonformulary PPIs and (b) evaluate reasons for nonformulary PPI use in order to identify opportunities to increase formulary drug use and discourage unnecessary use of nonformulary PPIs.

Altered gene expression in human cleidocranial dysplasia dental pulp cells.

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by defects of bone and tooth development. The dental manifestations in CCD patients include supernumerary teeth, delayed tooth eruption, tooth hypoplasia and absence of cellular cementum formation. This disorder is associated with mutations in the osteoblast-specific transcription factor Runx2.

The Cellulose System in the Cell Wall of Micrasterias.

The cellulose system of the cell wall of Micrasterias denticulata and Micrasterias rotata was analyzed by diffraction contrast transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and X-ray analysis. The studies, achieved on disencrusted cell ghosts, confirmed that the cellulose microfibrils occurred in crisscrossed bands consisting of a number of parallel ribbon-like microfibrils. The individual microfibrils had thicknesses of 5 nm for a width of around 20 nm, but in some instances, two or three microfibrils merged into one another to yield larger monocrystalline domains reaching up to 60 nm in lateral size.

The crystalline polymorphism of mannan in plant cell walls and after recrystallisation.

Mannan-rich plant cell walls were mechanically disintegrated and chemically extracted in order to ascertain their morphology and structure by electron microscopy and electron diffraction. For Acetabularia crenulata and Codium fragile, the cell-wall fragments were found to consist of alkali-resistant fibrillar mannan II encrusted with alkali-soluble granular mannan I. In the case of ivory nuts (Phytelephas macrocarpa) there is, in addition, a microfibrillar cellulose component which was also identified.