PIEZO2-dependent rapid pain system in humans and mice.

The PIEZO2 ion channel is critical for transducing light touch into neural signals but is not considered necessary for transducing acute pain in humans. Here, we discovered an exception - a form of mechanical pain evoked by hair pulling. Based on observations in a rare group of individuals with PIEZO2 deficiency syndrome, we demonstrated that hair-pull pain is dependent on PIEZO2 transduction.

Concomitant gastroparesis negatively affects children with functional gallbladder disease.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine whether concomitant gastroparesis and biliary dyskinesia (BD) occur in children, and if so, to determine whether concomitant gastroparesis affects clinical outcome in children with BD.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of children with BD (ejection fraction <35% on cholescintigraphy, with no other metabolic or structural cause) who completed a solid-phase gastric emptying scintigraphy scan within 12 months of abnormal cholescintigraphy. Children were classified into 1 of 4 clinical outcome groups (excellent, good, fair, poor).

Randomized, double-blind pilot study of transendocardial injection of autologous aldehyde dehydrogenase-bright stem cells in patients with ischemic heart failure.

Background: The optimal type of stem cell for use in patients with ischemic heart disease has not been determined. A primitive population of bone marrow-derived hematopoietic cells has been isolated by the presence of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase and comprises a multilineage mix of stem and progenitor cells. Aldehyde dehydrogenase-bright (ALDH(br)) cells have shown promise in promoting angiogenesis and providing perfusion benefits in preclinical ischemia studies.

A randomized study of transendocardial injection of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells and cell function analysis in ischemic heart failure (FOCUS-HF).

Background: Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (ABMMNC) therapy has shown promise in patients with heart failure (HF). Cell function analysis may be important in interpreting trial results.

Methods: In this prospective study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of the transendocardial delivery of ABMMNCs in no-option patients with chronic HF.

Morphological features of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma as a predictor of downstaging and liver transplantation: an intention-to-treat analysis.

In selected patients, locoregional therapy (LRT) has been successful in downstaging advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) so that the conventional criteria for liver transplantation (LT) can be met. However, the factors that predict successful treatment are largely unidentified. To determine these factors, we analyzed our experience with multimodal LRT in downstaging advanced HCC before LT in a retrospective cohort study.

Safety and efficacy of radionuclide therapy with high-activity In-111 pentetreotide in patients with progressive neuroendocrine tumors.

The intent of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of high-activity 111In-pentetreotide in patients with neuroendocrine tumors. Thirty-two patients with pentetreotide-avid neuroendocrine tumors received therapy from August 2005 to November 2006. Fourteen (14) patients received 1 treatment and 18 patients received 2 treatments.

Low back pain: prediction of short-term outcome of facet joint injection with bone scintigraphy.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate use of bone scintigraphy with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for identification of patients with low back pain who would benefit from facet joint injections.

Materials And Methods: The protocol was reviewed and approved by the institutional review board. All patients provided informed consent.

Molecular imaging in transplantation: basic concepts and strategies for potential application.

Background: The potential applications of molecular imaging in the clinical arena are diverse and expanding rapidly. One such area of application is transplantation. Currently, biopsy is the gold standard for monitoring allograft well-being after transplantation of organs or tissues.

A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of botulinum toxin B for sialorrhea in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Injections of botulinum toxin A are an effective treatment for sialorrhea in Parkinson's disease (PD). Based on the relatively high rates of dry mouth seen with botulinum toxin B, there is reason to suspect that it may also improve sialorrhea.

Objective: To determine whether botulinum toxin B (Myobloc; Elan Pharmaceuticals, New York, NY) is a safe and effective treatment for sialorrhea in patients with PD.

Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency presenting with failure to thrive, hypercalcemia, and nephrocalcinosis.

Background: Disaccharide Intolerance Type I (Mendelian Interance in Man database: *222900) is a rare inborn error of metabolism resulting from mutation in sucrase-isomaltase (Enzyme Catalyzed 3.2.1.