Improving Resident Comfort With Peripartum Cesarean Hysterectomy Through the Use of Low-Fidelity Simulation Models.

Introduction Cesarean hysterectomy is a relatively rarely performed, complex, life-saving procedure considered during post-partum hemorrhage and other obstetric complications. This multi-site study aimed at validating a low-cost, low-fidelity cesarean hysterectomy model to support resident proficiency and increase their confidence in performing this critical procedure. Materials and methods We developed a low-fidelity, anatomically representative model for cesarean hysterectomy simulation purposes.

Indole-3-Carbinol Stabilizes p53 to Induce miR-34a, Which Targets LDHA to Block Aerobic Glycolysis in Liver Cancer Cells.

Certain cancer cells prefer aerobic glycolysis rather than oxidative phosphorylation for energy supply. Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) catalyzes the reduction of pyruvate to lactate and regains NAD+ so that glycolysis is continued. As a pivotal enzyme to promote smooth glycolysis, LDHA plays an important role in carcinogenesis.

Clinical Presentation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in African Americans vs. Caucasians: A Retrospective Analysis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains an important form of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in the U.S. and worldwide.

Risk Stratification in Post-ERCP Pancreatitis: How Do Procedures, Patient Characteristics and Clinical Indicators Influence Outcomes?

Background: Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) remains common, and severe complications are associated with ERCP. There is no previous study detailing the effect of race and gender in a US-based population on risk of PEP.

Methods: Data were collected on 269 "first-performed" consecutive ERCPs followed by division by race (White vs.

Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Bryostatin-1 Activates α-Secretase and PKC Isoforms In vitro and Facilitates Acquisition and Retention of Spatial Learning in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) animal models have revealed neuroprotective actions of Bryostatin-1 mediated by activation of novel PKC isoforms, suppression of beta-amyloid and downregulation of inflammatory and angiogenic events, making Bryostatin-1 an attractive candidate for attenuating AD-associated neural, vascular, and cognitive disturbances.

Objective: To further enhance Bryostatin-1 efficacy, nanoparticle-encapsulated Bryostatin-1 formulations were prepared.

Methods: We compared nano-encapsulated and unmodified Bryostatin-1 in in vitro models of neuronal PKC-d, PKC-e isoforms, α-secretase and studied nano-encapsulated Bryostatin-1 in an AD mouse model of spatial memory (BC3-Tg (APPswe, PSEN1 dE9) 85Dbo/J mice).

Bilateral Eagle Syndrome.

Significance StatementUnilateral Eagle Syndrome is relatively rare and highlights important concepts in anatomy and pathophysiology. Bilateral Eagle Syndrome is exponentially more rare and has only been mentioned several times in the literature. Understanding the impact this can have on the human body and the severity of symptoms and sequelae is valuable for several types of specialists that treat this disorder.

Withaferin A suppresses skin tumor promotion by inhibiting proteasome-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 degradation.

Background: The metabolic enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) belonging to β-decarboxylase dehydrogenase family has been identified as a tumor suppressor. Withaferin A (WA), a bioactive compound derived from , has the anti-tumor activity. Based on the data set that WA inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced IDH1 inactivation and mitochondrial dysfunction, we focused on how WA suppressed the skin carcinogenesis mediated by IDH1.

Next-Gen Therapeutics for Skin Cancer: Nutraceuticals.

Growing modernization and lifestyle changes with limited physical activity have impacted diet and health, leading to an increased cancer mortality rate worldwide. As a result, there is a greater need than before to develop safe and novel anticancer drugs. Current treatment options such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, induce unintended side effects, compromising patient's quality of life, and physical well-being.

UCP2 overexpression enhanced glycolysis via activation of PFKFB2 during skin cell transformation.

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is an inner mitochondrial membrane transporter which is often upregulated in human cancers. However, how this anion transporter affects tumorigenesis is not well understood. Using the skin cell transformation JB6 model, we demonstrated that UCP2 overexpression activated phosphofructokinase 2/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 2 (PFKFB2), a key regulator of glycolysis.

UCP2 upregulation promotes PLCγ-1 signaling during skin cell transformation.

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), whose physiological role is to decrease mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, is often overexpressed in human cancers. UCP2 upregulation has recently been proposed as a novel survival mechanism for cancer cells. However, until now, how exactly UCP2 promotes tumorigenesis remains inconclusive.

A Case of Hepatosplentic T Cell Lymphoma - A Rare, Aggressive Tumor of the Young.

Introduction: Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL); is an unusual entity first described in 1990 that predominantly affects middle-aged men and is classified by WHO under peripheral T-cell lymphomas. We present a 26-year-old man with HSCTL treated with a non-CHOP regimen.

Case: A 26 year old immigrant from Cameroon without significant past medical history presented with abdominal discomfort that was first noted 1 month prior at which time he was elbowed in abdomen during a basketball game.

Uncoupling protein 2 and metabolic diseases.

Mitochondria are fascinating organelles involved in various cellular-metabolic activities that are integral for mammalian development. Although they perform diverse, yet interconnected functions, mitochondria are remarkably regulated by complex signaling networks. Therefore, it is not surprising that mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in plethora of diseases, including neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders.

Withaferin A suppresses the up-regulation of acetyl-coA carboxylase 1 and skin tumor formation in a skin carcinogenesis mouse model.

Withaferin A (WA), a natural product derived from Withania somnifera, has been used in traditional oriental medicines to treat neurological disorders. Recent studies have demonstrated that this compound may have a potential for cancer treatment and a clinical trial has been launched to test WA in treating melanoma. Herein, WA's chemopreventive potential was tested in a chemically-induced skin carcinogenesis mouse model.

Bilateral subdural hematomas, an unusual vaso-occlusive event and prolonged prothrombin time in a 58-year-old victim of an armed robbery.

Factor VII deficiency is one of the most common of rare bleeding disorders(1). This autosomal recessive disorder has a prevalence of 1:500,000 with geographic variations. Clinical manifestations vary from asymptomatic to severe mucocutaneous bleeding.

Shikonin Suppresses Skin Carcinogenesis via Inhibiting Cell Proliferation.

The M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) has been shown to be up-regulated in human skin cancers. To test whether PKM2 may be a target for chemoprevention, shikonin, a natural product from the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon and a specific inhibitor of PKM2, was used in a chemically-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis study. The results revealed that shikonin treatment suppressed skin tumor formation.

UCP2 knockout suppresses mouse skin carcinogenesis.

Mitochondrial uncoupling (uncouples electron transport from ATP production) has recently been proposed as a novel survival mechanism for cancer cells, and reduction in free radical generation is the accepted mechanism of action. However, there is no direct evidence supporting that uncoupling proteins promote carcinogenesis. Herein, we examined whether mitochondrial uncoupling affects mouse skin carcinogenesis using uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) homozygous knockout and wild-type mice.

Parkinson's disease severity and use of dopaminergic medications.

Background: The effects of dopaminergic therapy in parkinson's disease (PD) can vary depending on the class of medication selected.

Objective: The aim of this post hoc study was to determine if the class of dopaminergic therapy correlated with disease severity in persons with early, treated PD.

Methods: A non-parametric global statistical test (GST) was used to assess the status of participants treated with dopamine agonist (DA) monotherapy, levodopa (LD) monotherapy or combined LD and DA therapy on multiple PD outcomes encompassing motor, cognitive, psychiatric and autonomic function, as well as disability and quality of life.

Overexpression of mitochondrial antioxidant manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) provides protection against AZT- or 3TC-induced endothelial dysfunction.

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are considered the backbone of current combination therapies for HIV. These therapies have significantly decreased mortality and morbidity in HIV-infected patients, but some are associated with cardiovascular complications, including endothelial dysfunction, an early marker for atherosclerosis. Our prior studies demonstrated that co-treatment of cells with an antioxidant therapy reversed NRTI-induced endothelial injury.

Components of cancer metabolism and therapeutic interventions.

All forms of life share a common indispensible need of energy. The requirement of energy is necessary for an organism not only to survive but also to thrive. The metabolic activities in normal cells rely predominately on mitochondrial oxidative phophorylation for energy generation in the form of ATP.

Sensitizing the therapeutic efficacy of taxol with shikonin in human breast cancer cells.

Shikonin, a small-molecule natural product which inhibits the activity of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), has been studied as an anti-cancer drug candidate in human cancer models. Here, our results demonstrate that shikonin is able to sensitize human breast cancer cells to chemotherapy by paclitaxel (taxol). Human breast adenocarcinoma MBA-MD-231 cells, which have higher levels of PKM2 expression and activity compared with MCF-7 cells, were selected to study further.

Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 is up-regulated in human head and neck, skin, pancreatic, and prostate tumors.

Background: Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) uncouples electron transport from ATP production. UCP2 has been shown to play an important role in obesity and diabetes. Interestingly, studies have demonstrated that UCP2 is up-regulated in human colon cancer samples.

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors induce a mitophagy-associated endothelial cytotoxicity that is reversed by coenzyme Q10 cotreatment.

Cardiovascular complications have been documented in HIV-1 infected populations, and antiretroviral therapy may play a role. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are antiretrovirals known to induce mitochondrial damage in endothelial cells, culminating in endothelial dysfunction, an initiating event in atherogenesis. Though the mechanism for NRTI-induced endothelial toxicity is not yet clear, our prior work suggested that a mitochondrial oxidative stress may be involved.

PKM2 inhibitor shikonin suppresses TPA-induced mitochondrial malfunction and proliferation of skin epidermal JB6 cells.

Chemoprevention has been a pivotal and effective strategy during the skin cancer treatment. Using human skin normal and tumor samples, we demonstrated that both the expression and activity levels of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) were higher in skin tumor tissues than normal tissues, suggesting that PKM2, one of important metabolic enzyme, might serve as a target for skin cancer prevention and/or therapy. Shikonin, a small-molecule active chemical, has been studied as an anti-cancer drug candidate in human cancer models.