P-Cadherin (CDH3) is overexpressed in colorectal tumors and has potential as a serum marker for colorectal cancer monitoring.

Introduction: Placental-Cadherin (CDH3) is a cell adhesion molecule vital to cellular localization and tissue integrity. It is highly expressed in the placenta (PLC)and is overexpressed by many types of cancer. P-cadherin levels in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains poorly characterized.

Racial and Socioeconomic Treatment Disparities in Adolescents and Young Adults with Stage II-III Rectal Cancer.

Introduction: Stage II-III rectal cancer requires multidisciplinary cancer care, and adolescents and young adults (AYA, ages 15-39 years) often do not receive optimal cancer therapy.

Methods: Overall, 3295 AYAs with clinical stage II-III rectal cancer were identified in the National Cancer Database. Factors associated with the receipt of adjuvant and surgical therapies, as well as overall survival (OS), were examined.

Ultrasound in the evaluation of penetrating thoraco-abdominal trauma: a review of the literature.

The use of ultrasound in the evaluation of blunt thoraco-abdominal trauma is well described. Evidence for the use of ultrasound in the evaluation of penetrating cardio-thoracic and abdominal trauma, however, is more limited and varied. Current literature demonstrates that ultrasound is an excellent screening tool for penetrating thoracic and cardiac injuries with a high sensitivity for detecting injury requiring acute intervention.

Surgical Treatment of Diverticulitis: Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Resection Is Predominantly Used for Complex Cases and Is Associated With Increased Postoperative Complications and Prolonged Hospitalization.

Introduction Laparoscopic (LAP) colectomy is now the "gold" standard for diverticulitis; the role of hand-assisted LAP (HAL) and Open methods today is unclear. This study assessed the elective use of these methods for diverticulitis. Methods A retrospective review of demographic, comorbidity (Carlson Comorbidity Index [CCI]), resection type, and short-term outcomes was carried out.

Approach to the pediatric athlete with back pain: more than just the pars.

Back pain in a pediatric patient can present a worrisome and challenging diagnostic dilemma for any physician. Although most back pain can be attributed to muscle strains and poor mechanics, it is necessary to appreciate the full differential of etiologies causing back pain in the pediatric population. The physician must recognize areas of mechanical weakness in the skeletally immature spine and the sport specific forces that can predispose a patient to injury.

Expression of the cancer testis antigen IGF2BP3 in colorectal cancers; IGF2BP3 holds promise as a specific immunotherapy target.

Introduction: IGF2BP3 (IMP3) is a mRNA binding protein that regulates IGF2 translation and function during embryogenesis. Because IGF2BP3 is undetectable in adult human tissues except the testis, and increased IGF2BP3 expression has been noted in several cancers, it is considered a cancer testis (CT) protein. IGF2BP3 mRNA expression in colorectal cancers (CRC) has not been well studied.

Foot pain and swelling after minor traumatic injury.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare bacterial infection of the fascia and surrounding soft tissue, which carries a mortality rate as high as 20%, even in well-appearing patients [1]. Classically, this diagnosis must be made with computed tomography or magnetic resonance,but recent literature shows that ultrasonography, readily available in the emergency department, may be adequate for diagnosis [2]. We present a case of a 48-year-old man who presented with a painful rash.

Plasma monocyte chemotactic protein-1 remains elevated after minimally invasive colorectal cancer resection.

Aim: To investigate plasma Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 levels preoperatively in colorectal cancer (CRC) and benign patients and postoperatively after CRC resection.

Methods: A plasma bank was screened for minimally invasive colorectal cancer resection (MICR) for CRC and benign disease (BEN) patients for whom preoperative, early postoperative, and 1 or more late postoperative samples (postoperative day 7-27) were available. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) levels (pg/mL) were determined via enzyme linked immuno-absorbent assay.

Menstrual migraine: treatment options.

More than half of women with migraine note an association of headache attacks and their menstrual cycles. Headaches associated with menses are often more severe and disabling than headaches that occur other times of the month. First-line therapies include acute agents used for migraine in general; however, for many women, these therapies provide incomplete relief.