Perioperative systemic immunophenotype following irreversible electroporation (IRE) predicts recurrence.

Comprehensive understanding of the immunophenotypic response to local therapy will likely be required to improve outcomes for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). While the desmoplastic stroma has rendered PDAC resistant to immunotherapies, irreversible electroporation (IRE), a non-thermal method of tumor ablation, can overcome some of this resistance and immune suppression. We studied the systemic immunophenotype of patients following local treatment of PDAC.

Nephrokeli, a Chinese herbal formula, may improve IgA nephropathy through regulation of the sphingosine-1-phosphate pathway.

Nephrokeli (NPKL) is a Chinese herbal formula that has been used to treat patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) for improvement of proteinuria and kidney injury. However, the mechanism remains unclear. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and its receptors S1PR2 and S1PR3 are known to play an important role in kidney disease.

Efficacy of early initiation of a gel containing extractum cepae, heparin, and allantoin for scar treatment: an observational, noninterventional study of daily practice.

Background: Contractubex® (Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany) is a gel containing extractum cepae, heparin, and allantoin with proven efficacy in the prevention of excessive scarring and promotion of physiological scar formation.

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of early initiation of Contractubex in the prevention of excessive scarring and promotion of physiological scar formation.

Methods: In total, 1,268 patients were included in this observational, noninterventional study.

Chest-deformities: a proposal for a classification.

Background: In this article we assess the significance of classifying chest-deformities based on morphological findings in type-related treatment and its results.

Data Sources: Recent publications on chest-deformities in children and youth were retrieved from PubMed and Medline and from our clinical and intraoperative findings.

Results: Chest-deformities are diagnosed by thorax-measurements using a flexible meter projected on a graph-paper by MR/CT investigations and color coded videorasterstereography.

Endoscopic self-expandable metal stenting for advanced carcinoma oesophagus: A better palliative prospective.

Endoscopic placement of metal stent is an established palliative method for advanced inoperable cases of carcinoma oesophagus. Although various types of prosthesis are available, but the recent development of self-expandable metal stents has gained popularity because of less procedure related complications. We present the technique and result of ultraflex self-expandable metal stenting, which was placed by us in a small series of six patients successfully.

Integrated data acquisition system for medical device testing and physiology research in compliance with good laboratory practices.

In seeking approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical trial evaluation of an experimental medical device, a sponsor is required to submit experimental findings and support documentation to demonstrate device safety and efficacy that are in compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). The objective of this project was to develop an integrated data acquisition (DAQ) system and documentation strategy for monitoring and recording physiological data when testing medical devices in accordance with GLP guidelines mandated by the FDA. Data aquisition systems were developed as stand-alone instrumentation racks containing transducer amplifiers and signal processors, analog-to-digital converters for data storage, visual display and graphical user-interfaces, power conditioners, and test measurement devices.

Protective effects of lidocaine injected into the hepatoduodenal ligament on warm ischemia-reperfusion injury to the rat liver.

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury to the liver is still a critical and daunting problem in the field of hepatobiliary surgery. Ischemic preconditioning (IP) of the liver serves as an effective approach against IR injury. This study was to develop a novel procedure that could mimic IP, but might be more feasible than IP during surgery.

An inexpensive alternative approach to bone compression analyses.

A new method for testing the compression strength of vertebrae was developed and implemented using minimal resources and time expenditure. The device digitally measured and analyzed the torque and force necessary to load rat lumbar and thoracic vertebrae to failure. The system was calibrated using a series of known lead masses.

Using fructose-1,6-diphosphate during hypothermic rabbit-heart preservation: a high-energy phosphate study.

Background: In this study, we evaluated the effects of fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) on high-energy phosphate metabolism during 18-hour hypothermic rabbit-heart preservation.

Methods: Under general anesthesia and artificial ventilation, hearts from 42 adult New Zealand white rabbits were harvested, flushed, and preserved in St. Thomas solution at 4(o)C for 18 hours.

Correlation of blood volume values and pulmonary artery catheter measurements.

Objective: To correlate the values generated by direct total blood volume measurement with pulmonary artery catheter parameters and commonly used laboratory values in the management of critically ill patients.

Methods: This study was carried out at the Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America, during the period 1998-1999. We prospectively correlated the total blood volume (TBV) values generated by the blood volume analyzer (BVA)-100 using I131-tagged albumin, with the values obtained from pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) of central venous pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, cardiac output, and with laboratory values of hematocrit, lactate, arterial blood gas and mixed venous blood, in critically ill patients.

A simplified method for studying hypoxia and reoxygenation injury under in vitro conditions.

A hypoxia chamber was constructed which allowed for the sequential sampling and blood gas analysis of buffer bathing cells in culture which were subjected to graded periods of hypoxia. Following hypoxia, the human fetal small intestinal cells (CCL-241) were placed into a normoxic environment for the remainder of a 24 h study period. A cytotoxicity assay revealed significant mortality in cells subjected to hypoxia and reoxygenation, but not in those subjected to hypoxia alone.

Role of cytoplasmic and secretory phospholipase A2 in intestinal epithelial cell prostaglandin E2 formation.

Background: Prostanoid production is dependent on the enzymatic activity of phospholipase A2 enzymes to produce the precursor, arachidonic acid. Two principle phospholipase A2 enzymes play a major role in arachidonic acid production, 85kDa cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and 14kDa secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2). The purpose of this study was to determine the PLA2 enzyme involved in prostanoid formation in intestinal epithelial cells.

Leukotriene B4 levels in rabbit maxillary sinusitis: limitations of the current model.

Since the late 1980s, the rabbit model for sinusitis has been widely used for experimental studies on sinusitis; however, the clinical relevance of these experimental data has been questioned. To elucidate the role of leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of sinusitis, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) levels were determined in acute Streptococcus pneumoniae sinusitis in this model. The rabbit model for acute maxillary sinusitis was utilized.

Cytoskeleton as a target for injury in damaged intestinal epithelium.

This report summarizes the findings of a series of studies undertaken to discern the role of the cytoskeleton in intestinal injury and defense. Two established cell lines were used for these studies. IEC-6 cells (a rat intestinal cell line) were incubated in Eagle's minimal essential medium with and without 16, 16 dimethyl prostaglandin E(2) (dmPGE(2); 2.

The role of cyclooxygenase enzymes in the growth of human gall bladder cancer cells.

Information suggests that the cyclooxygenase (COX) metabolites, the prostanoids, play a role in gall bladder physiology and disease. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which inhibit COX enzymes have been shown in vivo and in vitro to alter the growth patterns of intestinal epithelial cells, and specific COX-2 inhibitors have been shown to decrease mitogenesis in intestinal epithelial cells. The present study was intended to evaluate the effect of specific COX inhibitors on the growth patterns of gall bladder cancer cells.

Comparison of university of wisconsin, euro-collins, low-potassium dextran, and krebs-henseleit solutions for hypothermic lung preservation.

Objective: We sought to test the effectiveness of 4 different solutions for hypothermic rat lung preservation.

Methods: One hundred ninety-two rats were used. The rats were divided into 4 groups, and University of Wisconsin, Euro-Collins, low-potassium dextran, or Krebs-Henseleit solution was used in each group.

Fructose-1,6-diphosphate and a glucose-free solution enhances functional recovery in hypothermic heart preservation.

Background: Fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) has been shown to protect tissue during hypoxia under various ischemic conditions, including isolated heart perfusion. We tested the hypothesis that adding FDP to St. Thomas solution can extend hypothermic heart preservation time.

Role of cytosolic phospholipase A2 in cytokine-stimulated prostaglandin release by human gallbladder cells.

Eicosanoids are involved in gallbladder inflammation, epithelial water transport, and mucous secretion. Phospholipase Asubscript2 enzymes liberate arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids for the synthesis of eicosanoids. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of selective cytoplasmic and secretory phospholipase A2 inhibitors on basal and stimulated arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 release in gallbladder cells.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs attenuate proliferation of colonic carcinoma cells by blocking epidermal growth factor-induced Ca++ mobilization.

Numerous studies suggest that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit colorectal carcinogenesis. We have previously reported that NSAIDs, in human colonic carcinoma cells (Caco-2), attenuate epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced cellular proliferation through a process independent of their inhibitory effects on prostaglandin synthesis. Furthermore, separate studies have also suggested that NSAIDs inhibit EGF-induced store-operated Ca++ influx.

Role of actin cytoskeleton in prostaglandin-induced protection against ethanol in an intestinal epithelial cell line.

Prostaglandins (PGs) protect a variety of gastrointestinal cells against injury induced by ethanol and other noxious agents. This investigation attempted to discern the mechanism of cytoprotection as it relates to the relationship between actin and PGs in IEC-6 cells (a rat intestinal epithelial cell line). IEC-6 cells were incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium +/- 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E(2) (dmPG, 2.

Epidermal growth factor-induced cytoprotection in human intestinal cells involves intracellular calcium signaling.

Background: The mechanism(s) whereby epidermal growth factor (EGF) protects against cellular injury remains poorly understood. Previous data in our laboratory have suggested that EGF-induced cellular proliferation in human colonic carcinoma cells (Caco-2) may involve changes in intracellular calcium content ([Ca(2+)](i)). Our current objective was to determine if a similar process was involved with EGF-induced cytoprotection.

Spectral analysis of graft flow for anastomotic error detection in off-pump CABG.

Objective: Flow probes have been introduced as a non-invasive means of anastomotic quality assessment in off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Flow waveform morphology cannot reliably be assessed visually unless severe anastomotic stenosis is present ( > 90%). We applied spectral analysis techniques to determine whether the frequency content of graft flow can improve the surgeon's ability to detect anastomotic errors.

Characterization of a novel model of pancreatic fibrosis and acinar atrophy.

Significant fibrosis and acinar atrophy are characteristics of chronic pancreatitis; however, because of the lack of a reproducible model, early phases of these changes are poorly understood. We have developed a model of severe hyperstimulation and obstruction pancreatitis (SHOP) to better define the mechanisms of early pancreatic fibrogenesis. Sprague-Dawley rats were used and SHOP was induced by complete pancreatic duct obstruction and daily cerulein hyperstimulation (50 microg/kg intraperitoneally).

Calcium accentuates injury induced by ethanol in human gastric cells.

The mechanism(s) whereby ethanol induces cellular injury remains poorly understood. Furthermore, the role of calcium in gastric mucosal injury under in vitro conditions is poorly defined. The major objectives of this study were to (1) define the temporal relationship between intracellular calcium accumulation induced by ethanol and cellular injury, (2) characterize the mechanism(s) whereby ethanol increases cellular calcium content, and (3) determine whether calcium removal would attenuate ethanol-induced cellular injury.