Wnt5a Promotes AT1 and Represses AT2 Lineage-Specific Gene Expression in a Cell-Context-Dependent Manner.

Lung maturation is not limited to proper structural development but also includes differentiation and functionality of various highly specialized alveolar cell types. Alveolar type 1 (AT1s) cells occupy nearly 95% of the alveolar surface and are critical for establishing efficient gas exchange in the mature lung. AT1 cells arise from progenitors specified during the embryonic stage as well as alveolar epithelial progenitors expressing surfactant protein C (Sftpcpos cells) during postnatal and adult stages.

PIK3CA vascular overgrowth syndromes: an update.

Purpose Of Review: Over the past decade many previously poorly understood vascular malformation disorders have been linked to somatic activating mutations in PIK3CA, which regulates cell survival and growth via activation of the mTOR1-AKT pathway. The goal of this article is to describe and provide an update on the clinical features, complications, and management strategies for the PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS).

Recent Findings: PROS encompasses a heterogenous group of disorders with complications related to the tissues harboring the mutation.

Effects of Gut Bacteria Depletion and High-Na and Low-K Intake on Circulating Levels of Biogenic Amines.

Scope: High-sodium and low-potassium (HNaLK) content in Western diets increases the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is investigated if the dietary minerals interact with gut bacteria to modulate circulating levels of biogenic amines, which are implicated in various pathologies, including hypertension and CVD.

Methods And Results: Using a metabolomic approach to target biogenic amines, the effects of gut bacteria depletion and HNaLK intake on circulating levels of biogenic amines in rats are examined.

Quantification of variation and the impact of biomass in targeted 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies.

Background: Recent advances in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics tools have allowed for large-scale microbiome studies that are rapidly advancing medical research. However, small changes in technique or analysis can significantly alter the results and lead to conflicting findings. Quantifying the technical versus biological variation expected in targeted 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies and how this variation changes with input biomass is critical to guide meaningful interpretation of the current literature and plan future research.

Phase II Trial of Alisertib in Combination with Irinotecan and Temozolomide for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Neuroblastoma.

Purpose: In phase I testing, alisertib tablets with irinotecan and temozolomide showed significant antitumor activity in patients with neuroblastoma. This study sought to confirm activity of this regimen; evaluate an alisertib oral solution; and evaluate biomarkers of clinical outcomes.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a two-stage phase II trial of alisertib tablets (60 mg/m/dose × 7 days), irinotecan (50 mg/m/dose i.

Phase I Study of Vorinostat as a Radiation Sensitizer with 131I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Neuroblastoma.

Purpose: (131)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is a radiopharmaceutical with activity in neuroblastoma. Vorinostat is a histone deacetylase inhibitor that has radiosensitizing properties. The goal of this phase I study was to determine the MTDs of vorinostat and MIBG in combination.

131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine with intensive chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation for high-risk neuroblastoma. A new approaches to neuroblastoma therapy (NANT) phase II study.

(131)I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine ((131)I-MIBG) has been used as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma. The activity and toxicity of (131)I-MIBG when combined with carboplatin, etoposide, and melphalan (CEM) and autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) are now investigated in a phase II multicenter study. Fifty patients with MIBG-avid disease were enrolled into 2 cohorts, stratified by response to induction therapy.

Failure of stem cell therapy to improve visual acuity in children with optic nerve hypoplasia.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in improving visual acuity or optic nerve function in children with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH).

Methods: Subjects with ONH aged 7-17 years who voluntarily elected to undergo stem cell therapy in China were matched with controls on age, visual acuity, and communication level. Visual acuity, optic nerve size, and sensitivity to light were assessed before stem cell therapy and twice after.

Evaluation of the accuracy of 3DVH software estimates of dose to virtual ion chamber and film in composite IMRT QA.

Purpose: A novel patient-specific intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) QA system, 3DVH software and mapcheck 2, purports to be able to use diode array-measured beam doses and the patient's DICOM RT plan, structure set, and dose files to predict the delivered 3D dose distribution in the patient for comparison to the treatment planning system (TPS) calculated doses. In this study, the composite dose to an ion chamber and film in phantom predicted by the 3DVH and mapcheck 2 system is compared to the actual measured chamber and film doses. If validated in this context, then 3DVH can be used to perform an equivalent dose analysis as that obtained with film dosimetry and ion chamber-based composite IMRT QA.

A non-invasive, in vivo technique for monitoring vascular status of glioblastoma during angiogenesis.

The growth of solid tumors dependent on the process of angiogenesis in which growth factors secreted by tumor and stromal cells promote endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and maturation. This process generates a tumor-specific vascular supply and enables small or dormant tumors to grow rapidly with exponential increases in tumor volume. Determination of tumor oxygenation at the microvascular level will provide important insight into tumor growth, angiogenesis, necrosis, and therapeutic response, and will facilitate to develop protocols for studying tumor behavior.

Poststabilization care for pediatric fractures: a follow-up survey.

Objectives: Compliance with emergency department instructions regarding patient follow-up is generally poor. Children with Medicaid have been previously shown to have less access to orthopedic care than those with private insurance. Our objectives were to quantify the compliance of pediatric fracture patients with recommended emergency department follow-up and to identify barriers for patients who do not follow-up.

Approaches to treatment for extraocular retinoblastoma: Children's Hospital Los Angeles experience.

Extraocular retinoblastoma is associated with a very poor outcome. At Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 10 of 207 patients with retinoblastoma had extraocular disease. Four patients with no histopathologic risk factors developed extraocular disease.