The biology of Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) related to obesity, stress, anxiety, mood, and drug dependence.

Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is a 17 amino acid peptide that was deorphanized in 1995. The generation of specific agonists, antagonists and receptor deficient mice and rats has enabled progress in elucidating the biological functions of N/OFQ. Additionally, radio-imaging technologies have been advanced for investigation of this system in animals and humans.

Fundus autofluorescence and colour fundus imaging compared during telemedicine screening in patients with diabetes.

We investigated the use of fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging in screening the eyes of patients with diabetes. Images were obtained from 50 patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing telemedicine screening with colour fundus imaging. The colour and FAF images were obtained with a 15.

Phylogenetic distinction of iNOS and IDO function in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated immunosuppression in mammalian species.

Mammalian mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to be strongly immunosuppressive in both animal disease models and human clinical trials. We have reported that the key molecule mediating immunosuppression by MSCs is species dependent: indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in human and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in mouse. In the present study, we isolated MSCs from several mammalian species, each of a different genus, and investigated the involvement of IDO and iNOS during MSC-mediated immunosuppression.

Exploration of alternate catalytic mechanisms and optimization strategies for retroaldolase design.

Designed retroaldolases have utilized a nucleophilic lysine to promote carbon-carbon bond cleavage of β-hydroxy-ketones via a covalent Schiff base intermediate. Previous computational designs have incorporated a water molecule to facilitate formation and breakdown of the carbinolamine intermediate to give the Schiff base and to function as a general acid/base. Here we investigate an alternative active-site design in which the catalytic water molecule was replaced by the side chain of a glutamic acid.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients with gastric cancer, and the role for surgical resection, cytoreductive surgery, and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Background: The aims of this study were to create a model of peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients with gastric cancer and to evaluates outcomes in patients with gastric cancer treated using surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Methods: A single-institution cohort of patients with gastric cancer was analyzed according to the development of gastric cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis (GCPC). Variables were evaluated using regression analysis.

The impact of perioperative blood glucose levels on pancreatic cancer prognosis and surgical outcomes: an evidence-based review.

Although diabetes mellitus (DM) and pancreatic cancer (PC) are intricately linked, a comprehensive review addressing the impact of DM on PC prognosis and surgical outcomes is lacking. PubMed search was performed (1980-2012) using keywords "pancreatic cancer", "diabetes mellitus", "glucose intolerance", "pancreatic resection", "prognosis", and "post-operative outcomes". The search results were analyzed to determine the strength of association between DM and PC and to assess the impact of DM on PC prognosis and postoperative outcomes.

Malpractice suits in chest radiology: an evaluation of the histories of 8265 radiologists.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to present rates of claims, causes of error, percentage of cases resulting in a judgment, and average payments made by radiologists in chest-related malpractice cases in a survey of 8265 radiologists.

Materials And Methods: The malpractice histories of 8265 radiologists were evaluated from the credentialing files of One-Call Medical Inc., a preferred provider organization for computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging in workers' compensation cases.

Structure, process, and annual ICU mortality across 69 centers: United States Critical Illness and Injury Trials Group Critical Illness Outcomes Study.

Objective: Hospital-level variations in structure and process may affect clinical outcomes in ICUs. We sought to characterize the organizational structure, processes of care, use of protocols, and standardized outcomes in a large sample of U.S.

New and emerging uses of barbed suture technology in plastic surgery.

Barbed sutures first received US Food and Drug Administration approval for soft tissue approximation in 2005 and early adopters readily embraced this device to develop new techniques. It has become apparent that the advantages are more than just "skin deep." Superficial and deep fascia, cartilage, tendon, joint capsule, and fibrous periprosthetic capsules can also be manipulated.

Tendinopathy: a review of the pathophysiology and evidence for treatment.

The understanding of tendinopathy has evolved over the past several decades. Initially thought to be a primarily inflammatory process, histologic evaluation has revealed that there is an absence of inflammatory cells, and rather, tendinopathy is more of a degenerative process. Various types of medications, rehabilitation, modalities, injections, and minimally invasive procedures have been described as treatment for this condition.

Bacterial infection increases periodontal bone loss in diabetic rats through enhanced apoptosis.

Periodontal disease is the most common osteolytic disease in humans and is significantly increased by diabetes mellitus. We tested the hypothesis that bacterial infection induces bone loss in diabetic animals through a mechanism that involves enhanced apoptosis. Type II diabetic rats were inoculated with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and treated with a caspase-3 inhibitor, ZDEVD-FMK, or vehicle alone.

Does the application of incisional negative pressure therapy to high-risk wounds prevent surgical site complications? A systematic review.

Purpose: The application of incisional negative pressure wound therapy (INPWT) to clean, closed surgical incisions is a growing clinical practice. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effect of INPWT on surgical sites healing by primary intention. The primary outcomes of interest are incidence of complications (infection, dehiscence, seroma, hematoma, skin necrosis, or blistering).

Seasonal H3N2 influenza A virus fails to enhance Staphylococcus aureus co-infection in a non-human primate respiratory tract infection model.

Staphylococcus aureus community-acquired pneumonia is often associated with influenza or an influenza-like syndrome. Morbidity and mortality due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) or influenza and pneumonia, which includes bacterial co-infection, are among the top causes of death by infectious diseases in the United States.

Acute pyelonephritis in pregnancy: an 18-year retrospective analysis.

Objective: We sought to describe the incidence of acute pyelonephritis in pregnancy, and to assess its association with perinatal outcomes in an integrated health care system.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study was performed using medical records on 546,092 singleton pregnancies delivered in all Kaiser Permanente Southern California hospitals from 1993 through 2010. These medical records include the perinatal service system along with inpatient and outpatient encounter files.

Primary extranodal marginal zone lymphoma involving the skull.

Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (EMZL) is a rare cancer of B-lymphocyte origin typically found in the gastrointestinal tract within the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. EMZL accounts for 5% of all non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and has been reported to affect the central nervous system in several select case reports. Here, we describe a rare case of EMZL presenting as an isolated skull mass, and review current management of EMZL.

The Impella device for acute mechanical circulatory support in patients in cardiogenic shock.

Background: Acute cardiogenic shock is associated with high mortality rates. Mechanical circulatory devices have been increasingly used in this setting for hemodynamic support. The Impella device (Abiomed Inc, Danvers, MA) is a microaxial left ventricular assist device that can be inserted using a less invasive technique.

Comparison of Endovascular and Intraventricular Gene Therapy With Adeno-Associated Virus-α-L-Iduronidase for Hurler Disease.

Background: Hurler disease (mucopolysaccharidosis type I [MPS-I]) is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme α-L-iduronidase (IDUA). Currently, the only therapies for MPS-I, enzyme replacement and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, are generally ineffective for central nervous system manifestations.

Objective: To test whether brain-targeted gene therapy with recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV5)-IDUA vectors in an MPS-I transgenic mouse model would reverse the pathological hallmarks.

Erythema and ultraviolet indoor tanning: findings from a diary study.

The use of artificial ultraviolet (UV) indoor tanning (IT) beds increases the risk of skin cancer. The IT industry claims IT devices provide users with control over the amount of UV radiation exposure and thus reduces risks of sunburn (i.e.

Idiopathic granulomatous hypophysitis presenting as pituitary apoplexy.

Idiopathic granulomatous hypophysitis (IGH) is an extremely rare chronic inflammatory lesion of the pituitary gland. This condition typically presents with chronic onset of headache and slow development of visual deficits. Pituitary apoplexy is a clinical syndrome characterized by sudden onset of headache, vision loss, opthalmoplegia, and signs of meningeal irritation.