Bioinformatics analysis of the factors controlling type I IFN gene expression in autoimmune disease and virus-induced immunity.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) display increased levels of type I interferon (IFN)-induced genes. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) are natural interferon producing cells and considered to be a primary source of IFN-α in these two diseases. Differential expression patterns of type I IFN-inducible transcripts can be found in different immune cell subsets and in patients with both active and inactive autoimmune disease.

P53 regulates the migration of mesenchymal stromal cells in response to the tumor microenvironment through both CXCL12-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent fibroblast-like cells located in the bone marrow that localize to areas of tissue damage including wounds and solid tumors. Within the tumor microenvironment, MSCs adopt the phenotype of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and stimulate tumor growth. Production of the chemokine CXCL12, also known as stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), by MSCs is required for their in vitro migration in response to tumor cells and has also been implicated in stimulation of tumor growth.

Utility of a rotation-suction microdebrider for tumor removal in endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery.

The microdebrider is a common tool used in endoscopic sinus surgery for removing polypoid and sinonasal tissue. It uses rotating blades and an integrated suction device for controlled removal of tissue under video-endoscopic visualization. To our knowledge, the application of the microdebrider for endoscopic removal of skull base tumors has not been reported.

Ethical considerations in deep brain stimulation for psychiatric illness.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an efficacious surgical treatment for many conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and treatment-resistant depression. DBS provides a unique opportunity to not only ameliorate disease but also to study mood, cognition, and behavioral effects in the brain. However, there are many ethical questions that must be fully addressed in designing clinical research trials.

Intimate partner violence: IPV in the LGBT community.

Nationally, the rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) among lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) individuals are similar to or greater than rates for heterosexuals. Many have experienced psychological and physical abuse as sexual minorities, making it difficult for them to seek help for IPV. Physician behavior, such as not assuming that all patients are heterosexual, being nonjudgmental, and using inclusive language, can empower LGBT patients to disclose IPV.

Intimate partner violence: childhood exposure to domestic violence.

Children who are exposed to domestic violence (DV) may experience many short- and long-term negative effects. They are up to 3.8 times more likely to become perpetrators or victims in adulthood than are children not exposed to DV.

Intimate partner violence: counseling, community resources, and legal issues for IPV victims and perpetrators.

The family physician's office is a potentially safe place to discuss intimate partner violence (IPV). RADAR (Remember to ask routinely, Ask directly [in private], Document findings, Assess safety, Review options) is a tool for identifying and responding to IPV. Physicians should ask permission to document abuse, consider using a body map, and ensure confidentiality.

Intimate partner violence: office screening for victims and perpetrators of IPV.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects more than 12 million individuals annually. Power and control are central concepts underlying abusive relationships. Physicians may see IPV victims, perpetrators, and their children for annual examinations, as well as for injuries and health conditions associated with abuse.

Does recombinant factor XIII eliminate early manifestations of multiple-organ injury after experimental burn similarly to gut ischemia-reperfusion injury or trauma-hemorrhagic shock?

The authors have previously shown that recombinant factor XIII (rFXIII) eliminates early manifestations of multiple-organ injury caused by experimental superior mesenteric artery occlusion or trauma-hemorrhagic shock. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that rFXIII provides similar protective effect in experimental burn injury. Rats were randomly divided into five groups (eight animals per group): group 1: burn + placebo treatment; group 2: burn + rFXIII pretreatment; group 3: burn + rFXIII treatment; group 4: sham burn + placebo treatment, and group 5: sham burn + rFXIII treatment.

Spontaneous hemorrhage of a facial neurofibroma: endovascular embolization before surgical intervention.

A 50-year-old man with neurofibromatosis type 1 presented to the emergency department after a spontaneous hemorrhage into a facial plexiform neurofibroma. An emergent selective angiography of the external carotid artery was performed with Onyx embolization of the origin of the internal maxillary artery as well as the superficial temporal artery to minimize arterial bleeding during the subsequent operative hematoma evacuation. This technique was aimed to control blood loss during the surgical procedure and reduce the amount of transfusion product required for resuscitation.

Economic burden of healthcare-associated infection in US acute care hospitals: societal perspective.

Background: Assessing the costs of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is challenging. Methodological issues abound. Previous estimates have been derived in diverse ways from varied perspectives in different settings with dissimilar data.

Locally aggressive and multicentric recurrent extraocular sebaceous carcinoma: case report and literature review.

Objective: Sebaceous Carcinoma is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor. We present a case report of a large truncal tumor with multicentricity and aggressive locoregional recurrence that required trapezius myocutaneous flap reconstruction. Examining patterns of multicentricity, metastasis, and recurrence of sebaceous carcinoma in the literature we sought to explore potential reasons behind the aggressive behavior.

Clinical education from a specialized accreditation viewpoint: a report of the ASAHP clinical education task force.

Unlabelled: Access to clinical education poses national challenges to allied health training programs. Clinical education is paramount to providing future health professionals with experiences that support competencies for success in their individual fields.

Method: The ASAHP Clinical Education Task Force interviewed 14 executive directors of various specialized accreditation agencies on clinical education issues and opportunities.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III chemoprevention trial of selenium supplementation in patients with resected stage I non-small-cell lung cancer: ECOG 5597.

Purpose: Selenium has been reported to have chemopreventive benefits in lung cancer. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the incidence of second primary tumors (SPTs) in patients with resected non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving selenium supplementation.

Patients And Methods: Patients with completely resected stage I NSCLC were randomly assigned to take selenized yeast 200 μg versus placebo daily for 48 months.

Non-spinal musculoskeletal malpractice suits against radiologists in the USA--rates, anatomic locations, and payments in a survey of 8,265 radiologists.

The objective of this study was to present the characteristics of non-spinal musculoskeletal malpractice suits with attention to rates, anatomic location, and payments in a survey of 8,265 radiologists. The malpractice histories of 8,265 radiologists from 36 states were evaluated from credentialing data required of all radiologists participating in the network of One Call Medical, Inc., a broker for imaging tests in workmen's compensation cases.

Rhinology fellowship training and its scholarly impact.

Background: Previous examination of the impact of fellowship training on scholarly productivity among otolaryngologists found that head and neck surgeons and otologists had a higher mean h-index than fellowship-trained rhinologists. Because fellowship training in rhinology is a historically newer trend, the objectives of the present analysis were to further characterize research productivity among fellowship-trained academic rhinologists, including geographic and temporal trends, to gain insight into the future direction of scholarly pursuits within the field.

Methods: Fellowship-trained rhinologists in academic practices were identified from the American Rhinologic Society online listings and organized by academic rank, number of years in practice, location, and h-index, as calculated using the Scopus database.

Sagittal Spinopelvic Parameters of Young Children With Scoliosis.

Study Design: Retrospective, multicenter review of the spinopelvic parameters in young children with scoliosis.

Objectives: To describe sagittal alignment of the spine and pelvis in young children with scoliosis.

Summary Of Background Data: The natural history of spinopelvic parameters has been defined for the first 10 years of life in normal children; however, they have not been described for children with scoliosis.

High Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter in Stroke Patients Who Have the Clinical Risk Factors for Stroke.

The incidence of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF) is well known and depends on the presence of risk factors. The incidence of AF in patients who have a stroke and its relationship to risk factors is not as clear, however, because many stroke patients may have occult intermittent AF that is not present at the time of stroke and is not diagnosed. To better assess the incidence of AF, we studied the clinical records and all the 12 lead ECGs in a 14 year medical center data base of 985 patients admitted with ischemic stroke over a 3 year period and correlated the incidence of AF with the presence of the stroke risk factors.

Spinal-related malpractice suits against radiologists in the USA-rates, anatomic location, percent of adverse judgments, and average payments.

To present overall rates, anatomic location, percent of adverse settlements to the radiologists, and average payments to the plaintiff in spinal-related malpractice suits in a survey of 8,265 radiologists. The malpractice histories of 8,265 radiologists from 36 states were evaluated from credentialing data required of all radiologists participating in the network of One Call Medical Incorporated, a broker for CT/MR in workmen's compensation cases. Two hundred twenty-six of the 8,265 radiologists (31.

Endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke in octogenarians compared with younger patients: a meta-analysis.

Background: Little is known about the safety and efficacy of endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke in octogenarians.

Aim: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies comparing outcomes of octogenarians and younger patients after endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: A computerized search of the medical literature from 1990 to 2012 was performed to identify comparative studies of endovascular treatment of ischemic stroke patients 80 years or older and younger patients.

p53 regulates mesenchymal stem cell-mediated tumor suppression in a tumor microenvironment through immune modulation.

p53 is one of the most studied genes in cancer biology, and mutations in this gene may be predictive for the development of many types of cancer in humans and in animals. However, whether p53 mutations in non-tumor stromal cells can affect tumor development has received very little attention. In this study, we show that B16F0 melanoma cells form much larger tumors in p53-deficient mice than in wild-type mice, indicating a potential role of p53 deficiency in non-tumor cells of the microenvironment.

RKIP and HMGA2 regulate breast tumor survival and metastasis through lysyl oxidase and syndecan-2.

Elucidating targets of physiological tumor metastasis suppressors can highlight key signaling pathways leading to invasion and metastasis. To identify downstream targets of the metastasis suppressor Raf-1 kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP/PEBP1), we utilized an integrated approach based upon statistical analysis of tumor gene expression data combined with experimental validation. Previous studies from our laboratory identified the architectural transcription factor and oncogene, high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2), as a target of inhibition by RKIP.

Introducing a new definition of a near fall: intra-rater and inter-rater reliability.

Near falls (NFs) are more frequent than falls, and may occur before falls, potentially predicting fall risk. As such, identification of a NF is important. We aimed to assess intra and inter-rater reliability of the traditional definition of a NF and to demonstrate the potential utility of a new definition.

Gonadotropinoma presenting as a case of pseudo-ovarian failure changing to macroprolactinoma.

Purpose: To present the first gonadotropinoma presenting as pseudo-menopause in a teenager.

Methods: Human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) were given to a 37-year-old woman whose hypergonadotropic amenorrhea with estrogen deficiency as a teenager was changed to hypogonadotropic amenorrhea by the growth and prolactin secretion of a macroprolactinoma.

Results: The patient responded multiple times, and every time to stimulation with hMG and each time produced several dominant follicles.