Conditional Deletion of Fgfr1 in the Proximal and Distal Tubule Identifies Distinct Roles in Phosphate and Calcium Transport.

A postnatal role of fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR1) in the kidney is suggested by its binding to α-Klotho to form an obligate receptor for the hormone fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23). FGFR1 is expressed in both the proximal and distal renal tubular segments, but its tubular specific functions are unclear. In this study, we crossed Fgfr1flox/flox mice with either gamma-glutamyltransferase-Cre (γGT-Cre) or kidney specific-Cre (Ksp-Cre) mice to selectively create proximal tubule (PT) and distal tubule (DT) Fgfr1 conditional knockout mice (designated Fgfr1PT-cKO and Fgfr1DT-cKO, respectively).

Counter-regulatory paracrine actions of FGF-23 and 1,25(OH)2 D in macrophages.

Mechanisms underlying the association between fibroblastic growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and inflammation are uncertain. We found that FGF-23 was markedly up-regulated in LPS/INF-γ-induced proinflammatory M1 macrophages and Hyp mouse-derived peritoneal macrophages, but not in IL-4-induced M2 anti-inflammatory macrophages. NF-КB and JAK/STAT1 pathways mediated the increased transcription of FGF-23 in response to M1 polarization.

Population Variations in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment and Outcomes, Northern California, 1998-2009.

Objective: To assess variations in rheumatoid arthritis treatment and outcomes at the community level from 1998 through 2009.

Methods: The study used computerized data from 16 Kaiser Permanente Northern California Medical Centers. Mixed modeling was used to assess patterns across time and clinic.

ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY OF ORGANISMS CAUSING URINARY TRACT INFECTION IN PATIENTS PRESENTING AT KENYATTA NATIONAL HOSPITAL, NAIROBI.

Background: Changes in susceptibility patterns of bacterial pathogens isolated from urinary tract infections emphasize the need for regional surveillance to generate information that can be used in management of patients. Knowledge on the current status of antimicrobial resistance in uropathogens, and the prevalence of expanding spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in the isolates will guide policy formulations and encourage prudent use of antimicrobials.

Objective: Identify bacterial pathogens causing UTI and determine the association between the pathogens isolated from patients attending KNH.

Interaction of genes and nutritional factors in the etiology of autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders: a case control study.

Objective: To compare risk factors of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to age/sex-matched controls with particular attention to family history, parental age and nutrition.

Method: 31 ASD and 81 ADHD patients were compared to 612 age/sex-matched controls by reviewing charts for parental age, sibling order, gestational age, and early feeding, and by parental interview for early feeding and family history of psychopathology on affected patients and 139 of those controls.

Findings: Parental age affected ASD and ADHD females but not males.

The use of the Berlin Heart EXCOR in patients with functional single ventricle.

Introduction: The frequency and successful use of pediatric ventricular assist devices (VADs) as a bridge to cardiac transplantation have been steadily increasing since 2003, but the experience in patients with complex congenital heart disease has not been well described. Using a large prospectively collected dataset of children supported with the Berlin Heart EXCOR VAD, we have reviewed the experience in children with single ventricular anatomy or physiology (SV), and compared the results with those supported with biventricular circulation (BV) over the same time period.

Methods: The EXCOR Investigational Device Exemption study database was retrospectively reviewed.

Recent advances in cross-sectional renal imaging-an oncologic perspective: the current concepts and the future challenges.

Renal imaging remains a critical tool to differentiate and manage benign from malignant renal disorders. Conventional multidetector computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) provide great anatomical details, although lack functional information and specificity. The lack of resolution undermines the functional capabilities of nuclear medicine imaging.

Screening for breast and cervical cancer: understanding the different recommendations.

Evidence-based screening guidelines issued by national organizations sometimes contradict each other, leading to confusion among health care providers and the women they care for. This article summarizes the most recent guidelines for breast and cervical cancer screening and notes where they concur and where they diverge.

Ratio of pancreatic duct caliber to width of pancreatic gland by endosonography is predictive of pancreatic cancer.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether (1) a pancreatic duct (PD) diameter to pancreatic gland width (G) ratio (PDG) by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) predicts pancreatic cancer (PC) and (2) whether this ratio better indicates PC compared to PD dilation alone.

Methods: Patients presenting for EUS were classified into the following 4 categories: (1) normal, (2) noncalcific chronic pancreatitis (NCCP), (3) calcific CP (CCP), and (4) PC.

Results: There were 198 patients enrolled.

Public access to defibrillation (PAD): implementing a church program.

For every minute without cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation, the odds of surviving cardiac arrest decrease by 7% to 10%. Churches can implement a public access to defibrillation (PAD) program and help save lives. This article outlines steps and resources for setting up a PAD program.

Unusual, metastatic, or neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas: a diagnosis with endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration and immunohistochemistry.

Background/aim: To determine the yield of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in combination with immunostains in diagnosing unusual solid pancreatic masses (USPM) in comparison with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (ACP).

Patients And Methods: All EUS-FNA of solid pancreatic masses performed with a 22-gauge needle were included. Data on clinical presentations, mass characteristics, presence of pancreatitis, yield of tissue, and final diagnosis were compared between the two groups.

Successful closure of pharyngo-cutaneous and phayryngo-tracheal fistulas using removable hypopharyngeal stent after laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma.

Placement of removable stents to close pharyngo-cutaneous and tracheo-pharyngeal fistulas after laryngectomy has not been reported before. This case presents the feasibility of removable esophageal stent in closing pharyngo-cutaneous and tracheo-pharyngeal fistulas after laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer. Consecutive patients who underwent placement of removable esophageal stent for closing pharyngo-cutaneous and tracheo-pharyngeal fistulas after laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer.

The latency-associated nuclear antigen, a multifunctional protein central to Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus latency.

Latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) is encoded by the Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) open reading frame 73. LANA is expressed during latent KSHV infection of cells, including tumor cells, such as primary effusion lymphoma, KS and multicentric Castleman's disease. Latently infected cells have multiple extrachromosomal copies of covalently closed circular KSHV genomes (episomes) that are stably maintained in proliferating cells.

The immediate treatment of frostbite in the American and German armies in Europe during World War 2: an historical perspective.

This historical account, based on a survey of 250 medical articles written during and immediately after World War II, reviews the immediate treatment of frostbite in the American and German ground troops in Europe from 1941 to 1945. The American management was simpler and more conservative than the elaborate treatments reported in the German publications. Because the German patients' injuries were more severe than those of the American soldiers and because neither Army carried out strict clinical trials nor prolonged follow-ups, it is impossible to judge what treatment was superior.

Wound healing following combined radiation and cetuximab therapy in head and neck cancer patients.

Objective: This study set out to determine if cetuximab treatment increases the risk of wound healing complications when combined with radiation therapy.

Method: We performed a retrospective chart review of head and neck cancer patients who received salvage neck dissections between 1999 and 2007, at two academic tertiary care centres. Complications from wound healing were compared between radiation and combined therapy groups.

Initial evaluation of the forward-viewing echoendoscope prototype for performing fine-needle aspiration, Tru-cut biopsy, and celiac plexus neurolysis.

Background And Aims: A forward-viewing echoendoscope (FV-CLA) has been recently developed for performing interventional endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). The role of FV-CLA in performing standard EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA), Tru-cut biopsy (TCB), and celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) is unknown. Our aims were to evaluate the feasibility of the FV-CLA for performing EUS-guided FNA/TCB and CPN.