New Insights into the Critical Importance of Intratubular Na/H Exchanger 3 and Its Potential Therapeutic Implications in Hypertension.

Purpose Of Review: The sodium (Na) and hydrogen (H) exchanger 3 (NHE3), known as solute carrier family 9 member 3 (SLC9A3), mediates active transcellular Na and bicarbonate reabsorption in the small intestine of the gut and proximal tubules of the kidney. The purpose of this article is to review and discuss recent findings on the critical roles of intestinal and proximal tubule NHE3 in maintaining basal blood pressure (BP) homeostasis and their potential therapeutic implications in the development of angiotensin II (Ang II)-dependent hypertension.

Recent Findings: Recently, our and other laboratories have generated or used novel genetically modified mouse models with whole-body, kidney-specific, or proximal tubule-specific deletion of NHE3 to determine the critical roles and underlying mechanisms of NHE3 in maintaining basal BP homeostasis and the development of Ang II-induced hypertension at the whole-body, kidney, or proximal tubule levels.

Ablation of polyamine catabolic enzymes provokes Purkinje cell damage, neuroinflammation, and severe ataxia.

Background: Polyamine catabolism plays a key role in maintaining intracellular polyamine pools, yet its physiological significance is largely unexplored. Here, we report that the disruption of polyamine catabolism leads to severe cerebellar damage and ataxia, demonstrating the fundamental role of polyamine catabolism in the maintenance of cerebellar function and integrity.

Methods: Mice with simultaneous deletion of the two principal polyamine catabolic enzymes, spermine oxidase and spermidine/spermine N-acetyltransferase (Smox/Sat1-dKO), were generated by the crossbreeding of Smox-KO (Smox) and Sat1-KO (Sat1) animals.

Well Leg Compartment Syndrome after Contralateral Femoral Neck ORIF.

The authors present a case of WLCS after femoral neck fracture fixation. While this is a rare complication, a high index of suspicion should exist. Surgeons should use well leg holders with caution and limit utilization time.

Safety of Back-Transfer to Local Hospitals During an Acute Care Hospitalization.

Purpose: This paper investigates patient outcomes including length of stay (LOS), cost of hospitalization, bounce-back rates, transition to hospice care, and mortality, following back-transfer.

Methods: This study was an observational case-control study of adults hospitalized in Iowa between 2005 and 2013 to identify back-transferred patients. Back-transfer was defined as the transfer of rural patients near the end of their acute hospitalization in a comprehensive medical center back to a local community hospital for the completion of their medical care.

Volumetric analysis of day of injury computed tomography is associated with rehabilitation outcomes after traumatic brain injury.

Background: Day-of-injury (DOI) brain lesion volumes in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients are rarely used to predict long-term outcomes in the acute setting. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between acute brain injury lesion volume and rehabilitation outcomes in patients with TBI at a level one trauma center.

Methods: Patients with TBI who were admitted to our rehabilitation unit after the acute care trauma service from February 2009-July 2011 were eligible for the study.

Rbfox2 function in RNA metabolism is impaired in hypoplastic left heart syndrome patient hearts.

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a fatal congenital heart disease in which the left side of the heart is underdeveloped, impairing the systemic circulation. Underdeveloped left ventricle exerts biomechanical stress on the right ventricle that can progress into heart failure. Genome-wide transcriptome changes have been identified at early stages in the right ventricle (RV) of infants with HLHS, although the molecular mechanisms remain unknown.

Bloody nipple discharge in an infant and a proposed diagnostic approach.

Bloody nipple discharge is a rare finding in infants and is associated most often with benign mammary duct ectasia. The rarity of this symptom in infants and its association with breast carcinoma in adults can lead to unnecessary investigation and treatment. Here we describe a 4-month-old boy with bilateral bloody nipple discharge that resolved spontaneously without treatment by 6 months of age.