Zinc protects against cadmium-induced toxicity in neonatal murine engineered cardiac tissues via metallothionein-dependent and independent mechanisms.

Cadmium (Cd) is a nonessential heavy metal and a prevalent environmental toxin that has been shown to induce significant cardiomyocyte apoptosis in neonatal murine engineered cardiac tissues (ECTs). In contrast, zinc (Zn) is a potent metallothionein (MT) inducer, which plays an important role in protection against Cd toxicity. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Zn against Cd toxicity in ECTs and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Optimal Surgical Timing After Neoadjuvant Therapy for Stage IIIa Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Patients with clinically/pathologically diagnosed stage IIIa non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) considered for surgery are recommended to undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without radiation. The timing of an operation after therapy is not standardized; therefore, we investigated the timing of intervention after neoadjuvant therapy and the impact on outcomes in this demographic.

Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried between 2010 and 2015 for patients with clinical/pathologic stage IIIa NSCLC.

Neonatal murine engineered cardiac tissue toxicology model: Impact of dexrazoxane on doxorubicin induced injury.

Doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiotoxicity is a life-threatening side effect of chemotherapy and decreased cardiac function can present years after treatment. Despite the investigation of a broad range of pharmacologic interventions, to date the only drug shown to reduce DOX-related cardiotoxicity in preclinical studies and limited clinical trials is the iron chelating agent, dexrazoxane (DRZ), although the mechanisms responsible for DRZ mediated protection from DOX related cardiotoxicity remain unclear. Engineered cardiac tissues (ECTs) can be used for tissue repair strategies and as in vitro surrogate models to test cardiac toxicities and preventative countermeasures.

Sex differences in progression of diabetic nephropathy in OVE26 type 1 diabetic mice.

Aims: OVE26 mice (FVB background), genetically overexpressing calmodulin in pancreatic beta cells, develop early onset type 1 diabetes, leading to progressive diabetic nephropathy (DN), with features of established human DN. The role of gender in characteristics of renal lesions has remained unexplored.

Methods: Male and female OVE26 mice were compared to age and sex matched wild-type, nondiabetic FVB mice at ages of 4, 12, 24 and 36 weeks.

Protective Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and its Supernatant against Myocardial Dysfunction in Obese Mice Exposed to Intermittent Hypoxia is Associated with the Activation of Nrf2 Pathway.

Prolonged intermittent hypoxia (IH) has been shown to impair myocardial function (mainly via oxidative stress and inflammation) and modify gut microbiota in mice. Gut microbiota plays an important role in health and disease, including obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Probiotics refer to live microorganisms that confer health benefits on the host after administration in adequate amounts.

Participant Engagement in Translational Genomics Research: Respect for Persons-and Then Some.

The expansion of both formal and informal frameworks of "engaged" research in translational research settings raises emerging and substantial normative concerns. In this article, we draw on findings from a focus group study with members of a national consortium of translational genomic research sites. The goals were to catalog informal participant engagement practices, to explore the perceived roots of these practices and the motivations of research staff members for adopting them, and to reflect on their ethical implications.

Reliability and Validity of the Adult Hope Scale among Nursing Home Residents with and without Cognitive Impairment.

: The current study aims to examine the reliability and validity of the Adult Hope Scale among older adults with and without cognitive impairment who were recently admitted to a nursing home.: Sixty-four recently admitted nursing home residents, 32 of whom had cognitive impairment, were administered the Adult Hope Scale and measures of concurrent and divergent validity.: In this sample, the Adult Hope Scale demonstrated good to excellent reliability.

More than just an enzyme: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) and its association with diabetic kidney remodelling.

Purpose Of The Review: This review article discusses recent advances in the mechanism of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) actions in renal diseases, especially diabetic kidney fibrosis, and summarizes anti-fibrotic functions of various DPP-4 inhibitors in diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Recent Findings: DN is a common complication of diabetes and is a leading cause of the end-stage renal disease (ESRD). DPP-4 is a member of serine proteases, and more than 30 substrates have been identified that act via several biochemical messengers in a variety of tissues including kidney.

Weight-Bearing Physical Activity Influences the Effect of Vitamin D on Bone Turnover Markers in Patients with Intellectual Disability.

Objectives: Individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are at increased risk for low bone mass and fragility fractures, and those who are nonambulatory may be at even higher risk. Patients with IDs often are vitamin D deficient, but there is little information concerning how vitamin D treatment of patients with IDs affects markers of bone formation and resorption.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 23 institutionalized individuals with IDs who were the subject of a performance improvement continuing medical education project designed to reduce risk for fracture by optimizing serum vitamin D levels.

Rural health, telemedicine and access for pediatric surgery.

Purpose Of Review: Access to care for children requiring pediatric general or specialty surgery or trauma care who live in rural areas remains a challenge in the United States.

Recent Findings: The expertise of specialists in tertiary centers can be extended to rural and underserved areas using telemedicine. There are challenges to making these resources available that need to be methodically approached to facilitate appropriate relationships between hospitals and providers.

Liquid biopsy using the nanotube-CTC-chip: capture of invasive CTCs with high purity using preferential adherence in breast cancer patients.

In this paper, we report the development of the nanotube-CTC-chip for isolation of tumor-derived epithelial cells (circulating tumor cells, CTCs) from peripheral blood, with high purity, by exploiting the physical mechanisms of preferential adherence of CTCs on a nanotube surface. The nanotube-CTC-chip is a new 76-element microarray technology that combines carbon nanotube surfaces with microarray batch manufacturing techniques for the capture and isolation of tumor-derived epithelial cells. Using a combination of red blood cell (RBC) lysis and preferential adherence, we demonstrate the capture and enrichment of CTCs with a 5-log reduction of contaminating WBCs.

Marijuana for Parkinson's Disease?

Marijuana is popular in the United States and is being widely legalized for recreational and medicinal purposes. It remains a Schedule 1 substance without fully proven risks and benefits; yet, it is increasingly available in many US states and territories. Cannabis might have medicinal efficacy in Parkinson's disease as a form of medical marijuana.

Synthetic Cannabinoids-"Spice" Can Induce a Psychosis: A Brief Review.

Synthetic cannabinoids, popularly called Spice, are common drugs of abuse in the United States. They are utilized as a substitute for marijuana, primarily for their psychoactive properties. Consumption has been rapidly increasing due to recreational effects, easy accessibility, and not being detectable by urine drug screening tests.

Depth of Invasion of Aggressive and Nonaggressive Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Dermal invasion is characteristic of more aggressive basal cell carcinoma (BCC) tumors. However, reporting the depth of invasion of BCC is not currently a standard or recommended practice. The purpose of this study was to document the depth of invasion of BCC.

Curcuminoids: Implication for inflammation and oxidative stress in cardiovascular diseases.

It has been extensively verified that inflammation and oxidative stress play important roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Curcuminoids, from the plant Curcuma longa, have three major active ingredients, which include curcumin (curcumin I), demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Curcuminoids have been used in traditional medicine for CVDs' management and other comorbidities for centuries.

Infection prevention and control core practices: A roadmap for nursing practice.

The CDC continues to stress the urgent issue of increasing microbial resistance. The organization recently joined forces with the American Nurses Association to bring awareness to this issue through an approach that prevents inappropriate antibiotic use and stresses infection prevention.

Risks vs Benefits for SGLT2 Inhibitor Medications.

Health care providers should carefully assess patients with diabetes mellitus before prescribing sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor medications and monitor for adverse effects.