Microinjections of urocortin1 into the nucleus ambiguus of the rat elicit bradycardia.

Urocortins are members of the hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) peptide family. Urocortin1 (UCN1) mRNA has been reported to be expressed in the brainstem neurons. The present investigation was carried out to test the hypothesis that microinjections of UCN1 into the nucleus ambiguus (nAmb) may elicit cardiac effects.

Whole-genome sequences of thirteen isolates of Borrelia burgdorferi.

Borrelia burgdorferi is a causative agent of Lyme disease in North America and Eurasia. The first complete genome sequence of B. burgdorferi strain 31, available for more than a decade, has assisted research on the pathogenesis of Lyme disease.

The effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound upon diabetic fracture healing.

In the United States, over 17 million people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) with its inherent morbidity of delayed bone healing and nonunion. Recent studies demonstrate the utility of pulsed low-intensity ultrasound (LIPUS) to facilitate fracture healing. The current study evaluated the effects of daily application of LIPUS on mid-diaphyseal femoral fracture growth factor expression, cartilage formation, and neovascularization in DM and non-DM BB Wistar rats.

A survey of radiology chairpersons' perceptions of the relative importance of education of medical students, residents, and fellows.

Objective: The purpose of the study was twofold: to assess radiology chairpersons' perceptions about the value of education of medical students, residents, and fellows with respect to the achievement of department success and to uncover their personal involvement in instructional activities.

Materials And Methods: A questionnaire was sent to all American members of the Society of Chairmen in Academic Radiology (SCARD) requesting their opinions about 21 putative responsibilities of their job including student, resident, and fellow education. The survey also asked the respondents to list the size of their trainee complement, both residents and fellows.

Gating of transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channels activated by cold and chemical agonists in planar lipid bilayers.

The transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) ion channel is a major sensor of environmental cold temperatures. It is activated by cold and chemical agonists, such as menthol and icilin. The activation of these channels both by cold and cooling agents requires the presence of the membrane phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P(2)].

Ablation of phospholamban and sarcolipin results in cardiac hypertrophy and decreased cardiac contractility.

Aims: Improving the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) function has clinical implications in treating heart failure. The present study aimed to determine the effect of constitutive activation of the SERCA pump on cardiac contractility in normal mice and during pressure-overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

Methods And Results: The SERCA pump was constitutively activated in both atrial and ventricular chambers of the mouse heart by ablating its key regulators, phospholamban (PLN) and sarcolipin (SLN).

Evaluation of a noninvasive expandable prosthesis in musculoskeletal oncology patients for the upper and lower limb.

The noninvasive expandable prosthesis is used for limb-salvage surgery following tumor resection in skeletally immature patients. The purpose of this retrospective study is to report our experience with the Repiphysis (Wright Medical Technology, Inc; Arlington, Tennessee) noninvasive expandable prosthesis for both the lower extremity and compassionate use in the upper extremity in 12 patients between 2003 and 2008. Twelve prostheses were implanted in 12 patients with an average follow-up of 38 months (range, 12-78 months).

An efficient protocol for VZV BAC-based mutagenesis.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes both varicella (chicken pox) and herpes zoster (shingles). As a member of the human herpesvirus family, VZV contains a large 125-kb DNA genome, encoding 70 unique open reading frames (ORFs). The genetic study of VZV has been hindered by the large size of viral genome, and thus the functions of the majority of these ORFs remain unclear.

Role of local insulin augmentation upon allograft incorporation in a rat femoral defect model.

Each year, over one million orthopedic operations are performed which a bony defect is presence, requiring the use of further augmentation in addition to bony fixation. Application of autogenous bone graft is the standard of care to promote healing of these defects, but several determents exist in using autogenous bone graft exist including limited supply and donor site morbidity. Prior work has demonstrated that local insulin application to fracture sites promote fracture healing, but no work has been performed to date in its effects upon defect healing/allograft incorporation.

Redox regulatory mechanism of transnitrosylation by thioredoxin.

Transnitrosylation and denitrosylation are emerging as key post-translational modification events in regulating both normal physiology and a wide spectrum of human diseases. Thioredoxin 1 (Trx1) is a conserved antioxidant that functions as a classic disulfide reductase. It also catalyzes the transnitrosylation or denitrosylation of caspase 3 (Casp3), underscoring its central role in determining Casp3 nitrosylation specificity.

Resistance to transforming growth factor β-mediated tumor suppression in melanoma: are multiple mechanisms in place?

Resistance to transforming growth factor (TGF) β-mediated tumor suppression in melanoma appears to be a crucial step in tumor aggressiveness since it is usually coupled with the ability of TGFβ to drive the oncogenic process via autocrine and paracrine effects. In this review, we will focus mainly on the mechanisms of escape from TGFβ-induced cell cycle arrest because the mechanisms of resistance to TGFβ-mediated apoptosis are still essentially speculative. As expected, some of these mechanisms can directly affect the function of the main downstream effectors of TGFβ, Smad2 and Smad3, resulting in compromised Smad-mediated antiproliferative activity.

Daptomycin and rifampin for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus septic pulmonary emboli in the absence of endocarditis.

Daptomycin has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-associated bacteremia and right-sided infective endocarditis. Although daptomycin is not approved for treatment of gram-positive pneumonia, clinical evidence suggests that it may be effective therapy for S. aureus-associated septic pulmonary emboli (SPE).

Case report: Emergency department diagnosis of melorheostosis in the upper extremity: a rare disease with an unusual presentation.

Background: Melorheostosis is a rare disease that affects fewer than 1:1,000,000 persons worldwide and most typically affects the lower extremities. It is a non-hereditary disease that may be debilitating due to chronic pain, contractures of the soft tissue, and even shortening of the affected limbs. Although it most commonly occurs in the lower extremities, melorheostosis has been reported in various locations throughout the body.

Efficacy and tolerability of second- and third-generation antihistamines in the treatment of acquired cold urticaria: a meta-analysis.

Background: Acquired cold urticaria (ACU) is a form of physical urticaria that has been treated with first-generation antihistamines; there is a paucity of data regarding second- and third-generation antihistamines for the treatment of ACU.

Objective: To perform a systematic review of the literature to determine the efficacy of second- and third-generation antihistamines in the treatment of ACU.

Methods: Data were extracted via a MEDLINE search of the literature between 1950 and May 2009.

Establishing the proteome of normal human cerebrospinal fluid.

Background: Knowledge of the entire protein content, the proteome, of normal human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) would enable insights into neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Until now technologic hurdles and access to true normal samples hindered attaining this goal.

Methods And Principal Findings: We applied immunoaffinity separation and high sensitivity and resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to examine CSF from healthy normal individuals.

Mast cell stabilization improves survival by preventing apoptosis in sepsis.

Inhibiting single cytokines produced modest effects in clinical trials, in part because the cytokines were not specific for sepsis, and sepsis may require cellular strategies. Previous studies reported that mast cells (MCs) fight infections in early sepsis. In this study, we report that MC stabilizers restrain serum TNF levels and improve survival in wild-type but not in MC-deficient mice.

A2B adenosine receptors protect against sepsis-induced mortality by dampening excessive inflammation.

Despite intensive research, efforts to reduce the mortality of septic patients have failed. Adenosine is a potent extracellular signaling molecule, and its levels are elevated in sepsis. Adenosine signals through G-protein-coupled receptors and can regulate the host's response to sepsis.

Effect of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on Bone Healing.

Nonspecific and COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) function by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase isoenzymes and effectively reduce pain and inflammation attributed to acute or chronic musculoskeletal pathologies. However, use of NSAIDs as an analgesic is thought to negatively contribute to bone healing. This review strived to provide a thorough unbiased analysis of the current research conducted on animals and humans regarding NSAIDs and their effect on bone healing.

Clinical results with the use of a temporary keratoprosthesis in combined penetrating keratoplasty and vitreoretinal surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate surgical outcomes using a temporary intraoperative keratoprosthesis (KP) in patients undergoing combined pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).

Methods: From January 2001 to August 2008, medical records of 23 patients undergoing combined KP/PPV/PKP for traumatic and nontraumatic corneal and retinal pathologies were studied. Only patients with >or=6 months follow-up were included.

Evaluation and management of apparent life-threatening events in infants.

Apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs) are frightening to caregivers and clinicians alike. This article provides a comprehensive review of the causes, management, and consequences of ALTEs. The information provided was collected from an extensive literature review using the search terms ALTE, sudden infant death syndrome, and apnea.

Intimate partner violence and cancer screening among urban minority women.

Purpose: To evaluate the association of intimate partner violence (IPV) with breast and cervical cancer screening rates.

Methods: We conducted retrospective chart audits of 382 adult women at 4 urban family medicine practices. Inclusion criteria were not being pregnant, no cancer history, and having a partner.

Dual-color, break-apart FISH assay on paraffin-embedded tissues as an adjunct to diagnosis of Xp11 translocation renal cell carcinoma and alveolar soft part sarcoma.

Both Xp11.2 translocation renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) are characterized by various translocations disrupting chromosome Xp11.2, which result in gene fusions involving the TFE3 transcription factor gene.

Prophylactic bilateral intramedullary femoral nails for bisphosphonate-associated signs of impending subtrochanteric hip fracture.

In the short and midterm, bisphosphonates have proven highly efficacious in the prevention of low-energy fractures, but long-term results and adverse effects have yet to be definitively identified. Of particular concern are emerging reports of long-term bisphosphonate users presenting with unusual low-energy subtrochanteric femur fractures. Perhaps associated with hyperactive bone remodeling leading to an eventually weakened bony architecture, the efficacy of longer-term bisphosphonate use has come into question, especially in those with >5 years of therapy.

Use of forensic methods under exigent circumstances without full validation.

Forensic science can be instrumental in providing investigative leads or clues to help identify the perpetrators, and those who are innocent, of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear terrorist attack, as well as identify leads during infectious outbreaks or other public health threats. Because of a need to react quickly in exigent circumstances during which the threat of continued attack persists, methods may be used that are not fully validated. A preliminary validation should be performed to evaluate the acquisition of limited test data to ensure that the interpretation of results remains within the limitations of known performance of the method.