Quantifying circular RNA expression from RNA-seq data using model-based framework.

Motivation: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that are widely expressed in various cell lines and tissues of many organisms. Although the exact function of many circRNAs is largely unknown, the cell type-and tissue-specific circRNA expression has implicated their crucial functions in many biological processes. Hence, the quantification of circRNA expression from high-throughput RNA-seq data is becoming important to ascertain.

Clinical outcome of using gastric remnant or jejunum or colon conduit in surgery for esophageal carcinoma with previous gastrectomy.

Background: For esophageal carcinoma patients with early gastrectomy, individualized surgical plans-including selection of replacement conduit and operation route based on patient's new lesion and surgical history-can achieve the desired therapeutic effect and improve postoperative life quality. We investigated the outcomes at our institution.

Methods: The clinical data of 42 esophageal carcinoma patients with early gastrectomy were analyzed retrospectively.

Expression of nuclear factor, erythroid 2-like 2-mediated genes differentiates tuberculosis.

During infection and host defense, nuclear factor, erythroid 2-like 2 (Nrf2) dependent signaling is an efficient antioxidant defensive mechanism used by host cells to control the destructive effects of reactive oxygen species. This allows for effective defense responses against microbes while minimizing oxidative injury to the host cell itself. As a central regulator of antioxidant genes, Nrf2 has gained great attention in its pivotal role in infection, especially in tuberculosis (TB), the top infectious disease killer worldwide.

Functional and Structural Consequence of Rare Exonic Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms: One Story, Two Tales.

Genetic variation arising from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is ubiquitously found among human populations. While disease-causing variants are known in some cases, identifying functional or causative variants for most human diseases remains a challenging task. Rare SNPs, rather than common ones, are thought to be more important in the pathology of most human diseases.

T cells expressing CD19 chimeric antigen receptors for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children and young adults: a phase 1 dose-escalation trial.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified T cells targeting CD19 have shown activity in case series of patients with acute and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and B-cell lymphomas, but feasibility, toxicity, and response rates of consecutively enrolled patients treated with a consistent regimen and assessed on an intention-to-treat basis have not been reported. We aimed to define feasibility, toxicity, maximum tolerated dose, response rate, and biological correlates of response in children and young adults with refractory B-cell malignancies treated with CD19-CAR T cells.

Methods: This phase 1, dose-escalation trial consecutively enrolled children and young adults (aged 1-30 years) with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The class I HDAC inhibitor Romidepsin targets inflammatory breast cancer tumor emboli and synergizes with paclitaxel to inhibit metastasis.

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most metastatic variant of locally advanced breast cancer. IBC has distinctive characteristics including invasion of tumor emboli into the skin and rapid disease progression. Given our previous studies suggesting that HDAC inhibitors have promise in targeting IBC, the present study revealed that the class I HDAC inhibitor Romidepsin (FK-288, Istodax; Celgene Corporation, Summit, NJ) potently induced destruction of IBC tumor emboli and lymphatic vascular architecture.

The effect of lipoaspirates cryopreservation on adipose-derived stem cells.

Background: Autologous fat grafting has gained popularity, particularly with the discovery of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC). The possibility of freezing lipoaspirates (LA) for later use has intriguing clinical potential. However, the effect of LA cryopreservation on ADSC is unclear.

In utero transplantation: Disparate ramifications.

In utero stem cell transplantation, which promises treatment for a host of genetic disorders early in gestation before disease effect stems from Ray Owen's seminal observation that self-tolerance, is acquired during gestation. To date, in utero transplantation (IUT) has proved useful in characterizing the hematopoietic stem cell. Recent observations support its use as an in vivo method to further understanding of self-tolerance.

Complications of cutaneous surgery in patients taking clopidogrel-containing anticoagulation.

Background: Most anticoagulants are not associated with increased risk of severe complications during cutaneous surgery, but no data exist on clopidogrel.

Objective: We sought to determine frequency and severity of perioperative complications in patients taking clopidogrel-containing anticoagulation.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of medical records of patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, while taking clopidogrel-containing anticoagulation between 2004 and 2008, compared with control subjects taking aspirin monotherapy or no anticoagulants.

Treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: focus on once-daily medications.

Objective: To review the efficacy, safety, and abuse liability of approved treatments in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with a focus on once-daily medications.

Data Sources: PubMed was searched for relevant studies/reviews in English from 2002 to 2011 on adult ADHD treatments.

Study Selection: Keywords used in the search were ADHD, adults, and treatment.

The behavioral phenotype of Williams syndrome: A recognizable pattern of neurodevelopment.

Williams syndrome (WS), caused by hemizygous deletion of 1.55-1.8 Mb of chromosome 7q11.

Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with chronic bronchitis with inhaled fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (ADVAIR DISKUS) 250/50: results of a patient experience trial.

Context: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is recognized as a major healthcare problem in the United States and around the world.

Objective: This survey regarding initial experience in patients with COPD collected feedback about newly initiated therapy with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FSC; ADVAIR DISKUS).

Design: Three telephone surveys were conducted; Survey 1 prior to initiating therapy with FSC 250/50, and Surveys 2 and 3 at 2 weeks and 30 days after initiating therapy with FSC 250/50, respectively.

Localized cecal zygomycosis following renal transplantation.

Zygomycosis occurs as an opportunistic infection following organ transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy. Gastrointestinal zygomycosis is an exceedingly rare and usually fatal presentation of this infection. We discuss the case of a renal transplant recipient who survived cecal perforation from zygomycosis.

Boolean search experience and abilities of medical students and practicing physicians.

Background: Little is known about physician ability to utilize Boolean search skills to access information.

Purpose: Determine the proficiency of medical students and practicing physicians to identify efficient Boolean phrases.

Methods: Experiential survey and multiple-choice questions administered to 49 4th-year medical students and 42 practicing physicians.

Practices of vitamin D recommendation in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Reports of vitamin D deficiency rickets, although rare in the United States, have increased over the past few years, including in children living in climates with abundant sunshine. The purpose of this study was to describe vitamin D recommendation practices among pediatric health care providers in Las Vegas, Nevada. Of the 155 providers surveyed, 52.

Evaluation of the impact and acceptance of a nutrition program in an HIV community clinic.

The present paper describes the evaluation of a nutrition service and research model for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive clients within a community based HIV acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) medical clinic. This program was designed to develop an effective, practical, replicable model for the delivery of nutrition services in the ambulatory HIV care setting. The objectives of evaluating the model were to define the ways that nutrition services in HIV/AIDS impacted clients, the clinic, and referral sources, and to continually refine the model by determining what services provide greatest benefit to clients, especially in view of the changing landscape of HIV therapy.

Persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease after antireflux surgery in children: I. immediate postoperative evaluation using extended esophageal pH monitoring.

Purpose: There is a paucity of quantitative and reproducible follow-up data on childhood operations for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). With the development of minimally invasive techniques for antireflux operations in children, there is a need to quantitatively determine immediate outcomes for such operations performed by laparotomy for comparison.

Methods: A retrospective review of 385 children (age range, 1 week to 15 years) who had a primary antireflux operation in a Children's or University Hospital performed by laparotomy between 1983 and 1997, and who also had an extended esophageal pH study performed within the first 12 postoperative weeks, was conducted.

Vertical Silastic Ring Gastroplasty with Nissen Fundoplication Prevents Reflux.

Optimal management of coexisting morbid obesity and gastroesophageal reflux is not known. Silastic ring vertical gastroplasty is an effective treatment for morbid obesity, and Nissen fundoplication is effective in treating gastroesophageal reflux. We combined these two procedures in an animal model and found protection against gastroesophageal reflux without any deleterious effects on pouch emptying.

Minimally invasive neurosurgery.

The use of the operating microscope revolutionized neurosurgery. The illumination and magnification al- lowed visualization of the desired area of the brain with much less retraction on normal brain. Microinstrumentation flourished.