Expression of PDZ-binding kinase/T-LAK cell-originated protein kinase (PBK/TOPK) in human urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma

The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression pattern of PDZ-binding kinase/T-LAK cell-originated protein kinase (PBK/TOPK) and its clinical significance in human bladder cancer (BC).     

Metabolic Surgery: Weight Loss,Diabetes, and Beyond

The alarming rise in the worldwide prevalence of obesity is paralleled by an increasing burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolic surgery is the most effective means of obtaining substantial and durable weight loss in individuals with obesity. Randomized trials have recently shown the superiority of surgery over medical treatment alone in achieving improved glycemic control, as well as a reduction in cardiovascular risk factors. The mechanisms seem to extend beyond the magnitude of weight loss alone and include improvements in incretin profiles, insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity. Moreover, observational data suggest that the reduction in cardiovascular risk factors translates to better patient outcomes. This review describes commonly used metabolic surgical procedures and their current indications and summarizes the evidence related to weight loss and glycemic outcomes. It further examines their potential effects on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality and discusses future perspectives.     

Non-traumatic causes of fluid in the retropharyngeal space

There are multiple reasons for imaging the soft tissues of the neck in the emergency setting, in particular when symptoms are vague or if there is worry for complications from a certain clinical diagnosis. When fluid is seen in the retropharyngeal space, it is important to pay attention to history and look at key structures in the neck. This article will discuss anatomy of the retropharyngeal space, followed by four causes of fluid within the space that the radiologist is likely to encounter in the emergency setting: tonsillitis/pharyngitis, acute calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscles, internal jugular vein thrombosis, and post-radiation changes. It is important to recognize these entities because each has different clinical implications and management.     

Therapy of Core Binding Factor Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Incremental Improvements Toward Better Long-Term Results

BackgroundDespite being considered as good prognostic acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), the long-term survival rate in core binding factor (CBF) AML leaves room for substantial improvement.Materials and MethodsWe reviewed relevant English language literature related to treatment of CBF AML available in PubMed. Review also included meeting abstracts.ResultsMulticycle high dose cytarabine in consolidation improves remission duration but larger groups report overall survival in the range of 40% to 50% at 5 years or longer.ConclusionsConcerted effort is needed toward improving outcomes in CBF AML through clinical trials and risk-adapted approach.     

Reduction in the need for hospitalization for recurrent ischemic events and bleeding with clopidogrel instead of aspirin. CAPRIE investigators

BACKGROUND: Repeat hospitalizations of patients with atherosclerosis represent a considerable burden on the health care system. We sought to determine whether clopidogrel compared with aspirin decreases the need for rehospitalization for ischemia and bleeding. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Clopidogrel Versus Aspirin in Patients at Risk of Ischemic Events (CAPRIE) trial was a randomized, blinded, multicenter, trial of 19,185 patients with atherosclerotic disease manifested as recent ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction or symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. Without any double-counting of events, the number of rehospitalizations for ischemic events (defined as angina, transient ischemic attack, or limb ischemia) or bleeding events was determined for the entire cohort. There was a significant reduction in the total number of rehospitalizations for ischemic events or bleeding with clopidogrel use compared with aspirin (1502 vs 1673; P =.010) over an average of 1.6 years of treatment. This reduction in rehospitalization was consistent across individual outcomes of angina, transient ischemic attack, limb ischemia, and bleeding. Compared with aspirin, clopidogrel also resulted in a 7.9% relative risk reduction in a combined end point of vascular death, stroke, myocardial infarction, or rehospitalization for ischemic events or bleeding (15.1% to 13.7% at 1 year; P =.011). Adjusting for baseline prognostic variables, clopidogrel therapy was an independent predictor for reduction of vascular death, stroke, myocardial infarction, or rehospitalization for ischemic events or bleeding (P =.009). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with clopidogrel results in a significant decrease in the need for rehospitalization for ischemic events or bleeding compared with aspirin. This meaningful end point tracks well with other, more traditional measures of outcome and has incremental value beyond such end points.