Differentiating benign from malignant cardiac tumors with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Background

The purpose of this analysis is to describe the differences in cardiac magnetic resonance characteristics between benign and malignant tumors, which would be helpful for surgical planning.

Five Year Trends in the Utilization of Robotic Bariatric Surgery Procedures,United States 2015–2019

Purpose

Robotic approaches have been steadily replacing laparoscopic approaches in metabolic and bariatric surgeries (MBS); however, their superiority has not been rigorously evaluated. The main goal of the study was to evaluate the 5-year utilization trends of robotic MBS and to compare to laparoscopic outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 2015–2019 MBSAQIP data. Kruskal-Wallis test/Wilcoxon and Fisher’s exact/chi-square were used to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Generalized linear models were used to compare surgery outcomes.

Results

The use of robotic MBS increased from 6.2% in 2015 to 13.5% in 2019 (N= 775,258). Robotic MBS patients had significantly higher age, BMI, and likelihood of 12 diseases compared to laparoscopic patients. After adjustment, robotic MBS patients showed higher 30-day interventions and 30-day readmissions alongside longer surgery time (26–38 min).

Conclusion

Robotic MBS shows higher intervention and readmission even after controlling for cofounding variables.

Graphical Abstract

     

Paracetamol absorption from a feeding jejunostomy.

Disposition of paracetamol oral elixir was determined in two male patients after administration via feeding jejunostomy and compared with four male controls who received the same dose by mouth. Area under the plasma concentration-time curve, elimination half-life, and time to maximum concentration were similar in both groups after 650 mg paracetamol elixir. The absolute amounts and ratio of paracetamol glucuronide to sulphate, the major urinary metabolites after therapeutic paracetamol doses, were similar after jejunal administration as compared to oral administration. Paracetamol is absorbed and biotransformed in a similar manner after either jejunal or oral administration. Therefore, it may be administered effectively via jejunostomy tube in patients who require this route of administration.     

C2H2-171 : A novel human cDNA representing a developmentally regulated poz domain/zinc finger protein preferentially expressed in brain

We describe a novel human zinc finger cNDA, C2H2-171. This cDNA represents an mRNA which encodes a protein of 484 amino acids and a calculated molecular weight of 54 kD. Four zinc finger-like domains are found in the C-terminal end of the protein. At the N-terminus, C2H2-171 contains a POZ/tramtrack-like domain similar to that found in the tumor associated zinc finger proteins LAZ-3/BCL-6 and PLZ-F, as well as in non-zinc finger proteins. C2H2-171 RNA is preferentially expressed in the brain, and increases during the course of murine development, with maximal expression in the adult. C2H2-171 RNA is differentially expressed in brain regions, with the highest level of expression in the cerebellum. C2H2-171 RNA was expressed at high levels in primary cerebellar granule cell neurons compared to astrocytes. The gene encoding C2H2-171 is highly conserved in vertebrates, and maps to the terminus of human chromosome 1 (1q44-ter). This chromosomal location is associated with a number of cytogenetic aberrations including those involving brain developmental anomalies and tumorigenesis. These data suggest that C2H2-171 may play an important role in vertebrate brain development and function.     

IGF-I signalling in bone growth: inhibitory actions of dexamethasone and IL-1beta.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if glucocorticoids and proinflammatory cytokines inhibit bone growth through a common mechanism involving impaired IGF-I signalling. DESIGN: IGF-I (100 ng/ml), dexamethasone (dex) (10(-6)M) and IL-1beta (10 ng/ml) with inhibitors of the PI3K (LY294002) and Erk 1/2 (PD98059 and UO126) IGF-I pathways (all 10 microM) were studied using the ATDC5 chondrocyte cell line and murine fetal metatarsal cultures. RESULTS: IGF-I stimulated ATDC5 chondrocyte proliferation (322%; P < 0.001 versus control). Addition of PD or LY individually to IGF-I supplemented ATDC5 cultures partially reduced proliferation by 32% (P < 0.001), and 66% (P < 0.001), respectively. PD and LY in combination blocked all IGF-I stimulated ATDC5 proliferation. LY significantly reversed IGF-I stimulatory effects on metatarsal growth (P < 0.001), whereas PD and UO treatment had no effect. IGF-I induced ATDC5 proliferation was further decreased when Dex (24%; P < 0.01) or IL-1beta (33%; P < 0.001) were added to PD but not LY cultures. Metatarsal growth inhibition by LY was unaltered by Dex or IL-1beta addition. CONCLUSIONS: Both the PI3K and Erk 1/2 pathways contributed independently to IGF-I mediated ATDC5 proliferation. However in metatarsal cultures, the Erk 1/2 pathway was not required for IGF-I stimulated growth. Dex and IL-1beta may primarily inhibit IGF-I induced bone growth through the PI3K pathway.     

Methylprednisolone treatment in acute spinal cord injury: the myth challenged through a structured analysis of published literature.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Methylprednisolone has evolved during the 1990s, through the results obtained from the National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Studies NASCIS II and III, as a standard treatment in acute spinal injury. PURPOSE: To evaluate the scientific basic for the use of methylprednisolone in acute spinal cord injury. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of the accumulated literature. METHODS: Critical evaluation of the data obtained in the NASCIS II and III studies plus other accumulated literature. RESULTS: Analyses have been made on subgroups of the study populations, and the results were based on statistical artefacts. Furthermore, improved functional recovery shown by these studies was not clinically significant. CONCLUSION: There is insufficient evidence to support the use of methylprednisolone as a standard treatment in acute spinal cord injury.     

Spousal relations and well‐being: A comparative analysis of Jewish and Arab dual‐earner families in Israel

The study examined differences in division of household tasks and spousal support among a sample of educated dual‐earner families from two national groups in Israel: Jews (n = 116), and Arabs (n = 163). The contribution of the spousal interaction variables (household roles and spousal support) toward explaining two dimensions of psychological well‐being (burnout and life satisfaction) was also examined. The research findings indicate that in general, the Arabs maintain a more traditional orientation toward gender roles than their Jewish counterparts. Arab men showed a greater tendency to perform outside tasks than their Jewish counterparts who participate more in domestic chores. By contrast, no differences were found between the two groups with regard to the mutual support provided by spouses. Gender role attitudes were found to be a key predictor of the two psychological well‐being dimensions in both national groups. Regarding sex differences, men of both nationalities were more likely than women to report that they perform all types of household tasks. Concomitantly, the women reported higher levels of burnout, while no differences between the sexes were found with respect to life satisfaction. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.