ASO Visual Abstract: Metastasectomy or Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy With or Without Systemic Therapy for Oligometastatic Esophagogastric Cancer

Annals of Surgical Oncology -     

COVID-19 and the kidney: time to take a closer look

International Urology and Nephrology - Although coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is primarily a respiratory disease, the kidney may be among the target organs of infection with severe acute...     

Carotid Artery Doppler Flow Pattern After Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest in Neonatal Piglets

The mechanisms of cerebral injury after cardiac surgery in neonates are not clear. The aim of the study was the analysis of flow changes in the carotid artery of neonatal piglets after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). Eight neonatal piglets were connected to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and underwent (i) cooling to 18°C core temperature within 30 min, (ii) DHCA for 90 min, and finally (iii) rewarming to 37°C after cross‐clamp release (60 min of reperfusion). The blood flow was measured in the left carotid artery by an ultrasonic flow probe before CPB (baseline; T₀), immediately after termination of reperfusion on CPB (T₁), 30 min later (T₂), and 60 min later (T₃). Additionally, the pulsatility index and the resistance index were calculated and compared. Finally, the relationship between the carotid artery flow and the corresponding pressure at each time‐point was compared. After termination of CPB (T₁), the mean carotid artery flow was reduced from 45.26 ± 2.58 mL/min at baseline to 23.29 ± 2.58 mL/min (P < 0.001) and remained reduced 30 and 60 min later (P < 0.001 vs. baseline). Both the pulsatility index and the resistance index were increased after termination of reperfusion, with the maximum occurring 30 min after CPB end. In conclusion, the carotid artery Doppler flow in neonatal piglets was reduced after DHCA, while the indices of pulsatility and resistance increased.     

Increased adoption of smoke-free policies on campuses with schools of nursing

BackgroundIn 2015, the majority of U.S. American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)-accredited schools of nursing resided on campuses without smoke-free policies.PurposeTo determine the presence of smoke-free policies at AACN-accredited after resolutions from AACN and the American Academy of Nursing, and the creation of online resources.MethodsSmoke-free policies (2015-2017) were determined through listings on the ANRF College Campus Policy Database© and survey responses from nursing deans.ResultsSmoke-free policies for 689 schools of nursing increased from 36% in 2015 to 91% in 2017. There were no significant differences by nursing program types or geographic area. Twenty percent of deans reported using the resources, with over 1700-page views.ConclusionSmoke-free policies increased after support from two national nursing organizations. Learning in a smoke-free environment should be an expectation for nursing students to protect their own health, and to support their future critical role in tobacco control.     

Cell sheets of human dental pulp stem cells for future application in bone replacement

Objectives

To analyze the potential of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) for maintaining their undifferentiated status and osteogenic differentiation capacity when arranged in cell sheets (CSs) for future application in bone replacement.

Materials and methods

CSs were formed after being induced for 10–15 days by clonogenic medium containing additional vitamin C (20 μg/ml). The cell viability of hDPSC4s in the CSs was followed until 96 h using the Live/Dead® assay. The cells of the CSs were enzymatically dissociated and then compared with the original hDPSC4s. The two cell types were characterized immunophenotypically by flow cytometry using specific mesenchymal stem cell-associated markers (CD105, CD146, CD44, STRO-1, and OCT3/4) and non-associated markers (CD34, CD45, and CD14). Osteogenic differentiation was analyzed with the Alizarin red assay.

Results

Living cells were observed until 96 h in the CSs. Both cell types exhibited osteogenic differentiation and expressed the specific undifferentiated MSC-associated markers. Cells spontaneously detached from the CSs attached and proliferated at the bottom of the culture dishes.

Conclusions

Cells in the hDPSC4s cell sheets survived for at least 96 h. Moreover, the cells in the cell sheets retained their stemness and their osteogenic differentiation potential.

Clinical relevance

Cell sheets of hDPSCs could be employed as natural tri-dimensional structures for treating bone loss. This technique would be useful particularly for critical bone defects or any type of bone defects in patients carrying diseases that impair bone regeneration, such as diabetes mellitus, medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), and osteoporosis.