A massive infestation of sea snakes by cymothoid isopods

In this study, a massive infestation of the sea snake Enhydrina schistosa by the cymothoid isopod Nerocila serra, commonly parasitizing fishes, is reported for the first time from India. This isopod was found attached on the different parts of the body of the snake. According to the month, the parasitic prevalence ranged from 30.8 to 55.3%, increasing during the monsson period. It was higher in female than in male snakes.     

Quadriplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (lytA, mef, erm, pbp2b(wt)) for pneumococcal detection and assessment of antibiotic susceptibility

A quadriplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay was developed for detecting pneumococci, penicillin susceptibility, and macrolide/lincosamide resistance. The assay was sensitive for all 4 targets (<10 copies) and correlated with antimicrobial susceptibilities in 172/180 isolates and 28/29 culture-positive clinical specimens. For 29 lytA-positive culture-negative specimens, the assay allowed interpretation of antimicrobial susceptibility.     

Polysaccharide-based nanoparticles: a versatile platform for drug delivery and biomedical imaging

Polysaccharide-based nanoparticles have attracted interest as carriers for imaging and therapeutic agents because of their unique physicochemical properties, including biocompatibility and biodegradability. In addition, the functional groups of the polysaccharide backbone allow facile chemical modification to develop nanoparticles with diverse structures. Some polysaccharides have the intrinsic ability to recognize specific cell types, facilitating the design of targeted-drug delivery systems through receptor-mediated endocytosis. The main objective of this review is to provide an overview of various polysaccharide-based nanoparticles and to highlight the recent efforts that have been made to improve the characteristics of polysaccharide-based nanoparticles for drug delivery and biomedical imaging.     

Laparoscopic Internal Marsupializaton for Large Nonparasitic Splenic Cysts: Effective Organ-Preserving Technique

Background Primary splenic cyst is a rare disease, and therefore there is no information regarding its optimal management. Most such cysts are classified as epithelial cysts. During the last few years, the laparoscopic approach has gained increasing acceptance in splenic surgery. We present our experience with the laparoscopic (organ-preserving) management of splenic cysts. Methods We managed 11 patients with large symptomatic nonparasitic splenic cysts from 1996 to 2006. All the patients had fullness in the left upper abdomen and a palpable mass. Preoperative diagnosis was established with ultrasonography and computed tomography. All patients were treated with either laparoscopic partial cystectomy or marsupialization. Results Seven patients had mesothelial cysts, two had epidermoid cysts, and two had pseudocysts. Nine patients did not have any problems or recurrence during an average follow-up of 29.5 months. Two patients had cyst recurrence after 14 months. Conclusion Laparoscopic organ-preserving surgery should be the goal of therapy in most cases. Total splenectomy is reserved for cases in which cyst excision cannot be done or most of the splenic tissue is replaced by the cyst. Plication of the cyst wall edges prevents the cyst walls from adhering and causing recurrence, as well as helping to control hemorrhage. Laparoscopic partial cystectomy/marsupialization is an acceptable procedure for the treatment of splenic cysts; and after short to mid-term follow-up, it seems that a reasonable rate of success is possible.     

Bioreducible hyaluronic acid conjugates as siRNA carrier for tumor targeting

The successful clinical translation of siRNA-based therapeutics requires efficient carrier systems that can specifically deliver siRNA within the cytosol of the target cells. Although numerous polymeric nanocarriers forming ionic complexes with siRNA have been investigated for cancer therapy, their poor stability and lack of tumor targetability have impeded their in vivo applications. To surmount these limitations, we synthesized a novel type of biodegradable hyaluronic acid-graft-poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (HPD) conjugate that can form complexes with siRNA and be chemically crosslinked via the formation of the disulfide bonds under facile conditions. The crosslinked siRNA-HPD (C-siRNA-HPD) complexes exhibited high stability in a 50% serum solution, as compared to the uncrosslinked siRNA-HPD (U-siRNA-HPD) complexes and free siRNA. Both the C-siRNA-HPD and U-siRNA-HPD complexes were efficiently taken up by the CD44-overexpressing melanoma cells (B16F10), but not by the normal fibroblast cells (NIH3T3). When the RFP-expressing B16F10 cells were treated with the complexes or free siRNA, the C-siRNA-HPD complexes showed the highest decrease in RFP expression. In vivo studies demonstrated the selective accumulation of C-siRNA-HPD complexes at the tumor site after their systemic administration into tumor-bearing mice, resulting in an efficient gene silencing effect. Overall, these results suggest that the HPD conjugate could be used as an efficient carrier for the tumor-targeted delivery of siRNA.     

Laparoscopic management of symptomatic Meckel's diverticula: a simple tangential stapler excision.

BACKGROUND: Meckel's diverticulum was first described about 400 years ago and continues to be a rare congenital disorder. Laparoscopic surgery for Meckel's diverticulum has been described in mostly case reports. We present our series of patients with symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum. METHODS: We have treated 12 patients with symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum from 1994 through 2006 at our institution. All the patients presented with features of either appendicitis or peritonitis, some with a vague abdominal mass. Clinical diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum was made in only 4 patients. Diagnostic laparoscopy confirmed Meckel's diverticulitis in all patients. Laparoscopic stapler resection of the lesions was performed for all patients, tangential excision in 10 and wedge excision in 2. RESULTS: The incidence of Meckel's diverticulum at our institution is 0.3%. The majority of patients were male children. There were no staple-line leaks in any case. All patients recovered well postoperatively, and the day of discharge was in the range of the fourth to the seventh POD. Heterotopic gastric mucosa was found in the majority of the diverticula. Eight patients were followed up for 24 months, and 4 patients reported for follow-up after 45 months and were found to be symptom-free. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulitis is rarely made preoperatively. Surgical resection is indicated only if the diverticulum is symptomatic or if the base is narrow. Traditionally, open wedge resection (including the anterior wall of the ileum) of the diverticulum is the treatment. We think that a simple tangential stapler resection can also be performed, with good outcome. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy is useful in both diagnosis and treatment. Laparoscopic resection of Meckel's diverticulum is feasible and ideal, especially when performed in specialized centers.     

Radiofrequency techniques in pain management

Radiofrequency techniques are commonly used in management of persistent pain. It involves application of high-frequency alternating current to the neuronal pathways. It is employed for both neuromodulation and neuroablative type procedures in interventional pain management. Technological advances have widened the scope of their use within clinical practice. The evidence base for both conventional and new technologies is accumulating. A clear understanding of the principles and technologies will enable the clinician to use it safely and effectively.     

Mixed-lineage kinase 3 phosphorylates prolyl-isomerase Pin1 to regulate its nuclear translocation and cellular function

Nuclear protein peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Pin1-mediated prolyl isomerization is an essential and novel regulatory mechanism for protein phosphorylation. Therefore, tight regulation of Pin1 localization and catalytic activity is crucial for its normal nuclear functions. Pin1 is commonly dysregulated during oncogenesis and likely contributes to these pathologies; however, the mechanism(s) by which Pin1 catalytic activity and nuclear localization are increased is unknown. Here we demonstrate that mixed-lineage kinase 3 (MLK3), a MAP3K family member, phosphorylates Pin1 on a Ser138 site to increase its catalytic activity and nuclear translocation. This phosphorylation event drives the cell cycle and promotes cyclin D1 stability and centrosome amplification. Notably, Pin1 pSer138 is significantly up-regulated in breast tumors and is localized in the nucleus. These findings collectively suggest that the MLK3-Pin1 signaling cascade plays a critical role in regulating the cell cycle, centrosome numbers, and oncogenesis.