No abstract

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01421342.

Background-We are developing a very small, innovative, continuous-flow total artificial heart (CFTAH) that passively self-balances left and right pump flows and atrial pressures without sensors. This report details the CFTAH design concept and our initial in vitro data.

PTEN is a well-defined tumor suppressor gene that antagonizes the PI3K/Akt pathway to regulate a multitude of cellular processes, such as survival, growth, motility, invasiveness, and angiogenesis. While the functions of PTEN have been studied extensively, the regulation of its activity during normal and disease conditions still remains incompletely understood. In this study, we identified the protein phosphatase-1 nuclear targeting subunit PNUTS (PPP1R10) as a PTEN-associated protein. PNUTS directly interacted with the lipid-binding domain (C2 domain) of PTEN and sequestered it in the nucleus. Depletion of PNUTS leads to increased apoptosis and reduced cellular proliferation in a PTEN-dependent manner. PNUTS expression was elevated in certain cancers compared with matched normal tissues. Collectively, our studies reveal PNUTS as a novel PTEN regulator and a likely oncogene. Cancer Res; 73(1); 205-14. Ó2012 AACR.

The introduction of da Vinci Robotic Surgery to the field of Gynecology has resulted in large changes in surgical management. The robotic platform allows less experienced laparoscopic surgeons to perform more complex procedures. In general gynecology and reproductive gynecology, the robot is being increasingly used for procedures such as hysterectomies, myomectomies, adnexal surgery, and tubal anastomosis. Among urogynecology the robot is being utilized for sacrocolopexies. In the field of gynecologic oncology, the robot is being increasingly used for hysterectomies and lymphadenectomies in oncologic diseases. Despite the rapid and widespread adoption of robotic surgery in gynecology, there are no randomized trials comparing its efficacy and safety to other traditional surgical approaches. Our aim is to update previously published reviews with a focus on only comparative observational studies. We determined that, with the right amount of training and skill, along with appropriate patient selection, robotic surgery can be highly advantageous. Patients will likely have less blood loss, less post-operative pain, faster recoveries, and fewer complications compared to open surgery and potentially even laparoscopy. However, until larger, well-designed observational studies or randomized control trials are completed which report long-term outcomes, we cannot definitively state the superiority of robotic surgery over other surgical methods.

Major depression is prevalent, difficult to assess, underrecognized, and undertreated in hospice settings. Furthermore, it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A retrospective chart review of 2716 patients receiving hospice care was conducted in order to determine the baseline rate of recognition of depression in patients with advanced, life-threatening illnesses by frontline hospice clinicians. Documentation of "depression" as either a diagnosis or problem was used as an estimate of how often these disorders were considered significant issues by the treating interdisciplinary team. Of the patients receiving home/long-term care, 10.8% (234/2168) had depression documented as a diagnosis or significant problem. The presence of recognized depression in this setting was associated with significant differences in gender, marital status, and terminal diagnoses. Total length of hospice care was also significantly longer. Of patients receiving inpatient care, 13.7% (75/548) had depression documented as a diagnosis or significant problem. Recognized depression in this setting was associated with significant differences in marital status, length of inpatient stay, and total time in hospice care. If documentation is representative of the care that the interdisciplinary teams provide, depression of any kind appears to be underrecognized in this population. In fact, it is on the low end of prevalence estimates in the literature. Improved depression assessment is needed in order to minimize the impact of depression on patients living with advanced, life-threatening illnesses.

Background-The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute in vivo pump performance of a unique valveless, sensorless, pulsatile, continuous flow total artificial heart (CFTAH) that passively self-balances left and right circulations without electronic intervention.

If documentation is representative of the care that the interdisciplinary teams provide, delirium of any kind appears to be under-recognized in this population. In fact, it is on the low end of prevalence estimates in the literature. Improved delirium assessment is needed in order to minimize the impact of delirium on patients living with advanced, life-threatening illnesses and their caregivers.