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Ectopic expression of transcription factors can reprogram somatic cells to a pluripotent state. However, most of the studies used skin fibroblasts as the starting population for reprogramming, which usually take weeks for expansion from a single biopsy. We show here that induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can be generated from adult human adipose stem cells (hASCs) freshly isolated from patients. Furthermore, iPS cells can be readily derived from adult hASCs in a feeder-free condition, thereby eliminating potential variability caused by using feeder cells. hASCs can be safely and readily isolated from adult humans in large quantities without extended time for expansion, are easy to maintain in culture, and therefore represent an ideal autologous source of cells for generating individual-specific iPS cells.

Simple minicircle vectors carrying four reprogramming factors induce pluripotency in adult human adipose stem cells and in neonatal fibroblasts without integration into the genome. Owing to the risk of insertional mutagenesis, viral transduction has been increasingly replaced by nonviral methods to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We report the use of 'minicircle' DNA, a vector type that is free of bacterial DNA and capable of high expression in cells, for this purpose. Here we use a single minicircle vector to generate transgene-free iPSCs from adult human adipose stem cells.

To calculate the costs per intubation of reusable fiberoptic scopes versus single-use intubation scopes. Open-label retrospective study. University-affiliated hospital. The one-year intubation records of intubations performed with reusable intubation scopes, the one-year maintenance costs of these scopes, and their three-year repair cost records were analyzed. A total of 166 intubations were performed with reusable fiberoptic scopes in 2009. Calculations to assess the costs per intubation based on the documented records at our institution were made. The total cost of an intubation, the repair-to-intubation ratio, and the repair cost per intubation were determined. The total cost of an intubation at our institution in 2009, using reusable scopes, was $119.75 [US dollars (USD)], which included $20.15 (purchasing), $53.48 (repair), $33.16 (maintenance), and $12.96 (labor). The repair-to-intubation ratio was 1:55. Repair costs were $53.48 per intubation and $2,959.44 per instance of repair. The Ambu aScope, a single-use intubation scope, is a new addition to video laryngoscopy. The price should range within 10% of our intubation cost ($120.00 to $132.00 per single-use intubation scope).

Epidemiological data are limited regarding risk factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with normal-sized left atria (LA). We evaluated whether traditional risk factors of AF differ between patients with normal-sized and dilated LA. This is a cross sectional study of community-dwelling participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. LA volume index was measured by 2-dimensional echocardiography. LA volume index ≥29 mm3/m2 defined dilated LA. Prevalent AF was defined by electrocardiogram and hospital discharge International Classification of Diseases-9 codes. Multivariate adjusted logistic regression analysis was used to examine whether magnitude of association of risk factors with AF differ by LA cavity size. Interaction of risk factors by LA cavity size was evaluated to determine significance of these differential associations. Of 5,496 participants (mean age 75 ± 5 years, women 58%), 1,230 participants (22%) had dilated LA. The prevalence of AF was 11% in patients with normal-sized LA and 15% in patients with dilated LA. Age >75 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.49 to 2.35, interaction p = 0.12) and heart failure (OR 5.43, 95% CI 3.77 to 7.87, interaction p = 0.10) were stronger risk factors for AF in normal-sized LA than dilated LA. Female gender (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.77, interaction p = 0.09), weight (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.71, interaction p = 0.19), and alcohol use (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.41, interaction p = 0.004) were stronger risk factors for AF in patients with dilated LA than normal-sized LA. In conclusion, risk factors of AF may differ by left ventricular cavity size. •Almost 1 in 10 subjects of >65 years of age with normal-sized left atrium (LA) have atrial fibrillation (AF), and traditional risk factors for AF in normal-sized LA are not well studied.•Older age and heart failure are stronger positive risk factors for AF in normal-sized LA compared with enlarged LA.•Female gender, weight, and alcohol consumption are stronger positive risk factors for AF in enlarged LA compared with normal-sized LA.

Ectopic expression of transcription factors can reprogram somatic cells to a pluripotent state. However, most of the studies used skin fibroblasts as the starting population for reprogramming, which usually take weeks for expansion from a single biopsy. We show here that induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can be generated from adult human adipose stem cells (hASCs) freshly isolated from patients. Furthermore, iPS cells can be readily derived from adult hASCs in a feeder-free condition, thereby eliminating potential variability caused by using feeder cells. hASCs can be safely and readily isolated from adult humans in large quantities without extended time for expansion, are easy to maintain in culture, and therefore represent an ideal autologous source of cells for generating individual-specific iPS cells. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Ectopic expression of transcription factors can reprogram somatic cells to a pluripotent state. However, most of the studies used skin fibroblasts as the starting population for reprogramming, which usually take weeks for expansion from a single biopsy. We show here that induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can be generated from adult human adipose stem cells (hASCs) freshly isolated from patients. Furthermore, iPS cells can be readily derived from adult hASCs in a feeder-free condition, thereby eliminating potential variability caused by using feeder cells. hASCs can be safely and readily isolated from adult humans in large quantities without extended time for expansion, are easy to maintain in culture, and therefore represent an ideal autologous source of cells for generating individual-specific iPS cells.

To assess the efficacy of oral granisetron versus oral ondansetron for preemptive antiemesis in women undergoing modified radical mastectomy. Randomized, double-blind, controlled study. Metropolitan hospital. Ninety ASA physical status I and II hospitalized female patients, aged 18 to 65 y, scheduled for modified radical mastectomies. Patients were assigned to receive orally placebo, granisetron 2 mg, or ondansetron 4 mg (n = 30 in each group) 1 h before induction of anesthesia. A standard general anesthetic technique and postoperative analgesia were used. Postoperative nausea and vomiting and safety assessments were performed continuously 0 to 2, 2 to 6, 6 to 12, and 12 to 24 h after anesthesia. A complete response during 0 to 2 h after anesthesia was found in 43%, 63%, and 90% of patients who had received placebo, granisetron, or ondansetron, respectively; corresponding percentages of patients requiring rescue antiemetics were 40%, 17%, and 7%. Frequency of nausea and vomiting was low (less than 23%) after 2 h in the three groups. Observations of postoperative nausea and vomiting score and need for antiemetics at other time intervals (2 to 6, 6 to 12, and 12 to 24 h) were not significantly different among the three groups. Oral ondansetron 4 mg provided better preemptive antiemesis than oral granisetron 2 mg in the 2 h after modified radical mastectomy during general anesthesia.

Stem cells have increasingly been the subject of considerable excitement. The swift pace with which new data are being generated is astonishing and has signi‹cant implications for modern medicine. The term stem cell biology has largely been equated with embryonic stem cell biology; today, however, the term stem cell biology also applies to adult stem cells, tissue-speci‹c stem cells, cancer stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). With the exponential growth of our understanding of stem cells, it is an exciting time to realize the clinical potential of stem cell biology that was not conceivable a mere decade ago.

The following sections are included: Introduction Lessons Learned from Endogenous Skeletal Tissue Development, Healing and Regeneration Distraction osteogenesis: endogenous skeletal tissue engineering Craniosynostosis Progenitor Cell-Based Skeletal Tissue Engineering Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells Induced pluripotent stem cells Pro-osteogenic Molecular Biology Bone morphogenetic protein Wnt Fibroblast growth factor Hedgehog Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha Advances in Skeletal Tissue Engineering Scaffolds Scaffold composition Scaffold structure Scaffold fabrication techniques Summary and Future Directions References

The following sections are included: Introduction Skin Skin of the Hand Wound Healing Scarless Fetal Wound Healing Burden of Scarring The Past: Skin Grafts and Tissue Expanders The Present: Skin Substitutes The Future: Molecular and Gene Therapy, and Stem Cell Biology Stem Cell Biology Conclusion References