Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

In Reply To Dr. Hurkmans Et Al., Ying Xiao, Phd, Lech S. Papiez, Phd, James M. Galvin, Dsc

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Thyroid Lymphosonography: A Novel Method For Evaluating Lymphatic Drainage., Joseph M. Curry, Waleed H. Ezzat, Daniel A. Merton, Barry B. Goldberg, David M. Cognetti, David Rosen, Edmund A. Pribitkin

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated lymphosonography, or contrast-enhanced, ultrasonography (US)-guided sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection, as a technique for demonstrating the lymphatic drainage of the thyroid gland. METHODS: In this prospective animal study, four 50-kg Yorkshire swine underwent transcutaneous injection of a US contrast agent and methylene blue dye into the thyroid gland. Contrast-enhanced US was used to identify draining lymphatic channels and SLNs. Sentinel node biopsy was conducted. Subsequently, bilateral neck and upper mediastinal dissection was carried out. RESULTS: In 3 of 4 cases, a blue dye-positive and US contrast-positive SLN was identified. We identified SLNs in level IV in 2 …

Utilization Of Dantrolene In Stiff-Person Syndrome: A Case Report, John M. Vasudevan, Md, S. Kamal Fetouh, Md,, Nethra S. Ankam, Md, Adam L. Schreiber, Do, Ma

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Faculty Papers

Setting: University hospital-based acute rehabilitation.

Patient: 75-year-old woman with Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS) with a recent fall and Colles fracture.

Case Description: Four months prior to admission, the patient was diagnosed with SPS, negative for anti-GAD antibodies. Diagnosis was based on a 3-year history of progressive rigidity leading to frequent falls and fractures. Anxiety and fear of falling limited her mobility, and she sustained a sacral pressure ulcer during acute hospitalization. On admission, history was remarkable for unsteady gait and muscle cramps exacerbated when startled or excited. Examination was remarkable for rigidity in her axial and limb muscles. She presented …

Transverse Myelitis In Pregnancy: A Case Report, Brian P. Mcdonald, Do, Nethra S. Ankam, Md

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Faculty Papers

Objective: Describe the clinical course and treatment of a patient with paraplegia secondary to transverse myelitis during her pregnancy.

Setting: Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, University Hospital.

Participant: 36 year old Caucasian woman at 18 weeks gestation.

Interventions: Provided education and training on basic childcare tasks at a wheelchair level, and on how to obtain wheelchair accessible baby furniture. Provided availability of a peer who sustained a spinal cord injury prior to pregnancy. Maintained a close working relationship with maternal fetal health department regarding management of nausea and pain management, and educated team members about the possibility of autonomic …

Mechanisms Of Primary Axonal Damage In A Viral Model Of Multiple Sclerosis., Jayasri Das Sarma, Lawrence C. Kenyon, Susan T. Hingley, Kenneth S. Shindler

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. Recent studies have demonstrated that significant axonal injury also occurs in MS patients and correlates with neurological dysfunction, but it is not known whether this neuronal damage is a primary disease process, or occurs only secondary to demyelination. In the current studies, neurotropic strains of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) that induce meningitis, encephalitis, and demyelination in the CNS, an animal model of MS, were used to evaluate mechanisms of axonal injury. The pathogenic properties of genetically engineered isogenic spike protein recombinant demyelinating and nondemyelinating strains of MHV were compared. …

Dronedarone., Chinmay Patel, Gan-Xin Yan, Peter R Kowey

Department of Medical Genetics Faculty Papers

Amiodarone is the most effective antiarrhythmic drug for maintaining sinus rhythm for patients with atrial fibrillation. Extra-cardiac side effects have been a limiting factor, especially during chronic use, and may offset its benefits. Dronedarone is a noniodinated benzofuran derivative of amiodarone that has been developed for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Similar to amiodarone, dronedarone is a potent blocker of multiple ion currents, including the rapidly activating delayed-rectifier potassium current, the slowly activating delayed-rectifier potassium current, the inward rectifier potassium current, the acetylcholine activated potassium current, peak sodium current, and L-type calcium current, and exhibits antiadrenergic effects. …

Inaugural Target Discovery World Congress 2009: Interactive Cardiovascular And Thoracic Surgery, Michael Holinstat, Ph.D.

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Dr. Michael Holinstat advocated a preferred therapeutic approach to treatment of platelet clot formation: to target signaling components downstream of receptor activation.

Shoulder Arthroscopy Positioning: Lateral Decubitus Versus Beach Chair., Christina M. Peruto, Md, Michael G. Ciccotti, Md, Steven B. Cohen, Md

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Since the introduction of the beach chair position for shoulder arthroscopy, orthopaedic surgeons have debated whether the beach chair or lateral decubitus is superior. Most surgeons use the same patient position to perform all of their arthroscopic shoulder procedures, regardless of the pathology. Each position has its advantages and disadvantages. The evidence regarding the efficiency, efficacy, and risks of the lateral decubitus and the beach chair positions for shoulder arthroscopy does not show one position to be superior. This review presents a comparison of these positions with regard to setup, surgical visualization, access, and patient risk.

The Time Has Come For Physicians To Take Notice: The Impact Of Psychosocial Stressors On The Heart., Vincent M. Figueredo, M.D.

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

A rapidly growing body of evidence supports a relationship between psychosocial factors and cardiovascular disease. In this article, a review of the epidemiologic and clinical research investigating this relationship concludes that psychosocial stressors can be both a cause and a consequence of cardiovascular disease events. Furthermore, recent data have shown that stress management might reduce future cardiac events in patients with cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, the influence of psychosocial risk factors on cardiovascular disease remains underrecognized compared with traditional cardiac risk factors. Physicians and their associates should screen for psychosocial stressors and recognize potential symptoms. Consideration should be given to developing …

Cardioprotective Effect Of Adiponectin Is Partially Mediated By Its Ampk-Independent Antinitrative Action., Yajing Wang, Ling Tao, Yuexing Yuan, Wayne Bond Lau, Rong Li, Bernard L. Lopez, Theodore A. Christopher, Rong Tian, Xin-Liang Ma

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

Adiponectin (APN) exerts its metabolic regulation largely through AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK). However, the role of AMPK in APN's antiapoptotic effect in ischemic-reperfused (I/R) adult cardiomyocytes remains incompletely understood. The present study was designed to determine the involvement of AMPK in the antiapoptotic signaling of APN. Cardiomyocytes from adult male mice overexpressing a dominant-negative alpha(2)-subunit of AMPK (AMPK-DN) or wild-type (WT) littermates were subjected to simulated I/R (SI/R) and pretreated with 2 microg/ml globular domain of APN (gAPN) or vehicle. SI/R-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis was modestly increased in AMPK-DN cardiomyocytes (P < 0.05). Treatment with gAPN significantly reduced SI/R-induced apoptosis in WT cardiomyocytes as well as in AMPK-DN cardiomyocytes, indicating that the antiapoptotic effect of gAPN is partially AMPK independent. Furthermore, gAPN-induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation was significantly reduced in AMPK-DN cardiomyocytes, suggesting that the APN-eNOS signaling axis is impaired in AMPK-DN cardiomyocytes. Additional experiments demonstrated that treatment of AMPK-DN cardiomyocytes with gAPN reduced SI/R-induced NADPH oxidase overexpression, decreased superoxide generation, and blocked peroxynitrite formation to the same extent as that observed in WT cardiomyocytes. Collectively, our present study demonstrated that although the metabolic and eNOS activation effect of APN is largely mediated by AMPK, the superoxide-suppressing effect of APN is not mediated by AMPK, and this AMPK-independent antioxidant property of APN increased nitric oxide bioavailability and exerted significant antiapoptotic effect.

Expression Of Cpi-17 In Smooth Muscle During Embryonic Development And In Neointimal Lesion Formation., Jee In Kim, Garbo D Young, Li Jin, Avril V Somlyo, Masumi Eto

Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Faculty Papers

Ca(2+) sensitivity of smooth muscle (SM) contraction is determined by CPI-17, an inhibitor protein for myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP). CPI-17 is highly expressed in mature SM cells, but the expression level varies under pathological conditions. Here, we determined the expression of CPI-17 in embryonic SM tissues and arterial neointimal lesions using immunohistochemistry. As seen in adult animals, the predominant expression of CPI-17 was detected at SM tissues on mouse embryonic sections, whereas MLCP was ubiquitously expressed. Compared with SM alpha-actin, CPI-17 expression doubled in arterial SM from embryonic day E10 to E14. Like SM alpha-actin and other SM marker …

Dynamic Mechanical (Brush) Allodynia In Cluster Headache: A Prevalence Study In A Tertiary Headache Clinic., Michael J Marmura, Muhammad Abbas, Avi Ashkenazi

Department of Jefferson Headache Center papers and presentations

Cutaneous allodynia (CA) has been described in migraine and has been related to treatment failure. There are little data about the incidence of CA in other primary headache syndromes such as cluster headache (CH). The objectives of this study are to evaluate the prevalence of dynamic mechanical (brush) allodynia (BA) in CH patients attending a tertiary headache clinic, and to assess its relation to disease characteristics. Adult patients with episodic or chronic CH were recruited. We obtained demographic data and data on disease characteristics through a structured questionnaire, and tested the patients for brush allodynia BA by applying a 4 …

R992c (P.R1192c) Substitution In Collagen Ii Alters The Structure Of Mutant Molecules And Induces The Unfolded Protein Response., Hye Jin Chung, Deborah A. Jensen, Katarzyna Gawron, Andrzej Steplewski, Andrzej Fertala

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

We investigated the molecular bases of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED) associated with the R992C (p.R1192C) substitution in collagen II. At the protein level, we analyzed the structure and integrity of mutant molecules, and at the cellular level, we specifically studied the effects of the presence of the R992C collagen II on the biological processes taking place in host cells. Our studies demonstrated that mutant collagen II molecules were characterized by altered electrophoretic mobility, relatively low thermostability, the presence of atypical disulfide bonds, and slow rates of secretion into the extracellular space. Analyses of cellular responses to the presence of the mutant …

Genomic Biomarkers For Molecular Imaging: Predicting The Future., Mathew L. Thakur

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

Over the past few decades, great strides have been made in anatomical imaging of disease that has led to their diagnosis with minimal invasion. Despite these advances, diseases such as cancer continue to take one human life every minute in the United States. Complimentary approaches that pertain directly to the genesis of the disease might contribute to its early diagnosis and subsequent management. In cancer, an array of molecular abnormalities leading to the modulations in expression of key proteins important in the cellular signaling pathways and cell proliferation has been identified. These specific disease fingerprints, biomarkers, are overexpressed on malignant …

Acute Memory Phase Of Sevoflurane Preconditioning Is Associated With Sustained Translocation Of Protein Kinase C-Alpha And Epsilon, But Not Delta, In Isolated Guinea Pig Hearts., Chika Okusa, Masami Miyamae, Shingo Sugioka, Kazuhiro Kaneda, Yoshitaka Inamura, Anna Onishi, Naochika Domae, Junichiro Kotani, Vincent M. Figueredo

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Anaesthetic preconditioning (APC) exerts cardioprotective effects by reducing infarct size and improving recovery of contractile function after ischaemia-reperfusion. The interval between brief exposure to volatile anaesthetic and sustained ischaemia, the acute memory phase, is dependent on intracellular signalling mediating this cardioprotection. Intramyocyte translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) is known to be a key mediator in APC. We examined the relationship between the time frame of the acute memory phase of sevoflurane preconditioning and intramyocyte translocation of PKC-alpha, delta and epsilon to the particulate fraction. METHODS: Isolated perfused guinea pig hearts were subjected to 30 min ischaemia …

Persistent Nodular Rash In An Elderly Patient, Daniel Dejoseph, Md, James Studdiford, Md, Amber Stonehouse, Md, Beth Careyva, Md

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

A 62yo white male presented to same day clinic with an erythematous nodular rash. He was initially treated with antibiotics for a furunculosis, but the rash worsened and he was eventually found to have secondary syphilis. He is an MSM who had a prior history of syphilis, putting him at high risk for STI’s and HIV, and should have been undergoing annual screening. He was found to be HIV positive. The rates of STI’s and HIV are increasing in older Americans. Despite this, physicians do not regularly screen this population for unsafe sexual behavior. This case emphasizes the importance of …

Department Of Radiology-Annual Executive Summary Report-July 1, 2008 To June 30, 2009, Vijay M. Rao, Md

Department of Radiology Administrative Documents and Reports

87 page Annual Executive Summary Report from Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.

Table of Contents:

Department of Radiology

Chairman, Vice Chairmen 1

Divisions and Directors 1

Committees and Chairmen 1

Radiology Department Faculty Rank 2

Faculty with Secondary Appointments 3

Clinical Divisions 4

Radiology Residents and Fellows 5

Department Organizational Chart 6

Department Administration Chart 7

State of the Department 8

Appendix I: Publications Journal Articles 21

Books and Book Chapters 29

Abstracts 30

Appendix II: Formal Scientific Presentations 40

Appendix III: Honors, Editorial Activities, Service to Regional or National Organizations 61

Appendix IV: Active …

A Real-Time Prostate Cancer Detection Technique Using Needle Insertion Force And Patient-Specific Criteria During Percutaneous Intervention, Kaiguo Yan, T. Podder, L. Li, J. Joseph, D. R. Rubens, E. M. Messing, L. Liao, Y. Yu

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

In this article, the authors present a novel real-time cancer detection technique by using needle insertion forces in conjunction with patient-specific criteria during percutaneous interventions. Needle insertion experiments and pathological analysis were performed for developing a computer-aided detection (CAD) model. Backward stepwise regression method was performed to identify the statistically significant patient-specific factors. A baseline force model was then developed using these significant factors. The threshold force model that estimated the lower bound of the cancerous tissue forces was formulated by adding an adjustable classifier to the baseline force model. Trade-off between sensitivity and specificity was obtained by varying the …

Epidemiology And Outcomes Of Candidemia In 2019 Patients: Data From The Prospective Antifungal Therapy Alliance Registry., David L Horn, Dionissios Neofytos, Elias J Anaissie, Jay A Fishman, William J Steinbach, Ali J Olyaei, Kieren A Marr, Michael A Pfaller, Chi-Hsing Chang, Karen M Webster

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

BACKGROUND: Candidemia remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the health care setting, and the epidemiology of Candida infection is changing.

METHODS: Clinical data from patients with candidemia were extracted from the Prospective Antifungal Therapy (PATH) Alliance database, a comprehensive registry that collects information regarding invasive fungal infections. A total of 2019 patients, enrolled from 1 July 2004 through 5 March 2008, were identified. Data regarding the candidemia episode were analyzed, including the specific fungal species and patient survival at 12 weeks after diagnosis.

RESULTS: The incidence of candidemia caused by non-Candida albicans Candida species (54.4%) was higher …

Intravenous Inoculation Of A Bat-Associated Rabies Virus Causes Lethal Encephalopathy In Mice Through Invasion Of The Brain Via Neurosecretory Hypothalamic Fibers., Mirjam A R Preuss, Marie-Luise Faber, Gene S Tan, Michael Bette, Bernhard Dietzschold, Eberhard Weihe, Matthias J Schnell

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

The majority of rabies virus (RV) infections are caused by bites or scratches from rabid carnivores or bats. Usually, RV utilizes the retrograde transport within the neuronal network to spread from the infection site to the central nervous system (CNS) where it replicates in neuronal somata and infects other neurons via trans-synaptic spread. We speculate that in addition to the neuronal transport of the virus, hematogenous spread from the site of infection directly to the brain after accidental spill over into the vascular system might represent an alternative way for RV to invade the CNS. So far, it is unknown …

Clinical And Translational Implications Of The Caveolin Gene Family: Lessons From Mouse Models And Human Genetic Disorders., Isabelle Mercier, Jean-Francois Jasmin, Stephanos Pavlides, Carlo Minetti, Neal Flomenberg, Richard G Pestell, Philippe G Frank, Federica Sotgia, Michael P Lisanti

Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Here we review the clinical and translational implications of the caveolin gene family for understanding the pathogenesis of human diseases, including breast and prostate cancers, pulmonary hypertension, cardiomyopathy, diabetes, and muscular dystrophy. Detailed phenotypic analysis of caveolin knockout mice has served to highlight the crucial role of a caveolin deficiency in the pathogenesis of many human disease processes. Mutations in the human caveolin genes are associated with a number of established genetic disorders (such as breast cancer, lipodystrophy, muscular dystrophy, and cardiomyopathy), making the caveolins important and novel targets for drug development. The implementation of new strategies for caveolin replacement …

Hiv Policy: The Path Forward--A Joint Position Paper Of The Hiv Medicine Association Of The Infectious Diseases Society Of America And The American College Of Physicians., Christine Lubinski, Judith Aberg, Arlene D Bardeguez, Richard Elion, Patricia Emmanuel, Daniel Kuritzkes, Michael Saag, Kathleen E Squires, Andrea Weddle, Jennifer Rainey, M Renee Zerehi, J Fred Ralston, David A Fleming, David Bronson, Molly Cooke, Charles Cutler, Yul Ejnes, Robert Gluckman, Mark Liebow, Kenneth Musana, Mark E Mayer, Mark W Purtle, P Preston Reynolds, Lavanya Viswanathan, Kevin B Weiss, Baligh Yehia

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Executive Summary

The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) have jointly published 3 policy statements on AIDS, the first in 1986 [1], the second in 1988 [2], and the third in 1994 [3]. In 2001, the IDSA created the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA), and this updated policy paper is a collaboration between the ACP and the HIVMA of the IDSA. Since the last statement, many new developments call for the need to reexamine and update our policies relating to HIV infection. First, there have been major advances …

State Infant Mortality: An Ecologic Study To Determine Modifiable Risks And Adjusted Infant Mortality Rates., David A. Paul. Md, Amy Mackley, Rnc, Robert G. Locke, Do, John L. Stefano, Md, Charlan Kroelinger, Phd

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors contributing to state infant mortality rates (IMR) and develop an adjusted IMR in the United States for 2001 and 2002. DESIGN/METHODS: Ecologic study of factors contributing to state IMR. State IMR for 2001 and 2002 were obtained from the United States linked death and birth certificate data from the National Center for Health Statistics. Factors investigated using multivariable linear regression included state racial demographics, ethnicity, state population, median income, education, teen birth rate, proportion of obesity, smoking during pregnancy, diabetes, hypertension, cesarean delivery, prenatal care, health insurance, self-report of mental illness, and number of in-vitro fertilization …

Basement Membrane Proteoglycans: Modulators Par Excellence Of Cancer Growth And Angiogenesis., Renato V. Iozzo, Jason J. Zoeller, Alexander Nyström

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Proteoglycans located in basement membranes, the nanostructures underling epithelial and endothelial layers, are unique in several respects. They are usually large, elongated molecules with a collage of domains that share structural and functional homology with numerous extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors and surface receptors. They mainly carry heparan sulfate side chains and these contribute not only to storing and preserving the biological activity of various heparan sulfate-binding cytokines and growth factors, but also in presenting them in a more "active configuration" to their cognate receptors. Abnormal expression or deregulated function of these proteoglycans affect cancer and angiogenesis, and are critical …

Differences In Responses Of Platelets To Fluid Shear Stress In Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease (Pad) And Coronary Artery Disease (Cad)., Vijay Nambi, Kay T Kimball, Paul Bray, Angela L Bergeron, Shawna L Johnson, Joel D Morrisett, Changyi Chen, Peter H Lin, Alan B Lumsden, Christie M Ballantyne, Jing-Fei Dong

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

Information on differences in platelet function between patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited. We sought to examine the differences in the platelets response to shear stress in patients with PAD compared to those with CAD. Men with symptomatic PAD (ankle brachial index [ABI] < 0.9; n = 29) were compared with similarly aged men with CAD (post coronary artery bypass grafting; n = 40) but without PAD. All participants were on aspirin, and none were on clopidogrel. We measured changes in shear-induced platelet aggregation (SIPA) and shear-induced P-selectin expression (SIPE) under fluid shear rates of 5000 and 10,000 s(-1)which are typically found in arterioles and stenosed arteries, respectively. Aggregation was also induced by a combined stimulation of collagen, fluid shear stress, and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or epinephrine using a platelet function analyzer (PFA-100) as well as optical aggregometry (arachidonic acid, collagen and epinephrine). Analyses of covariance adjusted for age, aspirin dose, and statin use were used to estimate differences between the groups. Values of SIPA at fluid shear rates of 5000 and 10,000 s(-1) were significantly higher in the PAD group, while there were no differences between the PAD and CAD groups in SIPE at both fluid shear rates. However, baseline shear-induced P-selectin expression was higher in patients with PAD than CAD (mean fluorescence intensity [MFI] = 2.93 +/- 1.37 vs.1.94 +/- 0.67; p = 0.01), while the percentage increases in SIPA and SIPE at fluid shear rates of 5000 and 10,000 s(-1) were significantly higher in patients with CAD when compared to PAD (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Although there were several similarities in platelet function between men with PAD and men with CAD, significant differences in platelet responses to shear stress were observed in men with PAD when compared to those with CAD. Although the mechanism for these observed differences are not clear, we hypothesize that in vivo platelet activation in PAD patients may contribute to the differences and will need to be further investigated.

The Physician's Response To Climate Change., Mona Sarfaty, Safiya Abouzaid

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Climate change will have an effect on the health and well-being of the populations cared for by practicing physicians. The anticipated medical effects include heat- and cold-related deaths, cardiovascular illnesses, injuries and mental harms from extreme weather events, respiratory illnesses caused by poor air quality, infectious diseases that emanate from contaminated food, water, or spread of disease vectors, the injuries caused by natural disasters, and the mental harm associated with social disruption. Within several years, such medical problems are likely to reach the doorsteps of many physicians. In the face of this reality, physicians should assume their traditional roles as …

A Novel Codon Insert In Protease Of Clade B Hiv Type 1., Parris S Jordan, Art Poon, Joseph Eron, Kathleen Squires, Caroline Ignacio, Douglas D Richman, Davey M Smith

Division of Infectious Diseases and Environmental Medicine Faculty Papers

A novel combination of three codon inserts in the pol coding region of HIV-1 RNA was identified in a highly antiretroviral experienced study subject with HIV-1 infection. A one codon insert was observed in the protease region between codon 40 and 41 simultaneously with a two codon insert present in the reverse transcriptase region at codon 69.

Us And Mr Imaging Features Of Benign Cystic Mesothelioma Of The Liver: A Diagnostic Dilemma, Sachit K. Verma, Donald G. Mitchell, Oksana H. Baltarowich, Diane Bergin, Raphael Rubin

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

Cystic mesotheliomas are benign neoplasms, often seen in the parietal and visceral peritoneum, omentum and pelvic organs, and are exceedingly rare in the liver. It is however important to be familiar with the radiological findings of this tumour because the signal-intensity and enhancement pattern of this tumor are unusual and not typical for any of the more frequently seen mass lesions. In our patient, characteristic imaging findings on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and histopathological confirmation with appropriate immunohistochemical markers facilitated a correct diagnosis. We herein describe the clinical, imaging and histopathological features, pathogenesis, differential diagnosis and treatment of benign cystic mesothelioma …

An Adrenal Beta-Arrestin 1-Mediated Signaling Pathway Underlies Angiotensin Ii-Induced Aldosterone Production In Vitro And In Vivo., Anastasios Lymperopoulos, Giuseppe Rengo, Carmela Zincarelli, Jihee Kim, Stephen Soltys, Walter J Koch

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

Aldosterone produces a multitude of effects in vivo, including promotion of postmyocardial infarction adverse cardiac remodeling and heart failure progression. It is produced and secreted by the adrenocortical zona glomerulosa (AZG) cells after angiotensin II (AngII) activation of AngII type 1 receptors (AT(1)Rs). Until now, the general consensus for AngII signaling to aldosterone production has been that it proceeds via activation of G(q/11)-proteins, to which the AT(1)R normally couples. Here, we describe a novel signaling pathway underlying this AT(1)R-dependent aldosterone production mediated by beta-arrestin-1 (betaarr1), a universal heptahelical receptor adapter/scaffolding protein. This pathway results in sustained ERK activation and subsequent …

Primary Cardiac Tumors., Suraj Maraj, Md, Gregg S. Pressman, Md, Vincent M. Figueredo, Md

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Primary cardiac tumors are a rare entity compared to tumors that metastasize to the heart. Patients with such tumors may be asymptomatic. Many cases are found incidentally during evaluation of an unrelated medical condition. It is important for the clinician to have a high index of suspicion when evaluating a patient presenting with signs and systemic symptoms concerning possible malignancy, plus cardiac specific symptoms or complications. These can include new onset dyspnea, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias or murmurs varying with body positions. Imaging, particularly the use of echocardiography, remains the cornerstone of diagnosis, and may be combined with new imaging …