The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 critically regulates the function of mononuclear phagocytes and promotes cardiac remodeling in acute ischemia.

Monocytes and macrophages are cellular forces that drive and resolve inflammation triggered by acute myocardial ischemia. One of the most important but least understood regulatory mechanisms is how these cells sense cues from the micro-milieu and integrate environmental signals with their response that eventually determines the outcome of myocardial repair. In the current study, we investigated if the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1) plays this role. We present evidence that support a robustly activated mTORC1 pathway in monocytes and macrophages in the infarcting myocardium.. Specific mTORC1 inhibition transformed the landscape of cardiac monocytes and macrophages into reparative cells that promoted myocardial healing. As the result, mTORC1 inhibition diminished remodeling and reduced mortality from acute ischemia by 80%. In conclusion, our data suggest a critical role of mTORC1 in regulating the functions of cardiac monocytes and macrophages, and specific mTORC1 inhibition protects the heart from inflammatory injury in acute ischemia. As mTOR/mTORC1 is a master regulator that integrates external signals with cellular responses, the study sheds light on how the cardiac monocytes and macrophages sense and respond to the ischemic environment..

Why Do People (Not) Take Breaks? An Investigation of Individuals' Reasons for Taking and for Not Taking Breaks at Work.

Although breaks can help employees stay energized and maintain high levels of performance throughout the day, employees sometimes refrain from taking a break despite wanting to do so. Unfortunately, few studies have investigated individuals' reasons for taking and for not taking a break at work. To address this gap, we developed a model for predicting employees' break-taking behaviors. We developed hypotheses by integrating theories of work stress, self-regulation, and the results of a qualitative survey conducted as part of the current research (Study 1). Specifically, we predicted that high workloads would be positively related to the desire to detach from work, but that at the same time, high workloads would also deter employees from actually taking breaks. Furthermore, we predicted that employees would be less likely to act upon their desire to take a break within an environment where breaks are frowned upon by supervisors and coworkers, relative to an environment where breaks are allowed and encouraged. The results of a daily diary study of full-time employees (Study 2) provided general support for these predictions. Altogether, this research provides insights into the manner in which employees' psychological experiences and characteristics of the work environment combine to predict break-taking. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10869-022-09866-4.

Goal progress velocity as a determinant of shortcut behaviors.

Employees often have a great deal of work to accomplish within stringent deadlines. Therefore, employees may engage in shortcut behaviors, which involve eschewing standard procedures during goal pursuit to save time. However, shortcuts can lead to negative consequences such as poor-quality work, accidents, and even large-scale disasters. Despite these implications, few studies have investigated the antecedents of shortcut behaviors. In this research, we propose that employees engage in shortcut behaviors to regulate their velocity (i.e., rate of progress). Specifically, we predict that when individuals experience slower-than-referent velocity, they will (a) believe that the goal is unlikely to be met via standard procedures and (b) experience feelings of frustration. In turn, we expect these psychological states to be related to the perceived utility of shortcuts, especially when shortcuts are perceived as viable means to achieve the goal. Finally, we predict that the perceived utility of shortcuts will be positively related to actual shortcut behaviors. We tested these predictions using a laboratory experiment in which we manipulated velocity and unobtrusively observed shortcuts (Study 1, N = 147), as well as a daily diary study in which employees reported their velocity and shortcut behaviors over 5 consecutive workdays (Study 2, N = 395). Both studies provided support for our predictions. In sum, this research provides evidence to suggest that the experience of slow progress can lead to shortcuts not only by casting doubt on employees' perceived likelihood of meeting the goal but also by producing feelings of frustration. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Coronavirus Disease 2019, Diabetes, and Inflammation: A Systemic Review.

People with cardiometabolic diseases [namely type 2 diabetes (T2D), obesity, or metabolic syndrome] are more susceptible to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and endure more severe illness and poorer outcomes. Hyperinflammation has been suggested as a common pathway for both diseases. To examine the role of inflammatory biomarkers shared between COVID-19 and cardiometabolic diseases, we reviewed and evaluated published data using PubMed, SCOPUS, and World Health Organization COVID-19 databases for English articles from December 2019 to February 2022. Of 248 identified articles, 50 were selected and included. We found that people with diabetes or obesity have (i) increased risk of COVID-19 infection; (ii) increased risk of hospitalization (those with diabetes have a higher risk of intensive care unit admissions) and death; and (iii) heightened inflammatory and stress responses (hyperinflammation) to COVID-19, which worsen their prognosis. In addition, COVID-19-infected patients have a higher risk of developing T2D, especially if they have other comorbidities. Treatments controlling blood glucose levels and or ameliorating the inflammatory response may be valuable for improving clinical outcomes in these patient populations. In conclusion, it is critical for health care providers to clinically evaluate hyperinflammatory states to drive clinical decisions for COVID-19 patients.

A Male Patient With Breast Hamartoma: An Uncommon Finding.

Mammary hamartoma is a rare type of breast tumor that is composed of the same elements as normal mammary tissue. This condition is very rare in men. In current literature, there are fewer than five case reports on male breast hamartoma. This benign pathology is under-reported because of several reasons. Since breast tumors are still considered an exclusively female diagnosis and statistically proven to be gynecomastia when arising in men, they are often overlooked. In addition to the uncommon clinical presentation in men, insufficiency of definitive pathologic and radiologic characteristics can make an accurate diagnosis a challenging task. Mammary hamartoma is a benign condition with an excellent prognosis. The following case describes a rare instance of an enlarging mammary hamartoma in a male patient, highlighting the imaging features, pathohistological findings, and clinical management.

Cat Scratch Disease Is an Entity Often Diagnosed in Breast Imaging Department During Axillary Lymph Node Assessment.

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is an infectious disease process of generally immunocompetent children and young adults. This infection can be introduced through skin trauma by direct exposure to the saliva of an infected kitten or cat. CSD is typically associated with constitutional symptoms and self-limited regional lymphadenopathy. In the sole presence of swollen lymph nodes, however, the differential diagnosis for CSD is relatively broad, including an active infection, an ongoing inflammatory process, and a metastatic process. CSD can present as axillary lymphadenopathy without typical constitutional symptoms. With proper clinical and laboratory investigation, CSD can be accurately identified and correctly diagnosed, as demonstrated in this case series featuring five symptomatic young adults with axillary lymphadenopathy. Breast imaging clinic specializes in lymph node assessment because metastatic lymphadenopathy is one of the most common presenting signs of breast cancer. Most isolated axillary lymphadenopathy without breast mass is benign reactive lymphadenopathy, but biopsy is necessary to exclude malignancies, such as metastatic lymphadenopathy or lymphoma.

Foot progression angle after distal tibial physeal fractures.

Twenty-three patients with Salter 1 or 2 fractures of the distal tibia had follow-up with footprints to assess rotational deformities. Fourteen had external rotation deformity >+2 SD of the normal mean of 5 degrees to 6 degrees. Eight of the 14 had the finding of physeal widening of 2 mm or more. The widening was most commonly wedge-shaped and based anteriorly. The mean foot progression angle of the fractured sides was externally rotated 14 degrees, and the mean foot progression angle of the uninjured sides was externally rotated 10 degrees; both exceeded the normal mean. The fractured side mean was significantly more externally rotated than the uninjured side mean. Preexisting external rotation deformity may be a risk factor for these fractures. Closed reduction with long leg bent-knee casting is justified in more than half of these patients.