Incidence of Hypocalcemia and Role of Calcium Replacement in Major Trauma Patients Requiring Operative Intervention.

Traumatic injury is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and hemorrhage is a primary factor. Evidence exists that major trauma patients are at high risk of hypocalcemia. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and rate of calcium replacement in major trauma patients requiring operative intervention, and to investigate the impact of hypocalcemia on rate of transfusion and mortality. A retrospective analysis was conducted of all top-tier trauma activations presenting to our institution during a 12-month period. A total of 638 activations were identified; 441 were excluded, primarily because of lack of operative intervention. Patients were predominantly male following blunt trauma. The mean initial calcium level was 8.11 mg/dL and 8.64 mg/dL, correcting for albumin levels. An acute decline was noted when initial serum calcium levels and intraoperative calcium levels were compared (7.51 mg/dL). Intraoperative ionized calcium levels were on the low end of the normal range, and 28.42% received supplemental calcium. Patients in our cohort arrived hypocalcemic, which has been previously associated with increased mortality. Patients requiring operative intervention are at increased risk of hypocalcemia. Recognition of this potential is key for improved outcomes.

(-)-Oleocanthal as a Dual c-MET-COX2 Inhibitor for the Control of Lung Cancer.

Lung cancer (LC) represents the topmost mortality-causing cancer in the U.S. LC patients have overall poor survival rate with limited available treatment options. Dysregulation of the mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-MET) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) initiates aggressive LC profile in a subset of patients. The Mediterranean extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)-rich diet already documented to reduce multiple malignancies incidence. (-)-Oleocanthal (OC) is a naturally occurring phenolic secoiridoid exclusively occurring in EVOO and showed documented anti-breast and other cancer activities via targeting c-MET. This study shows the novel ability of OC to suppress LC progression and metastasis through dual targeting of c-MET and COX-2. Western blot analysis and COX enzymatic assay showed significant reduction in the total and activated c-MET levels and inhibition of COX1/2 activity in the lung adenocarcinoma cells A549 and NCI-H322M, in vitro. In addition, OC treatment caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the HGF-induced LC cells migration. Daily oral treatment with 10 mg/kg OC for 8 weeks significantly suppressed the LC A549-Luc progression and prevented metastasis to brain and other organs in a nude mouse tail vein injection model. Further, microarray data of OC-treated lung tumors showed a distinct gene signature that confirmed the dual targeting of c-MET and COX2. Thus, the EVOO-based OC is an effective lead with translational potential for use as a prospective nutraceutical to control LC progression and metastasis.