Management of a Large Hypervascular Apicoposterior Mediastinal Mass Using the Purse-String Suture Technique in Robotic-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Case Report.

Complete resection of an apicoposterior mediastinal mass is essential due to the mass effect, which exerts pressure on adjacent organs. Recently, the use of minimally invasive surgery has had many advantages. In this report, we describe a case in which a large apicoposterior mediastinal hypervascular mass was managed using a purse-string suture technique during robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS). The patient, a 77-year-old woman, was diagnosed with a 6.2-cm apicoposterior mediastinal hypervascular solid mass originating from the branches of the right subclavian artery. The patient underwent RATS for treatment. To obtain an adequate view of the apex of the thoracic cavity, a needle aspiration was performed, followed by the application of a purse-string suture technique. This was done to reduce the size of the tumor and to prevent catastrophic events such as seeding or spillage of the cystic mass. The mass was histopathologically diagnosed as a schwannoma. The patient was discharged on the first postoperative day without experiencing any complications.

Characterization of glutamate carboxypeptidase 2 orthologs in trematodes.

BACKGROUND: Glutamate carboxypeptidase 2 (GCP2) belongs to the M28B metalloprotease subfamily encompassing a variety of zinc-dependent exopeptidases that can be found in many eukaryotes, including unicellular organisms. Limited information exists on the physiological functions of GCP2 orthologs in mammalian tissues outside of the brain and intestine, and such data are completely absent for non-mammalian species. Here, we investigate GCP2 orthologs found in trematodes, not only as putative instrumental molecules for defining their basal function(s) but also as drug targets. METHODS: Identified genes encoding M28B proteases Schistosoma mansoni and Fasciola hepatica genomes were analyzed and annotated. Homology modeling was used to create three-dimensional models of SmM28B and FhM28B proteins using published X-ray structures as the template. For S. mansoni, RT-qPCR was used to evaluate gene expression profiles, and, by RNAi, we exploited the possible impact of knockdown on the viability of worms. Enzymes from both parasite species were cloned for recombinant expression. Polyclonal antibodies raised against purified recombinant enzymes and RNA probes were used for localization studies in both parasite species. RESULTS: Single genes encoding M28B metalloproteases were identified in the genomes of S. mansoni and F. hepatica. Homology models revealed the conserved three-dimensional fold as well as the organization of the di-zinc active site. Putative peptidase activities of purified recombinant proteins were assayed using peptidic libraries, yet no specific substrate was identified, pointing towards the likely stringent substrate specificity of the enzymes. The orthologs were found to be localized in reproductive, digestive, nervous, and sensory organs as well as parenchymal cells. Knockdown of gene expression by RNAi silencing revealed that the genes studied were non-essential for trematode survival under laboratory conditions, reflecting similar findings for GCP2 KO mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our study offers the first insight to our knowledge into M28B protease orthologs found in trematodes. Conservation of their three-dimensional structure, as well as tissue expression pattern, suggests that trematode GCP2 orthologs may have functions similar to their mammalian counterparts and can thus serve as valuable models for future studies aimed at clarifying the physiological role(s) of GCP2 and related subfamily proteases.

Nanotopography-Promoted Formation of Axon Collateral Branches of Hippocampal Neurons.

Axon collateral branches, as a key structural motif of neurons, allow neurons to integrate information from highly interconnected, divergent networks by establishing terminal boutons. Although physical cues are generally known to have a comprehensive range of effects on neuronal development, their involvement in axonal branching remains elusive. Herein, it is demonstrated that the nanopillar arrays significantly increase the number of axon collateral branches and also promote their growth. Immunostaining and biochemical analyses indicate that the physical interactions between the nanopillars and the neurons give rise to lateral filopodia at the axon shaft via cytoskeletal changes, leading to the formation of axonal branches. This report, demonstrates that nanotopography regulates axonal branching, and provides a guideline for the design of sophisticated neuron-based devices and scaffolds for neuro-engineering.

Cytocompatible in situ cross-linking of degradable LbL films based on thiol-exchange reaction.

Formation of both mechanically durable and programmably degradable layer-by-layer (LbL) films in a biocompatible fashion has potential applications in cell therapy, tissue engineering, and drug-delivery systems, where the films are interfaced with living cells. In this work, we developed a simple but versatile method for generating in situ cross-linked and responsively degradable LbL films, based on the thiol-exchange reaction, under highly cytocompatible conditions (aqueous solution at pH 7.4 and room temperature). The cytocompatibility of the processes was confirmed by coating individual yeast cells with the cross-linked LbL films and breaking the films on demand, while maintaining the cell viability. In addition, the processes were applied to the controlled release of an anticancer drug in the HeLa cells.

Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14 inhibits Staphylococcus aureus infection of surgical implants in rats.

Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of community and hospital-acquired infections. Moreover, the clinical impact of S. aureus is on the rise because of the global increase in the incidence of multidrug-resistant strains and its growing prevalence as a major cause of surgical infections. As a result, there is a pressing need to identify new antistaphylococcal agents and preventative strategies that will help in the management of these types of infections. This report describes the successful use of a probiotic, Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14, and its secreted biosurfactant to inhibit surgical implant infections caused by S. aureus. L. fermentum RC-14 and its secreted biosurfactant both significantly inhibited S. aureus infection and bacteria adherence to surgical implants.