Afatinib use in recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

•Genomic tumor testing is an important tool in guiding treatment for gynecologic malignancies.•Targetable mutations may lead to new therapies in gynecologic cancer treatment.•Her2/neu mutations in serous ovarian carcinomas can be targeted with ERBB2 inhibitors.•Afatinib shows promising response rates in lung cancers carrying Her2/neu mutations.•Afatinib may be effective in serous ovarian tumors exhibiting Her2/neu or ERBB2 mutations

Telemedicine for Outpatient Neurosurgical Oncology Care: Lessons Learned for the Future During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The coronavirus 2019 (COVD-19) pandemic has drastically disrupted the delivery of neurosurgical care, especially for the already at-risk neuro-oncology population. The sudden change to clinic visits has rapidly spurned the implementation of telemedicine. A recommendation care paradigm of neuro-oncologic patients limited by telemedicine has not been reported. A summary of a multi-institution experience detailing the potential benefits, pitfalls, and the necessary considerations to outpatient care of neurosurgical oncology patients. There are limitations and advantages to incorporating telemedicine into the outpatient care of neuro-oncology patients. Telemedicine-specific considerations for each step and stakeholder of the appointment (physician, patient, scheduling, previsit, imaging, and physical examination) are examined. Telemedicine, pushed to prominence during this COVID-19 pandemic, is a powerful and possibly preferential tool for the future of outpatient neuro-oncologic care

Expression and function of G-protein-coupled receptorsin the male reproductive tract

This review focuses on the expression and function of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs), α1-adrenoceptors and relaxin receptors in the male reproductive tract. The localization and differential expression of mAChR and α1-adrenoceptor subtypes in specific compartments of the efferent ductules, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle and prostate of various species indicate a role for these receptors in the modulation of luminal fluid composition and smooth muscle contraction, including effects on male fertility. Furthermore, the activation of mAChRs induces transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the Sertoli cell proliferation. The relaxin receptors are present in the testis, RXFP1 in elongated spermatids and Sertoli cells from rat, and RXFP2 in Leydig and germ cells from rat and human, suggesting a role for these receptors in the spermatogenic process. The localization of both receptors in the apical portion of epithelial cells and smooth muscle layers of the vas deferens suggests an involvement of these receptors in the contraction and regulation of secretion.Esta revisão enfatiza a expressão e a função dos receptores muscarínicos, adrenoceptores α1 e receptores para relaxina no sistema reprodutor masculino. A expressão dos receptores muscarínicos e adrenoceptores α1 em compartimentos específicos de dúctulos eferentes, epidídimo, ductos deferentes, vesícula seminal e próstata de várias espécies indica o envolvimento destes receptores na modulação da composição do fluido luminal e na contração do músculo liso, incluindo efeitos na fertilidade masculina. Além disso, a ativação dos receptores muscarínicos leva à transativação do receptor para o fator crescimento epidermal e proliferação das células de Sertoli. Os receptores para relaxina estão presentes no testículo, RXFP1 nas espermátides alongadas e células de Sertoli de rato e RXFP2 nas células de Leydig e germinativas de ratos e humano, sugerindo o envolvimento destes receptores no processo espermatogênico. A localização de ambos os receptores na porção apical das células epiteliais e no músculo liso dos ductos deferentes de rato sugere um papel na contração e na regulação da secreção.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de FarmacologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de FarmacologiaSciEL

An overview of conservative treatment options for diabetic Charcot foot neuroarthropathy

Conservative management of Charcot foot neuroarthropathy remains efficacious for certain clinical scenarios. Treatment of the patient should take into account the stage of the Charcot neuroarthopathy, site(s) of involvement, presence or absence of ulceration, presence or absence of infection, overall medical status, and level of compliance. The authors present an overview of evidence-based non-operative treatment for diabetic Charcot neuroarthropathy with an emphasis on the most recent developments in therapy

Quench performance of superconducting quadrupole magnets for the new Fermilab low beta insertion

Construction and testing of the components for the new Tevatron D0/B0 low beta insertion has been nearly completed. The devices include superconducting cold iron quadrupoles utilizing a 2-shell, cos2{theta} coil geometry with a 7.6 cm aperture. The maximum design gradient is 1.41 T/cm at an operating current of 4832 A. They have the highest current density with the highest peak field on the winding of any quadrupole yet built. This paper summarizes the quench performance and ramp rate sensitivity of the 2-shell design and relates the performance characteristics to the relevant aspects of design and fabrication. 8 refs., 6 figs., 3 tabs

Skeletal Muscle-Specific Ablation of γcyto-Actin Does Not Exacerbate the mdx Phenotype

We previously documented a ten-fold increase in γcyto-actin expression in dystrophin-deficient skeletal muscle and hypothesized that increased γcyto-actin expression may participate in an adaptive cytoskeletal remodeling response. To explore whether increased γcyto-actin fortifies the cortical cytoskeleton in dystrophic skeletal muscle, we generated double knockout mice lacking both dystrophin and γcyto-actin specifically in skeletal muscle (ms-DKO). Surprisingly, dystrophin-deficient mdx and ms-DKO mice presented with comparable levels of myofiber necrosis, membrane instability, and deficits in muscle function. The lack of an exacerbated phenotype in ms-DKO mice suggests γcyto-actin and dystrophin function in a common pathway. Finally, because both mdx and ms-DKO skeletal muscle showed similar levels of utrophin expression and presented with identical dystrophies, we conclude utrophin can partially compensate for the loss of dystrophin independent of a γcyto-actin-utrophin interaction

Characterization of Aerosol Deposited Cesium Lead Tribromide Perovskite Films on Interdigited ITO Electrodes

Aerosol deposition (AD) is a promising additive manufacturing method to fabricate low-cost, scalable films at room temperature, but has not been considered for semiconductor processing, so far. The successful preparation of cesium lead tribromide (CsPbBr) perovskite films on interdigitated indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes by means of AD is reported here. The – µm thick layers are dense and have good adhesion to the substrate. The orthorhombic Pnma crystal structure of the precursor powder was retained during the deposition process with no signs of defect formation. The formation of electronic defects by photoluminescence spectroscopy is investigated and found slightly increased carrier recombination from defect sites for AD films compared to the powder. A nonuniform defect distribution across the layer, presumably induced by the impact of the semiconducting grains on the hard substrate surface, is revealed. The opto-electronic properties of AD processed semiconducting films is further tested by electrical measurements and confirmed good semiconducting properties and high responsivity for the films. These results demonstrate that AD processing of metal halide perovskites is possible for opto-electronic device manufacturing on D surfaces. It is believed that this work paves the way for the fabrication of previously unimaginable opto-electronic devices by additive manufacturing