No abstract

Calcium ions (Ca2+) play an important role as second messengers in regulating a plethora of physiological and pathological processes, including the progression of cancer. Several selective and non-selective Ca2+-permeable ion channels are implicated in mediating Ca2+ signaling in cancer cells. In this review, we are focusing on TRPC1, a member of the TRP protein superfamily and a potential modulator of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) pathways. While TRPC1 is ubiquitously expressed in most tissues, its dysregulated activity may contribute to the hallmarks of various types of cancers, including breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma multiforme, lung cancer, hepatic cancer, multiple myeloma, and thyroid cancer. A range of pharmacological and genetic tools have been developed to address the functional role of TRPC1 in cancer. Interestingly, the unique role of TRPC1 has elevated this channel as a promising target for modulation both in terms of pharmacological inhibition leading to suppression of tumor growth and metastasis, as well as for agonistic strategies eliciting Ca2+ overload and cell death in aggressive metastatic tumor cells.

Background We aimed to determine the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) after cesarean delivery (CD) and identify the risk factors in a rural population. Methods We identified 218 SSI patients by International Classification of Disease codes and matched them with 3131 parturients (control) from the electronic record database in a time-matched retrospective quality assurance analysis. Results and discussion The incidence of SSI after CD was 7.0 %. Risk factors included higher body mass index (BMI) [40.30 ± 10.60 kg/m2 SSI (95 % CI 38.73–41.87) vs 34.05 ± 8.24 kg/m2 control (95 % CI 33.75–34.35, P < 0.001)], years of education [13.28 ± 2.44 years SSI (95 % CI 12.9–13.66) vs 14.07 ± 2.81 years control (95 % CI 13.96–14.18, P < 0.001)], number of prior births [2 (1–9) SSI vs 1 (1–11) control (P < 0.001)], tobacco use (OR 1.49; 95 % CI 1.06–2.09, P = 0.03), prior diagnosis of hypertension (OR 1.80; 95 % CI 1.34–2.42, P < 0.001), gestational diabetes (OR 1.59; 95 % CI 1.18–2.13, P = 0.003), and an emergency/STAT CD (OR 1.6; 95 % CI 1.1–2.3, P = 0.01). Conclusions Risk factors for SSI after CD included higher BMI, less years of education, higher prior births, tobacco use, prior diagnosis of hypertension, gestational diabetes, and emergency/STAT CD. The presence of ruptured membranes was protective against SSI.

The study aimed to identify the risk factors for respiratory failure after surgery. Postoperative respiratory failure (PRF) was defined as prolonged intubation after surgery or reintubation after unsuccessful extubation. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the following risk factors: age, obesity as reflected by body mass index (BMI), gender, patient admitted to hospital (in-patient status) vs. outpatient surgery, smoking, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, abnormal liver function, anaemia, respiratory infection, physical condition as reflected by ASA class, case type (elective or emergency), anaesthesia type, and surgical duration. The incidence of PRF was found to be 2.4%. Independent risk factors were older age, inpatient status, hypertension, COPD, elective procedure, surgical duration >2 hours, and ASA class ≥3. The study concludes that PRF results in significant postoperative complications. Minimising these risks is essential in improving PRF and subsequently surgical outcomes.