Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension and Preeclampsia: Levels of Angiogenic Factors in Malaysian Women

Preeclampsia (PE) is a major contributor to maternal and fetal mortality. The cause of preeclampsia remains unclear, but oxidative stress on the endothelium leading to endothelial dysfunction is said to be the root cause of the disease. The aim of this study was to measure and determine the plasma levels of key angiogenic factors in pregnancy as an indicator for the early onset of preeclampsia in pregnancy. Plasma levels of circulating a soluble fms like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), an anti-angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PIGF), both pro-angiogenic factors were analyzed in normal pregnant Malaysian women (control group, n = 34), women with pregnant induced hypertension (PIH, n = 34) and women with preeclampsia (PE, n = 34) all at three gestational ages, 24–28 weeks (early pregnancy: EP), 32–36 weeks (late pregnancy: LP) and 6 weeks after delivery (postpartum: PN). The plasma levels of angiogenic factors were determined by ELISA. sFlt-1 levels were elevated in PIH and PE patients as compared to controls. PIGF and VEGF were significantly decreased in PIH and PE as compared to the controls. These results suggest that elevated concentration of sFlt-1 and suppressed levels of PIGF and VEGF may contribute to the development of hypertension in pregnancy which precedes preeclampsia

Specimen Shrinkage and Its Influence on Margin Assessment in Breast Cancer

The determination of tumour-free margin in breast cancer is crucial in deciding subsequent patient management. To exemplify the phenomenon of margin contraction during specimen preparation for histopathological analysis, we quantified the shrinkage of breast specimens as a result of formalin fixation. Methods: Fifty consecutive mastectomy and wide excision specimens were prospectively appraised. The closest free margin and maximal tumour diameter of fresh, unprepared specimens were recorded. These measurements were compared with the corresponding parameters following tissue fixation. Results: Following formalin fixation, the mean closest free margin of the specimens was found to have decreased from 10.28 mm to 6.78 mm (34%). The reduction of the mean diameter of the tumour itself was less significant, from 41.74 mm to 39.88 mm (4.5%). Conclusion: Breast specimens undergo shrinkage after histological fixation, losing more than a third of their original closest free margin, whilst the tumour itself does not shrink substantially. This phenomenon has vital implications in the accuracy of margin analysis and consequent decisions on further management, including re-operation and the institution of adjuvant radiotherapy