Successful radical resection of a leiomyosarcoma of the pulmonary trunk

AbstractJ Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;122:1039-4

PGF isoforms, PLGF-1 and PGF-2 and the PGF receptor, neuropilin, in human breast cancer: prognostic significance

Placenta growth factor (PLGF) is a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, a group of angiogenic growth factors. Recently, isoforms have been identified. This study examined PLGF-1, PGF-2 and its receptor neuropilin-1 levels in human breast cancer in relation to patient's clinical parameters and how changes in expression may be linked to prognosis of the disease. PLGF-1, PGF-2 and neuropilin-1 transcript expression and distribution were examined quantitatively using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) on a cohort of human breast cancer (n=114) and background breast tissue (n=30) with a 10-year follow-up. Protein expression was assessed by an immunohistochemical method. We demonstrate that PLGF-1 transcript levels were significantly elevated when comparing tumours from patients with poor outcome and patients who remained disease-free (P=0.03), indicating a potential prognostic value. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a marked increased in PGF-2 expression in tumour section compared with normal tissues (P<0.05). PGF-2 transcripts, showed little change in expression between tumour and background. High levels of PLGF-1 and PGF-2 were seen in ERβ-negative breast tumour tissues. Neuropilin transcript was below detection in substantial portion of the samples and was more frequently detected in high grade tumours (P=0.008 vs. low grade) and in tumours from patients who died of breast cancer (P<0.001 vs. those who remained disease-free). Our study shows that PLGF isoforms PLGF-1 and PGF-2 and indeed their receptor neuopilin, have an aberrant pattern of expression and that high levels of the PLGF-1 and neuropilin are linked to a poor prognosis

Ischemia monitoring in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery using intravascular near-infrared spectroscopy

Abstract Background In off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery, manipulations on the beating heart can lead to transient interruptions of myocardial oxygen supply, which can generate an accumulation of oxygen-dependent metabolites in coronary venous blood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of intravascular near-infrared spectroscopy as a monitoring method to detect possible ischemic events in off-pump coronary artery bypass procedures. Methods In 15 elective patients undergoing off-pump myocardial revascularization, intravascular near-infrared spectroscopic analysis of coronary venous blood was performed. NIR signals were transferred through a fiberoptic catheter for signal emission and collection. For data analysis and processing, a miniature spectrophotometer with multivariate statistical package was used. Signal acquisition and analysis were performed before and after revascularization. Spectroscopic data were compared with hemodynamic parameters, electrocardiogram, transesophageal echocardiography and laboratory findings. Results A conversion to extracorporeal circulation was not necessary. The mean number of grafts per patient was 3.1 ± 0.6. An intraoperative myocardial ischemia was not evident, as indicated by electrocardiogram and transesophageal echocardiography. Continuous spectroscopic analysis showed reproducible absorption spectra of coronary sinus blood. Due to uneventful intraoperative courses, clear ischemia-related changes could be detected in none of the patients. Conclusion Our initial results show that intravascular near-infrared spectroscopy can reliably be used for an online intraoperative ischemia monitoring in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. However, the method has to be further evaluated and standardized to determine the role of spectroscopy in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.</p