The Expression and Prognostic Significance of VEGF and CXCR4 in Gastric Cancer: Correlation with Angiogenesis, Lymphangiogenesis and Progression
The cellular response to hypoxia includes the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and its target genes: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and prognostic significance of VEGF and CXCR4, which are responsible for angiogenesis and progression in gastric cancer. Twenty-eight gastric cancer patients were analyzed. The mRNA expression was examined in primary tumors and corresponding normal gastric mucosa by RT-PCR. The protein level was examined by immunohistochemistry staining. The high expression of VEGF and CXCR4 was found in 71.0 and 64.0% of tumors, respectively. The mean levels…
Second asymptomatic carotid surgery trial (ACST-2): a randomised comparison of carotid artery stenting versus carotid endarterectomy.
Summary Background Among asymptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis but no recent stroke or transient cerebral ischaemia, either carotid artery stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can restore patency and reduce long-term stroke risks. However, from recent national registry data, each option causes about 1% procedural risk of disabling stroke or death. Comparison of their long-term protective effects requires large-scale randomised evidence. Methods ACST-2 is an international multicentre randomised trial of CAS versus CEA among asymptomatic patients with severe stenosis thought to require intervention, interpreted with all other relevant trials. Patients were eligib…
Periodontal status and the incidence of selected bacterial pathogens in periodontal pockets and vascular walls in patients with atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysms
The aim of the study was to examine the periodontal status of patients with atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysms. The occurrence of 5 periodontopathogens was evaluated in periodontal pockets and atheromatous plaques together with specimens from pathologically changed vascular walls of aortic aneurysms. The study comprised 39 patients who qualified for vascular surgeries. Patients with periodontitis and concomitant atherosclerosis or aneurysms were enrolled in the study. Periodontal indices were evaluated, and subgingival plaque samples were examined together with atheromatous plaques or specimens from vascular walls to identify, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the following pe…
Proximal vertebral artery surgery. Results of treatment of ischemia of the rhombencephalon (hindbrain). Simultaneous carotid and vertebral artery decompression procedures.
Surgical treatment of hindbrain ischemia is becoming the accepted surgical procedure in cases of stenosis of extracranial segments of vertebral arteries in the course of advanced atherosclerotic lesions in their initial segments (V1) or caused by external compression of these arteries in the canal formed by the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae. The latter is referred to as vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI). The transposition of the left vertebral artery to the common carotid artery in cases where stent graft implantation is necessary with coverage of the subclavian artery and possible blood supply disorders of both the hindbrain and the spinal cord has become important. In the D…
Midterm Results of the Treatment of Penetrating Abdominal Aortic or Iliac Artery Ulcer with the BeGraft Balloon-Expandable Covered Stent-A Single-Center Experience.
Background The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the novel BeGraft covered stent for the treatment of abdominal penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU) or penetrating ulcers of the iliac arteries (PUIAs). Methods This was a single-center observational study, which included 24 consecutive patients who underwent endovascular surgery due to abdominal PAU or PUIA between June 2017 and September 2019. Demographics of patients, lesion characteristics, diameter and length of the BeGraft stents, and postoperative events were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Follow-up examinations were performed at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months with clinical and hemodynamic e…
The intravascular ultrasound morphometry of iliac veins in subjects without severe chronic venous insufficiency and its implications for treatment indications and stent size selection
Objectives The purpose of this study is to report the intravascular ultrasound morphometry of iliac veins and its relation to demographic and anthropometric factors in subjects without chronic venous insufficiency. Methods Thirty-three patients, without chronic venous insufficiency – qualified to great saphenous vein stripping due to unilateral, primary varicose veins – participated in the study. During the surgery, left and right external iliac veins, common iliac veins and inferior vena cava were interrogated with intravascular ultrasound. The morphometric analysis included measurement of a cross-sectional area at normal, non-stenosed vein segments (ref-CSA) and at the point of the most p…
European training requirements in vascular surgery
ispartof: INTERNATIONAL ANGIOLOGY vol:41 issue:2 pages:91-104 ispartof: location:Italy status: published
Mid-Term Results of Endovascular Aneurysm Sealing in the Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm With Unfavorable Morphology.
Purpose: To report mid-term results of endovascular aneurysm sealing (EVAS) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) deemed unsuitable for a standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods: A prospectively maintained database of 42 patients with EVAR-unfavorable anatomy treated by EVAS combined with chimney grafts in case of the proximal AAA neck shorter than 5 mm was analyzed. Early outcomes included final angiographic result, intra- and early post-operative deaths, and complications. Mid-term outcomes included all-cause mortality (ACM), aneurysm-related mortality (ARM), patency of the stents, occurrence of endoleaks, serious complications and graft failures defined as the AAA growth of m…