Fibrous solitary tumor, a rare and ubiquitous neoplasy.

Fibrous solitary tumors (FST) are mesenchymal tumors that can appear in different body regions. It is estimated that around 30% are found in the thoracic region, while rarely in meninges, abdomen, pelvis, extremities and bones. A correct diagnosis is important because 15-20% of cases develop a malignant behavior.

Changes in Soluble TWEAK Concentrations, but Not Those in Amyloid-β(1-40), Are Associated with a Decrease in Carotid Intima-Media Thickness after Bariatric Surgery in Obese Women.

Background/aim: Soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and amyloid-β(1-40) (Aβ40) emerged as markers of cardiovascular risk because of their actions in the endothelium and their role in atherosclerotic progression. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of these two factors with the decrease in carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) after bariatric surgery in obese women.

Methods: We studied 60 severely obese women, of whom 20 were submitted to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), 20 to sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and 20 to lifestyle modification therapy.

Beneficial changes on plasma apolipoproteins A and B, high density lipoproteins and oxidized low density lipoproteins in obese women after bariatric surgery: comparison between gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

Background: The beneficial effects in lipid profiles after obesity surgery might be associated with the decrease in cardiovascular risk. However, direct comparison between different surgical techniques has not been extensively performed.

Methods: In the present study we compare 20 obese women submitted to laparoscopic Roux en Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with 20 women submitted to sleeve gastrectomy (SG).

Circulating adiponectin increases in obese women after sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass driving beneficial metabolic changes but with no relationship with carotid intima-media thickness.

Background & Aims: Obesity surgery induces beneficial effects in metabolic and cardiovascular parameters. Adiponectin increase might be associated with some of these changes. However, direct comparison between different surgical techniques has not been extensively performed.

Improvement in cardiovascular risk in women after bariatric surgery as measured by carotid intima-media thickness: comparison of sleeve gastrectomy versus gastric bypass.

Background: Bariatric surgery may diminish cardiovascular risk (CVR) and its associated mortality. However, studies that compare these effects with different techniques are scarce.

Objective: To evaluate the changes in CVR as estimated by carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) after obesity surgery in women with high CVR as defined by the presence of metabolic syndrome.

Integrin-linked kinase regulates vasomotor function by preventing endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling: role in atherosclerosis.

Rationale: Atherosclerotic lesions develop in regions of disturbed flow, whereas laminar flow protects from atherogenesis; however, the mechanisms involved are not completely elucidated. Integrins are mechanosensors of shear stress in endothelial cells, and integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is important for blood vessel integrity and cardiovascular development.

Objectives: To explore the role of ILK in vascular function by studying conditionally ILK-deficient (cKO) mice and human atherosclerotic arteries.

Increasingly heterogeneous ages at first birth by education in Southern European and Anglo-American family-policy regimes: A seven-country comparison by birth cohort.

According to the 'reproductive polarization' hypothesis, family-policy regimes unfavourable to the combination of employment with motherhood generate greater socio-economic differentials in fertility than other regimes. This hypothesis has been tested mainly for 'liberal' Anglo-American regimes. To investigate the effects elsewhere, we compared education differentials in age at first birth among native-born women of 1950s and 1960s birth cohorts in seven countries representing three regime types.

Prognostic significance of deep vein thrombosis in patients presenting with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism.

Rationale: Concomitant deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) has an uncertain prognostic significance.

Objectives: In a cohort of patients with PE, this study compared the risk of death in those with and those without concomitant DVT.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of outpatients diagnosed with a first episode of acute symptomatic PE.

Nitric oxide induces the progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms through the matrix metalloproteinase inducer EMMPRIN.

Nitric Oxide (NO) is involved in the development and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). We found that inhibition of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protects mice in an elastase-induced AAA model, significantly inhibiting the production of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13). The extracellular MMP inducer (EMMPRIN; CD147) was increased in human AAA biopsies and in wild-type murine AAA but not in AAA from iNOS null mice.

Renovascular hypertension in children.

Objective: To study the etiology, clinical spectrum. image findings, management and outcome of children with renovascular hypertension (RVH).

Material And Methods: Twenty children (aged 5 days to 15 years) were studied and treated for RVH during 1977-1998.