Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibits mitogen-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Introduction: Delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein or gene transfer has been shown to accelerate re-endothelialization and attenuate neointimal hyperplasia in various arterial injury models, including balloon injury, stent implantation, and vein grafts. In addition to stimulating re-endothelialization, we hypothesize that VEGF has further vascular protective functions to prevent neointimal hyperplasia by directly inhibiting mitogen-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) via the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Materials And Methods: Human aortic VSMCs were seeded and serum starved for 24 h.

Mycotic aneurysm of the internal carotid artery--a case report.

Extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) mycotic aneurysms are rare entities that may result in significant neurologic morbidity and mortality. Several operative techniques have been described in the literature for the management of this difficult condition. This case report describes a contained ruptured mycotic aneurysm of the extracranial ICA associated with Proteus mirabilis infection successfully treated by an end-to-end spatulated interposition saphenous vein graft.

The evolution of the axillofemoral bypass over two decades.

To determine if the indications and numbers of the axillofemoral bypass have changed, a retrospective analysis was performed of all patients undergoing axillofemoral bypass over the past two decades. Group A (1980-89) and group B (1990-99) were compared using demographics, comorbid illness, perioperative outcomes, and indications for operation. There were 33 extraanatomic bypasses performed in group A and 24 extraanatomic bypasses in group B.

Effects of a moderate dose of alcohol on simulated laparoscopic surgical performance.

Background: In medicine, there is no professional regulation of the drinking of alcohol, nor a body of experimental evidence on which such regulation might be based. Here we report the acute and longer-term ("hangover") effects of a moderate dose of alcohol on performance, as assessed objectively on a laparoscopic surgical simulator.

Methods: In a single-blind, experimental study, medical student subjects were assigned randomly to an alcohol (1.