Autophagy and Bcl-2/BNIP3 death regulatory pathway in non-small cell lung carcinomas.

We recently showed that non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs) are of dismal prognosis when encompassing accelerated autophagic activity. The regulation of this abnormally functioning degradation system and its association with hypoxia and apoptosis in lung carcinoma patients is unexplored. In this study we used 115 NSCLC tissues to examine the immunohistochemical expression of four distinct molecules - the major regulator of autophagy Beclin 1, the anti-apoptotic and anti-autophagic protein Bcl-2, the pro-apoptotic and pro-autophagic protein BNIP3, and a marker of hypoxia and glucolysis, the glucose transporter Glut 1.

Acute pressure overload of the right ventricle. Comparison of two models of right-left shunt. Pulmonary artery to left atrium and right atrium to left atrium: experimental study.

Background: In right ventricular failure (RVF), an interatrial shunt can relieve symptoms of severe pulmonary hypertension by reducing right ventricular preload and increasing systemic flow. Using a pig model to determine if a pulmonary artery-left atrium shunt (PA-LA) is better than a right atrial-left atrial shunt (RA-LA), we compared the hemodynamic effects and blood gases between the two shunts.

Methods: Thirty, male Large White pigs weighting in average 21.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms -786T > C and 894G > T in coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients.

Polymorphisms in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase ( eNOS ) gene (- 786T > C and 894G > T ) enhance endothelial dysfunction and have been studied in relation to coronary artery disease (CAD). In the present study, we examined the association of the above polymorphisms with CAD, as well as with myocardial infarction (MI), hypertension, diabetes and smoking in CAD patients. Study subjects consisted of 154 consecutive coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients and 155 non-CAD controls.

Coronary artery bypass surgery in a patient with Kartagener syndrome: a case report and literature review.

Kartagener syndrome consists of congenital bronchiectasis, sinusitis, and total situs inversus in half of the patients. A patient diagnosed with Kartagener syndrome was referred to our department due to 3-vessel coronary disease. An off-pump coronary artery bypass operation was performed using both internal thoracic arteries and a saphenous vein graft.

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system gene polymorphisms in coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients.

Introduction: Candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) represent a group of patients with well documented, severe coronary artery disease (CAD). Genetic polymorphisms of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) components have been associated with CAD. We examined the association of polymorphisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen (AGT), and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT(1) receptor) with severe CAD in CABG patients.

The -759C/T polymorphism of the 5-HT2C receptor is associated with type 2 diabetes in male and female Caucasians.

Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity constitute serious health problems. Studies reveal that the 5-HT2C receptor contributes substantially to the regulation of a wide variety of behavioral and physiological processes including feeding and glucose homeostasis. Our aim was to determine the possible association of the -759C/T polymorphism of the 5-HT2C receptor gene with type 2 diabetes and obesity in male and female individuals Caucasian origin.

Expression of prolyl-hydroxylases PHD-1, 2 and 3 and of the asparagine hydroxylase FIH in non-small cell lung cancer relates to an activated HIF pathway.

The oxygen sensitive prolyl-hydroxylase domain enzymes (PHDs) and the asparagines hydroxylase (FIH, factor inhibiting HIF) regulate the transcriptional activity of HIFs. We assessed the expression of these enzymes in a series of 73 non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). A direct association of PHDs with FIH and of the PHDs/FIH with HIFs expression was noted.

Hypofractionated accelerated radiochemotherapy with cytoprotection (Chemo-HypoARC) for inoperable non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Background: Concurrent radiochemotherapy and altered radiotherapy fractionation are under thorough investigation in locally advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

Patients And Methods: The efficacy and tolerance of hypofractionated accelerated radiochemotherapy supported with high dose (up to 1000 mg daily) amifostine cytoprotection (hypoARC) was examined in 31 patients. Fifteen fractions of 3.

Influence of bispectral index monitoring on decision making during cardiac anesthesia.

Study Objective: To assess bispectral index (BIS) monitoring on decision making during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) by measuring the number of preset standardized comments with and without knowing the BIS value and by classifying the interventions following the BIS data.

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Setting: University Hospital.

VEGF gene sequence variation defines VEGF gene expression status and angiogenic activity in non-small cell lung cancer.

Different vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms have been shown to result in different VEGF gene responsiveness to various stimuli and different capacity for VEGF protein production. In the present study, we examined four VEGF gene polymorphisms in thirty-six individuals with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Gene polymorphisms were correlated with the VEGF protein expression in cancer cells and the tumor angiogenic activity.