Cancer stem cell phenotype is supported by secretory phospholipase A2 in human lung cancer cells.

Background: Lung cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cells that drive growth, invasiveness, and resistance to therapy. Inflammatory eicosanoids are critical to maintain this malignant subpopulation. Secretory phospholipase A2 group IIa (sPLA2) is an important mediator of the growth and invasive potential of human lung cancer cells and regulates eicosanoid production.

Serum detection of thymidine kinase 1 as a means of early detection of lung cancer.

Background: Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) is a biomarker elevated in several malignancies, including lung cancer. Up-regulation of TK1 is an early event in carcinogenesis and therefore a target for early cancer detection. We have developed a novel Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to detect TK1 in serum.

Secretory phospholipase A2 mediates human esophageal adenocarcinoma cell growth and proliferation via ERK 1/2 pathway.

Background/aim: Secretory phospholipase-A2 (sPLA2) mediates growth and proliferation of human esophageal adenocarcinoma cells (HEAC). Two major molecular pathways of cancer growth regulation include extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) and protein kinase-B (AKT). Phospholipase enzymes have been demonstrated to significantly influence these two growth regulating pathways in other tumor cells.

Knockdown of secretory phospholipase A2 IIa reduces lung cancer growth in vitro and in vivo.

Objective: Group IIa secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2 IIa) plays a role in the malignant potential of several epithelial cancers. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) regulates cancer cell growth and is modulated by phospholipase activity in many cancer cells. We hypothesized that knockdown of sPLA2 in lung cancer cells would reduce cell proliferation and NF-κB activity in vitro and attenuate tumor growth in vivo.

The u and the sushi roll: a conceptual aid for lichtenstein hernia repair.

For surgical trainees, perfecting a systematic approach to open inguinal herniorrhaphy can be complicated by the difficulty of conceptualizing hernias in relationship to the relatively complex anatomy of the inguinal canal. Open inguinal hernia repair is a common general surgery operation and a precise understanding of the operation is essential for residents. We present a systematic approach to this operation that uses the U and sushi roll technique as a conceptual aid to understand inguinal anatomy and a method of hernia repair.

Group IIa secretory phospholipase expression correlates with group IIa secretory phospholipase inhibition-mediated cell death in K-ras mutant lung cancer cells.

Objective: There are currently no targeted therapies against lung tumors with oncogenic K-ras mutations that are found in 25% to -40% of lung cancers and are characterized by their resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. The isozyme group IIa secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)IIa) is a potential biomarker and regulator of lung cancer cell invasion; however, the relationship between K-ras mutations and sPLA(2)IIa has yet to be investigated. We hypothesize that sPLA(2)IIa modulates lung cancer cell growth in K-ras mutant cells and that sPLA(2)IIa expression in human lung tumors is increased in K-ras mutant tumors.

Radiation induces osteogenesis in human aortic valve interstitial cells.

Objective: Irradiation of the chest or chest wall has been shown to cause calcific aortic stenosis. However, the mechanisms are unknown. Aortic valve interstitial cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of aortic stenosis; they have been shown to change from the phenotype of a myofibroblast to an osteoblastlike cell.

Group IIa sPLA2 inhibition attenuates NF-κB activity and promotes apoptosis of lung cancer cells.

Background/aim: Group IIa secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2 IIa) has been implicated in the regulation of metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the present study investigates its contribution to lung cancer growth and progression. PLA2s initiate signaling in several pathways that mediate cell survival including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT (PI3K-AKT), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB).

Materials And Methods: Human NSCLC cell lines (A549 and NCI-H358) were treated with a specific sPLA2 IIa inhibitor.

Biglycan induces the expression of osteogenic factors in human aortic valve interstitial cells via Toll-like receptor-2.

Objective: Although biglycan (BGN) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) accumulation has been observed in calcific, stenotic aortic valves, their role in the pathogenesis of calcific aortic valve disease is poorly understood. We hypothesized that soluble BGN induces the osteogenic response in human aortic valve interstitial cells via Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4 and mediates the proosteogenic effect of oxLDL.

Methods And Results: Aortic valve interstitial cells of stenotic valves express higher levels of BGN.

Techniques of bronchial sleeve resection.

A bronchial sleeve resection can be considered for lesions arising from a lobar bronchus so as to preclude a standard lobectomy, yet without enough distal involvement as to warrant a pneumonectomy. Limited bronchial resection allows maximal conservation of pulmonary function in patients with benign or malignant disease, without compromising oncologic outcome. This article defines the indications and preoperative management of candidate patients and discusses key anesthetic considerations and surgical techniques for this complex airway reconstruction.

Surgical treatment of atypical mycobacterial infections.

Surgical evaluation in nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections plays an essential role as part of multidisciplinary management of this complex pulmonary process. Resection of damaged lung parenchyma combined with appropriate antimicrobial therapy may interrupt a cycle of disease progression and relapse in select patients. Relevant technical considerations for managing both minimally invasive and open anatomic resection in this unique population are discussed.

Thoracoscopic lobectomy and segmentectomy for infectious lung disease.

Background: The potential benefits of thoracoscopic lobectomy and segmentectomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer have been well documented in the literature. However, little is known about the use of these techniques in patients requiring resection for infectious or inflammatory lung disease.

Methods: Using a prospectively collected database, we performed a retrospective review of consecutive operations from July 2004 to June 2010.

Assessment of the relationship between Contegra conduit size and early valvar insufficiency.

Background: Contegra bovine jugular vein (BJV) conduit results vary widely, and little attention has been directed at assessment of early conduit insufficiency. Conduit insufficiency is graded subjectively, and criteria vary. Several studies have used branch pulmonary artery flow reversal (BPAFR) to define severe conduit insufficiency.

Lung cancer cell invasion and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are attenuated by secretory phospholipase A₂ inhibition.

Objective: Invasive lung tumors are associated with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression. Secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) enzymes produce inflammatory mediators that stimulate ICAM-1 expression, and upregulation of PLA(2) activity can enhance metastasis. We hypothesize a link between sPLA(2) activity, ICAM-1 expression, and tumor cell invasion.

Statin therapy attenuates growth and malignant potential of human esophageal adenocarcinoma cells.

Objectives: Esophageal adenocarcinoma is an aggressive malignancy generally diagnosed after metastatic spread and currently lacks effective medical therapy. Expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is an adverse prognostic indicator in various human tumor cells and contributes significantly to their metastatic potential. Statin therapy reduces circulating ICAM-1 levels in patients with coronary heart disease and is associated with reduction in progression from Barrett esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Lady Windermere revisited: treatment with thoracoscopic lobectomy/segmentectomy for right middle lobe and lingular bronchiectasis associated with non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease.

Objective: Lady Windermere syndrome is a well-known but poorly understood female predominant phenotype of isolated right middle lobe and lingular bronchiectasis associated with non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection. Despite lengthy multidrug antibiotic treatment, the presence of damaged parenchymal tissue leads to symptomatic disease recurrence, often with resistant organisms. The use of surgical resection as an adjunct to medical therapy may alter this cycle, although little is known about the use of thoracoscopic lung resection in this patient population.