Evaluation of non-stenotic carotid atherosclerotic plaques with combined FDG-PET imaging and CT angiography in patients with ischemic stroke of unknown origin.

Objectives: Non-stenotic plaques are an underestimated cause of ischemic stroke. Imaging aspects of high-risk carotid plaques can be identified on CT angiography (CTA) and 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging. We evaluated in patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke the usefulness of FDG-PET-CTA.

Oral microbiota and atherothrombotic carotid plaque vulnerability in periodontitis patients. A cross-sectional study.

Background: An increased risk of atherothrombotic vascular events has been reported in periodontitis patients. Periodontitis is associated with dysbiotic subgingival biofilms and bacteremia.

Objective: We hypothesized (a) that the oral microbiome is associated with the carotid microbiome and (b) that periodontitis could contribute to plaque vulnerability.

Normothermic ex-vivo preservation with the portable Organ Care System Lung device for bilateral lung transplantation (INSPIRE): a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority, phase 3 study.

Background: Severe primary graft dysfunction (PGD) of grade 3 (PGD3) is a common serious complication following lung transplantation. We aimed to assess physiological donor lung preservation using the Organ Care System (OCS) Lung device compared with cold static storage.

Methods: In this non-inferiority, randomised, controlled, open-label, phase 3 trial (INSPIRE) recipients were aged 18 years or older and were registered as standard criteria primary double lung transplant candidates.

Reverse Regulatory Pathway (H2S / PGE2 / MMP) in Human Aortic Aneurysm and Saphenous Vein Varicosity.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a mediator with demonstrated protective effects for the cardiovascular system. On the other hand, prostaglandin (PG)E2 is involved in vascular wall remodeling by regulating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activities. We tested the hypothesis that endogenous H2S may modulate PGE2, MMP-1 activity and endogenous tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP-1/-2).

Intraplaque hemorrhage, a potential consequence of periodontal bacteria gathering in human carotid atherothrombosis.

Periodontal diseases are multifactorial inflammatory diseases, caused by a bacterial biofilm involving both innate and adaptative immunity, characterized by the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues. In the context of periodontitis, the spread of weak pathogenic bacteria into the bloodstream has been described. These bacteria will preferentially localize to existing clot within the circulation.

Spontaneous and isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery: proposal of a management algorithm.

Background: Spontaneous and isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SIDSMA) is a rare pathology, and the treatment of symptomatic forms is not consensual. The objective of this study was to analyze the management of a series of patients presenting a symptomatic SIDSMA within a structure taking care of intestinal vascular emergencies.

Methods: From January 2010 to January 2014, the patients presenting a symptomatic SIDSMA were included retrospectively.

Decreased PGE₂ content reduces MMP-1 activity and consequently increases collagen density in human varicose vein.

Unlabelled: Varicose veins are elongated and dilated saphenous veins. Despite the high prevalence of this disease, its pathogenesis remains unclear.

Aims: In this study, we investigated the control of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression by prostaglandin (PG)E₂ during the vascular wall remodeling of human varicose veins.

Impaired high-density lipoprotein anti-oxidant capacity in human abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Aims: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a particular form of atherothrombotic disease characterized by the dilation of the aortic wall and the presence of an intraluminal thrombus (ILT). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the pro-oxidant properties of the ILT and to characterize the anti-oxidant capacity of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs).

Methods And Results: Our results show that ILT, adventitia, and plasma from AAA patients contained high concentrations of lipid and protein oxidation products.

Long-term survival after hepatic and pulmonary resection of colorectal cancer metastases.

Background: Recent changes in adjuvant therapies improved the prognosis of metastatic colorectal cancers. Curative resection may be considered, even for both pulmonary and hepatic metastases, but prognostic factors are not well identified.

Methods: From 1995 to 2010, 69 patients had curative resection of pulmonary metastases of colorectal cancer; 31 had also hepatic metastases.

A comparative study of PGI2 mimetics used clinically on the vasorelaxation of human pulmonary arteries and veins, role of the DP-receptor.

Prostacyclin (PGI2) and its mimetics (iloprost, treprostinil, beraprost and MRE-269) are potent vasodilators (via IP-receptor activation) and a major therapeutic intervention for pulmonary hypertension (PH). These PGI2 mimetics have anti-proliferative and potent vasodilator effects on pulmonary vessels. We compared the relaxant effects induced by these recognized IP-agonists in isolated human pulmonary arteries (HPA) and veins (HPV).

Survival benefit of lung transplant for cystic fibrosis since lung allocation score implementation.

Rationale: The survival benefit of lung transplantation (LT) in adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is debated.

Objectives: We sought to assess the survival benefit of LT in adult patients with CF.

Methods: We used data from the United Network for Organ Sharing Registry to identify adult patients with CF on a wait list for LT in the United States between 2005 and 2009.

Absence of inflammatory conditions in human varicose saphenous veins.

Introduction: Varicose veins affect one-third of the adult population in western countries, but their pathogenesis is incompletely characterized. One of the most controversial issues is the role of inflammation. It is well known that inflammation involves an increased expression/activity of inflammatory mediators.

Effects of a multimodal management strategy for acute mesenteric ischemia on survival and intestinal failure.

Background & Aims: Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is an emergency with a high mortality rate; survivors have high rates of intestinal failure. We performed a prospective study to assess a multidisciplinary and multimodal management approach, focused on intestinal viability.

Methods: In an Intestinal Stroke Center, we developed a multimodal management strategy involving gastroenterologists, vascular and abdominal surgeons, radiologists, and intensive care specialists; it was tested in a pilot study on 18 consecutive patients with occlusive AMI, admitted to a tertiary center from July 2009 to November 2011.

The hedgehog system machinery controls transforming growth factor-β-dependent myofibroblastic differentiation in humans: involvement in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating disease of unknown cause. Key signaling developmental pathways are aberrantly expressed in IPF. The hedgehog pathway plays a key role during fetal lung development and may be involved in lung fibrogenesis.

From intraplaque haemorrhages to plaque vulnerability: biological consequences of intraplaque haemorrhages.

Intraplaque hemorrhages are mainly related to inward neoangiogenesis, initiated from the adventitia by lipid-dependent outwardly convected signals, and by the immaturity of these neovessels, allowing leaks and hemorrhages. Repeated intraplaque hemorrhages play a major role in the evolution of thrombotic occlusive disease, similar to the role of intraluminal thrombus in the progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm toward rupture. Red blood cells (RBCs) are an important source of unesterified cholesterol, because their membranes are particularly cholesterol rich.

PGE(2) receptor (EP(4)) agonists: potent dilators of human bronchi and future asthma therapy?

Background: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are characterized by inappropriate constriction of the airway smooth muscle. In this context, the physiological response of the human airways to selective relaxant agonists like PGE(2) is highly relevant. The aim of this study was thus to characterize the PGE(2) receptor subtypes (EP(2) or EP(4)) involved in the relaxation of human bronchial preparations.

Carotid endarterectomy in the acute phase of stroke-in-evolution is safe and effective in selected patients.

Objective: This study documented with independent neurologic assessment the 30-day and 90-day outcomes in selected patients with severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in the acute phase of stroke-in-evolution (SIE).

Methods: From January 2003 to December 2010, data from patients who had surgery ≤2 weeks of an SIE with high-grade carotid stenosis were extracted from two prospectively collected databases. Clinical assessment was by the vascular neurologist using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin Scale score.

Successful surgical treatment of a posttransplantation bronchovascular fistula involving the pulmonary vein.

Bronchovascular fistula is a rare complication after lung transplantation, which usually has a fatal outcome. We describe the case of successful surgical treatment of bronchovascular fistula of the left upper pulmonary vein and the left main bronchus.

Bioluminescent orthotopic mouse models of human localized non-small cell lung cancer: feasibility and identification of circulating tumour cells.

Background: Preclinical models of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) require better clinical relevance to study disease mechanisms and innovative therapeutics. We sought to compare and refine bioluminescent orthotopic mouse models of human localized NSCLC.

Methods: Athymic nude mice underwent subcutaneous injection (group 1-SC, n = 15, control), percutaneous orthotopic injection (group 2-POI, n = 30), surgical orthotopic implantation of subcutaneously grown tumours (group 3-SOI, n = 25), or transpleural orthotopic injection (group 4-TOI, n = 30) of A549-luciferase cells.

Minimal residual disease in solid neoplasia: New frontier or red-herring?

Despite recent advances in prevention, screening, molecular characterization, and treatment, cancer evolution is still associated with late local, regional, or metastastic recurrence, even in early stages. Residual tumor cells can persist locally as cancer stem cells, in the blood flow as circulating tumor cells, and in distant organs as disseminated tumor cells or micrometastasis, defining three faces of minimal residual disease. Definition, preclinical models and clinical implications of these patterns will be detailed, with emphasis on overlaps and therapeutic implications, to determine whether minimal residual disease is only an old concept currently revisited, or a major shift in cancer paradigm.

Aortic rupture due to pneumococcal infection in aortoiliac stents.

We report a rare case of pneumococcal aortitis secondary to endovascular bare-metal stent infection. The patient was a 70-year-old man presenting with back pain 1 year after aortoiliac implantation of bare-metal kissing stents. Final diagnosis was microbial aortitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae involving the stents that resulted in a contained aortic rupture requiring urgent surgical treatment.

Early severe digestive complications after lung transplantation.

Objective: This study aimed to describe and to analyze early severe digestive complications (ESDC) after lung transplantation (LT) in our center.

Methods: A retrospective study included 351 patients, who underwent LT without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) at our center between March 1988 and December 2009. There were 86 double LTs and 265 single LTs.

[Focal atherosclerotic abdominal aortic stenosis].

We report a case of a 54-year-old woman presenting a symptomatic focal atherosclerotic abdominal aortic stenosis. Computed tomographic angiography allowed to study the lesion, the abdominal aorta and its main branches. The patient was treated via an endovascular approach using a covered stent.

Ventilatory chaos is impaired in carotid atherosclerosis.

Ventilatory chaos is strongly linked to the activity of central pattern generators, alone or influenced by respiratory or cardiovascular afferents. We hypothesized that carotid atherosclerosis should alter ventilatory chaos through baroreflex and autonomic nervous system dysfunctions. Chaotic dynamics of inspiratory flow was prospectively evaluated in 75 subjects undergoing carotid ultrasonography: 27 with severe carotid stenosis (>70%), 23 with moderate stenosis (<70%), and 25 controls.

Microparticles from human atherosclerotic plaques promote endothelial ICAM-1-dependent monocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration.

Rationale And Objective: Membrane-shed submicron microparticles (MPs) released following cell activation or apoptosis accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques, where they stimulate endothelial proliferation and neovessel formation. The aim of the study was to assess whether or not MPs isolated from human atherosclerotic plaques contribute to increased endothelial adhesion molecules expression and monocyte recruitment.

Method And Results: Human umbilical vein and coronary artery endothelial cells were exposed to MPs isolated from endarterectomy specimens (n=62) and characterized by externalized phosphatidylserine.