A potential role for VEGF in the diagnostic approach of pleural effusions.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may play a role in pleural fluid formation, as it represents a potent inducer of capillary permeability. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic utility of VEGF levels in pleural fluid and serum in patients with pleural effusions with initially negative diagnostic work up.

Methods: Seventy-one patients with exudative lymphocytic pleural effusions undiagnosed after initial diagnostic work up were enrolled in this prospective study and their clinical course was followed up to 24 months.

Cell migration leads to spatially distinct but clonally related airway cancer precursors.

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is a common cancer with 95% mortality at 5 years. These cancers arise from preinvasive lesions, which have a natural history of development progressing through increasing severity of dysplasia to carcinoma in situ (CIS), and in some cases, ending in transformation to invasive carcinoma. Synchronous preinvasive lesions identified at autopsy have been previously shown to be clonally related.

Matrix metaloproteinase-2 and -9 serum levels as potential markers of intraperitoneal adhesions.

Objective: To assess the value of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and -9 (MMP-9) as prognostic serum markers for intraperitoneal adhesions.

Background: Postoperative adhesions are associated with serious complications responsible for increased patient's morbidity.

Methods: Forty-eight rabbits were used and randomized into groups A, B, C, and D.

Hyaluronic acid levels are increased in complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions.

Background And Aim: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a component of extracellular matrix and may play a role in the pleural inflammation which is implicated in parapneumonic effusions.The aim of the current study was to investigate HA levels in serum and pleura in patients with parapneumonic effusions.

Methods: We prospectively studied pleural and serum levels of HA in 58 patients with pleural effusions due to infection (complicated and uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions), malignant effusions and transudative effusions due to congestive heart failure.

Serum amyloid alpha in parapneumonic effusions.

Study Objectives: To assess serum amyloid alpha (SAA) pleural fluid levels in parapneumonic effusion (PPE) and to investigate SAA diagnostic performance in PPE diagnosis and outcome.

Methods: We studied prospectively 57 consecutive patients with PPE (empyema (EMP), complicated (CPE), and uncomplicated parapneumonic effusion (UPE)). SAA, CRP, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were evaluated in serum and pleural fluid at baseline.