Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 is an independent predictor of prognosis in patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma who undergo resection with curative intent

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) play a role in the processes of extracellular matrix degradation. Changes in their expression levels have been observed in various tumor types, including lung carcinoma. However, their clinical significance and their prognostic importance in the progression of nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) remain to be specified. In this study, mRNA expression levels of MMP-1, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were evaluated in patients with resected NSCLC, and their associations with disease progression and prognosis were determined. METHODS: Between June 1996 and December 1999, 116 patients underwent resection for NSCLC. Expression levels of MMPs and TIMPs were evaluated using Northern blot analysis in these NSCLC tissue samples and in 39 matched samples of normal lung tissue. RESULTS: MMP-1, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 expression levels were increased in tumor samples compared with matched, corresponding normal tissues. In contrast, TIMP-2 expression was decreased in tumor samples. MMP-1 tumor expression was correlated significantly with the evolution of lymph node status and tumor-lymph node-metastasis (TNM) stage. In contrast, MMP-9 tumor expression was correlated significantly with increased T stage. TIMP-1 overexpression was an independent predictor of worse survival in patients with NSCLC that was not associated with other prognosis factors, such as TNM stage. CONCLUSIONS: The overexpression of TIMP-1 was an independent prognostic marker in patients with NSCLC, and evaluating TIMP-1 may be important for identifying patients who are at greater risk of disease recurrence.     

Tarsal navicular stress fractures: radiographic evaluation

Tarsal navicular stress fractures are a potential source of disabling foot pain in physically active individuals. The diagnosis of tarsal navicular stress fracture requires a high index of clinical and radiographic suspicion because the fracture is only rarely evident on routine radiographs or standard tomograms. The radiographic diagnosis of a tarsal navicular stress fracture may require anatomic anteroposterior tomograms or a radionuclide bone scan with plantar views. Radiographic examinations of 23 fractures in 21 patients are evaluated.     

Surgical treatment of autonomous chronic pancreatitis (apropos of 147 cases)]

Surgery in chronic pancreatitis gives only poor results: 40 p. 100 of cures or long-term improvements. Apart from certain mistaken indications, three factors are associated with a poor prognosis: calcification, late operation, persistence of alcoholism. However, mechanical complications, such as jaundice, pyloric stenosis, digestive hemorrhage and pseudo-cyst, are the main undoubted indications for operation. The choice of operation depends mainly on the state of Wirsung's duct. Usually, either part of the gland is removed or an internal digestive fistula is performed. Removal of the left lobe of the pancreas gives good results. Cephalic duodeno-pancreatectomy which is satisfactory in the short term, does not give, in the long run, better results than those of drainage operations. Pseudo-cysts are treated by removal when situated in the body or the tail and a drainage operation in the cephalic form. Simple operations should be preferred.     

The role of the human posterior parietal cortex in memory-guided saccade execution: a double-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation study

The present study investigated the role of the right posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in the triggering of memory-guided saccades by means of double-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS). Shortly before saccade onset, dTMS with different interstimulus intervals (ISI; 35, 50, 65 or 80 ms) was applied. For contralateral saccades, dTMS significantly decreased saccadic latency with an ISI of 80 ms and increased saccadic gain with an ISI of 65 and 80 ms. Together with the findings of a previous study during frontal eye field (FEF) stimulation the present results demonstrate similarities and differences between both regions in the execution of memory-guided saccades. Firstly, dTMS facilitates saccade triggering in both regions, but the timing is different. Secondly, dTMS over the PPC provokes a hypermetria of contralateral memory-guided saccades that was not observed during FEF stimulation. The results are discussed within the context of recent neurophysiological findings in monkeys.     

Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation over the frontal eye field can facilitate and inhibit saccade triggering

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation on the triggering of saccades. The right frontal eye field was stimulated during modified gap and overlap paradigms with flashed presentation of the lateral visual target of 80 ms. In order to examine possible facilitating or inhibitory effects on saccade triggering, three different time intervals of stimulation were chosen, i.e. simultaneously with onset of the target, during the presentation and after target end. Stimulation applied simultaneously with target onset significantly decreased the latency of contralateral saccades in the gap but not in the overlap paradigm. Stimulation after target end significantly increased saccade latency for both sides in the gap paradigm and for the contralateral side in the overlap paradigm. Stimulation during presentation had no effect in either paradigm. The results show that, depending on the time interval and the paradigm tested, a facilitation or inhibition of saccade triggering can be achieved. The results are discussed in a context of two probable transcranial magnetic stimulation effects, a direct interference with the frontal eye field on the one hand and a remote interference with the superior colliculus on the other hand.     

Osteoblast precursors at different anatomic sites

Skeletal morphology depends on the local regulation of bone formation, both in a quantitative and qualitative sense. The formative cells, osteoblasts, adjust their synthetic activity in response to signals that influence cell differentiation and matrix production. Here, we review data concerning the morphological patterning during bone ontogenesis and its direct cause: osteoblasts at specific anatomic sites. An overview of the possible origins of osteogenic cells is presented, considering bone growth and homeostasis, and discussing the repair process. A testable model is proposed, in which functional differences between osteoblast populations are explained by homeobox-gene regulation. Newly developed markers for osteoblast recruitment and differentiation provide an experimental system to test the impact of homeobox-gene expression on osteoblast differentiation and bone matrix production.     

Outcome at 2 years of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a population-based study

BACKGROUND: Management of neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has undergone many changes associated with increased survival of high-risk CDH. However, little is known about the long-term outcome of CDH infants. METHODS: Follow-up was performed in 85 newborn infants with CDH admitted in our neonatal intensive care unit between January 1991 and December 1998. Early (< 2 months) and late mortality (> or = 2 months), and respiratory, nutritional, musculoskeletal, and neurosensory outcome at 2 years were recorded. RESULTS: Surgical repair was performed in 59 infants (69%) at a median postnatal age of 124 (range, 38 to 246) hours. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used in 26 (30%) newborn infants. Survival at 2 years was 51 of 85 (60%) (early death, 28/85 [33%]; late death, 6/85 [7%]). Late deaths occurred because of persistent pulmonary hypertension or iatrogenic complications. Twelve of 51 (24%) newborn infants were oxygen dependant at the postnatal age of 28 days, and 1 of 51 (1.9%) was still oxygen dependant at 2 years. Growth failure was noted in 9 of 51 (18%), mainly related to severe gastroesophageal reflux and oral aversion. Scoliosis was diagnosed in 2 infants. Neurologic examination at 2 years was normal in 45 of 51 (88%). Cerebral palsy and developmental delay were observed in 2 and 4 infants, respectively. Four infants (8%) experienced associated problems. Respiratory, nutritional, and musculoskeletal morbidity was higher in infants treated by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CDH infants are at risk for adverse nutritional and respiratory outcome. Despite severe respiratory failure at birth, prolonged oxygen therapy above 2 years of age is uncommon. Conversely, failure to thrive related at least in part to gastroesophageal reflux and oral dysfunction remains the major problem at 2 years of age. However, both nutritional and respiratory problems tend to improve with age.