Re-redo cervical mediastinoscopy for a recurrent lung cancer

Indian Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery -     

CD59 expressed by human endothelial cells functions as a protective molecule against complement-mediated lysis.

CD59 is a 18-20-kDa membrane glycoprotein that inhibits formation of the membrane attack complex of complement (C) on homologous cells. In the present study we analyzed the expression and function of CD59 on human endothelial cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of renal cortex demonstrated a predominant expression of CD59 on peritubular capillary endothelial cells and glomerular endothelial cells. Flow cytometry analysis showed that human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) expressed CD59 and the fluorescence intensity was approximately four times that of peripheral blood lymphocytes. CD59 is detected on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as a single 20-kDa molecule in 2% deoxycholate extracts of HUVEC. CD59 was released from the surface of HUVEC by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, demonstrating that it is attached to the cell membrane by means of a glycolipid anchor. The functional activity of CD59 expressed on HUVEC was studied. Blocking of CD59 antigen with F(ab')2 fragments of polyclonal anti-CD59 enhanced markedly the susceptibility of HUVEC to C-mediated lysis. This effect was dependent on the amount of blocking antibodies added. Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of three species of mRNA expressed in HUVEC, which hybridized to a cDNA probe specific for CD59, with sizes of about 800, 1400 and 2000 bp. These findings suggest that CD59 may be important in protection of endothelial cells against C-mediated damage at local sites of inflammation, thereby maintaining the vascular integrity in vivo.     

Modulation of airway hyperresponsiveness by thiols in a murine in vivo model of allergic asthma

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Since oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of asthma, this study addressed the question whether supplementing the endogenous antioxidant, glutathione (GSH), would alleviate features of allergic asthma in the mouse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ovalbumin-sensitized mice received aerosols of the GSH-donors, glutathione-ethyl ester (GSEt) or N-acetylcysteine, before or during respiratory allergen challenges, or during methacholine challenges given one day after the last allergen challenge. Lung GSH levels were measured shortly after allergen or methacholine challenge. In addition, the effect of GSH supplements on airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammatory cell numbers in the airway lumen was assessed. RESULTS: GSEt decreased allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness when given in combination with methacholine. However, when given before or during allergen challenge, both GSH-donors failed to decrease the methacholine-induced airway contractility, change cell numbers in the airway lumen, or increase lung GSH levels. In addition, allergen challenges of sensitized mice did not decrease lung GSH levels. CONCLUSION: In contrast to guinea pigs and humans, allergen challenges in mice does not lead to acute oxidative stress.     

Retroperitoneal benign schwannoma: report of three cases and analysis of clinico-radiologic findings

Retroperitoneal schwannoma is a rare tumor that originates in the neural sheath and accounts for only a small percentage of retroperitoneal tumors. Presentation is typically varied and non-specific ranging from abdominal pain, abdominal mass or an incidental finding and the diagnosis is quite often fortuitous being confirmed by anatomopathological study afterwards. We report 3 cases of benign retroperitoneal pelvic schwannoma with varied presentations. Main symptoms were abdominal and pelvic pain whereas a patient with left parailiac mass had urinary incontinence and left lower extremity pain. Surgical exploration and complete excision of tumors were successful. The histological diagnosis of the tumors was reported as benign schwannoma. All patients are doing well and had no symptoms of motor or sensory disturbances after surgery with a mean follow up of 18 mounts.     

The association between homocysteine (hcy) and serum natural antioxidants in elderly bone mineral densitometry (BMD)

Previous studies showed oxidative stress had an important impact on osteoclastic and osteoblastic functions. Oxidative stress or low levels of antioxidants are supposed to reduce BMD and cause osteoporosis. hcy, gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), uric acid, albumin and total bilirubin are simple laboratory parameters that are related with oxidative stress. In this study we compare the serum hcy and antioxidant levels in patients with osteoporosis, osteopenia and control subjects. A total of 2190 elderly persons (1348 patients with osteoporosis, 643 patients with osteopenia and 199 control subjects) who were referred to the outpatient clinic of the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine at Hacettepe University Hospital for comprehensive geriatric assessment were included in this cross-sectional study. Mean age of subjects were 72.30±6.34 in osteoporosis group, 71.92±6.90 in osteopenia and 71.86±5.88 in control group (p: 0.260). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that hypertension (HT) (OR: 0.675, 95% CI: 0.534-0.854, p: 0.001), diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR: 1.669, 95% CI: 1.301-2.142, p: <0.001), age (OR: 1.025, 95% CI: 1.006-1.044, p: 0.009), male gender (OR: 0.451, 95% CI: 0.358-0.569, p<0.001), uric acid (OR: 0.893, 95% CI: 0.837-0.952, p: 0.001), hcy (OR: 1.042, 95% CI: 1.023-1.061, p<0.001), albumin (OR: 0.521, 95% CI: 0.376-0.724, p<0.001), GGT (OR: 1.010, 95% CI: 1.003-1.017, p: 0.003), creatinine (OR: 0.630, 95% CI: 0.459-0.864, p: 0.004) were independent variables predicting the occurrence of osteoporosis. This study shows there is an imbalance between natural antioxidative and oxidative markers in patients with osteoporosis. Higher serum uric acid and albumin levels are associated with a lower prevalence of osteoporosis whereas higher hcy and GGT levels are associated lower BMD and higher osteoporosis prevalence.