Correlation of astrocyte elevated gene-1, basic-fibroblast growth factor, beta-catenin, Ki-67, tumor necrosis factor-alfa with prognostic parameters in ductal carcinomas and ductal intraepithelial neoplasms

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the second most frequent cancer in the world. Although it is widely accepted that the etiology of breast cancer includes both genetic and environmental factors, the molecular mechanism of its development and progression remains poorly understood, and thus far, no specific signature of breast cancer gene expression has been reported to allow for patient-tailored therapy strategies. Hence, it is of great clinical value to further understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of breast cancer and to identify effective early markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease as well as novel therapeutic targets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was conducted on a total of 90 paraffin-embedded breast tumor samples. Immunohistochemical stains for astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1), basic-fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), beta-catenin, Ki-67, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were performed on tissue microarray using standard procedures. Each patient age, grade, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) status, size, lymphovascular invasion, metastasis of lymph node (LNM), nipple and ductal hyperplasia areas were assessed.

RESULTS

We observed significant relationship between the age and LNM or FGF (P = 0.018, 0.035, respectively). The relationship between histological and nuclear grade, LNM, ER, PR, HER-2 and prognostic parameters was evaluated in cases of ductal carcinomas (DC). There was a significant positive correlation between TNF-α, size, LNM (P ≤ 0.0001, 0.002, 0.005). We found that significant relationship between AEG-1 and TNF-α. There was a significant positive correlation between FGF and Ki-67 and negative correlation AEG-1. Although, FGF, TNF-α, AEG-1 staining in DC were observed higher than ductal intraepithelial neoplasms, this observation could not statistically (P ≥ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present work aims to investigate the relationship between the expression of AEG-1, b-FGF, beta-catenin, Ki-67, TNF-α other prognostic parameters in DC and ductal intraepithelial neoplasm. We found a relationship between these factors.

The effects of subarachnoid administration of hyperbaric solutions of bupivacaine or ropivacaine in xylazine-sedated calves undergoing surgery

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of subarachnoid administration of hyperbaric solutions of bupivacaine or ropivacaine in xylazine-sedated calves undergoing surgery. Subarachnoid anaesthesia was performed with either 20 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine (bupivacaine group (BG), n=10) or 30 mg of hyperbaric ropivacaine (ropivacaine group (RG), n=10) into the lumbar dural space of 20 calves in a randomised, prospective clinical trial. Systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean (MBP) blood pressure, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, rectal temperature were recorded after sedation (time 0), and up to 120 minutes after injection. Onset, duration and magnitude of sensory block (scale 1-4) were determined using the pin-prick test throughout surgery. Data were analysed using analysis of variance and non-parametric tests (P<0.05). Bodyweight, age, duration of surgery, SBP, DBP, MBP, HR were not significantly different between groups. Onset of anaesthesia (mean±sd; BG, 5±1 minutes; RG, 7±1 minutes) and duration of anaesthesia (mean±sd; BG, 153±32 minutes; RG, 86±12 minutes) were significantly different between groups. Analgesic scores were significantly higher than baseline from 5 to 120 min, and from 7 to 85 min in BG and RG, respectively. Subarachnoid administration of hyperbaric solutions of bupivacaine produced faster onset and longer duration of anaesthesia than ropivacaine.

Does probe's eye subthalamic nucleus length on T2W MRI correspond with microelectrode recording in patients with deep brain stimulation for advanced Parkinson's disease?

AIM

Subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become a well-accepted treatment for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). During surgical planning for DBS, the length of the STN is taken into account and verified during microelectrode recording (MER) intraoperatively. Here, we addressed the question to which extent the length of the STN measured with the T2 weighted MRI in the probe's eye view corresponded with the intraoperatively determined length of the STN with MER.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We included 10 consecutive Parkinson's disease patients who underwent STN DBS surgery. The length of the STN in the probe's eye view mode was calculated along the trajectory of the central MER electrode crossing the STN.

RESULTS

Our analysis showed no statistical difference between the length of the STN measured with the T2 weighted probe's eye view mode and the MER (right STN length 5.8 ± 0.9 mm MRI vs. 6.3 ± 0.5 mm MER, p > 0.05; left STN length 5.6 ± 0.4 mm MRI vs 5.8 ± 1 mm MER, p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This means that the entry and the exit of the STN can be adequately estimated using the probe's eye view preoperatively.

Use of topical landmarks for percutaneous projection of intracranial tumors for neurosurgical oncology

AIM

The objective of this study was to introduce a surgical navigation method which provides a safe, quick and effective access to cortical and subcortical tumors, along with a review of other methods in use for this purpose.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

53 patients have been operated using this technique. The area overlying the tumor is shaved and one half of a smoothly cut hazelnut is taped on the skin. The precise localization of the hazelnut is confirmed with MRI and then stained. After general anesthesia, the stained impression is projected firstly to the bone, dura and then cortex respectively by the Midas Rex cutting tip. Cortical landmarks surrounding the tumor's cortical projection are further confirmed with ultrasonography.

RESULTS

After removal, cortical and subcortical tumors were separately graded for efficiency. Grade 1 and 2 were accepted as precise access. Our method accordingly yielded 95.2% and 90.6% success rates for cortical and subcortical tumors respectively.

CONCLUSION

Considering the method's success rate along with its inexpensiveness and modest technical requirements, it is believed that this method can be of widespread use.

Transposition of the sacrotuberous ligament for the treatment of coxofemoral luxation in dogs

A surgical technique is described for transposition of the sacrotuberous ligament to replace the teres ligament in the treatment of coxofemoral luxation in dogs. Ten dogs with coxofemoral luxation were treated using this technique and all animals regained full limb function within two months of surgery. It is suggested that the technique could be employed in dogs suffering from all types of hip luxations.