Search

Objective: This study aimed to determine the significance of the venous drainage pattern of bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) in the prenatal course.Methods: The venous drainage pattern of fetuses with BPS was determined with high-definition flow and confirmed by postnatal three-dimensional computed tomography angiography scan or autopsy. The volume of BPS lesions during gestation was recorded by the three-dimensional ultrasonographic Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis software. The relationship between venous drainage pattern and prenatal characteristics was determined.Results: Seventy-one fetuses were enrolled: 35 with systemic venous drainage (SVD) and 36 with pulmonary venous drainage (PVD). The volumes of BPS lesions significantly increased from the middle second trimester to the later second trimester in the SVD group. A marked decrease from the later second trimester to the third trimester was observed in the PVD group. The incidences of associated anomalies, hydrops, and polyhydramnios in the SVD group were 14.2, 23.3, and 33.3%, respectively, significantly higher than those in the PVD group (0, 0, and 5.6%, respectively).Conclusions: Our data indicate that SVD is correlated with a higher risk of associated anomalies and an unfavorable prenatal course in fetal BPS. Identification of the venous drainage pattern is of clinical significance in predicting the prenatal behavior of fetal BPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To review pregnancy outcomes, complication rates and neonatal neural development of selective termination procedures for complicated monochorionic (MC) twins.Methods: This was a retrospective review of the pregnancies that underwent selective reduction with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and bipolar cord coagulation (BCC) in our institution.Results: Forty-eight cases underwent selective reduction with BCC and the remaining 45 with RFA. Overall survival was not statistically different between the RFA and BCC groups (71.1 and 62.5%, p = 0.379). With regard to the indications, the survival rates were not significantly different for twin to twin transfusion syndrome, twin reversed arterial perfusion, discordant anomalies and selective intrauterine growth restriction. Preterm premature rupture of membrane was not statistically different between the BCC and RFA groups (47.9 and 33.3%, p = 0.153). Five foetuses presented with abnormal middle cerebral artery-peak systolic velocity in the BCC group and 4 in the RFA group (p = 0.829). In the BCC group, neurological injury was detected in 2 neonates, presenting with cerebral dysplasia on MR scanning. In the RFA group, intracranial haemorrhage Grade III was detected in one neonate with cranial ultrasound (p = 0.607).Conclusions: Overall survival and complication rates following selective reduction in complicated MC twin pregnancies is similar irrespective of whether the reduction was performed using RFA or BCC. Key Message: It seems that selective reduction in MC pregnancies with RFA does not carry a significant decrease in the overall survival and complication rates than the cases with BCC. According to our data, neurodevelopmental impairment of the co-twins is relatively seldom after selective reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Angiogenesis in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been investigated by a variety of studies. However, the correlation between angiogenesis and the occurrence or prognosis of NHL patients remains controversial. Methods: We performed a systematic and comprehensive retrieval of relevant literatures from PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. The quality of the eligible studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results: Fifteen eligible studies containing a total of 1373 NHL patients were included in this study. All the eligible studies were high-quality studies scoring ≥6 points. MVD was not different between NHL and control (SMD = 0.281, 95% CI: −1.410 to 1.972, p = 0.745). High MVD was associated with advanced disease stage (OR = 1.580, 95% CI: 1.080–2.311, p = 0.018) and unfavorable OS (HR = 1.656, 95% CI: 1.366–2.009, p = 0.000) but not with PFS (HR = 1.349, 95% CI: 0.852–2.136, p = 0.201). Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrated that high MVD was related to advanced disease stage and associated with unfavorable OS of NHL patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic asthma is characterized by airway inflammation and remodeling. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zileuton on bronchial hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation and airway smooth muscle (ASM) remodeling. Methods: Two experimental groups of brown Norway rats sensitized and repeatedly challenged with aerosolized ovalbumin (OA) were given oral zileuton (OA-zileuton group) and oral saline only (OA-saline group). A third, control group was sensitized and challenged by saline. The rats were anesthetized and paralyzed. Pulmonary function tests were performed at baseline and after varying doses of acetylcholine. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissues were examined. Results: Zileuton had beneficial effects on pulmonary function, airway inflammation and ASM remodeling in the OA-zileuton group compared to the OA-saline group. Zileuton inhibited an OA-stimulated increase in ASM by inhibiting hypertrophy, hyperplasia and increased extracellular matrix via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, thereby reducing cyclin D1 expression and attenuating bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Conclusion: OA increases airway inflammation and ASM mass. Zileuton effectively prevents bronchial hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation and ASM remodeling in sensitized rats through the PI3K/Akt pathway, which reduces cyclin D1 expression. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]