No abstract

Background. Two members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, VEGF-C and -D, are known as lymphangiogenic growth factors and play an important role in tumor lymphangiogenesis via activation of the VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3, which is expressed in lymphatic endothelial cells. D2-40 is a specific antibody for lymphatic vessel density (LVD).Objectives. In the present study, we have aimed to evaluate whether intra-and peri-tumoral D2-40-positive lymphatic vessels affect lymph node metastasis and to investigate the relationship between LVD and lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. Material and methods.We have evaluated the relationships between lymph node metastasis and VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-3 and D2-40 expressions in breast cancer cells using immunohistochemistry. VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 expression were found in tumor cells in the majority of the cases (83.75, 97.5 and 95%, respectively).Results. There was a significant positive relationship between VEGF-D expression and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05) however no significant association was found in VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expressions. It was found that patients with high-expression of VEGF-D have a high level of both peri-and intra-tumoral LVD compared to those with low expression of VEGF-D (p < 0.05). Conclusions.Our results support that examination of VEGF-D expression in breast cancer cells may be beneficial in the identification of lymph node metastasis.

No abstract

No abstract

Vagus nerve assessment via ultrasonography in irritable bowel syndrome. Are there any changes of dimension in the vagus nerve?

We aimed to investigate the expressions of p27 kinase inhibitory protein 1 (p27) and calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) in adenomas and normal parathyroid tissue and to evaluate the relationship of these molecules with clinical and biochemical parameters in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Fifty-one patients with histopathologically confirmed parathyroid adenomas and 20 patients with normal parathyroid glands (which were removed incidentally during thyroid resection) were included. Immunohistochemical stainings of CaSR and p27 were performed in surgical specimens. Clinical features, biochemical parameters, and BMD measurements of patients with PHPT were evaluated retrospectively. Expressions of p27 and CaSR were decreased in parathyroid adenomas, compared to normal glands (p < 0.05). High intensity of CaSR staining (3+) was more frequent in normal parathyroid tissue (75%) than adenomas (12%) (p < 0.01). Hypertension was not observed in patients with high staining intensity of CaSR (p = 0.032). There was a negative association between CaSR expression and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.027, r = - 0.313). There was no significant relationship between p27 and CaSR expressions, serum calcium, plasma parathormone, 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels, and bone density (p > 0.05). The expressions of p27 and CaSR were decreased in PHPT patients. This reduction may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PHPT. However, neither p27 nor CaSR expression was found to be useful in predicting prognosis or severity of disease.

No abstract

Sentinel lymph node mapping can easily be performed with high accuracy by using NIR/ICG integrated conventional laparoscopic system in endometrial cancer and almost all lymphatic spread can be detected.