Given its simplicity, we proposed that quantitative CT be widely used in predicting postoperative FEV1.

DNA methylation at the 5 position of cytosine (5 mC) is an epigenetic hallmark in cancer. The 5 mC can be converted to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5 hmC) through a ten-eleven-translocation (TET). We investigated the impact of 5 mC, 5 hmC, TET1, and TET2 on tumorigenesis and prognosis of breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the levels of 5 mC, 5 hmC, TET1, and TET2 in the corresponding tumor adjacent normal (n = 309), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS, n = 120), and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC, n = 309) tissues for 309 breast ductal carcinoma patients. 5 mC, 5 hmC, TET1-n, and TET2-n were significantly decreased during DCIS and IDC progression. In IDC, the decrease of 5 hmC was correlated with the cytoplasmic mislocalization of TET1 (p < 0.001) as well as poor disease-specific survival (DSS) (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 1.95, p = 0.003) and disease-free survival (DFS) (AHR 1.91, p = 0.006). The combined decrease of 5 mC and 5 hmC was correlated with worse DSS (AHR 2.19, p = 0.008) and DFS (AHR 1.99, p = 0.036). Stratification analysis revealed that the low level of 5 mC was associated with poor DSS (AHR 1.89, p = 0.044) and DFS (AHR 2.02, p = 0.035) for the ER/PR-positive subtype. Conversely, the low level of 5 hmC was associated with worse DSS (AHR 2.77, p = 0.002) and DFS (AHR 2.69, p = 0.006) for the ER/PR-negative subtype. The decreases of 5 mC, 5 hmC, TET1-n, and TET2-n were biomarkers of tumor development. The global reduction of 5 hmC was a poor prognostic factor for IDC, especially for ER/PR-negative subtype.

Between January 1, 1989, and December 31, 1994, we have treated 122 primary heart recipients with FK 506 (group I) and 121 with cyclosporine (group II). Fifty patients in the cyclosporine (CyA) group received no lympholytic induction (CyA alone) and 71 others received lympholytic induction with either rabbit antithymocyte globulin or OKT3 (CyA+LI). The mean follow-up was longer in the FK 506 group than in the CyA groups (3.2 +/- 1.3 vs 2.3 +/- 1.8 years; p< 0.01). Patient survival did not differ on the basis of the type of immunosuppression used. At 3 months after transplantation, the freedom from rejection in the FK 506 group was higher than that of the CyA-alone group (47% vs 22%, p < 0.01) but similar to that of the CyA+LI group (47% vs 53%). The linearized rejection rate (episodes/100 patient-days) of the FK 506 group (0.09 episodes) was lower (p < 0.05) than that of the CyA-alone group (0.26) and the CyA+LI group (0.13). The requirement for pulsed steroids to treat rejection was less in common in the FK 506 group than in either CyA group. Eighteen patients in the CyA group had refractory rejections; all resolved with FK 506 rescue. Two patients in the FK 506 group had refractory rejection that resolved with total lymphoid irradiation (n=1) and methotrexate therapy (n=1). Patients receiving FK 506 had a lower risk of hypertension and required a lower dose of steroids. Although the mean serum creatinine concentration at 1 year was higher in the FK 506 group, this difference disappeared after 2 years. No patients required discontinuation of FK 506 because of its side effects. Our intermediate-term results indicate that FK 506 compares favorably with CyA as a primary immunosuppressant in heart transplantation.

Patients with PSP having a lower BMI, and bilateral bleb/bullae formation are at higher risk for the development of SBPSP. SBPSP needs urgent assessment and management, and bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a safe and effective treatment.

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