Biomedical subjects

T Jacob

Publications and source records attributed to T Jacob.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Pygmoid Australomelanesian Homo sapiens skeletal remains from Liang Bua, Flores: population affinities and pathological abnormalities.

Liang Bua 1 (LB1) exhibits marked craniofacial and postcranial asymmetries and other indicators of abnormal growth and development. Anomalies aside, 140 cranial features place LB1 within modern human ranges of variation, resembling Australomelanesian populations. Mandibular and dental features of LB1 and LB6/1 either show no substantial deviation from modern Homo sapiens or share features (receding chins and rotated premolars) with Rampasasa pygmies now living near Liang Bua Cave. We propose that LB1 is drawn from an earlier pygmy H. sapiens population but individually shows signs of a developmental abnormality, including microcephaly. Additional mandibular and postcranial remains from the site share small body size but not microcephaly.

Bicuspid↗

PubMed2006

[Contribution of 18-F-FDG PET for detection of head and neck carcinomas with an unknown primary tumor].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of fusioning positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) for the detection of head and neck carcinomas of unknown primary. METHODS: This prospective study included 20 patients with cervical lymph node of squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary after standard initial workup (nasofibroscopy and CT scan of the chest and head and neck). Patients underwent PET/CT and panendoscopy of the upper airways and upper digestive tract with PET/CT directed biopsies. The follow-up was 6 months minimum in all patients. RESULTS: A potential primary tumor was found in 10 of the 20 cases and confirmed by histology in 7 cases (3 bases of tongue, 1 tonsillar pillar, 1 vallecula, 1 tonsillar fossa, 1 piriform sinus). Four of these seven patients presented a normal endoscopy (diagnosis was made with submucosal PET/CT directed biopsies). PET/CT was normal in 10 of 20 cases with 3 false negatives. The sensitivity of PET/CT was 70%, the specificity was 70% and the accuracy was 70%. CONCLUSION: PET/CT seems to be of interest in the detection of head and neck carcinoma of unknown primary. PET/CT detected 15% of unknown primary tumors with treatment-related implications.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[Contribution of 18FDG PET/CT post treatment surveillance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the contribution of 18FDG positron emission tomography for the post treatment surveillance of head and neck carcinomas. METHODS: : This prospective study included 61 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the upper airways and/or digestive tract and who underwent curative treatment. Patients underwent a standard workup (physical examination, CT scan and panendoscopy) and a PET/CT image fusion 3 months after the end of treatment. The follow-up was 6 months minimum in all patients after this workup. PET/CT was evaluated in terms of: primary tumor, cervical lymph nodes, metastases and overall patient assessment. RESULTS: : For diagnosis of the primary tumor, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of PET/CT were respectively 86.7%, 82.6%, 62%, 95% and 83.6%. Values for cervical lymph nodes were: 100%, 98.2%, 80%, 100% and 98.3%. Values for metastases were: 100%, 92.2%, 66.7%, 100% and 93.2%. Values for overall patient assessment were: 88.8%, 78.1%, 64%, 94.1% and 81.4%. Performances of PET/CT were better than standard workup in 22% of patients. CONCLUSION: PET/CT contributes useful information in this indication, particularly an excellent negative predictive value.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Proteomic analysis of the genotoxicant methylazoxymethanol (MAM)-induced changes in the developing cerebellum.

The genotoxicant methylazoxymethanol (MAM) is a widely used developmental neurotoxin, and its glucoside is an etiological factor for western Pacific amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS/PDC). Identification of global protein expression changes that occur in response to MAM in the developing cerebellum could provide valuable insight into the potential mechanisms involved in the neurodegeneration process. We have utilized fluorescence 2-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), to determine the protein expression changes that occur during normal cerebellar development and in response to MAM. Three day-old postnatal C57BL/6 mice (PND3) received a single injection of MAM, and the cerebella of postnatal day 4 (PND4) and day 22 (PND22) were analyzed. Approximately, 1400 unique spots were matched and quantified in all samples. Comparison of PND4 and PND22 developing cerebellum showed that a significant fraction of the proteome (approximately 68%) changes at this stage. The immediate response of the developing cerebellum to MAM was minimal (approximately 10%). However, significant differences (27%) were noted 14 days after MAM exposure. In contrast, the transcriptome changes were more pronounced at 24 h compared to 14 days. MAM targeted several proteins networks including transport (e.g., alpha-synuclein), cytoskeletal (e.g., beta-tubulin, vimentin), and mitochondrial (e.g., Atp5b) proteins. Immunochemistry confirmed several of the changes in protein expression (alpha-synuclein). Comparison with gene expression changes revealed that the temporal changes observed in the transcriptome and proteome are not correlative. These studies demonstrate for the first time the potential networks involved during neuronal development and neurodegenerative processes that are perturbed by MAM.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Activation of p38MAPK signaling cascade in a VSMC injury model: role of p38MAPK inhibitors in limiting VSMC proliferation.

INTRODUCTION: P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) has a crucial role in regulating signaling pathways implicated in the cellular events leading to restenosis. We examine p38MAPK activation in response to vascular cell injury, its biological effects and determine whether selective p38MAPK inhibitors, SB220025/SB203580, decrease vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. METHODS: Human aortic VSMCs were cultured and wounds made on the monolayers to elicit mitogenic responses and induce p38MAPK activation. P38MAPK inhibitor pretreatment, at varying doses (1-100 microM) and treatment duration was used to block p38MAPK phosphorylation. Cytotoxicity, viability, proliferation and apoptosis were determined and expression of p38MAPK/phospho-p38MAPK was obtained by chemiluminiscent immunoblot analysis. RESULTS: Phosphorylation of p38MAPK depended on injury severity and was inhibited by both p38MAPK inhibitors, but not by SB202474, a specific antagonist of p38MAPK inhibitors. VSMCs treated with p38MAPK inhibitors showed a dose-dependent decrease in viable cell number, apoptosis and proliferation, reversing the deleterious effects of p38MAPK activation comparable to controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This wound injury model activates the p38MAPK-signaling cascade in VSMC and causes cell proliferation that can be abrogated by pre-incubation with p38MAPK selective synthetic inhibitors in a time and dose-dependent manner. SB220025 used here for the first time in VSMC reveals itself to be a stronger p38MAPK inhibitor than SB203580 and being a second generation inhibitor may be the preferred drug for novel therapeutic maneuvers.

Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

PubMed2004

Early brain growth in Homo erectus and implications for cognitive ability.

Humans differ from other primates in their significantly lengthened growth period. The persistence of a fetal pattern of brain growth after birth is another important feature of human development. Here we present the results of an analysis of the 1.8-million-year-old Mojokerto child (Perning 1, Java), the only well preserved skull of a Homo erectus infant, by computed tomography. Comparison with a large series of extant humans and chimpanzees indicates that this individual was about 1 yr (0-1.5 yr) old at death and had an endocranial capacity at 72-84% of an average adult H. erectus. This pattern of relative brain growth resembles that of living apes, but differs from that seen in extant humans. It implies that major differences in the development of cognitive capabilities existed between H. erectus and anatomically modern humans.

Aging↗

PubMed2004

Lack of efficacy of recombinant human thyrotropin versus thyroid hormone withdrawal for radioiodine therapy imaging in a patient with differentiated thyroid carcinoma lung metastases.

The treatment of lung metastases of thyroid cancer is nearly exclusively limited to the administration of iodine-131. For patients presented with micronodular lesions, the therapeutic response is often excellent, increasing life expectancy. Because of the necessity of multiple iodine-131 treatments in the course of this therapy, and subsequently, the lack of tolerance of hormonal withdrawal, the use of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) as a method of stimulation could represent an interesting alternative. However, as in the present case, the stimulation by rhTSH can be less effective than hormonal withdrawal, as shown in the posttherapy scan to detect metastatic lesions and thus could be detrimental to the treatment efficiency.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Carotid endarterectomy in octogenarians and nonagenarians : is it worth the effort?

PURPOSE: The safety, effectiveness and cost issues of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in the elderly patient have been debated due to the limited life expectancy and presumably increased rate of complications. This is despite multiple reports in the literature of excellent results in this population. To further examine this issue, we compared characteristics of three populations who underwent CEA at our institution: 53-79 year old patients (youngest group), 80-89 years old patients (middle group), and 90-98 year old patients (oldest group). METHODS: Medical and financial data were obtained by retrospective review of hospital charts and billing records. We analyzed 266 random CEAs performed in 251 patients in the youngest group, 280 CEAs performed in 247 patients in the middle group and 19 CEA in 16 patients in the oldest group performed between 2/1/90 and 2/5/01. RESULTS: Comparing each CEA group, there were no differences in gender (males: 56% vs. 51% vs. 53%), incidence of preoperative symptoms (43% vs. 43% vs. 42%), hypertension (68% vs. 60% vs. 42%), combined perioperative death and stroke rate (1.8% vs. 2.1% vs. 10%) or other complications (11% vs. 10% vs. 10%). Significant differences (p<0.05) were noted between the groups in incidence of diabetes (33% vs. 51% vs. 5% in each group), and heart disease (28% vs. 38% vs. 21%). Length of stay for admissions for CEA only were also similar in all three groups (2.37 days vs. 2.67 days vs. 2.36 days). A cost analysis of the earliest 230 patients in the entire series examining hospital cost per case revealed similar data for the < 80 years old and > 80 year old patients ($7,842 vs. $9,400). CONCLUSIONS: Carotid endarterectomy can be performed in the elderly as safely and cost effectively as in the younger population.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2003

Instability of short-sequence DNA repeats of pear pathogenic Erwinia strains from Japan and Erwinia amylovora fruit tree and raspberry strains.

An array of short-sequence DNA repeats (SSRs) occurs in the plasmid pEA29 of the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora. A large number of "fruit tree" strains, mainly from Central and Western Europe, were screened for their SSR numbers, and the analyses were extended to five raspberry strains from North America and six pear pathogenic Erwinia strains from Japan. The repeat ATTACAGA present in all E. amylovorastrains was found to be reiterated 3 to 15 times. The Japanese strains contained the major repeat sequence GGATTCTG, which was reiterated 16 to 24 times. ATTACAGG, which resembles the SSR of E. amylovora, was reiterated two or three times. In a novel approach, sequencing gels were used to visualize the rare occurrence of shorter arrays (down to three repeats) in E. amylovoraand the Japanese Erwinia strains. Changes in the repeat numbers in E. amylovora were observed repeatedly when the bacteria had been exposed to stress conditions. The repeat structures of homo- and heteroduplices of PCR-amplified repeats were also analyzed by cleavage of annealed molecules with the single-strand-specific endonuclease from bacteriophage T4. Not only heteroduplexes, but also homoduplexes showed non-matching regions in the SSRs, which could arise from transient formation of loops due to strand slippage during the assays.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Low back pain--a community-based study of care-seeking and therapeutic effectiveness.

PURPOSE: To describe care seeking characteristics among low back pain subjects (LBP); to describe the perceived effectiveness of interventions by recipients of care for LBP; and, to discuss the gap between LBP management guidelines and actual practice in primary care. METHODS: The population consisted of 555 subjects who were recruited from a cross sectional survey of all inhabitants of a small town in Israel. They reported 1 month LBP and were further probed regarding the characteristics of their pain and pattern of care. Data collection was performed by a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Some form of care was sought by 78.7% of the participants. More than half (58%) visited a physician, 34.4% were prescribed drug therapy, 37.1% attended physical therapy and 28.6% turned to alternative medicine. Participants with severe pain were more likely to seek care. That was demonstrated by all pain measures (e.g. high Roland and Morris disability scores (8.2+/-5.6 vs 4.4+/-4.1), high symptoms frequency (8.9+/-4.1 vs 7.5+/-3.6) and high pain severity scores (5.6+/-2.2 vs 4.5+/-1.7)). The intervention perceived to be most effective was alternative medicine (graded as 'effective' or 'very effective' by 62.8%), followed by therapeutic exercise programmes (56.9%), bed rest (51.9%) and physical therapy (46.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals reporting severe LBP were more likely to seek care. The treatment utilities perceived to be most effective were alternative medicine and therapeutic exercises, whereas the least effective were physicians' office visits. A gap was found between clinical guidelines and physicians referrals for other therapeutic interventions.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

High genetic diversity in the coat protein and 3 untranslated regions among geographical isolates of Cardamom mosaic virus from south India.

A survey was conducted to study the biological and genetic diversity of Cardamom mosaic virus (CdMV) that causes the most widespread disease in the cardamom growing area in the Western Ghats of south India. Six distinct subgroups were derived based on their symptomatology and host range from the sixty isolates collected. The serological variability between the virus isolates was analysed by ELISA and Western blotting. The 3 terminal region consisting of the coat protein (CP) coding sequence and 3 untranslated region (3 UTR) was cloned and sequenced from seven isolates. Sequence comparisons revealed considerable genetic diversity among the isolates in their CP and 3 UTR, making CdMV one of the highly variable members of Potyviridae. The possible occurrence of recombination between the isolates and the movement of the virus in the cardamom tract of south India are discussed.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2003

Hemodynamics of infrapopliteal PTFE bypasses and adjunctive arteriovenous fistulas.

PURPOSE: Blood flow, pressure and peripheral resistance in patients with established polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts and adjunctive arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) have rarely been investigated. To better elucidate the effects of this AVF, we obtained noninvasive measurements of hemodynamic variables in patients with infrapopliteal PTFE grafts and an AVF. METHODS: . Systolic, mean and diastolic arm and toe pressures were measured with an oscillometric technique employed in automatic blood pressure monitors. Peak-systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity and flow rates at the graft and recipient distal artery were measured with duplex ultrasound. Resistance for the leg and foot in peripheral resistance units ( PRU ) was estimated as mean arm pressure divided by graft flow rate and as mean toe pressure divided by distal artery flow rate respectively. We analyzed data from 21 patients. Toe pressures were measurable in 13 patients. Bypass graft inflow was at the external iliac artery in 11 patients, common femoral in six, common iliac in two and superficial femoral in two. The distal anastomosis was at the anterior tibial artery in 10 patients, peroneal in seven and posterior tibial in four patients. RESULTS: . Graft systolic and diastolic velocities were 91+/-46 (mean+/-sd) and 38+/-31 (mean+/-sd) cm/s respectively. Toe systolic pressure averaged 81+/-28 (mean+/-SD) mmHg with a corresponding toe/brachial index (TBI) of 0.53+/-0.18 (mean+/-SD). The ratio between arm mean pressure, 104+/-20 (mean+/-SD) mmHg, and graft flow rate, 413+/-290 (mean+/-sd) ml/min, yielded an estimated leg resistance of 0.32+/-0.20 peripheral resistance units (PRU) (mean+/-sd). The ratio between mean toe pressure, 51+/-21 (mean+/-SD) mmHg, and distal artery flow rate, 37+/-26 (mean+/-SD) ml/min, produced an estimated foot resistance averaging 1.66+/-1.18 PRU (mean+/-sd). CONCLUSIONS: Average graft flow rate was five times greater than flow reported for standard tibial bypasses. Although distal artery flow rate and graft peak systolic velocity were within reported normal ranges, mean toe pressure and toe-brachial index were below normal. Leg and foot resistances were decreased. These data suggest that bypasses with arteriovenous fistulas have increased flow, desirable for graft patency, but may affect distal perfusion pressure.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

[[18F]-FDG imaging in apparently isolated pleural lesions].

UNLABELLED: While a great deal of work has been performed concerning the impact of [18F]-FDG imaging in isolated lung lesion(s), there are still very few data about its role in case of isolated pleural lesions. The aim of this preliminary study was to shed some light on the utility of [18F]-FDG imaging, using PET or CDET detection, in this context. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Sixteen patients referred for apparently isolated pleural lesions were included in this study, since their 22 [18F]-FDG examinations were evaluable on bases of histology (9 cases), rapid disease progression (4 cases) or a follow-up period of more than 6 months (9 cases). Twelve [18F]-FDG examinations were performed with a dedicated PET machine (C-PET, Adac) and ten with a coincidence detection gamma camera (Irix, Picker). The precise clinical settings were the following: characterization of pleural masses or search for the unknown primary tumor in case of adenocarcinoma (6 cases), staging of a mesothelioma (5 cases), suspicion of recurrence and/or residual lesions (11 cases). RESULTS: The malignant pleural lesions took up [18F]-FDG in all cases. There was one false positive result due to an inflammatory lesion. False negative results for the detection of lymph node invasion occurred in three patients and were in relation with their infracentimetric size and the difficulty to distinguish on [18F]-FDG images mediastinal lymph nodes from widespread pleural and pulmonary extension of cancer. A change in patient management resulted from the [18F]-FDG examination in 4 patients (25%) and the course confirmed that the change was correct. Unknown lesions or active lesions wrongly considered residual that could have modified the management were discovered in 3 other patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the fact that [18F]-FDG imaging has an impact on the management of patients with solitary pleural lesions and can detect recurrences, in some cases even more accurately than invasive procedures with histology. In our limited experience, the lack of anatomical details of the PET images is a major drawback in this setting and we are convinced that PET-CT will substantially enhance the impact of [18F]-FDG imaging.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Relativistic density functional calculations for Pt2.

First full-relativistic density functional calculations with the extension of the spin-polarization functional for the relativistic density functional theory in their collinear and noncollinear form are presented here for the molecular system Pt2. The agreement with experiment is very good.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

A twin study of genetic and environmental influences on suicidality in men.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies that have examined genetic influences on suicidal behaviour were confounded by genetic vulnerability for psychiatric risk factors. The present study examines genetic influences on suicidality (i.e. suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempt) after controlling for the inheritance of psychiatric disorders. METHODS: Sociodemographics, combat exposure, lifetime DSM-III-R major depression, bipolar disorder, childhood conduct disorder, adult antisocial personality disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, drug dependence, alcohol dependence and lifetime suicidal ideation and attempt were assessed in 3372 twin pairs from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry who were assessed in 1987 and 1992. Genetic risk factors for suicidality were examined in a multinomial logistic regression model. Additive genetic, shared environmental and non-shared environmental effects on suicidality were estimated using structural equation modelling, controlling for other risk factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt were 16.1% and 2.4% respectively. In a multinomial regression model, co-twin's suicidality, being white, unemployment, being other than married, medium combat exposure and psychiatric disorders were significant predictors for suicidal ideation. Co-twin's suicidality, unemployment, marital disruption, low education attainment and psychiatric disorders (except childhood conduct disorder) were significant predictors for suicide attempt. Model-fitting suggested that suicidal ideation was influenced by additive genetic (36%) and non-shared environmental (64%) effects, while suicide attempt was affected by additive genetic (17%), shared environmental (19%) and non-shared environmental (64%) effects. CONCLUSIONS: There may be a genetic susceptibility specific to both suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in men, which is not explained by the inheritance of common psychiatric disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

New fossil hominid calvaria from Indonesia--Sambungmacan 3.

A morphologically distinct partial calvaria of Homo cf. erectus from Java, Indonesia is described. The fossil hominid Sambungmacan 3 (Sm 3) was first discovered in 1977 from the banks of the Solo River near the village of Poloyo, Sambungmacan district, in central Java. It was later recovered in a New York City natural history establishment in 1999 and quickly returned to the Indonesian authorities. Examination of Sm 3 shows that the calvaria is well preserved with only portions of the cranial base missing. The most striking characteristics of Sm 3 include: the presence of a vertically rising forehead, more open occipital/nuchal and frontal angles, a more globular vault, and a cranial capacity within the Homo erectus range. Most notably absent in Sm 3 are a number of the classic characters attributed to Homo erectus, such as a strongly expressed angular torus and a continuous supratoral sulcus. The absence of such characters would normally place the calvaria outside the range of Homo erectus (sensu stricto), however, overall quantitative and qualitative morphological assessments of Sm 3 place it within the Homo erectus spectrum. The combination of the morphological characters in Sm 3 may be interpreted in several ways: 1.) the known cranial variation of H. erectus from Indonesia and China is extended; 2.) this calvaria shows evidence of evolutionary change within H. erectus; or 3.) more than one species of Homo existed in the (presumed) Middle Pleistocene of Java.)

Animals↗

PubMed2001

The Sambungmacan 3 Homo erectus calvaria: a comparative morphometric and morphological analysis.

The Sambungmacan (Sm) 3 calvaria, discovered on Java in 1977, was illegally removed from Indonesia in 1998 and appeared in New York City in early 1999 at the Maxilla & Mandible, Ltd. natural history shop. Here we undertake an analysis of its phylogenetic and systematic position using geometric morphometrics and comparative morphology. The coordinates of points in the sagittal plane from glabella to opisthion were resampled to yield "lines" of 50 semi-landmarks. Coordinates of glabella, bregma, lambda, inion, and opisthion were also collected and analyzed separately. Casts of Homo erectus fossils from Indonesia, China, and Kenya and of "archaic H. sapiens" from Kabwe and Petralona, as well as 10 modern human crania, were used as the primary comparative sample. The modern humans were well separated from the fossils in a graphical superimposition of Procrustes-aligned semi-landmarks as well as in principal component and canonical discriminant analyses. In all of these, Sm 3 falls intermediate between the fossil and modern groups. Morphological comparisons of Sm 3 with a selection of Homo erectus fossils revealed its greatest similarity to specimens from Ngandong and the Sm 1 calvaria. Compared to all other H. erectus, Sm 3 was distinctive in its more vertical supratoral plane, less anteriorly projecting glabella and less sharply angled occiput. In these features it was somewhat similar to modern humans. It is not yet possible to determine if this similarity implies an evolutionary relationship or (more likely) individual or local populational variation. Several features of Sm 3 (small size, gracile supraorbital torus and lack of angular torus, and position in principal component analysis) suggest that it was a female. The use of geometric morphometrics provides a means to statistically test the shapes of such fossils in a manner not easily duplicated by other methods. The intermediate position of Sm 3 between fossil and modern samples in several different subanalyses exemplifies the value of this approach.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Initial steps in the unifying theory of the pathogenesis of artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in histology and proteolysis and the role of apoptosis in the development of peripheral artery aneurysms. METHODS: Eighteen popliteal, 6 abdominal aortic, 10 iliac, 2 carotid, and 6 femoral artery aneurysm specimens were obtained from patients undergoing elective surgical repair. All were males with ages 48 to 93 (mean 71 years). Normal controls were obtained from patients matched for age, sex, and major risk factors. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), macrophages, T lymphocytes, and apoptosis-regulating molecules were detected immunohistochemically. Detection of apoptosis was by TUNEL assay. Proteolytic activity was determined by 10% gelatin gel zymography. RESULTS: Paucity of VSMCs, increased amount of inflammatory infiltrate, and fragmentation of elastic lamellae were observed in aneurysmal tissues as compared to normal arteries (P < 0.02). There is increased gelatinolytic activity at 92, 84, 72, and 67 kDa in the aneurysmal tissues. There are fewer CD68+ macrophages and T cells in the media of controls than in the aneurysms (P = 0.01). Apoptosis is significantly high in aneurysm tissues (P < 0.01) and the degree of apoptosis was in the order AAA>FAA>PAA>IAA>CAA. There is increased expression of Bax, CPP-32, Fas, and p53 in PAA specimens as compared to normal popliteal arteries (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm the apparent architectural disruption and loss of VSMCs that are hallmarks of aneurysm development, in peripheral artery aneurysms. Apoptosis and signaling molecules capable of initiating cell death may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of all aneurysms. Our data suggest a common etiology between the various types of aneurysms.

Aged↗