Biomedical subjects

V Saba

Publications and source records attributed to V Saba.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

RNAIII-inhibiting peptide and/or nisin inhibit experimental vascular graft infection with methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of RNAIII-inhibiting peptide (RIP) and nisin as prophylactic agents in a rat model of vascular graft infection. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study. MATERIALS: Two hundred and twenty adult male Wistar rats. Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228 and one clinical isolate of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis. Drugs: RIP, nisin and rifampin. METHODS: Graft infections were established in the dorsal subcutaneous tissue by implantation of 1 cm(2) sterile Dacron grafts, followed by topical bacterial inoculation: grafts were retrieved at 7 days. The study included a control group (without inoculation) and two series composed of five groups for each staphylococcal strain: one contaminated group that did not receive any antibiotic prophylaxis, three contaminated groups that received grafts soaked with 10 mg/l RIP, 10 mg/l nisin, 10 mg/l rifampin, or RIP+nisin. The main outcome measure was the extent of bacterial at graft harvest. RESULTS: The bacterial counts for methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis on explanted grafts were 6.1+/-2.8x10(2), 7.8+/-3.0x10(3) and 5.5+/-2.9x10(4) for RIP, nisin and rifampin, respectively. RIP and nisin used in combination reduced the bacterial count to <10. The results for S. epidermidis were similar. CONCLUSIONS: RIP and nisin could be used in combination to coat medical devices to prevent drug resistant S. epidermidis infections.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Administration of protegrin peptide IB-367 to prevent endotoxin induced mortality in bile duct ligated rats.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative morbidity in patients with obstructive jaundice remains high because of increased susceptibility to endotoxin and the inflammatory cascade. AIMS: An experimental study was designed to investigate the efficacy of protegrin peptide IB-367, an antimicrobial positively charged peptide, in neutralising Escherichia coli 0111:B4 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in bile duct ligated rats. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with 2 mg/kg E coli 0111:B4 LPS one week after sham operation or bile duct ligation (BDL). Six groups were studied: sham with placebo, sham with 120 mg/kg tazobactam-piperacillin (TZP), sham with 1 mg/kg IB-367, BDL with placebo, BDL with 120 mg/kg TZP, and BDL with 1 mg/kg IB-367. RESULTS: Main outcome measures were: endotoxin and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) concentrations in plasma, evidence of bacterial translocation in blood and peritoneum, and lethality. After LPS, TNF-alpha plasma levels were significantly higher in BDL rats compared with sham operated animals. IB-367 caused a significant reduction in plasma endotoxin and TNF-alpha concentrations compared with placebo and TZP treated groups. In contrast, both TZP and IB-367 significantly reduced bacterial growth compared with saline treatment. Finally, LPS induced 60% and 55% lethality in BDL placebo and TZP treated rats and no lethality in sham operated rats, while only IB-367 significantly reduced lethality to 10%. CONCLUSIONS: By virtue of its dual antimicrobial and antiendotoxin properties, IB-367 could be an interesting compound to inhibit bacterial translocation and endotoxin release in obstructive jaundice.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Antiendotoxin activity of antimicrobial peptides and glycopeptides.

An animal study was performed to investigate the efficacy of two glycopeptides and two cationic peptides in the prevention of lethality in a septic shock rat model. Adult Wistar rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of 2x10(10) CFU of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, with the exception of an uninfected control group (C0). Animals were randomized to receive, immediately after bacterial challenge, intraperitoneally isotonic sodium chloride solution (control group C1), 3 mg/Kg teicoplanin (group 1), 7 mg/Kg vancomycin (group 2), 1 mg/Kg colistin (group 3), 1 mg/Kg buforin II (group 4), or 60 mg/Kg piperacillin (group C(PIP)). In addition, four groups (1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a) received the above mentioned drugs in combination with piperacillin. All compounds and combinations significantly reduced the lethality and the number of E. coli in abdominal fluid compared with C1 group, with the exception of the glycopeptides. Colistin and buforin II combined with piperacillin significantly decreased the lethality compared with piperacillin alone. Finally, colistin, buforin II, and teicoplanin significantly reduced plasma endotoxin concentration in comparison with piperacillin and saline treatment. Antimicrobial peptides and teicoplanin act as antiendotoxin agents and enhance the efficacy of piperacillin.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Antiseptic compounds still active against bacterial strains isolated from surgical wound infections despite increasing antibiotic resistance.

The in vitro activities of povidone iodine, potassium peroxymonosulfate, and dimethyldidecylammonium chloride were investigated against 379 nosocomial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa responsible for surgical wound infections in patients operated on between July 1995 and June 2001. Overall, the isolates were inhibited by the antiseptics at concentrations below those used routinely. In spite of increasing resistance to the various antibiotics used to treat surgical wound infections, no significant variation in the susceptibility to antiseptics was demonstrated during this 6-year study.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗

PubMed2002

Quinupristin/dalfopristin bonding in combination with intraperitoneal antibiotics prevent infection of knitted polyester graft material in a subcutaneous rat pouch model infected with resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the efficacy of quinupristin/dalfopristin in the prevention of prosthetic graft infection in a rat subcutaneous pouch model. METHODS: graft infections were established in the subcutaneous tissue of 140 male Wistar rats by implantation of Dacron prostheses followed by topical inoculation with Staphylococcus epidermidis with intermediate resistance to glycopeptides. The study included one group without contamination, one contaminated group without prophylaxis, one contaminated group that received 50mg/l quinupristin/dalfopristin-soaked graft, one contaminated group that received 10mg/kg intraperitoneal levofloxacin, one contaminated group that received 3mg/kg intraperitoneal doxycycline, and two contaminated groups that received 50mg/l quinupristin/dalfopristin-soaked plus 10mg/kg intraperitoneal levofloxacin or 3mg/kg intraperitoneal doxycycline. Each group included 20 animals. The grafts were removed after 7 days and evaluated by quantitative culture. RESULTS: quinupristin/dalfopristin showed a significantly higher efficacy than levofloxacin and doxycycline, even though quantitative graft cultures for rats that received only quinupristin/dalfopristin-soaked graft showed bacterial growth. Otherwise, the efficacy of levofloxacin was similar to that of doxycycline. Only the group treated with quinupristin/dalfopristin combined with levofloxacin or doxycycline showed no evidence of staphylococcal infection. CONCLUSIONS: quinupristin/dalfopristin as adjunctive topical antibiotic prophylaxis can be useful for the prevention of vascular graft infections caused by staphylococcal strains with high levels of resistance.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Overexpression of functionally coupled cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E synthase in symptomatic atherosclerotic plaques as a basis of prostaglandin E(2)-dependent plaque instability.

BACKGROUND: Studies have implicated a role for prostaglandin (PG) E(2)-dependent matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) biosynthesis in the rupture of atherosclerotic plaque. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and PGE synthase (PGES) are coregulated in nucleated cells by inflammatory stimuli. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression of COX-2 and PGES in carotid plaques and to correlate it with the extent of inflammatory infiltration and MMP activity and with clinical features of patients' presentation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Plaques were obtained from 50 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy and divided into 2 groups (symptomatic and asymptomatic) according to clinical evidence of recent transient ischemic attack or stroke. Plaques were analyzed for COX-2, PGES, MMP-2, and MMP-9 by immunocytochemistry and Western blot, whereas zymography was used to detect MMP activity. Immunocytochemistry was used to identify CD68+ macrophages, CD3+ T lymphocytes, and HLA-DR+ cells. The percentage of macrophage-rich areas was larger (P<0.0001) in symptomatic plaques. COX-2, PGES, and MMPs were detected in all specimens; enzyme concentration, however, was significantly higher in symptomatic plaques. COX-2, PGES, and MMPs were especially noted in shoulders of symptomatic plaques, colocalizing with HLA-DR+ macrophages. All symptomatic plaques contained activated forms of MMPs. Finally, inhibition of COX-2 by NS-398 was accompanied by decreased production of MMPs that was reversed by PGE(2). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the colocalization of COX-2 and PGES in symptomatic lesions and provides evidence that synthesis of COX-2 and PGES by activated macrophages is associated with acute ischemic syndromes, possibly through metalloproteinase-induced plaque rupture.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Prophylaxis against Staphylococcus aureus vascular graft infection with mupirocin-soaked, collagen-sealed dacron.

A rat model was used to investigate the efficacy of mupirocin in the prevention of vascular prosthetic graft infections. The effect of mupirocin-soaked Dacron was compared with the effect of rifampin-soaked, collagen-sealed Dacron in the rat model of graft infection caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Graft infections were established in the back subcutaneous tissue of 195 adult male Wistar rats by implantation of 1-cm(2) Dacron prostheses followed by topical inoculation with 5 x 10(7) colony-forming units of S. aureus. The study included a control group (no graft contamination), two contaminated groups that did not receive any antibiotic prophylaxis, two contaminated groups in which perioperative intraperitoneal amoxicillin clavulanate prophylaxis (50 mg/kg) was administered, four contaminated groups that received mupirocin- or rifampin-soaked graft, and four contaminated groups that received mupirocin- or rifampin-soaked graft and perioperative intraperitoneal amoxicillin clavulanate prophylaxis (50 mg/kg). The grafts were sterilely removed 7 days after implantation and the infection was evaluated by using sonication and quantitative agar culture. Data analysis showed that the efficacy of mupirocin against both strains was significantly different from that of the untreated control. In addition, mupirocin was more effective than rifampin against the methicillin-resistant strain. Finally, only the combination of mupirocin and amoxicillin clavulanate produced complete suppression of growth of all strains.

Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination↗

PubMed2001

Therapeutic efficacy of the polymyxin-like peptide ranalexin in an experimental model of endotoxemia.

BACKGROUND: A rat model was used to investigate the efficacy of a polycationic peptide, the polymyxin-like ranalexin, in the prevention of lethality in a rat model of septic shock. The effect of ranalexin was compared with those of polymyxin B and imipenem. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats (weight range: 250-300 g) were used for all the experiments. The study included five groups: an uninfected control group C(0), an untreated control group C(1), and three drug-treated groups that received 1 mg/kg ranalexin (group 2), 20 mg/kg imipenem (group 3), and 3 mg/kg polymyxin B (group 4). Rats, with the exception of the uninfected control group (C(0)), were given an intraperitoneal injection of 2 x 10(10) colony-forming units of Escherichia coli. Each group included 15 animals. Bacterial growth in abdominal exudate and plasma; endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) concentrations in plasma, and mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: Results were evaluated 48 h after inoculation. Ranalexin, imipenem, and polymyxin B significantly reduced the lethality (survival was 93.3, 80.0, and 93.3%, respectively) and the growth of E. coli both in abdominal fluid and plasma compared with saline treatment. Ranalexin showed higher antimicrobial activity than polymyxin B and imipenem and, at the same time, exhibited an antiendotoxin activity similar to that of polymyxin B (< or =0.015 EU/mL). Finally, ranalexin and polymyxin B significantly reduced plasma TNF-alpha levels (< or =4 pg/mL). CONCLUSION: Monodose ranalexin treatment prevents bacterial growth, endotoxemia, and mortality in rats with septic shock.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Effect of mono-dose intraperitoneal cecropins in experimental septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of three cecropins, cecropin A, cecropin B, and cecropin P1, in preventing lethality in a rat model of septic shock. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study. SETTING: Research laboratory in a university hospital. SUBJECTS: Adult male Wistar rats. INTERVENTIONS: Rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of 2 x 10(10) colony forming units of Escherichia coli, with the exception of the uninfected control group (C0). Animals were randomized to receive, immediately after bacterial challenge, intraperitoneally isotonic sodium chloride solution (untreated control group C1), 1 mg/kg cecropin A (group 2), 1 mg/kg cecropin B (group 3), 1 mg/kg cecropin P1 (group 4), 20 mg/kg imipenem (group 5), or 60 mg/kg piperacillin (group 6). Each group included 15 animals. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We measured bacterial growth (quantitative agar culture) in abdominal exudate and plasma, endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentration in plasma, and mortality. Results were evaluated at 48 hrs after inoculation. Cecropins, piperacillin, and imipenem significantly reduced the lethality and the number of E. coli in abdominal fluid compared with saline treatment. In addition, cecropin B significantly decreased the lethality compared with piperacillin treatment. Finally, only cecropins significantly reduced plasma endotoxin concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Mono-dose cecropin treatment prevents bacterial growth, endotoxemia, and mortality in rats with septic shock. Cecropin B was the most effective compound in reducing all variables measured.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Vascular graft infection by Staphylococcus epidermidis: efficacy of various perioperative prophylaxis protocols in an animal model].

A rat model was used to investigate the efficacy of levofloxacin, cefazolin and teicoplanin in the prevention of vascular prosthetic graft infection. Graft infections were established in the subcutaneous tissue of 300 male Wistar rats by implantation of Dacron prostheses followed by topical inoculation with methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis. The study included a group without contamination, two contaminated groups without prophylaxis, two contaminated groups with intraperitoneal levofloxacin prophylaxis (10 mg/kg), two contaminated groups with intraperitoneal cefazolin prophylaxis (30 mg/kg), two contaminated groups with intraperitoneal teicoplanin prophylaxis (10 mg/kg) and six contaminated groups with rifampin-soaked graft and intraperitoneal levofloxacin, cefazolin or te- icoplanin prophylaxis. The grafts were removed after 7 days and evaluated by quantitative culture. The efficacy of levofloxacin against the methicillin- susceptible strain did not differ from that of cefazolin or teicoplanin. Levofloxacin showed slight less efficacy than teicoplanin against the methicillin-resistant strain. The levofloxacin-rifampin combination proved to be similarly effective to the rifampin-teicoplanin combination and more effective than the rifampin-cefazolin combination against both strains. The rifampin-levofloxacin combination may be useful for the prevention of late-appearing vascular graft infections caused by S. epidermidis because it takes advantage of the good anti-staphylococcal activity of both drugs.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Glutathione and ultrastructural changes in inflow occlusion of rat liver.

BACKGROUND: Liver ischemia/reperfusion is frequently associated with organ injury to which reactive oxygen species contribute. The aim of our study was to evaluate cytosolic and mitochondrial glutathione levels and morphological changes in hepatocytes of rat liver in an experimental model of ischemia/reperfusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental procedure consisted of temporary interruption of blood flow to the left lateral and medial hepatic lobes for different lengths of time and, in some cases, subsequent reperfusion. Cytosolic and mitochondrial glutathione levels were evaluated and ultrastructural analysis was carried out for all samples. RESULTS: Ischemic lobes showed ultrastructural changes in relationship with the increase in ischemia time. Total glutathione levels did not show variations in ischemic lobes and sham lobes with respect to control rats during ischemia only. Instead, during reperfusion, significant ultrastructural alterations of the hepatocytes and a significant depletion of glutatione in cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments were evident. The sham lobes also showed a significant glutathione decrement. Increased oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels were found during ischemia both in ischemic lobes and in sham lobes. During reperfusion GSSG was found to a minor extent, in the cytosolic compartment. In mitochondria GSSG levels were also high during reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that depletion of glutathione contributes to impaired liver after reperfusion following ischemia but depletion of glutathione alone does not induce changes in the morphology of the hepatocytes. Glutathione depletion and a greater quantity of GSSG, even in sham lobes, may indicate a metabolic alteration which spreads to compartments that are not involved in ischemia/reperfusion.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Biochemical changes in transplanted rat liver stored in University of Wisconsin and Euro-Collins solutions.

BACKGROUND: Liver ischemia/reperfusion injury is a severe problem in transplantation, and preservation solutions could be critical for liver viability. The aim of our study was to evaluate the cytosolic and mitochondrial glutathione levels, the glyoxalase II activity, and the mitochondrial hydroperoxide contents of livers stored in different preservation solutions for 7 or 24 h and after transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed without reconstruction of the hepatic artery. The livers were stored at 4 degrees C for 7 or 24 h in University of Wisconsin or Euro-Collins solutions. Portions of livers before and after transplantation were homogenized and mitochondria isolated. RESULTS: Cytosolic glutathione levels were decreased in all stored livers and after transplantation. In livers stored with University of Wisconsin solution, mitochondrial glutathione was unchanged during cold storage and no significant decrease has been found after reperfusion, whereas in livers stored in Euro-Collins solution, mitochondrial glutathione was decreased and a further significant decrease was found 30 min after reperfusion. Mitochondrial hydroperoxides were higher in livers stored in Euro-Collins solution than in University of Wisconsin solution after 30 min of reperfusion. Mitochondrial glyoxalase II did not show any change by reperfusion. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that rat liver stored in Euro-Collins solution suffered a severe depletion of mitochondrial GSH and a concomitant increase of hydroperoxides. The data obtained suggested that the livers stored with University of Wisconsin solution were probably less prone to ischemia/reperfusion injury after liver transplantation.

Adenosine↗

PubMed2000

Efficacy of rifampin-levofloxacin as a prophylactic agent in preventing Staphylococcus epidermidis graft infection.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of levofloxacin in the prevention of vascular prosthetic graft infection in a rat model. METHODS: Graft infections were established in the subcutaneous tissue of 225 male Wistar rats by implantation of Dacron prostheses followed by topical inoculation with methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis. The study included a group without contamination, two contaminated groups without prophylaxis, two contaminated groups with intraperitoneal levofloxacin prophylaxis, two contaminated groups with intraperitoneal cefazolin prophylaxis, two contaminated groups with intraperitoneal teicoplanin prophylaxis and six contaminated groups with rifampin-soaked graft and intraperitoneal levofloxacin, cefazolin or teicoplanin prophylaxis. The grafts were removed after 7 days and evaluated by quantitative culture. RESULTS: The efficacy of levofloxacin against the methicillin-susceptible strain was not different to that of cefazolin or teicoplanin. Levofloxacin showed slight less efficacy than teicoplanin against the methicillin-resistant strain. The combination levofloxacin-rifampin demonstrated to be similarly effective to the combination rifampin-teicoplanin and more effective than the combination rifampin-cefazolin against both strains. CONCLUSIONS: Rifampin-levofloxacin combination seems useful for the prevention of late-appearing vascular graft infections caused by S. epidermidis.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Efficacy of polycationic peptides in preventing vascular graft infection due to Staphylococcus epidermidis.

A rat model was used to investigate the efficacy of two polycationic peptides, ranalexin and buforin II, in the prevention of vascular prosthetic graft infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis with intermediate resistance to glycopeptides. The in vitro activity of the peptides was compared with those of vancomycin and teicoplanin by MIC determination and time-kill study. Moreover, the efficacy of collagen-sealed peptide-soaked Dacron was evaluated in a rat model of graft infection. Graft infections were established in the dorsal subcutaneous tissue of 120 adult male Wistar rats. The in vivo study included a control group, one contaminated group that did not receive any antibiotic prophylaxis and four contaminated groups that received an antibiotic-soaked graft. Experiments demonstrated that the activities of buforin II and ranalexin were greater than those of vancomycin and teicoplanin. Particularly, rats with buforin II-coated Dacron grafts showed no evidence of staphylococcal infection while, for the rats with ranalexin-, vancomycin- and teicoplanin-coated Dacron grafts, the quantitative graft cultures demonstrated bacterial growth (1.9 x 10(2) +/- 0.6 x 10(2) cfu/mL, 6. 2 x 103 +/- 1.9 x 10(3) cfu/mL and 5.1 x 10(4) +/- 4.8 x 10(3) cfu/mL, respectively). The study demonstrated that the use of peptide-soaked Dacron graft can result in significant bacterial growth inhibition and indicates that these compounds may be potentially useful in prosthetic surgery.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Mupirocin prophylaxis against methicillin-susceptible, methicillin-resistant, or vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus epidermidis vascular-graft infection.

A rat model was used to investigate the efficacy of mupirocin in the prevention of vascular prosthetic graft infection due to Staphylococcus epidermidis strains with different susceptibility patterns (methicillin susceptible, methicillin resistant, and with intermediate resistance to vancomycin). The effect of mupirocin-soaked Dacron was compared to that of perioperative intraperitoneal prophylaxis with vancomycin. Graft infections were established in the back subcutaneous tissue of adult male Wistar rats by implantation of Dacron prostheses (1 cm(2)) followed by topical inoculation with 5 x 10(7) CFU of one staphylococcal strain. The study included a control group (no graft contamination), three contaminated groups that did not receive any antibiotic prophylaxis, three contaminated groups that received mupirocin-soaked grafts, three contaminated groups in which perioperative intraperitoneal vancomycin prophylaxis (10 mg/kg of body weight) was administered, and three contaminated groups that received mupirocin-soaked grafts and perioperative intraperitoneal vancomycin prophylaxis (10 mg/kg). The grafts were sterilely removed 7 days after implantation, and the infection was evaluated by using sonication and quantitative agar culture. Data analysis showed the efficacy of mupirocin against all three strains, with growth of the strains in treated rats significantly different than that in the untreated control. In addition, mupirocin was more effective than vancomycin against the strain with intermediate susceptibility to the glycopeptide. Finally, the combination of mupirocin and vancomycin produced complete suppression of the growth of all of the strains.

Aminoglycosides↗

PubMed2000

Polycationic peptides as prophylactic agents against methicillin-susceptible or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis vascular graft infection.

Several polycationic peptides isolated from animals, plants, and bacterial species possess a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. A rat model was used to investigate the efficacies of two peptides, ranalexin and buforin II, in the prevention of vascular prosthetic graft infections. The effect of peptide-soaked collagen-sealed Dacron was compared to that of rifampin-soaked collagen-sealed Dacron in the rat model of graft infection caused by methicillin-susceptible rifampin-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis and methicillin-resistant rifampin-susceptible S. epidermidis. Graft infections were established in the back subcutaneous tissue of 240 adult male Wistar rats by implantation of 1-cm(2) Dacron prostheses, followed by topical inoculation with 2 x 10(7) CFU of S. epidermidis. The study included a control group (no graft contamination), two contaminated groups that did not receive any antibiotic prophylaxis, two contaminated groups to which perioperative intraperitoneal cefazolin prophylaxis (30 mg/kg of body weight) was administered, six contaminated groups that received a peptide- or rifampin-soaked graft, and six contaminated groups that received a peptide- or rifampin-soaked graft and perioperative intraperitoneal cefazolin prophylaxis (30 mg/kg). The grafts were sterilely removed 7 days after implantation, and the infection was evaluated by using sonication and quantitative agar culture. Overall, the efficacies of the polycationic peptides against the methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant strains were not significantly different from that of rifampin. Nevertheless, the combinations of ranalexin- and buforin II-coated grafts with cefazolin treatment demonstrated efficacies significantly higher than that of the combination of rifampin-coated grafts and cefazolin treatment against the methicillin-resistant strain.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Aneurysm of a jejunal branch of the superior mesenteric artery in a patient with Marfan's syndrome.

A case of post-traumatic aneurysm of a jejunal branch of the superior mesenteric artery in a patient with Marfan's syndrome is reported. Ascending aortic involvement is well known in Marfan's syndrome but no association with visceral artery aneurysms has been previously described. The blunt abdominal trauma preceding the detection of the aneurysm may have been the precipitating cause in a predisposed patient. Because of the high risk of rupture, aneurysms of the superior mesenteric artery branches should be treated. Excision or ligation without restoring continuity are the most common surgical procedures; endovascular embolization is an alternative option especially in high risk patients.

Abdominal Injuries↗

PubMed2000

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor can predict event-free survival in stage II colon cancer.

The usefulness of chemotherapy in patients with stage II disease continues to be debated. Biological prognostic factors may allow further insight into the optimal treatment strategy for patients with node-negative disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) seems to be essential for angiogenesis and for the growth of colorectal cancer. Recently, it was shown able to predict disease recurrence in patients with stage II colon cancer. Specimens of surgically resected colon cancer were immunostained for VEGF. Consecutive patients referred to the study institutions were considered eligible for this study. The main inclusion criteria were stage II tumor, sufficient tumor material, and adequate follow-up information. Analysis was performed on 121 patients. The recurrence rate in the patients with VEGF-positive tumors was 50% (18 of 36 patients), which was significantly higher than that observed in patients with VEGF-negative tumors [11.7% (10 of 85 patients); P = 0.001]. Also the degree of VEGF immunoreactivity was significantly higher in 28 relapsing patients compared with 93 disease-free patients (mean VEGF score, 2.84 0.38 versus 0.66 +/- 0.17; P = 0.0001). VEGF may be used in a clinical setting to identify patients at high risk for relapse who may benefit from adjuvant treatment including new therapeutic strategies such as monoclonal antibody neutralizing VEGF.

Adult↗