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Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as an antioxidant enzyme, is involved in the regulation of processes that cause cellular oxidative stress, with implications in various pathologies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate GPx variations in patients with arrhythmic, non-structural cardiac disorders. The research was performed on 120 patients, with a mean age of 33 years old, divided into 3 equal groups, of which 2 groups included patients with cardiac arrhythmias, the first group, associated with dyslipidemia and the second one, without dyslipidemia, and a control group consisting of healthy individuals. The method for determining GPx was based on the GPx enzyme catalysis reaction of the reduced glutathione (GSH) oxidation reaction by cumene hydroperoxide. The results revealed that GPx variation was decreased in patients with cardiac arrhythmias, with or without dyslipidemia, up to 66 and 74% of mean control values, respectively, the differences being statistically significant, showing the existence of an oxidative stress imbalance, that may be involved in triggering arrhythmogenic electrochemical mechanisms. The GPx deficiency determined in relation to cardiac arrhythmias was in dyslipidemic and non-lipidemic patients as follows: 29-35% in sinus bradycardia, 31-35% in associated cardiac arrhythmias, 30-33% in sinus tachycardia, 27-33% in atrial fibrillation, 32-33% in atrial flutter, 27-32% in atrial extrasystolic arrhythmia, 28-30% in ventricular extrasystolic arrhythmia and 18-26% in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Collectively, the results revealed that GPx, an antioxidant enzyme, is a specific biomarker, whose decrease indicated the existence of oxidative stress in young individuals with cardiac arrhythmias and its involvement in arrhythmogenic electrochemical processes. In addition, GPx deficiencies were between 18-35% in all types of cardiac arrhythmias, the highest being recorded in sinus bradycardia and the lowest in paroxysmal supraventircular tachycardia. Furthermore, the oxidative stress favored by the decrease of GPx induced lipid oxidation, regardless of the presence or absence of dyslipidemia, which triggered the formation of anti-lipid antibodies and a subclinical endothelial aggression, with early atherosclerotic potential. GPx evaluation may argue for the existence of oxidative stress in non-structural cardiac arrhythmias, and by its proper correction (antioxidants), prophylaxis of atherogenic dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A deep understanding of the morphology of ACL is fundamental for its anatomical reconstruction. We proposed ourselves to perform a descriptive anatomic study of ACL and to complete and correlate it with macroscopic observations during live arthroscopic knee surgeries. Our study was conducted in two stages: examination of normal knee anatomy from fetus and adult cadavers, and direct observation and evaluation during live arthroscopic knee surgery. Our anatomic and clinical arthroscopic study presents observational data useful in reconstruction surgery for correct tunnel placement inside the normal anatomic footprint; anatomic relations of ACL footprints to surrounding structures such as menisci and tibial spines provide important landmarks in ACL revision surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Angiogenesis is an important step in the process of cancer growth. The purpose of this study was to determine the neoangiogenesis with CD31, CD34 and CD105, and tried to observe the differences between these three antibodies. Material/Methods: The blood vessels stained with CD31, CD 34 and CD105 were counted, and we reported their number per square millimeter to obtain microvascular density (MVD). For angiogenesis quantification we determined the neoformation blood vessels with CD105. The CD31 and CD34 were used as control markers, in order to observe the difference between neoformation blood vessels and mature vessels. Results: Comparing the average effective vessels marked with the 3 markers, Student t test showed that the mean number of blood vessels market with CD 34 is higher than blood vessels market with CD31 and CD 105. The value of the Student t test was highly significant in all three cases (p<0.001). By calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient for the relationship CD31-CD105 we obtained a value r = 0.440, which corresponds to p = 0.0013 <0.05, indicating a statistically significant direct correlation between the two factors. Conclusions: An important number of vessels (around 40%) that can be found in tumor area are neoformation vessels, this concept being an important assessment for the choice of the correct and effective treatment in colorectal adenocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper is to standardize the macroanatomic dissection techniques used to open the heart that presents congenital anomalies. Several incisions are described: from the opening of inferior vena cava to right auricle; through the left border of heart; through right atrium and ventricle; anterior wall of right ventricle; above the base of pulmonary trunk; between the right and left pulmonary veins; paraseptal incision. The importance of incisions in visualizing the exterior and interior configuration of heart is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in development countries. The purpose of this study was to analyze the epidemiologic profiles of the disease, to examine the results of survival at five years after diagnosis and how it was influenced by pathological aspects., Material and Methods: In collaboration with Oncologic Clinic all colorectal cancer diagnosed from January 2002 to December 2006 were included in the study. Medical records of patients were retrieved and we note: age, residence, diagnosis date, grade, and stage and histology variables. Then were analyzed prognosis and survival at 5 years of patients related to these parameters., Results: A total of 238 patients with colorectal cancer were identified. The average age at diagnosis was 63.3 years and more than half of cases were men (59%). By the end of the follow-up period 103 patients had died, 66.1% of them representing colon cancer. When analyzing the survival length according to tumor location at the end of the study, we found that are no significant differences between survivals in colic tumors compared to the rectum--53.9 months for right colon, 51.4 months for left colon and 49.5 months for rectum. The majority of tumors were grade II moderately-differentiated tumors 48.7% (116 of cases), and patients with grade I had the best survival, on average of 84.52 months. Tubular forms of colorectal cancer had the best percentage of five years survival (55.81%) being also the highest rate of survival (45.24% months)., Conclusion: Factors that contribute to a favorable prognosis in colorectal cancer are tubular microscopic form, disease diagnosed in TNM stage I and II, GI and GII grading.