ABSTRACT
Tissue factor (TF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) play an important role in tumor progression and metastasis. We analyzed their expression in the carcinoma and normal mucosa of 53 colorectal cancer patients. VEGF levels were significantly higher in the tumor and correlated with TF expression. No correlation was found with tumor stage. TF may influence tumor growth and metastasis by modulating VEGF expression and neoangiogenesis.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/metabolism , Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism , Endothelial Growth Factors/biosynthesis , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/biosynthesis , Lymphokines/biosynthesis , Neoplasm Proteins/biosynthesis , Thromboplastin/biosynthesis , Adenocarcinoma/genetics , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Endothelial Growth Factors/genetics , Humans , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Lymphokines/genetics , Neoplasm Proteins/genetics , Neoplasm Proteins/physiology , Neoplasm Staging , Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics , Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism , Thromboplastin/genetics , Thromboplastin/physiology , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A , Vascular Endothelial Growth FactorsABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to assess the relationships among nurse managers' perceived job stress/job satisfaction, time allocation, and role expectations. The dependent variable was job satisfaction. The sample consisted of 72 nurse managers who responded to a self-administered questionnaire. It was found that nursing supervisors are satisfied with the actual time allocation of nurse managers, whereas physicians and nursing staff believe that more of the nurse managers' time should be given to direct patient care. When discrepancies occur about the allocation of nurse manager time, the nurse manager is apt to have lower job satisfaction.
Subject(s)
Job Satisfaction , Nursing, Supervisory , Role , Adult , Female , Humans , Job Description , Middle Aged , Nursing Evaluation Research , Set, Psychology , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Endovaginal sonography, together with beta-HCG titre, was used to diagnose ectopic pregnancy in 58 patients. Transabdominal ultrasound failed to conclude this diagnosis. The data from endovaginal sonography revealed the presence of a gestational sac in all 15 patients with normal pregnancies at a beta-HCG level of 1042 mIU/ml. Of the 23 patients with pathological pregnancies only 61% had an intrauterine gestational sac. Only 15% of the 20 patients with ectopic pregnancies showed an increase in beta-HCG greater than 66% in 48 h, while in normal pregnancy, this increase was found in 71% of the patients. The endovaginal findings of the ectopic gestation revealed a complex adnexal mass in 55%, a cystic mass in 30% and fluid in the cul-de-sac in 20%. The diagnostic indices of adnexal and cul-de-sac sonographic findings in the ectopic group further improved specificity and positive predictive accuracy. The detection of ectopic versus intrauterine gestation showed a high sensitivity of 95%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictability of 100% and a negative predictability of 97%. The data confirm the value and reliability of endovaginal and cul-de-sac sonography, combined with measurement of the beta-HCG level in the early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. This combined approach not only makes the differentiation between normal and extrauterine gestation more accurate but also helps to avoid unnecessary diagnostic laparoscopy and hospitalization.
