Effect of a low-protein diet during pregnancy on expression of genes involved in cardiac hypertrophy in fetal and adult mouse offspring.

Gene markers for cardiomyocyte growth, proliferation and remodeling were examined in mouse fetuses and adult male offspring exposed to maternal low-protein (LP) diet during pregnancy. Whole heart volume, measured by magnetic resonance imaging, was smaller in day 15 LP fetuses v. those from chow-fed dams (C), whereas heart volume was greater in adult LP v. C offspring. These LP offspring were hypertensive and had larger cardiomyocytes v. C animals. The mRNA levels of cyclin G1, a marker for cell growth, were lower in LP fetal hearts v. C hearts, but similar in the left ventricle of adult LP and C offspring. Opposite trends were found in brain natriuretic peptide levels (a marker of cardiac hypertrophy). Thus, maternal LP during pregnancy results in smaller fetal hearts and is accompanied by changes in expression of genes involved in cardiomyocyte growth, which are associated with cardiac hypertrophy and hypertension in adulthood.

Pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer: predictors of operative mortality and survival.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of operative mortality and survival following pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: All 206 patients having a pneumonectomy for NSCLC between 1991 and 1997 in our unit were prospectively studied. There were 162 males (79%) and 44 females (21%) with a mean age (+/- standard deviation) of 61+/-7.7 years (range 34-81 years). Squamous cell (75%) and adenocarcinoma (17.0%) were the predominant histological types. The possible impact of 29 parameters on operative mortality and survival was tested with univariate and multivariate analysis. The mean follow-up was 2.3+/-1.2 years, ranging between 0 and 6.8 years, and it was complete. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 6.8% (14 deaths). On multiple logistic regression older age (P=0.04) and the development post-operatively of bronchopleural fistula (BPF) (P=0.01) were independent predictors of operative mortality. The overall, Kaplan-Meier, 1-, 3- and 5-year survival (+/- standard error from the mean), inclusive of operative mortality, was 68+/-3.3, 42+/-4.1 and 35+/-4.5%. On Cox proportional hazards regression adenocarcinoma (P=0.006), the development of BPF (P=0.003), older age (P=0.03) and higher pathological stage (P=0.02) were independent adverse predictors of survival. CONCLUSION: Pneumonectomy for NSCLC carries a considerable, but acceptable, operative mortality and provides an important survival benefit. This study suggests that older age and BPF are major determinants of an unfavourable in-hospital outcome; older age, BPF, adenocarcinoma cell type and higher pathological stage significantly reduce the probability of a long-term survival.