Volume 123  ·  Issue 15  ·  2010

Aortic dissection is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, with an estimated incidence of about three cases per 100 000 persons. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has emerged during the last decade as a less invasive treatment modality for aortic dissections, most commonly for Stanford type B aortic dissection (type B-AD), that can lessen surgical morbidity and mortality, decrease hospital stay, and provide excellent short- and mid-term outcomes。

Abstract：Background The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effect of somatostatin on the liver function of recipients undergoing living donor liver transplantation.Methods Forty recipients were randomized into group A (n=20) and group B (n=20). Recipients in group A received no somatostatin whereas somatostatin was administrated for recipients in group B perioperatively. Liver function, the plasma concentration of endothelin-1 and nitric oxide, the intragraft expressions of endothelin-1 and inducible nitric oxide syntheses at 2 hours after declamping of the portal vein were compared between the two groups.Results Compared to group A, alanine transaminase values in group B were significantly reduced at 2 hours after portal vein declamping, at the end of the operation and postoperation day 1 (P ＜0.05), whereas aspartate aminotransferase values in group B decreased at 30 minutes after portal vein clamping, at 2 hours after portal vein declamping and at the end of the operation (P ＜0.05). Total bilirubin values in group B were reduced significantly at 2 hours after portal vein declamping and at the end of the operation when compared to group A (P ＜0.05). Intragraft expression of endothelin-1 was significantly downregulated at 2 hours after declamping of the portal vein accompanied with a reduction of plasma concentration of endothelin-1 in the peripheral blood (P ＜0.05).Conclusions Somatostatin had a protective effect on liver function during the early phase after declamping of portal vein for recipients undergoing living donor liver transplantation, and the possible mechanism might be partially attributed to the downregulation of endothelin-1。

Abstract：Background Most HCC patients with decompensation of liver function lost the chance of surgical and/or interventional treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility and outcome of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with poor liver function (Child-Pugh class C), who are not suitable for surgery or hepatic artery chemo-embolization.Methods Thirteen HCC patients (the number of tumors was 17) with liver function of Child-Pugh C (scores: 10.2±0.4)were included in the study. Among the patients, 8 were male and 5 were female with the average age of (61.6±10.9)years old. The average size of HCC was (3.8±1.0) cm. Two patients were recurrent HCC and 30.8% of the patients had multiple tumors (2-3 tumors). All the patients were treated with RFA.Results There were 22 RFA sessions (1-4 sessions per patient) in all, average ablations per tumor at first session was 3.1. One week after RFA, the liver enzymes elevated in 9 patients (69.2%), in 7 of them, the liver enzyme returned to pre-RFA level in 1-3 months. One month after RFA, the Child-Pugh grading was 10.3±0.8 (Child-Pugh C), while that of pre-RFA was 10.2±0.4 (Child-Pugh C), with no significant difference. Computer tomography (CT) one month after RFA showed that the tumor necrosis rate was 88.2% (15/17). Five patients had 2-4 repeated RFA due to HCC recurrence.During the follow-up of 2-69 months in this group, survival rate of one year was 53.8%, two years was 30.8%, and three year was 15.4%. The incidence of RFA-related complications was 13.6% (3/22 sessions), including 1 case of GI hemorrhage and 1 sub-capsular hemorrhage of the liver. One patient with HCC over 5 cm who had fever and liver abscess after RFA, and was dead 2 months later due to liver function failure.Conclusions Minimal invasive RFA provides possible treatment modality for HCC patients with poor liver function, who are not candidates for surgical and/or interventional therapy. For large HCC, due to the required extended treatment region, special attention should be paid to the possibility of acute liver failure。

Abstract：Background Colorectal surgery was regarded as one of the high risk surgery for post-operative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. This study aimed at investigating the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after colorectal surgery for malignancy.Methods Data were collected from the prospective database of colorectal malignancy from 2000 to 2008. A total of 1421 colorectal (open and laparoscopic) operations were performed for the colorectal malignancy without DVT prophylaxis.Results Only seven patients (0.5%) developed symptomatic DVT and one of them had complication of pulmonary embolism without mortality. Open operation for colorectal malignancy was identified as possible risk factor of DVT,however, risk factors like operative time, low anterior resection, sex, age etc. were not identified.Conclusion Risk of venous thromboembolism after colorectal operation is low in Chinese of our locality and it might be safe to perform colorectal operation for malignancy without DVT prophylaxis。

Abstract：Background The reproducibility of the Nottingham modification of the Scarff-Bloom-Richardson (NSBR) histological grading system for invasive breast cancer (IBC) adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) has previously not been studied in Chinese hospitals. The proliferation marker, Ki-67, has been widely applied in detecting IBC. The objective of this study was to assess the reproducibility of the NSBR system among Chinese pathologists and the complementary value that Ki-67 brings to this system.Methods Four general pathologists graded 100 IBC cases independently, which had previously been graded by specialists in breast pathology. The interobserver reproducibility among four general pathologists and pairwise reproducibility between each of them and the specialists were assessed. The Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67LI) was determined by immunohistochemistry, and its correlations with histological grade and survival were determined.Results With respect to interobserver reproducibility, NSBR grading was fairly reproducible (kappa=0.34); as for the components of NSBR grading, agreement was best for tubule formation (kappa=0.46), intermediate for nuclear pleomorphism (kappa=0.42), and poorest for mitotic count (kappa=0.28). In terms of pairwise reproducibility, agreement was fair to substantial with NSBR grading (kappa=0.30-0.69) and nuclear pleomorphism (kappa=0.28-0.69), moderate to substantial for tubule formation (kappa=0.51-0.78), and slight to substantial for mitotic count (kappa=0.19-0.71).There were characteristic Ki-67LI ranges for grades 1,2 and 3 tumors. Univariate analysis showed that Ki-67 was able to divide grade 2 patients into two different prognostic subgroups. Multivariate analysis of grade 2 patients with negative lymph node demonstrated that Ki-67 was an independent prognosticator for overall survival.Conclusions The reproducibility of grading by general pathologists could be enhanced. Specialization in breast pathology is essential for accurate grading and treatment for IBC. Ki-67, with proven prognostic significance, adds complementary value to the NSBR system。

Abstract：Background Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus have been a common cause of infection among liver transplant (LT) recipients in recent decades. The understanding of local epidemiology and its evolving trends with regard to pathogenic spectra and antibiotic susceptibility is beneficial to prophylactic and empiric treatment for LT recipients. This study aimed to investigate etiology, timing, antibiotic susceptibility and risk factors for multidrug resistant (MDR) Gram-positive coccal bacteremia after LT.Methods A cohort analysis of prospectively recorded data was performed to investigate etiologies, timing, antibiotic susceptibility and risk factors for MDR Gram-positive coccal bacteremia in 475 LT recipients.Results In 475 LT recipients in the first six months after LT, there were a total of 98 episodes of bacteremia caused by Gram-positive cocci in 82 (17%) patients. Seventy-five (77%) bacteremic episodes occurred in the first post-LT month.The most frequent Gram-positive cocci were methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS, 46 isolates),methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, 13) and enterococcus (34, E. faecium 30, E. faecalis 4). In all Gram-positive bacteremic isolates, 59 of 98 (60%) were MDR. Gram-positive coccal bacteremia and MDR Gram-positive coccal bacteremia predominantly occurred in patients with acute severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B and with fulminant/subfulminant hepatitis. Four independent risk factors for development of bacteremia caused by MDR Gram-positive coccus were: LT candidates with encephalopathy grades Ⅱ-Ⅳ (P=0.013, OR: 16.253, 95% CI:1.822-144.995), pre-LT use of empirical antibiotics (P=0.018, OR: 1.029, 95% CI: 1.002-1.057), post-LT urinary tract infections (P ＜0.001, OR: 20.340, 95% CI: 4.135-100.048) and abdominal infection (P=0.004, OR: 2.820, 95% CI:1.122-10.114). The main infectious manifestations were coinfections due to gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli.Conclusions Methicillin-resistant CoNS and enterococci are predominant pathogens among LT recipients with Gram-positive coccal bacteremia. Occurrences of Gram-positive coccal bacteremia may be associated with the severity of illness in the perioperative stage。

Abstract：Background Estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer cells are more aggressive than ER-positive cells. Elevated levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression have been detected in cultured human breast cancer cells and are associated with negative hormone receptor status. In this study, we created ERα stable transfectants in MDA-MB-231 cells to explore the effect of ERα on cell growth and COX-2 and VEGF-C expression.Methods The green fluorescent protein (GFP)-ERα plasmids were stably transfected into ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. The proliferation and migration of untransfected MDA-MB-231 cells, ERα-transfected MDA-MB-231 cells and ER-positive MCF-7 cells were determined. The expression of COX-2, and the levels of VEGF-C mRNA and the VEGF-C secretion concentration were assayed in these cell lines.Results The proliferation and migration capacities of ERα-tranfected MDA-MB-231 cells were significantly decreased (P <0.05). The expression of COX-2 was significantly lower in ERa-tranfected MDA-MB-231 cells than in untranfected MDA-MB-231 cells. The mRNA and protein levels of VEGF-C were lower in ERa-tranfected MDA-MB-231 cells than in untransfected MDA-MB-231 cells (P<0.05).Conclusions ERα stable transfection inhibits proliferation and migration capacities of MDA-MB-231 cells and decreases expression of COX-2 and VEGF-C. The decreases of proliferation and migration capacities may be related to suppression of COX-2 and VEGF-C expression。

Abstract：Background Genital prolapse affects 30% of middle-aged and older women and is becoming a major public health concern. Sacrospinous ligament fixation is an effective and safe procedure for vaginal vault prolaps with a low recurrence and complication rate. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of unilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) for the management of pelvic organ prolapse (POP).Methods Forty patients with severe prolapse of pelvic organ undergoing unilateral SSLF were retrospectively studied.In this study, all patients were staged by the value of POP-Q. All procedures were performed by a senior physician. The characteristics of these patients and their immediate and short-term post-operative outcome were recorded. All patients were seen six weeks and six months after the surgery. The evaluation included standardized questionnaire and site-specific vaginal examination by one physician.Results The average operation time was 65-92 minutes. The average blood loss was 83-188 ml. The average hospitalization time was 6.1 days. The average cost was 5885 yuan. The average day of urethral catheter removal after the operation was 2.1 days. The incidence of postoperative morbidity was 17.1%. One (2.4%) patient had hematoma in the right pelvic. The mean length of postoperative follow-up for 35 patients was 13.1 months. The rate of follow-up was 87.5%. One (2.9%) patient showed recurrent vaginal vault prolapse six months after the surgery. The objective success rate of pelvic organ prolapse was 85% (34/40). There was significant difference between the POP-Q of Aa, Ba, Ap, Bp,and D before and after operation (P ＜0.001 ). Five (14.3%) patients complained lower back pain, gluteal pain or right groin pain. Three (8.6%) patients developed de novo stress incontinence. Vaginal disabsorbable sutures were found in three (8.6%) patients. One (2.9%) patient had de novo urge incontinence.Conclusions Unilateral SSLF was both cost and treatment effective management for severe pelvic organ prolapse,especially for severe ovaginae anterior prolapse and uterus prolapse of POP Ⅰ, Ⅱ or Ⅲ. Main complications from this procedure included lower back pain, gluteal and groin pain and new onset of stress incontinence。

Abstract：Background Stent placement has been widely used to assist coiling in cerebral aneurysm treatments. The present study aimed to investigate the hemodynamic effects of stenting on wide-necked intracranial aneurysms.Methods Three idealized plexiglass aneudsmal models with different geometries before and after stenting were created, and their three-dimensional computational models were constructed. Flow dynamics in stented and unstented aneurismal models were studied using in vitro flow visualization and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. In addition, effects of stenting on flow dynamics in a patient-specific aneurysm model were also analyzed by CFD.Results The results of flow visualization were consistent with those obtained with CFD simulations. Stent deployment reduced vortex inside the aneurysm and its impact on the aneurysm sac, and decreased wall shear stress on the sac.Different aneurysm geometries dictated fundamentally different hemodynamic patterns and outcomes of stenting.Conclusions Stenting across the neck of aneurysms improves local blood flow profiles. This may facilitate thrombus formation in aneurysms and decrease the chance of recanalization。

Abstract：Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is believed to be the most common sexually transmitted infection. However,little is known about the prevalence and distribution of HPV types in China. We aimed to assess the prevalence and the distribution of HPV types as well as risks for abnormal cervical cytology in women who reside in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China.Methods A cross-sectional study was performed involving a sample of 3036 women. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied and cervical specimens were obtained for liquid-based cytology and HPV DNA detection. Statistical analysis included chi-square and Logistic regression model.Results In this population, 3.66% (111/3036) had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS),1.45% (44/3036) low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and 1.09% (33/3036) had high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). Tibetan women (5.74%, 137/2387) exhibited lower abnormal cytology rates than non-Tibetan women (8.01%, 52/649, P=0.03). The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 9.19% (279/3036). We failed to identify any differences in HPV prevalence by age. In the groups with normal, ASCUS, LSIL and HSIL, the overall HPV prevalences were 7.41% (211/2847), 24.32% (27/111), 56.82% (25/44) and 45.45% (15/33), respectively. HPV 16 (1.52%,46/3036) was the most common type, and was also the most prevalent in women with ASCUS (8.11%, 9/111) and HSIL (15.15%, 5/33). The most common HPV type for Tibetan women was HPV 16 (1.42%, 34/2387), whereas for non-Tibetan individuals it was HPV 33 (2.31%, 15/649). Of the 279 HPV-infected women, 40 individuals (14.34%) presented with multiple HPV positivity. Women who had two pregnancies were more likely to have abnormal cytology smear (OR=1.67;95% CI: 1.07-2.61).Conclusions A low prevalence of HPV positivity was observed in women who reside in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. The prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology and HPV type distributions were different between Tibetan and non-Tibetan women。

Abstract：Background The relationship between symptom elimination and normalization of esophageal acid level of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) on proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy has been questioned. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between symptom response and gastro-esophageal acidity control in Chinese patients with GERD on esomeprazole therapy, and to assess the role of 24-hour esophageal pH-metry after therapy in GERD patients.Methods GERD patients with typical reflux symptoms were enrolled and received esomeprazole 40 mg once daily for 4 weeks. Patients with positive baseline 24-hour esophageal pH-metry were divided into two groups depending on an additional dual-channel 24-hour pH-metry after treatment. The pH- group achieved normalization of esophageal pH level whereas the pH+ group did not.Results Of the 80 patients studied, 76 had abnormal baseline esophageal pH levels. Of these, 90% (52/58) of symptom-free patients and 67% (12/18) of symptom-persistent patients achieved esophageal pH normalization after therapy (P=0.030). The mean post-therapy gastric nocturnal percent time of pH ＜4.0 was significantly higher in pH+group than that in pH- group (P ＜0.001) after therapy. The multivariate regression analysis identified hiatus hernia (P＜0.001) and persistent reflux symptom (P=0.004) were two independent factors predicting the low post-therapy esophageal pH level.Conclusions Symptom elimination is not always accompanied by esophageal pH normalization, and vice verse.Esophageal pH-metry is recommended for GERD patients with hiatus hernia or with persistent reflux symptoms after PPI therapy。

Patients with diabetes mellitus have an increased incidence of atherosclerotic vascular disease and infection involving the lower extremities.Lower limb arterial disease is more common among patients with diabetes, and lower limb atherosclerosis is the main cause of lower limb ischemia for these patients.Two types of vascular disease are seen in patients with diabetes。

Social, cultural, and political aspects of the disease may alter the dynamics of infection.In the early 1980s, China's first outbreak of HIV was found in intravenous drug users (IDUs) and in the mid-1990s,there was a concentrated outbreak in individuals who were donors and recipients of illegal blood donations。

Abstract：Objective To review the role of heme oxyenase-1 in organ transplantation and explore the potential applications targeted on overexpression of heme oxyenase-1 gene.Data sources The data cited in this review were mainly obtained from the articles listed in Medline and PubMed,published from January 1996 to December 2008.The search terms were "heme oxygenase-1" and "transplantation".Study selection Articles regarding the role of heme oxyenase-1 in organ transplantation and its protective role in transplants were selected.Protective effects of heme oxygenase-1 overexpression using a gene transfer approach against ischaemic reperfusion injury during transplantation were widely explored.Results Local heme oxygenase-1 overexpression in the graft ameliorates the ischaemic reperfusion injury.This is due to removal of heme, a potent prooxidant and proinflammatory agent, but also because of generation of biologically active products.Conclusions Overexpressive heme oxygenase-1 activity is associated with tissue protection in the setting of graft,ischaemic reperfusion injury.Gene therapy is attractive to us; but a long way from general application.In terms of heme oxygenase-1, the gene promoters are polymorphic.Although individualization is an important principle during clinical application, it is difficult to put into practice。

In recent years, spleen-preserving radical gastrectomy with dissection of No.10 and No.11 lymph nodes has been gradually accepted because of an improved understanding of immune function of the spleen in the perioperative period and for prognosis of gastric cancer。

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a clinical syndrome caused by compression or invasion of the superior vena cava or thrombus formation within the superior vena cava.SVCS is typically the most common emergency associated with tumors.The rapid progression of the disease necessitates immediate treatment。

Pancreatic pseudocyst (PPC) is one of the most common complications of acute pancreatitis,pancreatic injury or surgery.When the pseudocyst exceeds 6 cm in diameter and sustains over 6 weeks,1patients may suffer from abdominal pain, co-morbid illness, or the presence of abdominal mass.As such large pseudocyst is unlikely to resolve spontaneously, surgical treatment is necessary。

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is characterized by an idiopathic serous neurosensory detachment primarily affecting the macula.In most cases,the disorder is self-limited and spontaneously in 4 to 6 months, and the patients usually retain excellent vision。

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is a rare etiology of duodenal obstruction resulting from the compression of the third part of the duodenum between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. The typical clinical presentation of SMAS is persistent postprandial abdominal distention, vomiting and weight loss。

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide secreting tumors (VIPoma) are one kind of rare endocrine tumor which is mostly located in the pancreas.The annual incidence was estimated to be about 1 per 10 000 000 individuals in general population.1 The VIPoma is usually associated with Verner-Morrison syndrome following tremendous over-secretion of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), which consisted of water diarrhea,hypokalemia and achlorhydria.This syndrome has been termed pancreatic cholera, watery diarrhea syndrome。

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) most often presents as a bone or soft tissue mass in the trunk or axial skeleton in adolescents and young adults.1 It is highly aggressive and rarely arises in the kidney.2 A combined therapy, consisting of surgical resection,chemotherapy and radiotherapy, is needed to treat this tumor but long-term survival remains poor.3,4 In the current study, we describe a case of 26-year-old woman (primigravida) who presented with a PNET of the right kidney with inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombus。

Afistula between pericardium and its adjacent structures is an extremely rare and usually fatal complication with the esophagus and stomach most frequently involved.In this report, we present the rare case of a patient who developed a jejunopericardial fistula after surgery for gastric cancer and intraperitoneal chemotherapy with placement of Port-A-Cath 14 years ago。