FOXP3 defines regulatory T cells in human tumor and autoimmune disease

Activated T cells may express FOXP3. It is thought that FOXP3 is not a specific marker to determine regulatory T cells (Treg) in humans. Here, we examined the functional phenotype and cytokine profile of the in vitro induced FOXP3(+) T cells, primary FOXP3(+) and FOXP3(-) T cells in patients with ulcerative colitis and tumors including colon carcinoma, melanoma, hepatic carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. We observed similar levels of suppressive capacity of primary FOXP3(+) T cells in blood, tumors, and colitic tissues. Compared with primary FOXP3(-) T cells in the same microenvironment, these primary FOXP3(+) T cells expressed minimal levels of effector cytokines, negligible amount of cytotoxic molecule granzyme B, and levels of suppressive molecules interleukin-10 and PD-1. Although the in vitro activated T cells expressed FOXP3, these induced FOXP3(+) T cells expressed high levels of multiple effector cytokines and were not functionally suppressive. The data reinforce the fact that FOXP3 remains an accurate marker to define primary Tregs in patients with cancer and autoimmune disease. We suggest that the combination of FOXP3 and cytokine profile is useful for further functionally distinguishing primary Tregs from activated conventional T cells.

Outcomes in octogenarians undergoing high-risk cancer operation: a national study

BACKGROUND

Current information about outcomes in octogenarians undergoing cancer operations is limited largely to case series from selected centers. Population-based data can provide more realistic estimates of the risks and benefits of operations in this group.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing major resections for lung, esophageal, and pancreas cancer. Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (1994 to 2003), we examined operative mortality and discharge disposition in octogenarians (aged 80+ years), relative to younger patients (aged 65 to 69 years) (n = 272,662). We then used the Surveillance and End Results-Medicare-linked database (1992 to 2001) to measure late survival in the elderly (n = 14,088).

RESULTS

Operative mortality among octogenarians was substantially higher than that of younger patients (aged 65 to 69 years) for all three cancers (esophagectomy, 19.9% versus 8.8%, p < 0.0001; pancreatectomy, 15.5% versus 6.7%, p < 0.0001; lung resection, 6.9% versus 3.7%, p < 0.0001). A large proportion of octogenarians were transferred to extended care facilities after operation, ranging from 24% after lung resection to 44% after esophagectomy. Five-year survival in octogenarians was low for all three cancers: 11% after pancreatectomy, 18% after esophagectomy and 31% after lung cancer resection. Survival among octogenarians with two or more comorbidities was worse than those with fewer comorbid diagnoses--10% versus 14% for pancreatectomy, 15% versus 23% for esophagectomy, and 27% versus 37% for lung resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Population-based outcomes after high-risk cancer operation in octogenarians are considerably worse than typically reported in case series and published survival statistics. Such information might better inform clinical decision making in this high-risk group.

Laparoscopic Colectomy for Cancer

Since the first minimally invasive colon resection 15 years ago, laparoscopic colectomy has been implemented as techniques have evolved. Like the laparoscopic approach for other operations, minimally invasive colectomy has potential benefits of improved short-term outcomes. Questions have been raised, however, regarding its use for colorectal cancer resection. Until recently, it was unclear whether minimally invasive surgery for colonic malignancies would achieve adequate oncologic resection. This review provides an overview of laparoscopic colectomy and techniques and examines recent data from randomized, controlled trials that report the short- and long-term outcomes after laparoscopic colectomy for cancer.

Predicting quality in surgery

Disparities in outcome discussed

Surgical treatment of insulinomas

Differential diagnosis of hypoglycemic patients should include insulinoma. Plasma insulin-to-glucose ratio greater than 0.3 or C-peptide levels of 2 nmol/L or greater suggest insulinoma. Abdominal CT scan can exclude metastatic disease and identify uncommonly large islet cell tumors, but has poor sensitivity for localizing insulinomas; transgastric endoscopic ultrasound is the most sensitive technique. Palpation combined with intraoperative ultrasound identifies most tumors at operation and gives vital information about surrounding structures. If no tumor is found, blind distal pancreatectomy should not be performed, and the patient should be referred to an endocrinologist or endocrine surgeon for diagnostic confirmation and further localization. Laparoscopy is a viable alternative to open tumor resection; laparoscopic ultrasound can facilitate localization and guide safe resection.

Treatment of unhealed burns with severe complications

This case history describes the management of a child whose treatment for unhealed burn wounds was complicated by the presence of sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia and malaria

Sleep-disordered breathing and systemic hypertension in the older male

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and essential hypertension in a population of older male hypertensives.

PATIENTS

One-hundred forty consecutive older hypertensive males.

MEASUREMENTS

Monitoring of sleep-related breathing abnormality with a portable sleep apnea monitor (level III device). Assessment of complaints related to sleep quality using a validated questionnaire. Systemic arterial blood pressure according to WHO standards and biochemical analyses. SDB was defined as more than 10 abnormal respiratory events per hour of sleep.

DESIGN

Prospective investigation on a retrospective cohort.

SETTING

Veterans Administrations hypertension clinic.

MAIN RESULTS

SDB was diagnosed in 80% of this older, hypertensive, male population. Thirty-four percent of all study subjects presented with severe SDB, with more than 30 abnormal respiratory events per hour of sleep. Subjects with SDB were significantly heavier (BMI = 30.0 +/- 5.2 kg/m2) than subjects without SDB (BMI = 26.8 +/- 5.1 kg/m2, P = .004). Furthermore, subjects with SDB slept significantly longer (by a mean of 46 minutes/night, P = .027) and complained significantly more often of daytime sleepiness than subjects without SDB (P = .018). Fifty percent of all 140 subjects snored more than 10% of the total sleep time, and 26% snored for more than one-third of the night. No significant differences in blood pressure values were observed in subjects with compared with subjects without sleep-disordered breathing. However, a considerable number of subjects presenting with hypertensive blood pressure values despite treatment could be identified. Subjects presenting with hypertensive blood pressure values had a significantly higher severity index of SDB than subjects with normotensive blood pressure values (P = .047).

CONCLUSIONS

This investigation supports data showing that undiagnosed SDB is a common phenomenon in older male individuals, leading to impaired daytime functioning and impairment of overall quality of life. More importantly, our data suggests that untreated SDB may have an adverse effect on the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment in hypertensive individuals with sleep-disordered breathing.