The Efficacy of Thrombin-Gelatin Matrix in Hemostasis for Large Breast Tumor after Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy

Background: Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) for benign breast tumor excision is a developing trend in breast surgery. The most common complication of VABB is hematoma. We assessed the efficiency of the thrombin-gelatin matrix (TGM) for hemostasis after VABB. Methods: From December 2013 to June 2017, 147 patients with breast tumors > 2 cm in size were treated with a 7-gauge ultrasound-guided EnCor EnSpire® breast biopsy system. After VABB, the TGM was applied using an iron-tube device. After injection, brief external compression for 15 min and postoperative bandage compression for approximately 12 h were applied. The medical records were reviewed and analyzed for hematoma and acute bleeding at 1 and 3 months after VABB. Results: A total of 72 patients received hemostasis via TGM, and 75 patients received hemostasis by compression. The rates of postoperative acute bleeding in the TGM group were significantly lower than those in the non-TGM group (5.5% vs. 22.7%, p = 0.003). Among patients with hematoma, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (25% vs. 26.7%, p = 0.85). Conclusions: This is the first cohort study to apply the TGM hemostatic matrix for post-VABB hemostasis. The TGM hemostatic matrix could be an option for patients with large breast tumors.

Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy Is a Feasible Treatment Option for Breast Cancer with Liver-predominant Metastatic Disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with liver metastasis from breast cancer (LMBC) are usually offered systemic therapy. However, for those with progressive liver disease and limited extra-hepatic conditions, local liver management becomes an option. Herein we present our experience with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1999 to 2018, 42 patients with LMBC, who had progressive liver metastasis after systemic therapy, were treated with HAIC. A catheter was placed angiographically into the hepatic artery and remained there for 5 consecutive days. One cycle of chemotherapy consisted of mitoxantrone, 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid, and cisplatin. This treatment was repeated at monthly intervals. The medical records were reviewed and analyzed for hepatic tumor response, progression-free survival, overall survival and adverse effects.

RESULTS

Complete response was observed in two patients (5%), partial response in 18 patients (43%) and stable disease in eight patients (19%). Fourteen patients (33%) had progressive disease after HAIC. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 8.4 and 19.3 months, respectively. There was no death related to HAIC. The patients with response to the treatment had a significant survival benefit (p<0.005).

CONCLUSION

HAIC can be an option for those with progressive liver disease who are heavily pretreated while their extra-hepatic conditions are minimal or stable.

Fucoidan⁻Fucoxanthin Ameliorated Cardiac Function via IRS1/GRB2/ SOS1, GSK3β/CREB Pathways and Metabolic Pathways in Senescent Mice

The effects of low molecular weight fucoidan (LMWF) in combination with high-stability fucoxanthin (HSFUCO) on cardiac function and the metabolic pathways of aging mice (Mus musculus) were investigated. We demonstrated that LMWF and HSFUCO could improve cardiac function in aging mice. Aging mice were treated with LMWF and HSFUCO, either on their own or in combination, on 28 consecutive days. Electrocardiography and whole-cell patch-clamp were used to measure QT interval and action potential duration (APD) of the subjects. Cardiac tissue morphology, reactive oxygen species, and Western blot were also applied. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography⁻quadrupole time-of-flight (UPLC-QTOF) mass spectrometry was used for investigating metabolic alterations. The use of LMWF and HSFUCO resulted in improvements in both ventricular rhythms (QT and APD). Treatment with fucoidan and fucoxanthin reduced the expression levels of SOS1 and GRB2 while increasing GSK3β, CREB and IRS1 proteins expression in the aging process. Three main metabolic pathways, namely the TCA cycle, glycolysis, and steroid hormone biosynthesis, were highly enriched in the pathway enrichment analysis. When taken together, the LMWF and HSFUCO treatment improved both the ventricular rhythm and the muscular function of aging subjects by interfering with the metabolism and gene function.

The in vitro and in vivo effects of the low molecular weight fucoidan on the bone osteogenic differentiation properties

Osteoporosis has been reported as a hidden death factor in aged people. So far, prevention and treatment therapies for osteoporosis only slow down the progress but do not treat the disease. Fucoidan has been recognized its roles in anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant and antiviral activities. To date, low molecular weight (LMW) fucoidan role in bone loss disease has been not determined yet. Therefore, this study aims to figure out potential effects of LMW fucoidan in osteoporosis in vitro and in vivo. LMW fucoidan was extracted from fresh Sargassum hemiphyllum showing a significant increase in 7F2 cell viability to 150.33 ± 6.50 % relative to normal fucoidan (130.12 ± 5.74 %). The expression of level BMP-2, ALP, osteocalcin significantly increased with 2.28 ± 0.06, 2.18 ± 0.12 and 2.06 ± 0.07 fold, respectively. The RT-PCR assay showed that LMW fucoidan increased mRNA expression of BMP-2, ALP, osteocalcin, COL I, BSP and osteonectin. Furthermore, the bone density and bone ash weight were considerably boosted by the oral administration of 280 mg/kg LMW fucoidan and 100 mg/kg calcium carbonate in C57BL/6J female aged mice. The present finding indicated that LMW fucoidan triggered osteogenic differentiation in vitro, and had an anabolic effect on bone mineralization in vivo. Dietary intake of LMW fucoidan from S. hemiphyllum suggested playing a role in the enhancement of bone loss with increasing age.

Properties and regulation of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase of OVCAR-3, CAOV-3, and A431 cells: effects of epidermal growth factor, estradiol, and progesterone

Although there is a growing body of evidence that 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase plays a role in the regulation of steroid levels in epithelial tumors of the endometrium and breast, our knowledge of its role in other gynecologic tumors is limited. In this investigation, the 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity of cell lines derived from two ovarian tumors (OVCAR-3, CAOV-3) and an epidermoid tumor of the vulva (A431) was assayed under conditions which differentiate between 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase type 1, a cytosolic isoform highly specific for estradiol, and type 2, a membrane bound isoform reactive with both estradiol and testosterone. On the basis of estradiol/testosterone activity ratios, all three cell lines appear to have type 2-like activity, with the specific activity of A431 markedly greater than that of the other cell lines. Estradiol, progesterone, or EGF, alone or in combination, were without effect on the enzymatic activity of OVCAR-3 cells. EGF decreased the activity of CAOV-3 cells slightly. In contrast, EGF stimulated A431 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity 7-8-fold over a 5-day exposure. Estradiol or progesterone, singly or in combination, also did not effect the enzymatic activity of A431 cells. However, progesterone inhibited the increase in activity seen in the presence of EGF. With EGF, estradiol, and progesterone together, the increase in enzymatic activity was comparable to that with EGF alone. The effects of estradiol and progesterone appear to result from steroid actions following binding of EGF to low-affinity receptors on A431 cells.

Hexamermis cathetospiculae n. sp. (Mermithidae: Nematoda), a Parasite of the Rice Stemborer, Tryporyza incertulas (Wlk.) (Pyralidae: Lepidoptera) in Malaysia

Hexamermis cathetospiculae n. sp. (Mermithidae: Nematoda), a parasite of the rice stemborer, Tryporyza incertulas (Wlk.), is described. This mermithid was observed to control the stemborer in Malaysia. It is distinguished from other members of the genus by the shape of the vagina, the nearly straight spicules, and the form of the amphids.