Sternal closure with sandwiched three-piece bioresorbable mesh reduces postoperative hemorrhage: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Median sternotomy is the most performed procedure in cardiac surgery; however, sternal displacement and bleeding remains a problem. This study aimed to investigate whether sternal reconstruction using a sandwiched three-piece bioresorbable mesh plate can prevent postoperative sternal displacement and bleeding more than a bioresorbable pin.

METHODS

Patients (n = 218) who underwent median sternotomy were classified according to whether a sandwiched three-piece bioresorbable mesh plate and wire cerclage (group M, n = 109) or a bioresorbable pin and wire cerclage (group P, n = 109) were used during sternal reconstruction. The causes of postoperative sternal displacement and bleeding with computed tomography data were analyzed and compared between the groups.

RESULTS

The preoperative patient characteristics did not significantly differ between the groups. However, the evaluation of sternal and substernal hematoma on postoperative day 5 using computed tomography showed sternal displacement in 4 (4%) and 22 (20%) patients, and substernal hematoma in 17 (16%) and 41 (38%) patients in groups M and P, respectively; this difference was significant. Furthermore, the amount of bleeding at 6 h postoperatively was lower in group M than in group P (235 ± 147 vs. 284 ± 175 mL, p = 0.0275). Chest reopening, intubation time, and length of intensive care unit and hospital stays did not differ between the groups. The evaluation of substernal hematoma based on computed tomography yielded a significantly lower for group M than for group P, revealing that the mesh plate was an independent predictor of substernal hematoma prevention.

CONCLUSION

Sternal fixation with a three-piece bioresorbable mesh plate could prevent postoperative sternal displacement, bleeding, and substernal hematoma more than sternal fixation with a pin.

1075 Sleep-stage Independent Electroencephalography Features For Classification Of Veterans With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Introduction

Prior sleep studies have suggested that electroencephalography (EEG) spectral power and synchrony features in certain sleep stages differ significantly at the group-average level between subjects with and without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here, we investigated whether a multivariate combination of sleep-stage independent EEG features could objectively identify individual subjects with PTSD.

Methods

We analyzed EEG data recorded from 78 combat-exposed veteran men with (n = 31) and without (n = 47) PTSD during two consecutive nights of sleep. For each subject we computed 780 features from 10 EEG channels covering the whole brain, by averaging the values over the entire night regardless of sleep stage. Using a training set consisting of the first 47 consecutive subjects (18 with PTSD) of the study, we performed univariate feature selection and backward feature elimination using a logistic regression model. We then evaluated the model on the test set, which consisted of the remaining 31 subjects (13 with PTSD). We assessed model performance by computing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

Feature elimination using the logistic regression model yielded three uncorrelated features that were consistently discriminative of PTSD across the two consecutive nights. When we trained the logistic model consisting of these three features using data from both nights of the training set, the model yielded test-set AUCs of 0.84 and 0.80 for Night 1 and Night 2, respectively. These values were considerably larger than the test-set AUCs of the three individual features, which ranged from 0.55 to 0.74 across both nights.

Conclusion

We identified robust, stage-independent, whole-night features and combined them in a logistic regression model to discriminate subjects with and without PTSD. The model yielded AUCs above 0.80 on the test data, showing promise as an objective approach to diagnose PTSD at the individual level.

Support

This work was sponsored by U.S. Defense Health Program (grant No. W81XWH-14-2-0145) and managed by the U.S. Army Military Operational Medicine Program Area Directorate, Ft. Detrick, MD. The study was also supported by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the University of Pittsburgh (UL1 TR001857).

Expression of ER stress markers (GRP78/BiP and PERK) in patients with tongue cancer

The glucose-regulated protein (GRP78/BiP) and PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) plays a crucial role in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. GRP78/BiP is highly elevated in various human cancers. Our study is to examine the clinicopathological significance of GRP78/BiP and PERK expression in patients with tongue cancer. A total of 85 tongue cancer patients were analyzed, and tumor specimens were stained by immunohistochemistry for GRP78/BiP, PERK, GLUT1, Ki-67 and microvessel density (MVD) determined by CD34.GRP78/BiP and PERK were highly expressed in 47% and 35% of all patients, respectively. GRP78/BiP disclosed a significant relationship with PERK expression, lymphatic permeation, vascular invasion, glucose metabolism and cell proliferation. The expression of GRP78/BiP was significantly higher in metastatic sites than in primary sites (79% vs. 47%, p=0.003). We found that the high expression of GRP78/BiP was proven to be an independent prognostic factor for predicting poor outcome in patients with tongue cancer. In the analysis of PFS, PERK was identified as an independent predictor. The increased GRP78/BiP expression was clarified as an independent prognostic marker for predicting worse outcome. Our study suggests that the expression of GRP78/BiP as ER stress marker is important in the pathogenesis and development of tongue cancer.

Aggressive endoscopic mucosal resection in the upper GI tract - Hook knife EMR method

We have developed a new EMR method, the 'Hook knife' method, for the en-bloc resection of larger lesions. First, we placed marks around the lesion with a coagulation tip. Next, 10% glycerol diluted epinephrine solution was injected into the submucosal layer to separate the mucosa from the muscular layer proper. Then, we cut the mucosa around the lesion with a needle knife. Finally, we cut the submucosal fibers and vessels using a hook-type knife and resected the lesions. A large en-bloc resection, ≥70 mm in size, was possible with this new EMR method. Because of this, the histological examination for both the range of lateral spreading and the depth of invasion can be made more precisely. Aggressive endoscopic mucosal resection is established by this new EMR method.

Intra-Arterial Injection of Adriamycin/Mitomycin C Lipiodol Suspension in Liver Metastases

Intra-arterial injection of a suspension of adriamycin and/or mitomycin C in Lipiodol was performed in 17 patients with hepatic metastases, which at angiography were poorly vascularized. Accumulation of Lipiodol in the tumors was demonstrated at computed tomography (CT) in 15 of 17 patients examined within one week. Follow-up with CT showed that Lipiodol remained in the tumor during the first month in 94 per cent, after 2 months in 31 per cent, and after 3 months in 17 per cent. In the non-tumor part of the liver Lipiodol disappeared earlier, and one month after injection it could no longer be traced on CT. In 8/17 cases (47%) CT, after intra-arterial injection of Lipiodol, gave superior information compared with CT after intravenous contrast enhancement. Tumor response was achieved in 9 of 16 cases. Particularly in metastases originating from cancer of the colon and stomach response was observed with a decrease in tumor size in 8 of 10 patients.

Laboratory rearing of wild Arctic cod Boreogadus saida from egg to adulthood

The techniques and protocols used to successfully capture, transport and breed Arctic cod Boreogadus saida, as well as to rear their larvae through to adulthood are summarized. Breeding B. saida will increase the opportunity to study this fish species, which is a critical part of the Arctic food web.

Characterisation of circadian rhythms of various duckweeds

The plant circadian clock controls various physiological phenomena that are important for adaptation to natural day-night cycles. Many components of the circadian clock have been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana, the model plant for molecular genetic studies. Recent studies revealed evolutionary conservation of clock components in green plants. Homologues of clock-related genes have been isolated from Lemna gibba and Lemna aequinoctialis, and it has been demonstrated that these homologues function in the clock system in a manner similar to their functioning in Arabidopsis. While clock components are widely conserved, circadian phenomena display diversity even within the Lemna genus. In order to survey the full extent of diversity in circadian rhythms among duckweed plants, we characterised the circadian rhythms of duckweed by employing a semi-transient bioluminescent reporter system. Using a particle bombardment method, circadian bioluminescent reporters were introduced into nine strains representing five duckweed species: Spirodela polyrhiza, Landoltia punctata, Lemna gibba, L. aequinoctialis and Wolffia columbiana. We then monitored luciferase (luc+) reporter activities driven by AtCCA1, ZmUBQ1 or CaMV35S promoters under entrainment and free-running conditions. Under entrainment, AtCCA1::luc+ showed similar diurnal rhythms in all strains. This suggests that the mechanism of biological timing under day-night cycles is conserved throughout the evolution of duckweeds. Under free-running conditions, we observed circadian rhythms of AtCCA1::luc+, ZmUBQ1::luc+ and CaMV35S::luc+. These circadian rhythms showed diversity in period length and sustainability, suggesting that circadian clock mechanisms are somewhat diversified among duckweeds.

Prognostic significance of amino-acid transporter expression (LAT1, ASCT2, and xCT) in surgically resected tongue cancer

BACKGROUND

Amino-acid transporters are necessary for the tumour cell growth and survival, and have a crucial role in the development and invasiveness of cancer cells. But, it remains unclear about the prognostic significance of L-type amino-acid transporter 1 (LAT1), system ASC amino-acid transporter-2 (ASCT2), and xCT expression in patients with tongue cancer. We conducted the clinicopathological study to investigate the protein expression of these amino-acid transporters in tongue cancer.

METHODS

Eighty-five patients with surgically resected tongue cancer were evaluated. Tumour sections were stained by immunohistochemistry for LAT1, ASCT2, xCT, 4F2hc/CD98hc (4F2hc), Ki-67, and microvessel density (MVD) determined by CD34, and p53.

RESULTS

L-type amino-acid transporter 1 and 4F2hc were highly expressed in 61% (52 out of 85) and 45% (38 out of 47), respectively. ASC amino-acid transporter-2 and xCT were positively expressed in 59% (50 out of 85) and 21% (18 out of 85), respectively. The expression of both LAT1 and ASCT2 was significantly associated with disease staging, lymph-node metastasis, lymphatic permeation, 4F2hc expression and cell proliferation (Ki-67). xCT expression indicated a significant association with advanced stage and tumour factor. By univariate analysis, disease staging, lymphatic permeation, vascular invasion, LAT1, ASCT2, 4F2hc, and Ki-67 had a significant relationship with overall survival. Multivariate analysis confirmed that LAT1 was an independent prognostic factor for predicting poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

L-type amino-acid transporter 1 and ASCT2 can serve as a significant prognostic factor for predicting worse outcome after surgical treatment and may have an important role in the development and aggressiveness of tongue cancer.

ASC amino-acid transporter 2 (ASCT2) as a novel prognostic marker in non-small cell lung cancer

Background:

ASC amino-acid transporter 2 (ASCT2) is a major glutamine transporter that has an essential role in tumour growth and progression. Although ASCT2 is highly expressed in various cancer cells, the clinicopathological significance of its expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear.

Methods:

One hundred and four patients with surgically resected NSCLC were evaluated as one institutional cohort. Tumour sections were stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for ASCT2, Ki-67, phospho-mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), and CD34 to assess the microvessel density. Two hundred and four patients with NSCLC were also validated by IHC from an independent cohort.

Results:

ASC amino-acid transporter 2 was expressed in 66% of patients, and was closely correlated with disease stage, lymphatic permeation, vascular invasion, CD98, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and mTOR phosphorylation, particularly in patients with adenocarcinoma (AC). Moreover, two independent cohorts confirmed that ASCT2 was an independent marker for poor outcome in AC patients.

Conclusions:

ASC amino-acid transporter 2 expression has a crucial role in the metastasis of pulmonary AC, and is a potential molecular marker for predicting poor prognosis after surgery.

Clinical utility of preoperative evaluation of bronchial arteries by three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography for esophageal cancer surgery

An identification of bronchial arteries (BAs) is critical in esophageal cancer surgery to avoid tracheobronchial ischemia and unexpected massive bleeding during surgical procedure particularly in thoracoscopic video-assisted esophagectomy. We describe the efficacy of three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) of BAs for preoperative evaluation in esophageal cancer surgery. Sixty-four patients with esophageal cancer who preoperatively underwent multidetector computed tomography examination were included in this study. We evaluated the number, origin, and intraoperative preservation rate of BAs, and we compared the number of thoracic paratracheal lymph nodes harvested between two groups comprising patients who either underwent preoperative 3D-CTA of BAs (3D-CTA group) or did not (non-3D-CTA group). The right and left BAs were preoperatively identified in 62 patients (97%) and 55 patients (86%), respectively, using 3D-CTA. In 34 patients (53%), the right BA originated as a common trunk with the right intercostal artery. In 48 patients (75%), the left BA originated from the descending aorta as a single or double branch. Some anomalies such as the right BA originated from the left subclavian artery were observed. In all patients, either the right or the left BA was preserved. The number of harvested lymph nodes in left side of paratrachea was significantly increased in 3D-CTA group, than those in non-3D-CTA group. 3D-CTA clearly revealed BA anatomy, contributing to BA preservation and safe and precise lymphadenectomy in esophageal cancer surgery. 3D-CTA of BAs is useful for preoperative evaluation in esophageal cancer surgery.

Abstract P3-06-29: Change of circulating tumor cells before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with primary breast cancer

Background: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood may represent the possible presence of early tumor dissemination. However, relatively few studies were designed to investigate the change of CTC status by adjuvant chemotherapy in operable breast cancer patients.

Patients and methods: Peripheral blood (7.5ml) was collected from 95 patients with stage II/III breast cancer before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). NAC consisted of anthracycline and paclitaxel chemotherapy and additional trastuzumab treatment for patients with HER2-positive tumors.

Results: The average age of patients was 52.6 year old (median 52.0). One or more CTCs were detected in 18 (18.9%) of 95 patients. CTCs were detected in 6 (12.0%) of 50 patients with clinical stage II disease and 12 (26.7%) of 45 patients with clinical stage III disease. According to tumor subtypes, CTCs were detected in 5 (17.9%) of 28 patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive and HER2-negative tumors (L subtype), 3 (12.5%) of 24 patients with HR-positive and HER2-positive tumors (L-H subtype), 4 (22.2%) of 18 patients with HR-negative and HER2-positive tumors (H subtype), and 6 (24.0%) of 25 patients with HR-negative and HER2-negative tumors (TN subtype). After NAC, 17 (94.4%) of 18 patients who were CTC-positive before chemotherapy changed into negative status. 30 (31.6%) of 95 patients had a pathologic complete response (pCR) after NAC. There was no correlation between CTC status before NAC and pathological response. At the median follow up of 27 months, distant metastasis was observed in 9 patients (9.5%). Patients with clinical stage III, TN subtype, or non-pCR had a significantly worse disease-free survival (DFS). However, CTC status before NAC was not a significant prognostic factor.

Conclusion: NAC has a significant impact on CTC status irrespective of tumor subtypes. CTC status before NAC was not a significant prognostic factor in this study. The reason of which may be that most of patients showing positive for CTCs before NAC have changed into negative after NAC.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-06-29.

Radiotherapy, including sentinel lymph node, to superficial cancer of esophagus

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Background: It is known that esophageal cancer frequently causes lymph node metastasis. Even if relatively early stage of esophageal cancer, reaching muscularis mucosae (T1a-MM: Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer) causes subclinical node metastasis to about 10%. So when radiation therapy (RT) is administered to these patients, field of irradiation should include the areas where subclinical node metastasis may exist. But the wider field of irradiation is, the more likely adeverse event is to occur. In this study, we examined utility of RT based on sentinel lymph node (SLN) theory.

Methods: Before irradiation, Tc-99m tin colloid solution was endoscopically injected to the submucosal layer around the primary tumor and lymphoscintigraphy was examined to detect SLNs. And the irradiation field was planned as SLN regions were included. Patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) that reach cT1a-MM or cT1b and patients with ESCC who had underwent endoscopic resection and pathologically diagnosed pT1a-MM or pT1b were eligible if they had clinically no lymph node metastasis, no distant metastasis and no advanced cancer in other site. Between April 2001 and December 2009, 17 of these patients were received RT based on SLN theory. We retrospectively examined them.

Results: Characteristics of the 17 pts were: median age; 67 (58-82), male/female; 15/2, T1a-MM/T1b-SM1/T1b-SM2; 4/2/11, definitive RT/adjuvant RT; 10/7, RT alone/concurrent chemoradiotherapy; 1/16. Average dose of irradiation was 57.0 ± 6.4Gy. Median follow-up is 81.4 months (7.9-127.2). Ten pts with definitive RT gained complete remission. Two minor local relapses of the primary tumors were observed. They underwent salvage endoscopic resection and survive without other relapse. There was no treatment related death. Grade 3 or 4 late toxicity was not observed.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Availability of sentinel node as predictive index of lymph node metastases to early-stage gastric cancer surgery

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Background: Recently, the less invasive surgery for the early gastric cancer attract considerable attention, in particular, sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS) is expected to be a new strategy. We analyzed the feasibility of sentinel node (SN) biopsy and its accuracy in predicting the lymph node status in patients with early gastric cancer.

Methods: Between 1999 and 2009, we have performed the gastrectomy with SN biopsy during an operation in over 500 cases. We focused attention on 115 patients with cT1N0, less or equal 40 mm in size, and isolated gastric cancer and they had undergone the individualized minimizing gastrectomy. Proximal, pylorus-preserving gastrectomy and wedge resections were performed in 51, 54 and 10 patients, respectively. We used a dual procedure with dye- and gamma probe-guided techniques for SN mapping and resected SN and non-SN as was conventionally done for the safety.

Results: Subjects were 85 males and 30 females with a mean age of 63.4 years. 53 patients had undergone laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy. The mean number of SNs was 4.3/case. Of the four patients were SN positive and false-negative was found in one case. The sensitivity of detecting metastases was 80.0% (4/5) and the accuracy was 99.1% (114/115). One case had a recurrence in the liver and no cases without SN metastasis were confirmed any recurrences and metastases.

Conclusions: This study showed the diagnostic accuracy of metastasis based on SN was very high, and the minimized resection and lymphadenectomy could be performed safely.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A case of Helicobacter pylori infection complicated with gastric cancer, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura successfully treated with laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy and splenectomy

Helicobacter pylori infection plays a key role in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated diseases, including gastroduodenal and non-gastroduodenal diseases. A 71-year-old man was evaluated for a positive fecal occult blood test by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which revealed H. pylori infection, two adenocarcinomas and two gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas. Hematological examination revealed low platelet-count, elevated platelet-associated immunoglobulin G and anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G antibodies. We diagnosed H. pylori infection complicated by simultaneous occurrence of gastric cancer, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. These diseases were successfully treated with laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy and splenectomy, and there was no evidence of recurrence for about 2 years. This is the first reported case of H. pylori infection complicated by these three diseases and cured with laparoscopic surgery.

Validation study of sentinel lymph node mapping using radio- and dye-guided methods in gastric cancer: 431 cases at a single institution

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Background: Some papers have reported that sentinel lymph node (SLN) concept can be applied in patients with early gastric cancer, in particular clinically T1N0M0 or T2N0M0 with a tumor diameter of 4cm or less. Little is, however, available on the SLN study with the other criteria than listed above. The aim of the present work was to investigate the accuracy of the SLN biopsy of gastric cancer with various stages and evaluate the indication for SLN navigated gastrectomy.

Methods: A total of 431 consecutive patients were diagnosed with operable gastric cancer during the period April 1999 through December 2007. Reasons for inclusion were, in principle, T1N0M0 or T2N0M0 gastric cancer. However, several patients diagnosed preoperatively with T3N0M0, T2N1M0, remnant gastric cancer, multiple gastric cancers and additional treatment after endoscopic therapy were also enrolled in this study according to their request. All patients underwent a radical gastrectomy with SLN mapping with an informed consent. The SLNs were identified using both radio-guided and dye-guided method.

Results: Detection rate of hot and/or blue node was 95.8% (413/431). The accuracy of metastatic status based on SLN was 97.6% (403/413). In six of 10 false-negative cases, some clinical backgrounds and problems were present; scirrhous gastric cancer, the tumor penetration of serosa, multiple lesions, remnant gastric cancer after partial resection and the technical issue of tracer injection. Nine of these 10 false-negative cases had the metastatic lymph nodes within only the sentinel basins. Specifically, in the group of clinically T1N0M0 untreated gastric cancer with a tumor diameter of 4 cm or less, there were only 3 false- negative cases. In addition, all the metastatic lymph nodes of the 3 cases located within the sentinel basins.

Conclusions: Our study suggested that SLN concept for untreated early gastric cancer could be validated. The sentinel basin dissection might be used to advantage to improve curativity for gastric cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Improvement of cardio-ankle vascular index by glimepiride in type 2 diabetic patients

AIMS

Glimepiride, a third generation sulfonylurea (SU), is known to have extrapancreatic effects, but its vascular effect is unclear. We investigated the efficacy of glimepiride in improving arterial stiffness assessed by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in type 2 diabetic patients, compared with glibenclamide, a conventional SU.

METHODS

Forty type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to two groups. One group was administered glimepiride 1.5 mg/day, and the other group was administered glibenclamide 1.25 mg/day for 6 months.

RESULTS

No significant difference in hypoglycaemic effect was observed between two groups. CAVI significantly decreased only in glimepiride group (9.4 ± 1.4→8.9 ± 0.8, p < 0.05). Decrease in CAVI was greater in glimepiride group than in glibenclamide group (-0.50 ± 0.98 vs. -0.04 ± 0.57, p = 0.048). Urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) decreased in glimepiride group and increased in glibenclamide group, and the changes were significantly different between groups (-1.5 ± 3.5 vs. + 1.8 ± 3.6, p = 0.009); whereas serum lipoprotein lipase mass increased in glibenclamide group and decreased in glibenclamide group, and the changes tended to be different between groups (+ 2.1 ± 19.1 vs. -7.4 ± 19.2, p = 0.096). Change in urinary 8-OHdG was a significant independent predictor for change in CAVI in all subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that glimepiride improves CAVI compared with glibenclamide. Reduced oxidative stress and improved insulin resistance may contribute to the improvement of CAVI by glimerpiride.

Clinicopathological and therapeutic significance of CXCL12 expression in lung cancer

Interactions between CXCL12 and its receptors CXCR4 or CXCR7 are involved in tumor growth and metastasis in various types of human cancer. However, CXCL12 expression and its role in lung cancer are not fully elucidated. Here we examined the expression of CXCL12 in 54 lung cancer cell lines consisting of 23 small cell lung cancers (SCLCs) and 31 non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). CXCL12 was overexpressed in lung cancer cell lines compared to non-malignant human bronchial epithelial cell lines (N = 6). CXCL12 expression was positively but weakly correlated with the expression of CXCR4 or CXCR7. We also examined CXCL12 expression in 89 NSCLC specimens and found that CXCL12 expression was significantly higher in tumor specimens from female patients, non-smokers and adenocarcinoma patients. Small interfering RNAs targeting CXCL12 inhibited cellular proliferation, colony formation and migration of CXCL12-overexpressing lung cancer cells; however, this inhibition did not occur in lung cancer cells that lacked CXCL12. Furthermore, the anti-CXCL12 neutralizing antibody mediated inhibitory effects in three lung cancer cell lines that overexpressed CXCL12, but not in two CXCL12 non-expressing lung cancer cell lines nor two non-malignant bronchial epithelial cell lines. The present study demonstrates that: CXCL12 is concomitantly overexpressed with CXCR4 or CXCR7 in lung cancers; CXCL12 is highly expressed in NSCLCs from females, non-smokers and adenocarcinoma patients; and disruption of CXCL12 inhibits the growth and migration of lung cancer cells. Our findings indicate that CXCL12 is required for tumor growth and provide a rationale for the anti-CXCL12 treatment strategy in lung cancer.

Prediction of anti-tumour effect of thermochemotherapy within vitrothermochemosensitivity testing for non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

We investigated whether it is possible to predict the antitumour effects of thermochemotherapy from the results of anticancer agent sensitivity testing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We produced a nude mouse cancer model using 4 lung cancer cell lines. Animals were divided into 4 groups: Thermotherapy (HT group), chemotherapy (CT group), thermochemotherapy (HT+CT group), and no therapy (NT group). Comparison of in vivo and in vitro effects were performed using cisplatin (CDDP), doxorubicin (ADR) and vinorelbine (NVB). In vivo thermotherapy was performed using the Thermotron RF IV, and radiofrequency (RF) capacitative hyperthermia device that induces a localised temperature of 42.0 degrees C for 45 min. The collagen gel embedded culture drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) was used for in vitro chemosensitivity analysis of the anticancer agents. In vitro thermochemotherapy was performed using a modified CD-DST method, with the incubator set at 42.0 degrees for the first hour of the 24 hours drug exposure period.

RESULTS

A good correlation was seen between in vivo and in vitro treated/control ratios (T/C%) in the HT group (R = 0.91, p = 0.09). Good correlations were also seen between in vivo and in vitro T/C in all cell lines in the CT group (R = 0.759, p = 0.09) and the HT+CT group (R = 0.65, p = 0.02). True positive rate was 87.5% (7/8), and true negative rate was 100% (4/4). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 100% (7/7), 80% (4/5), and 91.7% (11/12) respectively.

CONCLUSION

A modified CD-DST using an exposure temperature of 42 degrees C can be used to predict the antitumour effect of thermochemotherapy.

[Clinical application of sentinel node navigation surgery for esophageal cancer]

In esophageal cancer, sentinel nodes (SNs) are identified as multiple nodes and widely spread from cervical to abdominal areas. In more than 80% of the cases, at least one SN is located in the 2nd or 3rd compartment of regional lymph nodes which have been considered to be "skip metastases". This characteristic distribution of SNs is attributed to the multi-directional lymphatic drainage routes from the esophagus. Clinical application of SN navigation surgery will be expected to play a key role for intraoperative diagnosis for lymph node metastasis and individualized multimodal therapy in patients with cT1N0 esophageal cancer.

Congenital duplication of lower extremity--a case report and review of the literature

Congenital duplication of the lower extremity is quite rare. Only 26 cases have been reported so far. A female infant with incomplete duplication of lower limb and with hypothyroidism was reported. Her mother's pregnancy and delivery was uneventful. A tube-like skin tissue was found on the posterior aspect of the infant's left thigh. Her left foot presented equinovarus deformity. There were three extra toes on the plantar side of her foot. A band of skin with a thin horny layer, similar to the dorsal surface, could be seen on the sole. The skin tube on the thigh was simply resected. A neuro-vascular-islanded toe was made from the plantar toes and rotated to restore five toes on the foot. The transferred toe thrived in accordance with the surrounding toes. The patient could run without difficulty at the age of 3. Previous reports about this case are summarised and reviewed here.

The oro-ileal transit of cellulose

The effects of cellulose and the interindividual variations on the transit time in the small intestine remain unclear, but no previous study has to date taken these factors into sufficient consideration. We assessed the oro-ileal transit time and the recovery percentage of cellulose in the terminal ileum looking at interindividual variations. Seven healthy males received 100 mL of a dietary fiber-free basal diet with 5 g cellulose and 5 g of polyethylene glycol 4000. The ileal contents were aspirated every 30 min via an experimental tube placed in the terminal ileum to assess the oro-ileal transit time and the recovery percentage of cellulose. The mean percentage (with standard deviation) of the amounts of cellulose collected in the terminal ileum was 98.4%+/- 16.5% (ranging from 67.4% to 114.5%) with a coefficient variation of 16.8%. The average times (in hours) taken for 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of cellulose to reach the terminal ileum were 5.5 +/- 1.1, 6.7 +/- 0.7, 8.5 +/- 1.3, and 8.8 +/- 1.2, respectively, with large interindividual variations. In conclusion, the averaged recovery percentage of cellulose in the terminal ileum was approximately 100%, in accordance with the present generally accepted definition of dietary fiber. However, there were large interindividual variations in the oro-ileal transit time and the percentage of cellulose recovered.

Effects of long-term training on neutrophil function in male university judoists

OBJECTIVES

To clarify the effects of high-intensity and high-frequency long-term/chronic training on neutrophil function and serum levels of myogenic enzymes in male university judoists.

METHODS

The subjects were 24 male judoists who had stopped judo training for 6 months and then restarted their training. The following parameters were examined before and after a 2 h unified exercise loading (UEL) at the beginning of the restarted quotidian training (pre-training) and at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months thereafter: myogenic enzymes, neutrophil and leucocyte counts, and neutrophil phagocytic activity (PA) and oxidative burst activity as a measure of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability.

RESULTS

Myogenic enzymes that were measured after UEL at all four points significantly increased except for creatine kinase at the 2-month point (p<0.01 in each) and neutrophil counts significantly increased after UEL at the pre-training, 2-month and 4-month points (p<0.01 in each), but these changes became smaller from the 2-month point. PA significantly decreased after UEL at the pre-training and 2-month points (p<0.01 in each), but no change was seen at the 4-month and 6-month points. On the other hand, no change in ROS production per cell after UEL was seen at the pre-training point, but it significantly increased after UEL at the 2-month, 4-month and 6-month points (p<0.01 in each).

CONCLUSION

The changing rate of the levels of UEL-mediated myogenic enzymes, neutrophil mobilisation and neutrophil function was seen to decrease at the 2-month, 4-month and 6-month assessments, compared with the pre-training point: these may comprise at least some of the long-term training effects.