Laparoscopic versus open pancreatoduodenectomy: an individual participant data meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundRandomized trials have compared laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy (LPD) to open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD) with conflicting results. An IPDMA may give more insight into the differences between LPD and OPD, and could identify high-risk subgroups.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed in the Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane library databases (October 2019). Out of 1410 studies, three randomized trials were identified. Primary outcome was major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III). Subgroup analyses were performed for high-risk subgroups including patients with BMI of ≥25 kg/m2, pancreatic duct <3 mm, age ≥70 years, and malignancy.ResultsData from 224 patients were collected. After LPD, major complications occurred in 33/114 (29%) patients compared to 34/110 (31%) patients after OPD (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3–1.4, P = 0.257). No differences were seen for major complications and 90-day mortality LPD 8 (7%) vs OPD 4 (4%) (adjusted OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.02–1.3, P = 0.080). With LPD, operative time was longer (420 vs 318 min, p < 0.001) and hospital stay was shorter (mean difference ?6.97 days). Outcomes remained stable in the high-risk subgroups.ConclusionLPD did not reduce the rate of major postoperative complications as compared to OPD. LPD increased operative time and shortened hospital stay with 7 days.     

Real-time screening tool for identifying post-traumatic stress disorder in facial trauma patients in a UK maxillofacial trauma clinic

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a distressing consequence of a traumatic event associated with an increased suicide risk and reduced quality of life. Surgeons often have low confidence in identifying psychological problems. The prevalence of PTSD following facial trauma ranges from 23% to 41%. This highlights the importance of identifying and managing at-risk patients to optimize both mental and physical recovery. IMPARTS (Integrating Mental and Physical healthcare: Research, Training and Services) provides electronic screening tools to guide the non-mental health clinician in the ‘real-time’ identification, documentation, and management of potential mental health problems. The bespoke IMPARTS facial trauma screening tool was piloted in a UK oral and maxillofacial surgery trauma clinic from July 2015 to November 2017. A total of 199 patients completed screening, with 48 (24%) screening positive for possible PTSD. Further analysis of these 48 patients revealed that four (8%) had PTSD symptoms alone; three (6%) also screened positive for depression, 17 (35%) for co-existing symptoms of anxiety, and 24 (50%) for PTSD, anxiety, and depression. IMPARTS was found to be a highly effective tool aiding the non-mental health clinician to screen for PTSD and initiate prompt management. The data captured informs planning of the psychological support service.     

基于倾向性评分匹配的聚乙二醇化重组人粒细胞刺激因子预防宫颈癌同步放化疗中性粒细胞减少症效果分析

目的 探讨聚乙二醇化重组人粒细胞刺激因子（PEG-rhG-CSF）在宫颈癌同步放化疗中预防中性粒细胞减少的疗效及安全性。方法 按单中心单臂历史对照研究,选取2019年6月—2021年1月32例符合入排条件,拟行同步放化疗的宫颈癌患者组成试验组,同时搜集2017年1月—2019年6月行同步放化疗且符合对照组治疗方案的宫颈癌患者病历资料,按1∶1倾向性评分匹配法组成对照组。试验组为前瞻性入组,患者第1次化疗给药结束24 h后sc聚乙二醇化重组人粒细胞刺激因子注射液,每次6 mg,每化疗周期1次,共给药2次。若使用PEG-rhG-CSF预防后,中性粒细胞计数（ANC）仍＜1.0×109·L^-1,可给予短效重组人粒细胞刺激因子注射液5 μg·kg^-1,sc给药,直至ANC≥2.0×109·L^-1。对照组患者采用倾向性评分匹配既往同步放化疗的宫颈癌患者,初始不给予PEG-rhG-CSF,当患者出现ANC＜1.0×109·L^-1后sc给予重组人粒细胞刺激因子注射液,5 μg·kg^-1,持续使用,每日1次,直至ANC≥2.0×109·L^-1。记录两组患者3、4度中性粒细胞减少症发生率及持续时间;粒细胞减少性发热（FN）发生率;中性粒细胞减少导致化疗延迟和放疗中断发生率;评价两组不良反应情况,包括乏力、骨关节痛、发热、皮肤黏膜反应、恶心及呕吐等。结果 试验组与对照组各32例,两组基线均衡。试验组中性粒细胞减少症发生率59.4%,对照组为84.3%,试验组显著低于对照组（P＜0.05）;3、4度中性粒细胞减少症发生率试验组为31.3%（10/32）,对照组为56.3%（18/32）,试验组显著低于对照组（P＜0.05）。3度中性粒细胞减少持续时间,试验组中位时间为0 d（0～29 d）,显著低于对照组2 d（0～38 d）;4度中性粒细胞减少持续时间,试验组中位时间为0 d（0～22 d）,显著低于对照组1 d（0～38 d）。两组FN发生率比较无明显差异,但试验组有降低趋势。试验组放疗中断1例,对照组2例,两组比较无显著统计学差异（P＞0.05）;试验组延迟化疗出现4例（12.5%）,对照组出现12例（37.5%）,两组比较差异显著（P＜0.05）。两组不良反应主要包括乏力、骨关节痛、发热、皮肤黏膜反应、恶心及呕吐等,组间比较,差异不显著（P＞0.05）。结论 宫颈癌同步放化疗过程中预防性应用PEG-rhG-CSF具有安全性、有效性,可以降低中性粒细胞减少症发生率,减少FN和不良反应,避免治疗延迟。     

S100P在胃癌中的下调表达及意义

目的探讨S100P在胃癌组织中的表达情况及与胃癌临床病理参数间的关系。方法选取93例胃癌石蜡组织标本及相对应的部分冻存胃癌组织及其配对正常组织为研究对象,应用免疫组织化学、RT-PCR、Western Blot方法检测S100P在胃癌及癌旁组织中的表达。结果免疫组织化学分析表明,胃癌中S100P蛋白主要定位于胞质和胞核,在52.7% (49/93)的胃癌组织和几乎所有的正常胃黏膜中可检测到表达,与正常胃黏膜相比,胃癌组织中的表达明显下调,其下调表达与患者肿瘤的侵袭深度(P=0.006)及肿瘤的大小相关(P=0.001)。同时,S100P在核酸和蛋白水平的表达具有相关性（P=0.030）,不能够作为独立的预后因素（P=0.347）。结论S100P在胃癌组织中表达下调,其表达与肿瘤的侵袭转移及肿瘤大小相关,并可以作为判断患者预后的辅助指标。     

Homeopathic Agents or Vitamins in Reducing Ecchymosis after Oculofacial Surgery: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

PurposeTo review the published literature to determine the efficacy and safety of homeopathic agents or vitamins in reducing ecchymosis after oculofacial surgery or laser surgery.MethodsA literature search was conducted in the PubMed database initially in December 2019 and updated in March 2020 to identify all studies in the English language literature on the use of homeopathic agents or vitamins in oculofacial procedures, including laser surgery. The search yielded 124 citations, and 11 articles met all inclusion criteria for this assessment. A panel methodologist then assigned a level of evidence rating for each study. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria; 9 were rated level I, and 2 were rated level III.ResultsThe agents studied in the articles identified included oral or topical Arnica montana (AM), oral Melilotus extract, topical vitamin K oxide, and topical AM combined with Rhododendron tomentosum. Metrics to describe ecchymosis varied. In 7 controlled studies, perioperative AM provided no or negligible benefit versus placebo. In 2 studies, vitamin K cream was equivalent to placebo. One study of oral Melilotus extract had less ecchymosis compared with controls in paranasal and eyelid ecchymosis at postoperative day (POD) 7, but not at PODs 1 and 4. A lone cohort study of combined topical AM and R. tomentosum lacked objective metrics and adequate controls. No serious side effects from administration of homeopathic agents or vitamins were identified.ConclusionsThe current literature does not support the use of AM, vitamin K oxide, R. tomentosum, or Melilotus extract for reducing ecchymosis after oculofacial surgery or pulsed dye laser surgery.     

Thallium-201 myocardial SPECT in left bundle branch block: Diagnosis of myocardial ischemia with a disease-specific reference database

Background  The aim of this study was to assess the value of a myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) reference file for patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB). Methods and Results  Tl-201 stress-redistribution myocardial perfusion SPECT studies of patients with complete, permanent LBBB were reviewed retrospectively. To develop a reference database, 18 patients with a low likelihood of coronary artery disease (CAD) were selected. Left ventricular regional average and standard deviation (SD) values of the reference file images were calculated. The diagnostic performance was tested on perfusion images of 49 patients with LBBB, undergoing both scintigraphic and coronary angiographic evaluation, and was compared with a commercial quantitative analysis system using a general reference database. The LBBB reference file performed significantly better in detecting epicardial CAD than did the general reference database (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve 0.835 ± 0.06 vs 0.580 ± 0.08, p < .01). Disease localization also was improved significantly in the territory of the left anterior descending and of the right coronary arteries. Conclusions  The use of a reference file of patients with LBBB and a low likelihood of CAD aids the detection and the localization of myocardial ischemia on Tl-201 myocardial SPECT images of this patient group. The authors thank Professor Mátyás Keltai MD and István Szilvási MD for valuable discussions. The authors also thank József Turák (Mediso Ltd., Budapest, Hungary) for providing technical information on the Interview image processing system.     

PROMOTER HYPERMETHYLATION OF p16 GENE IN PRE- AND POST-OPERATIVE PLASMA OF PATIENTS WITH GASTRIC ADENOCARCINOMA

Objective: To detect promoter hypermethylation of p16 gene in matched pre- and post-operative plasma of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma for evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention. Methods: Tissue samples, pre- and post-operative plasma of 84 patients were collected. Plasma of 15 healthy people was collected as control. After sodium-bisulfite treatment, extracted DNA was amplified for p16 promoter by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). The PCR products were detected by both gel-ethidium bromide electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatogram (HPLC). Results: Among 84 patients, p16 hypermethylation was detected in 26 (31.0%) cancer tissues and 2 (0.02%) tumor-adjacent tissues and 12 (14.3%) pre-operative plasma, while negative in plasma of healthy people. For positive plasma cases, the paired tumor tissues were confirmed to be methylated.Within available 30 pairs of matched pre- and post-operative plasma, 6 pre-operative plasma was positive, and only 1 of 6 plasma remained hypermethylated after surgery. The results detected by HPLC exactly matched those by gel-electrophoresis. Conclusion: The alteration of status of p16 hypermethylation in post-operative plasma is considered the consequences of surgical intervention. Although p16 hypermethylation has no role in pre-operative staging of gastric cancer, detecting hypermethylated p16 in plasma could be utilized in monitoring patients after surgery.     

Efficacy of denosumab in joint preservation for patients with giant cell tumour of the bone

BackgroundGiant cell tumour of the bone (GCTB) is an aggressive osteolytic primary tumour. GCTB is rich in osteoclast-like giant cells and contains mononuclear cells that express RANK ligand (RANKL), a key mediator of osteoclast activation. The potential therapeutic effect of denosumab was investigated with special reference to its role in joint preservation.MethodsIn this prospective non-randomised study patients with GCTB received denosumab for 6–11 months preoperatively. Serial radiographs and biopsy and resection tumour specimens were used to monitor response to denosumab.ResultsAll 20 patients experienced pain relief in the first month of treatment. All patients demonstrated a positive radiographic response with improved subchondral and cortical bone which allowed intralesional tumour resection and preservation of the joint and articular surface in 18 cases. Histological examination following denosumab revealed rarely detectable osteoclast-like giant cells. There was an obvious increase in osteoid matrix and woven bone which showed rare RANK staining amongst the mononuclear cells and only focal RANKL positivity. At median 30 months follow-up after resection, local tumour recurrence occurred in three patients.ConclusionDenosumab provides favourable and consistent clinical, radiographic and pathologic responses which facilitates less aggressive surgical treatment, especially joint preservation. However, the local recurrence rate for GCTB following resection does not seem to be affected by denosumab and remains a concern.     

Relationships Among Perceived Social Support,Family Resilience,and Caregiver Burden in Lung Cancer Families: A Mediating Model

ObjectivesTo identify the factors associated with caregiver burden in Chinese lung cancer families and to detect whether family resilience mediates the effect of perceived social support on caregiver burden.Data SourcesFrom October 2021 to March 2022, a total of 213 family caregivers of patients with lung cancer from a public hospital in Sichuan Province, China, completed the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and the Family Resilience Assessment Scale (FRAS). The Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to identify the influencing factors of family caregiver burden, and the bootstrapping method was conducted to detect the mediating role of family resilience.ConclusionIn this study, family caregiver burden could be influenced by caregiver age, caregivers’ relationships with patients, and patients’ self-care degree; family resilience was found to mediate the relationship between caregivers’ perceived social support and caregiver burden.Implication for Nursing PracticeOur study manifested that factor from both the patients’ and caregivers’ sides could influence caregiver burden of lung cancer family caregivers. The results provide further evidence that lung cancer care should be family-centered, and relevant family-supportive systems should be further developed in this field.