Photodynamic therapy during second surgery for recurrent gliomas improves survival

BackgroundGlioma accounts for most central nervous system tumors, and the degree of invasion and malignancy are higher in the recurrent glioma. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective strategy in glioma. This study aimed to explore the risk factors for re-recurrence after a second glioma surgery and the effects of PDT on re-recurrence.MethodsThis was a retrospective study in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University in China, and 43 patients that received the secondary surgery for recurrent glioma were included. The Kaplan-Meier test and Cox proportional hazard method were used to analyze.ResultsThe total re-recurrence rate after the second surgery for recurrent glioma was 48.84%. When the age increased by 1, the risk of re-recurrence increased 1.065 times (95% CI 1.000–1.134, P = 0.049). High matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 expression was associated with a significantly higher risk of re-recurrence than low MMP2 expression (HR = 25.550, 95% CI 3.190–204.650, P = 0.002). Pathological grades IV and III were associated with a significantly higher risk of re-recurrence than pathological grade II (HR = 17.121, 95% CI 2.345–124.986, P = 0.005; HR = 2863.470, 95% CI 100.697–81,427.197, P < 0.001). PDT decreased the risk of re-recurrence (HR = 25.550, 95% CI 3.190–204.650, P = 0.002) and increased survival time (HR = 3.611, 95% CI 1.012–12.888, P = 0.048).ConclusionThe age, MMP2 expression, and pathological grade are independent risk factors for re-recurrence after a second surgery for recurrent glioma. PDT during the second surgery decreased the risk of re-recurrence and increased survival time.     

Barrett’s esophagus: Review of natural history and comparative efficacy of endoscopic and surgical therapies

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Progression to cancer typically occurs in a stepwise fashion through worsening dysplasia and ultimately, invasive neoplasia. Established EAC with deep involvement of the esophageal wall and/or metastatic disease is invariably associated with poor long-term survival rates. This guides the rationale of surveillance of Barrett’s in an attempt to treat lesions at an earlier, and potentially curative stage. The last two decades have seen a paradigm shift in management of Barrett’s with rapid expansion in the role of endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) for management of dysplastic and early neoplastic BE, and there have been substantial changes to international consensus guidelines for management of early BE based on evolving evidence. This review aims to assist the physician in the therapeutic decision-making process with patients by comprehensive review and summary of literature surrounding natural history of Barrett’s by histological stage, and the effectiveness of interventions in attenuating the risk posed by its natural history. Key findings were as follows. Non-dysplastic Barrett’s is associated with extremely low risk of progression, and interventions cannot be justified. The annual risk of cancer progression in low grade dysplasia is between 1%-3%; EET can be offered though evidence for its benefit remains confined to highly select settings. High-grade dysplasia progresses to cancer in 5%-10% per year; EET is similarly effective to and less morbid than surgery and should be routinely performed for this indication. Risk of nodal metastases in intramucosal cancer is 2%-4%, which is comparable to operative mortality rate, so EET is usually preferred. Submucosal cancer is associated with nodal metastases in 14%-41% hence surgery remains standard of care, except for select situations.     

Effectiveness and safety of extracorporeal shock wave treatment for low back pain：a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs

This meta-analysis was designed to assess the effectiveness and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for patients with low back pain (LBP). Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane's library, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data were searched until December 2019 to identify studies assessing the effectiveness and safety of EPSW for LBP. The prime outcome is pain intensity measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) or numeric rating scale (NRS). Other outcomes included functional status, quality of life, psychological outcomes measured by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), as well as the adverse events. Mean differences (MD) were calculated for continuous outcomes, while odd ratios (OR) were calculated for binary outcomes. Revman 5.3 software was used for statistical analysis. Five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were finally included in this meta-analysis. The pooled mean difference in post-treatment pain scores was −2.37 (P ＜0.0001), indicating that post-treatment pain scores was significantly higher by 2.37 in control group than in ESWT group. At a mean follow-up time of 4–6 weeks, the pooled mean difference in ODI scores was −14.10 (P ＜0.00001), indicating that the pooled mean difference of post-treatment ODI scores was 14.10 higher in control group than in ESWT group. The use of ESWT is effective in alleviating pain and improving the general functional state for patients with LBP. However, more evidence was needed to verify its safety.     

中西医结合治疗卵巢储备功能减退患者成功妊娠二例并文献复习

卵巢储备功能减退（diminished ovarian reserve，DOR）是卵巢因素所致不孕症的主要原因之一，西医临床治疗方法主要依赖于口服提高卵巢储备功能的药物、人工激素周期替代疗法和辅助生殖技术助孕，中医运用补肾健脾法治疗DOR具有不良反应少、疗效持久、治疗手段多样化等优势。报告2例在常规西医治疗基础上应用中医补肾健脾法综合治疗DOR患者成功妊娠的情况，强调个体化中西医结合治疗方案对于解决疑难病证的重要性，为临床应用中医药治疗DOR患者提供证据。     

血液系统肿瘤患者的营养治疗专家共识

血液系统肿瘤患者诊治过程中普遍存在营养不良，化疗作为血液系统肿瘤最重要的治疗手段，进一步加剧患者的营养不 良，其最主要的原因是化疗引起的恶心、呕吐及摄食减少。诱导治疗后C反应蛋白的显著升高，提示感染发生率及炎症水平均较高， 这在一定程度上可能干扰机体代谢、加剧营养状态的恶化。血液系统肿瘤患者的营养不良表现为体质指数异常、人体成分异常、整体/ 综合评估异常和生化指标异常。血液系统肿瘤患者营养治疗的原则与其他肿瘤类似，肠内营养为主，肠外营养为辅。但是，需要注意 补充特殊营养剂：①谷氨酰胺；②针对“粒细胞减少”的饮食；③ω‐3多不饱和脂肪酸；④牛初乳及大豆饮食。通过营养筛查和评估，为 处于不同治疗阶段的血液系统肿瘤患者制定营养治疗方案，及时、恰当地进行个体化营养治疗，可显著改善血液系统肿瘤患者营养状 况、预防营养不良及相关并发症，降低治疗相关不良反应风险，提高耐受性、疗效及生活质量。