Long-term survival and postoperative complications of pre-liver transplantation transarterial chemoembolisation in hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesThe aim of this meta-analysis was to conduct a contemporary systematic review of high quality non-randomised controlled trials to determine the effect of pre-liver transplantation (LT) transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) on long-term survival and complications of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.BackgroundTACE is used as a neoadjuvant therapy to mitigate waitlist drop-out for patients with HCC awaiting LT. Previous studies have conflicting conclusions on the effect of TACE on long-term survival and complications of HCC patients undergoing LT.MethodsCINAHL, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science were systematically searched. Baseline characteristics included number of patients outside Milan criteria, tumour diameter, MELD score, and time on the waiting list. Primary outcomes included 3- and 5-year overall and disease-free survival. Secondary outcomes included tumour recurrence, 30-day postoperative mortality, and hepatic artery and biliary complications.ResultsTwenty-one high-quality NRCTs representing 8242 patients were included. Tumour diameter was significantly larger in TACE patients (3.49 cm vs 3.15 cm, P = 0.02) and time on the waiting list was significantly longer in TACE patients (4.87 months vs 3.46 months, P = 0.05), while MELD score was significantly higher in non-TACE patients (10.81 vs 12.35, P = 0.005). All primary and secondary outcomes displayed non-significant differences.ConclusionPatients treated with TACE had similar survival and postoperative outcomes to non-TACE patients, however, they had worse prognostic features compared to non-TACE patients. These findings strongly support the current US and European clinical practice guidelines that neoadjuvant TACE can be used for patients with longer expected waiting list times (specifically >6 months). Randomised controlled trials would be needed to increase the quality of evidence.     

Performance of risk prediction models for post-operative mortality in patients undergoing liver resection

BackgroundLiver resection is commonly performed for hepatic tumors, however preoperative risk stratification remains challenging. We evaluated the performance of contemporary prediction models for short-term mortality after liver resection in patients with and without cirrhosis.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study examined National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data. We included patients who underwent liver resections from 2014 to 2019. VOCAL-Penn, MELD, MELD-Na, ALBI, and Mayo risk scores were evaluated in terms of model discrimination and calibration for 30-day post-operative mortality.ResultsA total 15,198 patients underwent liver resection, of whom 249 (1.6%) experienced 30-day post-operative mortality. The VOCAL-Penn score had the highest discrimination (area under the ROC curve [AUC] 0.74) compared to all other models. The VOCAL-Penn score similarly outperformed other models in patients with (AUC 0.70) and without (AUC 0.74) cirrhosis.ConclusionThe VOCAL-Penn score demonstrated superior predictive performance for 30-day post-operative mortality after liver resection as compared to existing clinical standards.     

Hepatitis B and circadian rhythm of the liver

The circadian rhythm in humans is determined by the central clock located in the hypothalamus’s suprachiasmatic nucleus, and it synchronizes the peripheral clocks in other tissues. Circadian clock genes and clock-controlled genes exist in almost all cell types. They have an essential role in many physiological processes, including lipid metabolism in the liver, regulation of the immune system, and the severity of infections. In addition, circadian rhythm genes can stimulate the immune response of host cells to virus infection. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading cause of liver disease and liver cancer globally. HBV infection depends on the host cell, and hepatocyte circadian rhythm genes are associated with HBV replication, survival, and spread. The core circadian rhythm proteins, REV-ERB and brain and muscle ARNTL-like protein 1, have a crucial role in HBV replication in hepatocytes. In addition to influencing the virus’s life cycle, the circadian rhythm also affects the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of antiviral vaccines. Therefore, it is vital to apply antiviral therapy at the appropriate time of day to reduce toxicity and improve the effectiveness of antiviral treatment. For these reasons, understanding the role of the circadian rhythm in the regulation of HBV infection and host responses to the virus provides us with a new perspective of the interplay of the circadian rhythm and anti-HBV therapy. Therefore, this review emphasizes the importance of the circadian rhythm in HBV infection and the optimization of antiviral treatment based on the circadian rhythm-dependent immune response.     

Role of surgical treatments in high-grade or advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms

Over the last 40 years, the incidence and prevalence of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) have continued to increase. Compared to other epithelial neoplasms in the same organ, GEP-NENs exhibit indolent biological behavior, resulting in more chances to undergo surgery. However, the role of surgery in high-grade or advanced GEP-NENs is still controversial. Surgery is associated with survival improvement of well-differentiated high-grade GEP-NENs, whereas poorly differentiated GEP-NENs that may benefit from resection require careful selection based on Ki67 and other tissue biomarkers. Additionally, surgery also plays an important role in locally advanced and metastatic disease. For locally advanced GEP-NENs, isolated major vascular involvement is no longer an absolute contraindication. In the setting of metastatic GEP-NENs, radical intended surgery is recommended for patients with low-grade and resectable metastases. For unresectable metastatic disease, a variety of surgical approaches, including cytoreduction of liver metastasis, liver transplantation, and surgery after neoadjuvant treatment, show survival benefits. Primary tumor resection in GEP-NENs with unresectable metastatic disease is associated with symptom control, prolonged survival, and improved sensitivity toward systemic therapies. Although there is no established neoadjuvant or adjuvant strategy, increasing attention has been given to this emerging research area. Some studies have reported that neoadjuvant therapy effectively reduces tumor burden, improves the effectiveness of subsequent surgery, and decreases surgical complications.     

Tratamiento del síndrome de Budd-Chiari agudo intraoperatorio mediante colocación de prótesis de silicona

Complete liver mobilization for major resections sometimes causes liver tilting due to the release of the suspensory elements of the liver. Rarely this may take to a liver abnormal position with acute obstruction to venous flow at the suprahepatic level (Budd-Chiari syndrome). To avoid this complication, techniques such as post-operative stent implantation have been described. The case of a patient who underwent a complete mobilization of the liver for resection of the inferiour venous cava and a right renal tumor, was reported. After that, an acute Budd-Chiari Syndrome was observed caused of the liver malposition, which was solved with the placement of two silicone prostheses in the liver cell.     

健脾生血片治疗慢性心力衰竭伴贫血的临床效果

目的:探索健脾生血片治疗慢性心力衰竭伴贫血的疗效、安全性和作用机制。方法:选取2016年5月至2017年2月同济医院收治的慢性心力衰竭贫血患者144例,按照随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组,每组72例。观察组给予健脾生血片治疗,3片/次,3次/d,疗程3个月;对照组给予生血宝合剂治疗,15 m L/次,3次/d,3个月为1个疗程。比较2组患者治疗前与治疗后血红蛋白、红细胞计数、网织红细胞、血清铁、转铁蛋白饱和度、血清铁蛋白、血清铁调素(Hepcidin)、血清IL-1β、血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、血清C反应蛋白(CRP)、左室射血分数(LVEF)、6 min步行距离、明尼苏达心力衰竭生命质量量表(MLHFQ)和不良事件。并随访2组心血管事件次数,住院次数与全因死亡率。结果:观察组72例患者完成了前3个月的治疗,随访期间脱失2例;对照组治疗期间1例患者退出研究,随访期间脱失4例。2组一般资料比较,差异无统计学意义(P 0. 05),具有可比性。观察组贫血有效率98. 6%,对照组有效率11. 3%,差异有统计学意义(P0. 05)。治疗后观察组红细胞计数和网织红细胞、均显著高于对照组(P 0. 05)。观察组血清铁、转铁蛋白饱和度水平均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05),但血清铁调素水平显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05),血清铁蛋白水平2组差异无统计学意义(P 0. 05)。观察组IL-1β、血清TNF-α、血清CRP均显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05)。观察组LVEF、6 min步行距离、明尼苏达心力衰竭生命质量量表(MLHFQ)均显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05)。2组不良事件总发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P 0. 05),但对照组4例患者出现血清肌酐、尿素氮水平异常,发生率高于观察组,差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05)。经1年随访,观察组心血管事件人均发生次数显著少于对照组(P 0. 05),但2组住院次数和全因死亡率比较,差异无统计学意义(P 0. 05)。结论:健脾生血片可有效治疗心力衰竭伴贫血,减少心血管发生次数,并且安全性良好,其作用机制与提供准确足量铁元素、抑制铁调素表达,抑制慢性炎性反应有关。     

Hsa-miR-4282对肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721生长的影响

目的  探讨Hsa-miR-4282在肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721中的表达及其对细胞生长的影响。方法 采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测Hsa-miR-4282在人正常肝上皮细胞系HL-7702和人肝癌细胞系MHCC97-H、SMMC-7721，以及 20例肝癌组织及其相应癌旁组织中的表达。采用瞬时转染法将Hsa-miR-4282 mimics（上调组）和Hsa-miR-4282 inhibitor（下调组）分别转染肝癌SMMC-7721细胞，上调组和下调组分别设置相应阴性对照组。转染后采用MTT法检测细胞增殖能力，平板克隆形成实验检测细胞克隆形成能力，流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡能力。结果 Hsa-miR-4282在肝癌组织、肝癌细胞MHCC97-H及肝癌细胞SMMC-7721中的表达均低于癌旁组织及正常肝细胞HL-7702（P＜0.05）。MTT实验结果显示，Hsa-miR-4282上调后肝癌SMMC-7721细胞的OD值低于其阴性对照组，而下调后OD值高于其阴性对照组 （P＜0.05）。平板克隆形成实验显示，下调组的细胞克隆数高于其阴性对照组［（240±7） 个 vs （191±10） 个，P=0.005）］，而上调组细胞克隆数低于基阴性对照组［（146±10） 个 vs （193±12） 个，P=0.013）］。流式细胞仪检测结果显示，Hsa-miR-4282上调组细胞凋亡率较其阴性对照组升高［（23.89±1.89）% vs（16.6±1.14）%，P=0.009）］，下调组细胞凋亡率较期阴性对照组降低［（14.98±0.46）% vs （17.79±0.73）%，P=0.010］。结论 Hsa-miR-4282上调可抑制肝癌SMMC-7721细胞增殖，促进细胞凋亡，可能与肝癌的发病机制有关。     

Abnormal liver function tests associated with severe rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome of skeletal muscle injury with release of cellular constituents such as potassium,phosphate,urate and intracellular proteins such as myoglobin into the circulation,which may cause complications including acute kidney injury,electrolyte disturbance and cardiac instability.Abnormal liver function tests are frequently observed in cases of severe rhabdomyolysis.Typically,there is an increase in serum aminotransferases,namely aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase.This raises the question of liver injury and often triggers a pathway of investigation which may lead to a liver biopsy.However,muscle can also be a source of the increased aminotransferase activity.This review discusses the dilemma of finding abnormal liver function tests in the setting of muscle injury and the potential implications of such an association.It delves into some of the clinical and experimental evidence for correlating muscle injury to raised aminotransferases,and discusses pathophysiological mechanisms such as oxidative stress which may cause actual liver injury.Serum aminotransferases lack tissue specificity to allow clinicians to distinguish primary liver injury from muscle injury.This review also explores potential approaches to improve the accuracy of our diagnostic tools,so that excessive or unnecessary liver investigations can be avoided.     

Radiomics model based on preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for predicting liver failure

BACKGROUND Postoperative liver failure is the most severe complication in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) after major hepatectomy. Current available clinical indexes predicting postoperative residual liver function are not sufficiently accurate.AIM To determine a radiomics model based on preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for predicting liver failure in cirrhotic patients with HCC after major hepatectomy.METHODS For this retrospective study, a radiomics-based model was developed based on preoperative hepatobiliary phase gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance images in 101 patients with HCC between June 2012 and June 2018. Sixty-one radiomic features were extracted from hepatobiliary phase images and selected by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method to construct a radiomics signature. A clinical prediction model, and radiomics-based model incorporating significant clinical indexes and radiomics signature were built using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The integrated radiomics-based model was presented as a radiomics nomogram. The performances of clinical prediction model, radiomics signature, and radiomics-based model for predicting post-operative liver failure were determined using receiver operating characteristics curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analyses.RESULTS Five radiomics features from hepatobiliary phase images were selected to construct the radiomics signature. The clinical prediction model, radiomics signature, and radiomics-based model incorporating indocyanine green clearance rate at 15 min and radiomics signature showed favorable performance for predicting postoperative liver failure(area under the curve: 0.809-0.894). The radiomics-based model achieved the highest performance for predicting liver failure(area under the curve: 0.894; 95%CI: 0.823-0.964). The integrated discrimination improvement analysis showed a significant improvement in the accuracy of liver failure prediction when radiomics signature was added to the clinical prediction model(integrated discrimination improvement = 0.117, P =0.002). The calibration curve and an insignificant Hosmer-Lemeshow test statistic(P = 0.841) demonstrated good calibration of the radiomics-based model. The decision curve analysis showed that patients would benefit more from a radiomics-based prediction model than from a clinical prediction model and radiomics signature alone.CONCLUSION A radiomics-based model of preoperative gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI can be used to predict liver failure in cirrhotic patients with HCC after major hepatectomy.