Prognostic Inflammation Score in Surgical Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Several inflammatory markers have been investigated as prognostic parameters in a variety of cancer population with mostly favorable results. This study aimed to verify the significance of common inflammatory markers as prognostic variables and assess whether a selective combination of them as prognostic inflammation score (PIS) could further improve their prognostic values in surgical patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). A total of 265 patients who had undergone curative resection of CRC were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative levels of inflammatory markers such as serum C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count (WBC), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were assessed by uni- and multivariate survival analysis with disease-free (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). PIS was constructed with a selective combination of inflammatory markers which were independently significant. On univariate analysis, CRP, ESR, and NLR were significantly associated with DFS and DSS. On multivariate analysis, CRP and NLR were independently significant prognostic variables for DSS and DFS respectively (P=0.013, P=0.021). When PIS was constructed with combination of CRP and NLR, it was independently and significantly associated with both DFS and DSS (P=0.006, P=0.010). Furthermore, PIS was superior to CRP for DSS (HR=15.679 vs. HR=5.183), and NLR for DFS in terms of prognosticating power (HR=4.894 vs. HR=2.687). When PIS is constructed with combination of CRP and NLR, it is a potentially significant prognostic variable associated with poor survival regardless pathologic prognostic variables in patients with CRC after curative resection.     

The emerging role of ultrasound in detecting interstitial lung disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential role of US in the detection of ILD in a cohort of patients with RA.MethodsPatients with diagnosis of RA were consecutively enrolled. All patients underwent pulmonary examination, laboratory data, DLCO measure, chest HRCT and radiographs, and US examination. A healthy group was included as control group. US was performed according the 14-intercostal space scanning protocol using the following semiquantitative scale [0 = normal (≤ 5 B-lines); 1 = slight (≥ 6 and ≤ 15 B-lines); 2 = moderate, (≤ 16 and ≥ 30 B-lines); 3 = severe (≥ 30 B-lines)].ResultsA total of 74 RA patients and 74 healthy controls were included. Thirty of 74 patients (40.5%) showed US signs of ILD with respect to the healthy controls (3 subjects, 4.1%) (P < 0.001); whereas HRCT showed ILD in 27 (36.4%) of 74 patients. Among the 30 patients that showed US findings of ILD, 17 (56.6%) were asymptomatic from respiratory view-point. The sensitivity and specificity of US were 92% and 89% respectively. A positive correlation between US and HRCT findings were found (P < 0.001) whereas no correlation was found with chest radiographs and DLCO findings. Positive association between US findings and DAS28-ESR, anti-CCP and RF (P < 0.01 for each respectively) was found. Feasibility, represented by the mean time spent to perform the pulmonary US assessment was 7.8 minutes (± SD 1.2, range 6 to 10 minutes).ConclusionsOur results support the potential of US in detect accurately ILD in patients with RA and provide a rationale to consider it as a friendly screening tool to be implemented in early phases of the disease.     

Cargo-laden erythrocyte ghosts target liver mediated by macrophages

Liver-targeted cargo delivery possesses great potential for the treatment of liver disease. It is urgent to find an efficient and biocompatible liver targeted delivery system. This study focused on the liver targeting properties of erythrocyte ghosts and its possible mechanism. Herein, we optimized conditions to fabricate human and mouse erythrocyte ghosts with sufficient room capable of incorporating various model substances. Erythrocyte ghosts are biocompatible cargo carriers because it is derived from autologous red blood cells (RBCs), and the cell size, zeta potential, and biconcave-disk shape of the ghosts were consistent with those of RBCs. An in vivo imaging system and positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging showed that the ghosts were captured mainly in the liver by intravenous injection of fluorescence or ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-labelled ghosts into mice. In contrast, the main concentration of naked octreotide was trapped in the lungs while naked ¹⁸F-FDG was trapped in the heart. However, the concentration of cargo-loaded ghosts decreased significantly in the liver in macrophage-depleted mice. Accordingly, in vitro experiments showed that higher phosphatidylserine exposure was observed in the ghosts (38.9 %) compared to normal erythrocytes (0.69 %), and the phagocytic activity of the macrophage RAW 264.7. on the ghosts was significantly higher than that of normal erythrocytes (p < 0.001). Together they indicate that erythrocyte ghosts show liver targeting properties, and possibly owing to macrophage phagocytosis. This promising and effective therapeutic delivery system may provide therapeutic benefits for liver disease.     

白细胞介素-6对初次膝关节置换术后早期假体周围感染筛查作用研究

目的探讨白细胞介素-6(IL-6)对膝关节置换术后早期假体周围感染的诊断价值。方法选取2014年12月至2016年1月在沈阳军区总医院行初次膝关节置换的患者44例,对其术前及术后3、6、9 d血液中IL-6、血沉(ESR)、C-反应蛋白(CRP)的检测结果进行分析。结果所有患者术后IL-6值快速回落,但直至术后第9天,IL-6值也未回落到正常范围内。本研究患者术后3、6、9 d的血清IL-6、CRP回落曲线具有相关性,IL-6值的回落曲线更迅速,而ESR值回落曲线变化幅度较小。结论 IL-6可作为筛查膝关节置换术后早期假体周围感染的敏感指标,动态监测患者术后IL-6值回落曲线,能够提高膝关节置换术后早期假体周围感染的诊断率。     

骨通贴膏联合温针灸对老年类风湿关节炎患者红细胞沉降率、C-反应蛋白及关节功能的影响

目的观察骨通贴膏联合温针灸对老年类风湿关节炎(RA)患者红细胞沉降率(ESR)、血清C反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞介素-1(IL-1)、IL-10水平及关节功能影响。方法将76例老年RA患者随机分为2组。2组均予甲氨蝶呤片、来氟米特片及塞来昔布胶囊口服治疗,对照组38例加温针灸疗法,治疗组38例在对照组治疗基础上加骨通贴膏关节疼痛部位敷贴治疗。2组均10 d为1个疗程,共治疗6个疗程。比较2组治疗前后主要相关症状、体征,ESR,血清CRP、IL-1及IL-10水平变化;统计2组不良反应发生率及临床疗效。结果治疗组总有效率92.11%,对照组73.68%,2组总有效率比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),治疗组临床疗效优于对照组。2组治疗后膝关节疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)、晨僵时间、关节压痛数、关节压痛指数、关节肿胀数、关节肿胀指数、20 m步行时间、ESR及血清CPR、IL-1水平均较本组治疗前降低或减少(P0.05),双手平均握力及IL-10水平增加(P0.05),且2组组间比较差异亦均有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗组不良反应发生率为2.63%,对照组5.26%,2组不良反应发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论骨通贴膏联合温针灸疗法治疗老年RA临床疗效显著,安全性较高,能够下调ESR、CRP、IL-1水平,上调IL-10,改善关节功能,适宜临床应用推广。     

Normal Range of the Inflammation Related Laboratory Findings and Predictors of the Postoperative Infection in Spinal Posterior Fusion Surgery

Background

Inflammation related hematological parameters vary greatly depending on patients. It is not well known how much increase of which parameter warrants suspicion of postoperative infection. This study proposes to identify the normal range and the predictive factors for postoperative infection by conducting a time series analysis of the hematological parameters of patients after the spinal posterior fusion.

Methods

A retrospective study was done with 608 patients who underwent spinal posterior fusion with pedicle screw fixation. Laboratory assessment including the leucocyte, neutrophil, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of patients for 2 weeks after operation. The patients were divided into the one-level fusion group (group I), the two-level fusion group (group II), the three or multi-level fusion or reoperation group (group III), and the postoperative infection group (group IV). Blood was drawn before breakfast prior to the operation, and then 2-3 days, 4-7 days, 8-11 days, and 12-14 days after the operation. The leucocyte count, neutrophil count, CRP, and ESR were measured.

Results

From 4-7 days after the operation, the CRP and neutrophil count of group IV were significantly higher than those of group I and II, and from 8-11 days after operation, the CRP and neutrophil counts were significantly higher than those of all groups. Twelve to fourteen days after the operation, the neutrophil count of group IV was significantly higher than that of group I and II, while the neutrophil count of group III was also higher than that of group I. The lower limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the CRP and neutrophil count group IV was greater than the upper limit of the 95% CI of group I and II. The ESR of group IV was significantly higher than that of group I and III.

Conclusions

If the postoperative CRP and neutrophil counts are high, or if the CRP begins to rise again 8 days after the operation, the likelihood of infection increases, but caution must be exercised in interpreting the results. If the hematological parameters are higher than the lower limit of the 95% CI of the postoperative infection group, infection must be strongly suspected.