Insulin resistance raises the risk for recurrence of stage I hepatocellular carcinoma after curative radiofrequency ablation in hepatitis C virus‐positive patients: A prospective,case series study

Aim: Several studies have reported that insulin resistance raises the risk of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We conducted a prospective, case series study to test the impact of insulin resistance on the recurrence after curative radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of stage I HCC in HCV‐positive patients. Methods: From January 2006 to December 2007, 226 consecutive patients underwent treatment for primary HCC at our institutions, including 37 stage I cases. Among them, 33 were HCV‐positive, and three, six and 24 received curative surgery, transarterial chemoembolization or RFA, respectively. In the 24 patients treated with RFA, recurrence‐free survival was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. The factors contributing to recurrence of HCC were subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazards model. Insulin resistance was estimated by the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR). Results: Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the recurrence‐free survival was lower in patients with higher HOMA‐IR (>2.3, P = 0.0252) or with lower serum albumin level (<3.3 g/dL, P = 0.0004). In the univariate analysis, HOMA‐IR (P = 0.0420) and albumin (P = 0.0036) were significantly associated with recurrence of HCC. Multivariate analysis revealed albumin (odds ratio = 0.01, 95% confidence interval = 0.0002–0.015, P = 0.0001) and HOMA‐IR (odds ratio = 3.85, 95% confidence interval = 1.57–14.2, P = 0.0015) to be independent predictors for recurrence of HCC. Conclusion: Serum albumin level and HOMA‐IR were independent risk factors for recurrence of stage I HCC after curative RFA in HCV‐positive patients. Patients with these factors require closer surveillance.     

Oxidative stress pathways in noncancerous human liver tissue to predict hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence: a prospective, multicenter study

The prediction of cancer recurrence holds the key to improvement of the postoperative prognosis of patients. In this study, the recurrence of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative hepatectomy was analyzed by the genome-wide gene-expression profiling on cancer tissue and the noncancerous liver tissue. Using the training set of 78 cases, the cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) gene in noncancerous liver tissue was identified as the predictive candidate for postoperative recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 0.447; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.249-0.808; P = 0.010). Multivariate analysis revealed the statistically significant advantage of CYP1A2 down-regulation to predict recurrence (odds ratio, 0.534; 95% CI, 0.276-0.916; P = 0.036), and the expression of CYP1A2 protein was confirmed immunohistochemically. An independently multi-institutional cohort of 211 patients, using tissue microarrays, validated that loss of expression of CYP1A2 in noncancerous liver tissue as the only predictive factor of recurrence after curative hepatectomy for early-stage HCC (HR, 0.480; 95% CI, 0.256-0.902; P = 0.038). Gene set-enrichment analysis revealed close association of CYP1A2 down-regulation with oxidative stress pathways in liver tissue (P < 0.001, false discovery rate [FDR] = 0.042; P = 0.006, FDR = 0.035). Our results indicate these pathways as the molecular targets to prevent recurrence, as well as the potential prediction of the super high-risk population of HCC using liver tissue.     

缺血性卒中患者氯吡格雷抵抗的危险因素:前瞻性病例系列研究

目的 探讨缺血性卒中患者中氯吡格雷抵抗(clopidogrel resistance,CR)的危险因素.方法 急性缺血性卒中患者服用氯吡格雷(75 mg/d)10～ 14 d后采用光比浊法测定血小板聚集率变化.根据血小板聚集率变化将病例分为CR组和氯吡格雷敏感(clopidogrel sensitivity,CS)组,比较两组的人口统计学和临床资料,并采用多变量 logistic回归分析确定CR的独立危险因素.结果 共纳入147例急性缺血性卒中患者,其中CR 组42例(28.57％),CS组105例(71.43％).CR组糖尿病(54.76％对11.43％;x2=31.054,P=0.000)、既往短暂性脑缺血发作(transient ischemic attack,TIA)史(80.95％对 26.67％; x2=36.251,P=0.000)或经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(percutaneous coronary intervention,PCI)史(26.19％对3.81％;x2=16.400.P=0000)、服用钙通道阻滞药(calcium channel blocker,CCB)(83.33％对54.29％;x2=10.810,P=0.001)、血管紧张素转换酶抑制药(angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor,ACEI)/血管紧张素受体阻滞药(angiotensin receptor blocker,ARB)(66.67％对42.86％;x2=6.803.P=0.009)和质子泵抑制药(47.62％对14.29％;x2=18.375,P=0.000)的患者比例以及血浆总胆固醇[(5.23±1.07) mmol/L对(4.60±1.11) mmol/L;t=3.121.P=0.002]、血糖浓度[(6.65±2.19)mmol/L对(5.43±1.15)mmol/L;t=3.442.P=0.001]和糖化血红蛋白水平[ (6.40±1.42)％对(5.48±1.09)％;t=3.780,P=0.000]均显著高于CS组.多变量logistic 回归分析显示,糖尿病[优势比(odds ratio,OR) 13.711,95％可信区间(confidence interval,CI)1.667～112.784;P =0.015]、总胆固醇增高(OR2.828,95％ CI1.574～5.080;P =0.001)、既往TIA史(OR16.627,95％ CI4.691～58.934;P =0.000)以及长期服用CCB( OR 4.147,95％ CI1.053～16.332;P=0.042)、ACEI/ARB( OR 4.841,95％ CI 1.539～15.231;P=0.007)为CR的独立危险因素.结论 缺血性卒中患者的CR与多种因素有关,其中糖尿病、总胆固醇增高以及长期服用 CCB和ACEI/ARB是CR的独立危险因素.     

原发性肝细胞癌伴脾转移一例

患者男，40岁。因“肝癌切除术后10月余，肝动脉栓塞化疗术后8月余，左上腹隐痛3天”于2006年10月9日人院。患者于2006年1月5日B超提示“左肝占位性病变”，诊断为“原发性肝癌Ⅱa期”，在南京鼓楼医院行“左肝叶及胆囊切除术”。术后2个月复查B超提示“肝内多发性占位病变，脾占位”，考虑“肝癌切除术后复发、脾转移癌”，分别于3月8日、4月21日和9月8日行“肝动脉栓塞化疗”3次。     

Outcome and pattern of recurrence after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with a normal liver compared to patients with a diseased liver

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether differences existed in demography and outcome after resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with a normal liver compared to patients with a diseased liver. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-seven Caucasian patients with HCC in a histologically proven normal liver (NL group) in the Netherlands and 141 Asian patients with HCC in a diseased liver (DL group) in Japan underwent a curative liver resection. Patient and tumor characteristics, post-resectional disease-free, overall survival rates and pattern of recurrence were investigated. RESULTS: HCC's in the NL group were found to be larger, in a more advanced stage and needed more extended resections compared to HCC's in the DL group. Microvascular invasion was similar in both groups, while capsule formation was observed less in the NL group. Overall survival and disease-free survival after curative resection were not statistically different between both groups. Also even after stratification for T-stage, there was no difference in survival. Although the rate of recurrence was similar in both groups, a significantly higher number of extrahepatic metastases was observed in the NL group. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct demographic differences existed between patients with HCC in the NL group compared to patients in the DL group. Extrahepatic recurrences were more frequent after curative resection for HCC in a normal liver. No difference in survival was demonstrated between both groups.     

Significance of multicentric cancer recurrence after potentially curative ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: a longterm cohort study of 892 patients with viral cirrhosis

Background. Tumor recurrence is common after potentially curative ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma; therefore, the incidence of intrahepatic metastasis and multicentric carcinogenesis was evaluated. Methods. A cohort of 892 patients with cirrhosis caused by either hepatitis B virus (n = 246) or hepatitis C virus (n = 646) was followed up without interferon administration. Results. Hepatocellular carcinogenesis rates were 28.0% at the end of the fifth year, 49.2% at the tenth year, and 61.3% at the fifteenth year. Sex, hepatitis virus, alpha-fetoprotein, platelet count, age, and indocyanine green retention test value significantly affected the carcinogenesis rate. Of 372 patients with tumor development, 162 (43.5%) received surgical or radical locoregional therapy. On the assumption that a second carcinogenesis after sufficient ablation of well-differentiated cancer was attributable to multicentric carcinogenesis, recurrence rates after curative therapy in all the 162 patients, and the recurrence rates in 39 patients with solitary, small, and well-differentiated histology were analyzed: the rates were 58.2% and 30.9% at the third year, 75.9% and 53.4% at the fifth year, and 89.6% and 79.9% at the tenth year, respectively. The estimated incidence of multicentric recurrence was, therefore, 31% or higher at the third year and 53% or higher at the fifth year. The actual second carcinogenesis rates (multicentric recurrence) were approximately 1.6 times as high as those of the virtual second carcinogenesis rates calculated from statistical simulation. Conclusions. A longterm cohort study disclosed that multicentric carcinogenesis was the principal mechanism of recurrence after curative ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma and that the concept of carcinogenic stage should be introduced to improve the understanding of carcinogenic events in viral cirrhosis.     

Power Doppler signals after percutaneous ethanol injection therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma predict local recurrence of tumors: a prospective study using 199 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was prospectively conducted to elucidate the relationship between pre-/post-treatment power Doppler signals of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and local recurrence. METHODS: One hundred ninety-nine consecutive patients with 359 HCC lesions receiving percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) as a first-line option were enrolled. Arterial power Doppler signals in the tumor were found in 130 nodules, but not detected in 229. After confirmation of complete tumor necrosis on dynamic CT, Doppler signals in nodules were re-evaluated. Patients received periodical examinations to detect HCC recurrence. RESULTS: Local HCC recurrence was observed in 36 lesions; 22%(28/130) of the pretreatment signal positive lesions, in contrast to 3.5% (8/229) of the pretreatment signal negative lesions (P < 0.01). Out of 130 signal positive nodules, signals disappeared in 120 (92%) after PEIT, but were present in ten (8%). During the 25-month follow up, local recurrence was detected in 19 (16%) from the former, in contrast to nine (90%) from the latter (P < 0.001). Uni- and multivariate Cox analysis revealed that the presence of pre-/post-treatment power Doppler signals, histological differentiation and tumor number were independent factors for local recurrence. However, 3-year recurrence rate of new lesions was 51%, but no predictors were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Residual Doppler signals in tumor after PEIT were related to the local HCC recurrence.     

Low serum vitamin B-12 levels are associated with increased hip bone loss in older women: a prospective study

The purpose of this study was to test whether low serum vitamin B-12 levels are associated with more rapid bone loss in elderly women. We archived sera and measured calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD) in community-dwelling white women, aged 65 yr and over, who participated in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. BMD of the hip and subregions was measured 2 yr later. Repeat measurements of calcaneal and hip BMD were obtained after 5.9 and 3.5 yr of follow-up, respectively. Serum vitamin B-12 assays were performed in 83 randomly selected participants with initial and repeat measurements of BMD who were not taking estrogen replacement therapy at baseline. After adjusting for age, weight, and clinic site, women with vitamin B-12 levels at or below 280 pg/ml (207.2 pmol/liter; lowest quintile) experienced an annual change of -1.6% (95% confidence interval, -2.4% to -0.8%) in total hip BMD, compared with -0.2% (-0.5% to 0.2%) in women with levels above 280 pg/ml (P = 0.003). Results were similar when subregions of the hip were analyzed separately. Serum vitamin B-12 levels were not significantly associated with calcaneal bone loss. We conclude that low serum vitamin B-12 levels are associated with increased rates of hip, but not calcaneal, bone loss in older women.     

伴有吞咽障碍的急性卒中患者发生肺炎的早期危险因素:前瞻性病例系列研究

目的 探讨伴有吞咽障碍的急性卒中患者并发卒中相关性肺炎(stroke-associated pneumonia,SAP)的早期危险因素.方法 应用改良曼恩吞咽能力评估量表(Modified Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability,MMASA)对发病后24h内入院的急性卒中患者进行吞咽障碍筛查,以筛查出的吞咽障碍患者作为研究对象.根据发病1周内是否发生SAP,将患者分为SAP组和非SAP组.采用单变量和多变量logistic回归分析对人口学资料、既往病史、临床资料和实验室资料进行分析,确定吞咽障碍患者发生SAP的早期危险因素,并对独立危险因素进行受试者工作特征曲线(receiver operating characteristic,ROC)分析,以评估其对SAP的预测价值.结果 113例急性卒中患者中,55例存在吞咽障碍,其中30例(54.54％)发生SAP.单变量分析显示,SAP组(n=30)美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale,NIHSS)评分[中位数(四分位间距):16分(13 ～21分)对3分(1～7分);P=0.000]、中性粒细胞计数[(8.22±3.75)×109/L对(5.39±2.56)×109/L;t =3.198,P=0.002)]、出血性卒中比例(96.00％对4.00％;x2=7.333,P=0.007)和机械通气比例(20.00％对0.00％;x2=5.612,P=0.018)显著高于非SAP组(n=25),而MMASA评分[中位数(四分位间距):53分(27～84分)对88分(66～92分);P=0.002]、格拉斯哥昏迷量表(Glasgow Coma Score,GCS)评分[中位数(四分位间距):10分(7～13分)对15分(11～15分);P=0.001]、淋巴细胞计数[(1.17±0.54)×109/L对(1.75±0.81)×109/L;t=-3.563,P=0.001]、CD3+T淋巴细胞计数[(0.73±0.42)×109/L对(1.14±0.85)×109/L;t=-2.307,P=0.025)、CD4+T淋巴细胞计数[(0.38±0.22)×109/L对(0.69±0.57)×109/L;t=-2.761,P=0.008)显著低于非SAP组.多变量logistic回归分析显示,入院时NIHSS评分较高(优势比1.206,95％可信区间1.076 ～1.351;P =0.001)和CD4+T淋巴细胞减少(优势比0.974,95％可信区间0.952 ～0.997;P=0.025)是伴有吞咽障碍的卒中患者发生SAP的独立危险因素,NIHSS评分≥10.5分对SAP具有良好的预测价值,其敏感性和特异性分别为86.7％和72.0％ (P =0.000).结论 半数以上伴发吞咽障碍的急性卒中患者发生SAP.入院时NIHSS评分、中性粒细胞计数、卒中类型、机械通气、MMASA评分、GCS评分、淋巴细胞计数、CD3+T淋巴细胞计数和CD4+T淋巴细胞计数等多种因素与吞咽障碍患者SAP的发生相关,其中NIHSS评分较高和CD4+T淋巴细胞减少是伴有吞咽障碍的卒中患者发生SAP的独立危险因素.入院时NIHSS评分≥10.5分的预测价值较高.     

The value of plasma osteopontin levels as a predictive factor of disease stage and recurrence in patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma: A prospective study

This study was performed in order to determine the value of plasma osteopontin (OPN) levels as a predictive factor of disease stage and recurrence in patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC). Data from 50 patients diagnosed to have bladder UC after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) from 2009 to 2010 were evaluated prospectively. Blood tests were performed before and after TURBT, and plasma OPN levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Differences in OPN levels according to clinicopathologic variables were analyzed statistically. Significant differences in plasma OPN levels were observed between groups with and without muscle invasion (89.16 vs. 67.08 ng/mL, p = 0.041). Comparison according to tumor grade found no significant difference between high and low grade groups (p = 0.115). Mean plasma OPN levels decreased after TURBT without statistical significance (p = 0.571). Between groups with recurrence and those without recurrence, OPN levels of the group with recurrence were higher without statistical significance (p = 0.161). Comparison of plasma OPN levels according to performance of radical cystectomy (RC) showed significant differences; patients who underwent RC showed higher levels of plasma OPN (95.58 vs. 70.37 ng/mL, p = 0.030). Comparison according to T stage after RC showed significant differences in OPN levels (T1: 67.45, T2: 86.60 and T3: 95.23 ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.006). The group with lymph node invasion showed significantly higher levels of OPN, compared to the group without invasion (153.24 vs. 68.03 ng/mL, p = 0.017). Preoperative plasma OPN levels correlated to muscle invasion of bladder UC and pathological stage after RC.     

Long-term survival and recurrence after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection: a multicenter observational study from China

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a recognized sequalae of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study aimed to identify long-term survival and prognostic factors after curative resection for HCC among patients with chronic HCV infection.MethodsFrom a Chinese multicenter database, the data of consecutive patients with HCV infection undergoing curative liver resection for initial HCC between 2006 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative 30-day mortality and morbidity, long-term overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were evaluated.ResultsAmong 382 HCC patients with HCV infection, 68 (18%) had concurrent HBV infection and 110 (29%) had portal hypertension. Postoperative 30-day morbidity and mortality rates were 45% and 2.9%, respectively. The 5-year OS and RFS rates were 45% and 34%, respectively. Multivariable Cox-regression analyses identified that concurrent HBV infection, presence of portal hypertension, largest tumor size > 5 cm, and macrovascular and microvascular invasion were independently associated with worse OS and RFS, while postoperative regular anti-HCV therapy was independently associated with better OS.ConclusionLong-term prognosis after HCC resection among patients with HCV infection was worse in those with concurrent HBV infection and concomitant portal hypertension. Postoperative regular anti-HCV therapy was associated with better OS.     

Faecal calprotectin levels after rifaximin treatment in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea: A single-center prospective study

Background and study aimsAlthough unclear, the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered to be multifactorial. Recent studies have suggested that IBS is a low-grade inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with high faecal calprotectin (FC) levels. Rifaximin is a potential therapeutic agent for IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D) due to its ability to decrease FC levels. This study evaluated the role of FC as a follow-up marker of IBS-D after short-course rifaximin treatment.Patients and methodsNinety-six patients with chronic diarrhoea who fulfilled the Rome IV criteria for IBS-D were enrolled in this study from outpatient clinics. After excluding 18 patients who did not complete the study due to treatment noncompliance or missing follow-up visits, 78 patients (mean age, 39.2 ± 6.9 years) with IBS-D and elevated baseline FC levels were included. An FC level of <50 μg/g was considered normal. Abdominal symptoms were assessed using a Likert scale. All patients received oral rifaximin (550 mg three times daily) for 2 weeks, followed by assessment for abdominal symptoms and FC levels; the treatment was extended to 4 weeks if FC levels remained elevated after 2 weeks of treatment.ResultsFC levels normalised in 66 (84.6%) patients, including 60 and 6 patients treated for 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. The remaining 12 (15.4%) patients with persistently elevated FC levels despite 4 weeks of treatment also showed a significant decline in their final FC levels compared with the baseline, accompanied with a significant improvement in abdominal symptoms (p = 0.001). A cutoff baseline FC value of 148.5 μg/g could predict non-responders with 100% sensitivity and 50% specificity.ConclusionShort-course oral rifaximin treatment results in FC normalisation in IBS-D patients with high baseline FC values. Therefore, FC should be considered as a biomarker of follow-up after rifaximin treatment for IBS-D.     

Diabetes mellitus worsens the recurrence rate after potentially curative therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma associated with nonviral hepatitis

Background and Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the relationship between diabetes mellitus and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after potentially curative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with nonviral hepatitis. Methods: We studied 40 consecutive hepatocellular carcinoma patients who were diagnosed between 1980 and 2006 with hepatocellular carcinoma associated with non‐B, non‐C hepatitis, and later underwent surgical resection or radiofrequency ablation. Results: Twenty‐two out of the 40 patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence within a median of 3.7 years. In the 18 patients with diabetes mellitus, the cumulative rates of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence were 22.2% at the first year, 55.6% at the second year, 61.1% at the third year, 61.1% at the fourth year, and 80.6% at the fifth year. The cumulative rates of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in 22 nondiabetic patients were 24.6% at the first year, 24.6% at the second year, 31.5% at the third year, 31.5% at the fourth year, and 31.5% at the fifth year. The hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence rate was significantly higher in diabetic patients than in nondiabetics (P = 0.026). The multivariate Cox proportional model identified old age and diabetes as the only significant predictors for recurrence. The hazard ratio of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in diabetic patients was 4.61 (P = 0.007). There was no significant difference in overall survival rate between diabetic and nondiabetic patients (P = 0.392). Conclusion: Diabetes is a significant predictor of tumor recurrence after potentially curative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with nonviral hepatitis.     

脑微出血与急性缺血性卒中患者尿激酶动脉溶栓后出血性转化的相关性:前瞻性病例系列研究

目的 探讨脑微出血(cerebral microbleed,CMB)与急性缺血性卒中患者尿激酶动脉溶栓后出血性转化(hemorrhage transformation,HT)的相关性.方法 纳入接受尿激酶动脉溶栓的急性脑梗死患者,术前行MRI常规序列、磁敏感加权成像(susceptibility-weighted imagin,SWI)和CT扫描,术后48 h内复查CT或MRI,根据是否出现HT将其分入HT组和非HT组.详细记录患者的人口统计学资料、血管危险因素和SWI序列显示的CMB数量并进行比较和分析.结果 共纳入62例接受尿激酶动脉溶栓的急性脑梗死患者,其中HT组22例,非HT组40例.单变量分析显示,HT组高血压(81.8％对57.5％;x2=3.125,P=0.048)、糖尿病(63.6％对40.0％;x2=4.019,P=0.042)、吸烟(72.7％对37.5％;x2=4.971,P=0.030)和存在CMB(x2=5.297,P=0.018)的患者比例显著高于非HT组.多变量logistic回归分析显示,高血压[优势比(odds ratio,OR) 1.51,95％可信区间(confidence interval,CI)1.102～2.954;P=0.028]、糖尿病(OR 1.48,95％ CI 1.09～2.825;P=0.039)和CMB(OR1.867,95％ CI 1.103 ～3.158;P=0.020)是急性缺血性卒中患者尿激酶动脉溶栓后发生HT的独立危险因素.结论 CMB是急性缺血性卒中患者尿激酶动脉溶栓后发生HT的独立危险因素之一.     

Acupuncture with regulating menstruation to promote pregnancy for diminished ovarian reverse:a prospective case series study

正Objective To investigate the effect and safety of acupuncture with regulating menstruation to promote pregnancy for diminished ovarian reverse(DOR).Methods According to prospective case series,46 patients were observed and finally 40 cases were included.The acupoints were(1)Baihui(GV 20),Shenting(GV 24),Guanyuan(CV 4)and bilateral Benshen(GB 13),Huangshu(KI16),Dahe(KI 12),Luanchan(Extra),Zusanli(ST     

Hepatocellular carcinoma: a case of extrahepatic seeding after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation using an expandable needle electrode

A 2.5-cm diameter, exophytic seeding of hepatocellular carcinoma was detected by contrast-enhanced computed tomography in a 76-year-old man. He had previously undergone a radiofrequency ablation therapy with an expandable, ten-hook needle electrode for the treatment of a 1.5-cm hepatocellular carcinoma in liver segment VI. Ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy revealed that this hepatocellular carcinoma was moderately differentiated, as initial tumor was. An additional radiofrequency ablation achieved complete ablation of this neoplastic mass on contrast-enhanced computed tomography scanning. Recurrences were not found for eight months after. To prevent tumor seeding, using thermocoagulation when retracting the needle electrode may be useful.     

Serum sialic acid levels are increased during relapse to alcohol drinking: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Sialic acid has been suggested to be a potential marker for alcohol abuse. A previous study showed that sialic acid levels were significantly higher in serum among alcoholics as compared with social drinkers. In addition, serum sialic acid concentrations decreased after a treatment program aiming at abstinence. In this study, sialic acid was investigated as a possible marker for relapse to alcohol drinking. METHODS: Serum from alcohol-dependent patients in outpatient treatment ( n = 8) was analyzed for sialic acid by a colorimetric assay. A baseline sample was taken when the subject had been abstinent for longer than 4 weeks. A second sample was taken after relapse within 3 days after cessation of drinking. A relapse was defined as two or more days with daily drinking of more than 60 g of pure alcohol. RESULTS: The sialic acid levels were significantly increased by 21% (median; range, 6-33%; < 0.01; n = 8) after a relapse as compared with the level after 4 weeks or longer of abstinence. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that serum sialic acid levels are significantly increased even after a short period of heavy drinking and may be a potential marker for relapse.     

Follow-up and recurrence after a curative esophagectomy for patients with esophageal cancer: the first indicators for recurrence and their prognostic values

Background  

No standardized methods exist for the follow-up and treatment of recurrence after a curative esophagectomy for patients with thoracic esophageal cancers.