Impact of Induction Chemotherapy and Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy on Operative Morbidity and Mortality in Patients with Locoregional Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach or Gastroesophageal Junction

Background Significant tumor downstaging has been achieved in patients with localized gastric or gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma by induction chemotherapy and preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CTX–CTXRT). However, the influence of CTX–CTXRT on operative morbidity and mortality has not yet been clarified. The aim of the present study was to document the frequency and nature of morbidity and mortality after surgery combined with CTX–CTXRT, and identify factors predictive of postoperative complications in patients with localized gastric or gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Methods A prospectively collected database on 71 consecutive patients who underwent CTX–CTXRT at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center between January 1997 and August 2004 was reviewed. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were investigated, and risk factors for overall complications were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Overall morbidity and mortality rates were 38.0% (27 patients) and 2.8% (2 patients), respectively. Age greater than 60 years [relative risk 11.3 (95% confidence interval 2.50–50.6)] and body mass index (BMI) of 26 kg/m² or above [relative risk 4.08 (95% confidence interval 1.08–15.4)] were significant risk factors for overall complications. Conclusions CTX–CTXRT can be performed safely with an acceptable operative morbidity and a low operative mortality rate in patients with gastric or gastroesophageal cancer, with careful consideration of added risk associated with age and obesity.     

A longitudinal study of vergence adaptation in incipient presbyopia

BACKGROUND: To investigate vergence adaptation during the incipient phase of presbyopia, when the amplitude of accommodation approaches the level where the first reading addition is required. The study aimed to assess the ability of the vergence system to counteract changes in the component contributions to the overall vergence response with the decline in the amplitude of accommodation in presbyopia, although previous reports on the nature of changes in accommodative, tonic and proximal vergence are equivocal. METHODS: Using a 'flashed' Maddox rod technique, an assessment of vergence adaptation to 6delta base-out and 6delta base-in prism was made for 28 subjects (aged 35-45 years at the commencement of the study). The measurements were taken four times over a 2-year period. RESULTS: Using a repeated measures analysis of variance, the results show that with the decline in amplitude of accommodation, there is a statistically significant reduction in the magnitude of vergence adaptation to both base-out (p < 0.05) and base-in prism (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that with ageing, there is a decrease in the ability of the slow vergence mechanism to overcome a change in fusional vergence demand and would suggest that either the fast component of fusional vergence must cope with any change in fusional vergence demand or that the sum of the accommodative, tonic and proximal vergence responses are virtually stable with age.     

Metabolic Characterization of Nondiabetic Severely Obese Patients Undergoing Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Preoperative Classification Predicts the Effects of Gastric Bypass on Insulin–Glucose Homeostasis

Introduction Obese individuals may have normal insulin–glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, or diabetes mellitus. Whereas gastric bypass cures insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, its effects on normal physiology have not been described. We studied insulin resistance and β-cell function for patients undergoing gastric bypass. Methods One hundred thirty-eight patients undergoing gastric bypass had fasting insulin and glucose levels drawn on days 0, 12, 40, 180, and 365. Thirty-one (22%) patients with diabetes mellitus were excluded from this analysis. Homeostatic model of assessment was used to estimate insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity, and β-cell function. Based on this model, patients were categorized as high insulin resistance if their insulin resistance was >2.3. Results Body mass index did not correlate with insulin resistance. Forty-seven (34%) patients were categorized as high insulin resistance. Correction of insulin resistance for this group occurred by 12 days postoperatively. Sixty (43%) patients were categorized as low insulin resistance. They demonstrated an increase of β-cell function by 12 days postoperatively, which returned to baseline by 6 months. At 1 year postoperatively, the low insulin resistance group had significantly higher β-cell function per degree of insulin sensitivity. Conclusions Adipose mass alone cannot explain insulin resistance. Severely obese individuals can be categorized by degree of insulin resistance, and the effect of gastric bypass depends upon this preoperative physiology.     

Laser Excision of Hypopharyngeal Lesions Using a Transoral Approach

A transoral technique for the excision of primary hypopharyngeal, posterior pharyngeal, and lateral pharyngeal wall tumors using the CO₂ or KTP laser and an operating microscope is presented.     

Measurements of respiratory illness among construction painters.

The prevalence of different measurements of respiratory illness among construction painters was examined and the relation between respiratory illness and employment as a painter assessed in a cross sectional study of current male members of two local affiliates of a large international union of painters. Respiratory illness was measured by questionnaire and spirometry. Longer employment as a painter was associated with increased prevalence of chronic obstructive disease and an interactive effect was observed for smoking and duration of employment as a painter. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant association between years worked as a painter and a decrement in FEV1 equal to about 11 ml for each year worked. This association was larger among painters who had smoked. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was significantly associated with increased use of spray application methods.