Prognostic significance of lymphovascular or perineural invasion in patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer

Background

This study was designed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the positivity of lymphovascular (LVI) and perineural invasion (PNI) in patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer.

Methods

From January 1999 to December 2009, 1,437 consecutive patients who underwent curative surgery for stage II or III colorectal cancer were analyzed. Patients were then categorized into 4 groups: LVI−/PNI− (n = 850), LVI+ only (n = 178), PNI+ only (n = 271), and LVI+/PNI+ (n = 138).

Results

With a median follow-up period of 56 months, the 5-year overall survival rates of patients with LVI−/PNI−, LVI+ only, PNI+ only, and LVI+/PNI+ were 82%, 73%, 71%, and 56%, respectively (P < .001), and the 5-year disease-free survival rates of patients with LVI−/PNI−, LVI+ only, PNI+ only, and LVI+/PNI+ were 80%, 70%, 65%, and 46%, respectively (P < .001). In multivariate analysis, LVI+/PNI+ was an independent prognostic factor for both overall survival (P < .001) and disease-free survival (P < .001).

Conclusions

Positivity of both LVI and PNI is a strong predictor of overall and disease-free survival in patients with stages II and III colorectal cancer.     

A comparison between central blood pressure values obtained by the Gaon system and the SphygmoCor system

Central pulse pressure is correlated with carotid atherosclerosis and the incidence of cardiovascular events more significantly than brachial pulse pressure. Augmentation index (Aix) has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Pulse wave analysis using the Gaon system allows for the estimation of central blood pressure (CBP), corrected augmentation index (Aix@HR75), ejection duration (ED) and subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), and is widely used in clinical research in Korea. However, the accuracy of this system is controversial. From February 2008 to March 2011, 99 patients were recruited for this study. Measurements were taken both by the Gaon system and the SphygmoCor system on the same day for all study participants. The estimated values of CBP, Aix@HR75, ED and SEVR for the two systems were compared using paired t-tests, simple correlation analyses and Bland-Altman plots. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) estimated by the two systems was significantly (P<0.001) correlated; the coefficient was 0.982. The two s.d. of the difference in SBP between these systems was quite small--<7?mm?Hg. Aix@HR75, ED and SEVR as estimated by the two systems were also significantly correlated, although they, especially SEVR, showed much weaker correlations than were observed in SBP: coefficients for Aix@HR75, ED and SEVR were 0.727, 0.648 and 0.230, respectively. We assessed the CBP of Korean patients estimated by the two systems and observed that the correlations of Aix, ED and SEVR were weaker than that of CBP. Such variations may be due to the difference in measuring methods between the devices. As even a slight change in pulse waveforms may result in a large difference in estimations, parameters, including Aix@HR75, ED and SEVR, should be carefully interpreted by experienced clinicians.     

A case of lateral abdominal wall hematoma treated with transcatheter arterial embolization

Paracentesis is a diagnostic, therapeutic procedure performed in patients with ascites. It is generally thought to be a safe procedure and transfusion of platelet concentrate or fresh frozen plasma is not recommended before the procedure, because the incidence of clinically significant bleeding is very low. We report a case of lateral abdominal wall hematoma due to the injury of the deep circumflex iliac artery after paracentesis in patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis who was treated with transcatheter arterial embolization.     

Multi-disciplinary treatment of a rare pelvic cavity ependymoma

Ependymomas usually develop from neuroectodermal organs. Here, we present an ependymoma arising from the pelvic cavity. A 27-year-old Korean female was admitted to the hospital with a sensation of abdominal fullness. Imaging studies revealed a huge heterogeneous nodular mass in the pelvis and lower abdomen. Laparotomy showed that two large masses with multiple nodules were located between the uterus and rectum and uterus and bladder, respectively. Histologically, the tumor was characterized by compact columnar neoplastic cells divided by fibrovascular septae. The neoplastic cells formed true ependymal rosettes and perivascular pseudorosettes. Immunohistochemical staining showed a strong positive reaction for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin and a partial positive reaction for S100 and EMA. The tumor was thus diagnosed as an ependymoma arising from the pelvic cavity. The patient was treated with a debulking operation and chemotherapy based upon the in vitro chemosensitivity test results. The patient was free of cancer for 4 years following surgery. This is a rare case of extraneural ependymoma for which an in vitro chemosensitivity test was critical in determining the multidisciplinary approach for treatment.     

Durability improvement of polymer chamber of pulsatile extracorporeal life support system in terms of mechanical change

Twin Pulse Life Support, T-PLS™ has received the CE mark (2003) and Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) approval (2004) for short-term application as an Extracorporeal Life Support system (ECLS). T-PLS’s original intention was to apply for not only short-term but also long-term application such as Extracorporeal ventricular assist device (VAD). Hence, a long-term durability test was conducted. The 1-year reliability of the systems tested in this study did not meet the STS/ASAIO standard of 80% reliability with 60% confidence for a 1-year mission life. However, without the disposable units, which are only designed to operate for 6 h, the 1-year reliability exceeded the STS/ASAIO standard of 80% reliability with 60% confidence. In this study, by using the existing analysis methods and analyzing the root cause of the failure used by a numerical analysis. As eliminating or mitigating of the root cause of the failure, we improved the durability of blood chamber and evaluated the performance of the modified system via the hemolysis test.     

Effect of Storage Conditions and Activation on Growth Factor Concentration in Platelet-Rich Plasma

This study aimed to evaluate growth factor concentration in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) (leukocyte-rich PRP) based on storage temperature, duration of storage, and method of activation. PRP samples were stored at 24℃ (room temperature group), 4℃ (refrigerator group), and −70℃ (deep-freezer group). In each temperature, four aliquots were prepared based on the time of analysis (immediately, 1, 3, and 7 days after preparation). After storage, concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and fibroblast growth factor-basic (FGF-B) were assessed with/without activation using Quantikine colorimetric sandwich immunoassay kits. PRP was activated with 10% Triton-X for PDGF-AA, VEGF, FGF-B, IGF-1 measurement and sonication for TGF-β1 measurement. Without activation, PDGF-AA concentration was highest on day 7 in the room temperature group. With activation, the concentration of PDGF-AA was constant over the observation period at all temperatures. Without activation, the TGF-β1 concentration remained negligible over the observation period at all temperatures. However, with activation, TGF-β1 gradually increased to its highest concentration on day 7 at all temperatures. Over the observation period, VEGF and IGF-1 concentrations were constant with and without activation at all temperatures. Without activation, FGF-B concentration increased, with the highest concentration observed on day 7 in the deep-freezer group. With activation, FGF-B concentration decreased after day 1 in the room temperature group. Growth factor concentration in PRP differed significantly based on storage temperature, duration of storage, and method of activation. Appropriate storage conditions and activation are important to optimize its effects on desired clinical outcomes. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:777-784, 2020