Withdrawal reflexes in the upper limb adapt to arm posture and stimulus location

Introduction: Withdrawal reflexes in the leg adapt in a context‐appropriate manner to remove the limb from noxious stimuli, but the extent to which withdrawal reflexes adapt in the arm remains unknown. Methods: We examined the adaptability of withdrawal reflexes in response to nociceptive stimuli applied in different arm postures and to different digits. Reflexes were elicited at rest, and kinetic and electromyographic responses were recorded under isometric conditions, thereby allowing motorneuron pool excitability to be controlled. Results: Endpoint force changed from a posterior–lateral direction in a flexed posture to predominantly a posterior direction in a more extended posture [change in force angle (mean ± standard deviation) 35.6 ± 5.0°], and the force direction changed similarly with digit I stimulation compared with digit V (change = 22.9 ± 2.9°). Conclusions: The withdrawal reflex in the human upper limb adapts in a functionally relevant manner when elicited at rest. Muscle Nerve 49 : 716–723, 2014     

Differences in Perioperative Care at Low- and High-Mortality Hospitals with Cancer Surgery

Objective

To evaluate adherence to perioperative processes of care associated with major cancer resections.

Background

Mortality rates associated with major cancer resections vary across hospitals. Because mechanisms underlying such variations are not well-established, we studied adherence to perioperative care processes.

Methods

There were 1,279 hospitals participating in the National Cancer DataBase (2005–2006) ranked on a composite measure of mortality for bladder, colon, esophagus, stomach, lung, and pancreas cancer operations. We sampled hospitals from among those with the lowest and highest mortality rates, with 19 low-mortality hospitals [(LMHs), risk-adjusted mortality rate of 2.84 %] and 30 high-mortality hospitals [(HMHs), risk-adjusted mortality rate of 7.37 %]. We then conducted onsite chart reviews. Using logistic regression, we examined differences in perioperative care, adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics.

Results

Compared to LMHs, HMHs were less likely to use prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism, either preoperative or postoperatively [adjusted relative risk (aRR) 0.74, 95 % CI 0.50–0.92 and aRR 0.80, 95 % CI 0.56–0.93, respectively]. The two hospital groups were indistinguishable with respect to processes aimed at preventing surgical site infections, such as the use of antibiotics prior to incision (aRR, 0.99, 95 % CI 0.90–1.04), and processes intended to prevent cardiac events, including the use of β-blockers (1.00, 95 % CI 0.81–1.14). HMHs were significantly less likely to use epidurals (aRR, 0.57, 95 % CI 0.32–0.93).

Conclusions

HMHs and LMHs differ in several aspects of perioperative care. These areas may represent opportunities for improving cancer surgery quality at hospitals with high mortality.     

Perioperative Breast MRI Is Not Associated with Lower Locoregional Recurrence Rates in DCIS Patients Treated With or Without Radiation

Introduction

For women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) undergoing breast-conserving surgery (BCS), the benefit of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains unknown. Here we examine the relationship of MRI and locoregional recurrence (LRR) and contralateral breast cancer (CBC) for DCIS treated with BCS, with and without radiotherapy (RT).

Methods

A total of 2,321 women underwent BCS for DCIS from 1997 to 2010. All underwent mammography, and 596 (26 %) also underwent perioperative MRI; 904 women (39 %) did not receive RT, and 1,391 (61 %) did. Median follow-up was 59 months, and 548 women were followed for ≥8 years. The relationship between MRI and LRR was examined using multivariable analysis.

Results

There were 184 LRR events; 5- and 8-year LRR rates were 8.5 and 14.6 % (MRI), respectively, and 7.2 and 10.2 % (no-MRI), respectively (p = 0.52). LRR was significantly associated with age, menopausal status, margin status, RT, and endocrine therapy. After controlling for these variables and family history, presentation, number of excisions, and time period of surgery, there remained no trend toward association of MRI and lower LRR [hazard ratio (HR) 1.18, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.79–1.78, p = 0.42]. Restriction of analysis to the no-RT subgroup showed no association of MRI with lower LRR rates (HR 1.36, 95 % CI 0.78–2.39, p = 0.28). No difference in 5- or 8-year rates of CBC was seen between the MRI (3.5 and 3.5 %) and no-MRI (3.5 and 5.1 %) groups (p = 0.86).

Conclusions

We observed no association between perioperative MRI and lower LRR or CBC rates in patients with DCIS, with or without RT. In the absence of evidence that MRI improves outcomes, the routine perioperative use of MRI for DCIS should be questioned.     

Intensity of Follow-Up After Melanoma Surgery

This contemporary review of melanoma surveillance strategies seeks to help practitioners examine and improve their surveillance protocols based on the currently available data. In general, there is no definitive benefit from increased screening or more aggressive use of interval imaging. Low-intensity surveillance strategies do not appear to adversely affect patient outcomes and should be the preferred approach compared with high-intensity strategies for most melanoma patients. All surveillance programs should emphasize education in order to maximize the effectiveness of patient-based detection of recurrent disease.     

Characterization and Treatment of Local Recurrence Following Breast Conservation for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Purpose

The optimal treatment strategy for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) continues to evolve and should consider the consequences of initial treatment on the likelihood, type, and treatment of recurrences.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using two data sources of patients who experienced a recurrence (DCIS or invasive cancer) following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for index DCIS: patients with an index DCIS diagnosed from 1997 to 2008 at the academic institutions of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN; N = 88) and patients with an index DCIS diagnosed from 1990 to 2001 at community-based integrated healthcare delivery sites of the Health Maintenance Organization Cancer Research Network (CRN) (N = 182).

Results

Just under half of local recurrences in both cohorts were invasive cancer. While 40 % of patients in both cohorts underwent mastectomy alone at recurrence, treatment of the remaining patients varied. In the earlier CRN cohort, most other patients underwent repeat BCS (39 %) with only 18 % receiving mastectomy with reconstruction, whereas only 16 % had repeat BCS and 44 % had mastectomy with reconstruction in the NCCN cohort. Compared with patients not treated with radiation, those who received radiation for index DCIS were less likely to undergo repeat BCS (NCCN: 6.6 vs. 37 %, p = 0.001; CRN: 20 vs. 48 %, p = 0.0004) and more likely to experience surgical complications after treatment of recurrence (NCCN: 15 vs. 4 %, p = 0.17; CRN: 40 vs. 25 %, p = 0.09).

Conclusion

We found that treatment of recurrences after BCS and subsequent complications may be affected by the use of radiotherapy for the index DCIS. Initial treatment of DCIS may have long-term implications that should be considered.     

The Effect of Elevated Body Mass Index on Outcomes Following Cytoreductive Surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

Background

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) can prolong survival in peritoneal-based malignancies. These malignancies harbor in visceral and omental adipose tissue, and as a result, obesity may contribute to greater tumor burden. Obesity also is an independent risk factor for perioperative complications following major surgery. No studies to date have investigated the effect of elevated body mass index (BMI) on disease burden and perioperative outcomes in CRS-HIPEC patients.

Methods

Observational study of consecutive patients taken to the operating suite from 2007 to 2012 for CRS-HIPEC. Data were reviewed retrospectively, and patients for whom complete cytoreduction was not achieved and those with BMI <18.5 were excluded. Various operative data points, including peritoneal cancer index, surgery length, and estimated blood loss, were measured prospectively. Perioperative complications were identified and recorded.

Results

Complete data for review was available for 114 patients. Patients were subdivided based on BMI (group A 18.5–24.9, n = 43; group B 25–29.9, n = 49; group C ≥ 30, n = 22). There was no statistically significant difference in tumor burden, operative length, probability of unresectable disease, operative blood loss, or length of stay between groups. Rates of respiratory, gastrointestinal, infectious, renal, and hematologic complications were not statistically different, with the exception of deep vein thrombosis (A = 0, B = 13.5 %, C = 0; p = 0.026).

Conclusions

CRS-HIPEC can be safely performed in overweight and obese patients without significant increase in perioperative morbidity. Despite the limitations in physical examination and increase in visceral fat, they do not appear to present later than patients with normal BMI, nor do they have higher tumor burden.     

High Serum Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A and Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Before Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Predict Poor Outcomes in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Receiving Combined Modality Therapy

Background and Purpose

This study was aimed at using proximity ligation assay (PLA) followed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to identify serum biomarkers that predict treatment response and survival for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) followed by esophagectomy.

Methods

Seventy-nine patients with ESCC receiving CCRT of taxane-based/5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy and 40 Gy followed by surgery were enrolled. Serum samples were collected before and <1 month after CCRT. Fifteen biomarkers were analyzed using PLA. Biomarkers significantly correlating with pathological response/survival were verified by ELISA. Associations of the serum level of biomarkers and clinical factors with pathological response, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated by analysis of variance and log-rank tests.

Results

Thirty patients had complete response (38 %), 37 had microscopic residual disease (47 %), and 12 had macroscopic residual disease (15 %). With a median follow-up of 52.8 months, the median DFS was 43 months. Among the 15 biomarkers screened by PLA, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 were significantly associated with pathological response and/or DFS. These biomarkers were further analyzed by ELISA to confirm initial biomarker findings by PLA. After ELISA of these two markers, only VEGF-A levels were significantly correlated with pathological response. On multivariate analysis, patients with combined high pre-CCRT VEGF-A and TGF-β1 levels (greater than or equal to the median), independent of pathological response, had significantly worse DFS (11 months vs. median not reached; p = 0.007) and OS (16 vs. 46 months; p = 0.07).

Conclusions

Pre-CCRT serum VEGF-A and TGF-β1 levels may be used to predict pathological response and survivals for ESCC patients receiving combined-modality therapy.