Influence of Hepatic Parenchymal Histology on Outcome Following Right Hepatic Trisectionectomy

Background

Histological abnormalities in the non-tumour-bearing liver (NTBL) may influence outcome following hepatectomy. Effects will be most pertinent following right trisectionectomy but have yet to be specifically examined in this context. This study aimed to investigate the influence of perioperative factors, including NTBL histology, on outcome following right trisectionectomy.

Methods

Pathological review of the NTBL of 103 consecutive patients undergoing right trisectionectomy between January 2003 and December 2009 was performed using established criteria for steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), sinusoidal injury (SI), fibrosis and cholestasis. Perioperative and pathological factors were correlated with post-operative outcome (morbidity, major morbidity, hepatic insufficiency and mortality).

Results

Morbidity, hepatic insufficiency and major morbidity occurred in 37.9?%, 14.6?% and 22.3?% of cases, respectively. Ninety-day mortality rate was 5.8?%. NASH (P?=?0.007) and perioperative blood transfusion (P?=?0.001) were independently associated with hepatic insufficiency following trisectionectomy. NASH (P?=?0.028), perioperative transfusion (P?=?0.016), diabetes mellitus (P?=?0.047) and coronary artery disease (P?=?0.036) were independently associated with major morbidity. Steatosis, SI, fibrosis and cholestasis in the NTBL demonstrated no association with any adverse outcome.

Conclusion

NASH, but not steatosis or SI, is associated with adverse outcome following right trisectionectomy and caution must be exerted when considering major hepatectomy in patients with NASH.     

Primary mediastinal cysts: clinical evaluation and surgical results of 32 cases

The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze our experience with mediastinal cysts, emphasizing the clinical presentations and results of surgery.Thirty-two patients with mediastinal cysts underwent surgery from January 2000 through June 2005. The records of these patients were reviewed for age at presentation, sex, signs and symptoms at presentation, results of the imaging techniques, types of mediastinal cysts, location and size of cysts, types of surgical procedure, length of hospital stay, early postoperative complications, death, and other follow-up information.The 32 mediastinal cysts comprised 12 bronchogenic, 9 pericardial, 7 thymic, and 2 enteric cysts, together with 2 cystic teratomas. Overall, 14 of the 32 patients with mediastinal cysts were asymptomatic. The surgical approach was thoracotomy in 30 patients and median sternotomy in 2 patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 7.7 ± 2.6 days. All patients were free from recurrence during the mean follow-up period of 4.4 ± 3.3 years.Surgery for mediastinal cysts is associated with low morbidity and mortality rates and a very low recurrence rate. It offers a definitive diagnosis and cure, avoiding the higher morbidity and mortality risks associated with conservative observation.     

Diabetes and diabetes care among non-obese South Asian Americans: Findings from a population-based study

AimsThe aim of this paper is to provide population-based data from California on: (a) the prevalence and the odds of diabetes among non-obese South Asian (SA) Americans compared to non-Hispanic Whites (NHW); (b) to assess the prevalence and odds of optimal medical care including regular eye exams, foot exams, and the monitoring of hemoglobin A1C blood glucose levels; and (c) To identify the factors that are associated with diabetes among SA Americans.MethodsThe combined 2007, 2009, and 2011 waves of the adult California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) was used to analyze a non-obese (BMI<30) sample of 1251 SA and 72,072 NHW. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were performed using Stata.ResultsNon-obese SA had more than twice the odds of diabetes in comparison to NHW (OR = 2.50; 1.66, 3.76), even after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Despite their higher propensity for diabetes, there were no significant ethnic differences in the level of optimal care received by those with diabetes. Among non-obese South Asian Americans, the odds of diabetes were higher for older respondents, those without a post-secondary degree, those who were foreign-born, those who had ever smoked, and those with BMI from 25 to 29.99.ConclusionsNon-obese SA in California experience a disproportionately higher prevalence of diabetes than their NHW counterparts.     

The influence of 'cognitive busyness' on causal attributions of challenging behaviour in dementia: A preliminary experimental study

This study investigated the influence of 'cognitive busyness' (competing cognitive demands) on residential care staff attributions of challenging behaviour (CB) related to dementia. Following the model of attribution formation proposed by Gilbert, Pelham, and Krull (1988), it was hypothesised that care staff experiencing competing cognitive demands at the time of observing CBs linked with dementia would be more likely to make internal and controllable attributions regarding the causes of such behaviour. This study employed a cross-over experimental design. Thirty formal dementia care-workers viewed two video clips of simulated CB, one under conditions of cognitive 'busyness' and another under control conditions of no extra cognitive demands. These conditions occurred a week apart and were counterbalanced, i.e. one group of participants undertook the control condition first and then the experimental condition whilst another undertook the reverse. Self-report measures of attributions were administered after the viewing of each video clip. Competing cognitive demands significantly influenced staff attributions regarding CB, in relation to internality and controllability, and type of CB emerged as a potential moderating factor. No link was found between cognitive busyness and other attributional dimensions (stability and globality). Concurrent cognitive demands seem capable of impairing the ability to use situational information to form some causal attributions regarding CB in dementia but this might depend on the type of CB being witnessed. The results are discussed in relation to key methodological and conceptual issues.     

The European Menopause Survey 2005: Women's perceptions on the menopause and postmenopausal hormone therapy

Objectives.?To identify and describe current women's thoughts about the menopause, hormone treatment (HT) and perceptions about breast cancer.

Methods.?Between December 2004 and January 2005, 4201 postmenopausal women in seven European countries were interviewed via a standardized computer-aided telephone interview protocol.

Results.?Almost all women reported to have experienced climacteric symptoms, and 63% of the women rated them as being severe. Only 52% of women were aware of the benefits of HT for relief of climacteric symptoms. Although 84% felt that severe symptoms should be treated, only 40% had used HT at some point in time. Thirty-four percent of the women preferring treatment with natural products did so because of the risk of breast cancer associated with HT. HT was recognized by 59% of the women as one of the most important contributors to an increased breast cancer risk. Most women received their information about HT and breast cancer risk from the media.

Conclusions.?This European survey reveals that the majority of women experience climacteric symptoms but that their decision whether or not to use HT is highly dependent on their concern about breast cancer risk. An increase in knowledge of the benefits and risks of HT is required for women to make appropriate decisions about hormone use.