Inhibition of porcine endogenous retrovirus in PK15 cell line by efficient multitargeting RNA interference

To effectively suppress porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV)s, RNAi technique was utilized. RNAi is the up‐to‐date skill for gene knockdown which simultaneously multitargets both gag and pol genes critical for replication of PERVs. Previously, two of the most effective siRNAs (gag2, pol2) were found to reduce the expression of PERVs. Concurrent treatment of these two siRNAs (gag2+pol2) showed knockdown efficiency of up to 88% compared to negative control. However, despite the high initial knockdown efficiency 48 h after transfection caused by siRNA, it may only be a transient effect of suppressing PERVs. The multitargeting vector was designed, containing both gag and pol genes and making use of POL II miR Expression Vector, which allowed for persistent and multiple targeting. This is the latest shRNA system technique expressing and targeting like miRNA. Through antibiotics resistance characteristics utilizing this vector, miRNA‐transfected PK15 cells (gag2‐pol2) were selected during 10 days. An 88.1% reduction in the level of mRNA expression was found. In addition, we performed RT‐activity analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization assay, and it demonstrated the highest knockdown efficiency in multitargeting (gag2+pol2) miRNA group. Therefore, according to the results above, gene knockdown system (siRNA and shRNA) through multitargeting strategy could effectively inhibit PERVs.     

Decisional regret after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy is higher in African American men

ObjectivesLongitudinal studies report racial disparities in prostate cancer (PCa) including greater incidence, more aggressive tumor biology, and increased cancer-specific mortality in African American (AA) men. Regret concerning primary treatment selection is underevaluated in patients with PCa. We investigated the relationships between clinicopathologic variables across racial and socioeconomic lines following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.Materials and methodsWe assessed treatment decisional regret using a validated questionnaire in a total of 484 white and 72 AA patients with PCa who were followed up for a median of 16.6 months post–robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Socioeconomic status (SES) information was aggregated from 2010 US census zip code data. Perioperative clinicopathologic characteristics and functional outcomes were compared between groups. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to evaluate the influence of race, aggregate SES, and other clinical and demographic characteristics on decisional regret.ResultsThe majority (87.7%) of the population was not regretful of their decision to undergo treatment. However, a greater proportion of AA vs. white patients were regretful (20.6% vs. 11.2%, respectively; P = 0.03). AA and white men were similar on all functional, clinical, and pathologic features with the exception of younger age among AA men (56 vs. 60 y, respectively; P<0.001). Although there were significant differences in SES by race (P<0.001), regret did not differ by SES (β =?1.53; P = 0.15). Race, postoperative sexual dysfunction, pad usage, and length of hospital stay, however, were significantly associated with decisional regret.ConclusionsAA men were more regretful than white men, after adjusting for clinicopathologic characteristics and postoperative functional outcomes.     

Minimally invasive surgery for remnant gastric cancer: a comparison with open surgery

Background

Completion total gastrectomy for remnant gastric cancer (RGC) is technically challenging, especially using the minimally invasive approach. Only a few small case series have reported the technical feasibility of completion total gastrectomy by minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of MIS and open surgery for RGC.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 76 completion total gastrectomies for RGC between 2005 and 2012. Indications for MIS were limited to no evidence of serosa invasion or lymph node metastasis to extraperigastric areas on preoperative evaluation. We compared patient characteristics, intraoperative factors, post-operative outcomes, and survival for the MIS and open surgery groups.

Results

Eighteen patients underwent completion total gastrectomy with MIS (10 laparoscopic, 8 robotic) and 58 patients underwent open surgery. Operation time was longer in the MIS than the open group (266 vs. 203 min, P = 0.004), but the groups had similar estimated blood loss, frequency of unplanned other organ resection, and number of retrieved lymph nodes. The MIS group had a significantly earlier initiation of soft diet, shorter hospital stay, and fewer pain medication injections. Complication rates, recurrence, and overall 5-year survival were similar for the two groups. When we compared laparoscopy with robotic, similar result was shown in all parameters except operation time.

Conclusions

Compared to open surgery, MIS for RGC demonstrated better short-term outcome and comparable oncologic results. MIS for RGC is feasible and safe and maintains advantages of minimal invasiveness. Both laparoscopic and robotic approaches are reasonable to the management of RGC.     

How often is functional range of motion obtained by manipulation for stiff total knee arthroplasty?

Purpose

To evaluate how often manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) can achieve functional flexion ≥ 90 degrees and identify predictor for successful outcome of MUA for stiff total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

Demographic data, range of motion, and surgical and anesthetic information of 143 MUAs were retrospectively analyzed from 2000 to 2011.

Results

One-hundred thirty-six out of 143 patients (95 %) improved mean range of motion (ROM) from pre-MUA 62 ± 17° to final ROM 101 ± 21° (p < 0.001). Flexion ≥ 90 degrees was achieved in 74% (106/143) of patients. Regional anesthesia was identified as predictor of successful MUA outcome (p = 0.007, OR: 8.5, 95 % CI: 1.2-66.7).

Conclusions

Although the proportion of patients regaining flexion ≥ 90 degrees following MUA was less than those patients with simple overall ROM increase, the functional flexion ≥ 90 degrees was achieved in the vast majority of patients with stiff TKA following MUA.     

Effect of Human Placental Extract Treatment on Random-Pattern Skin Flap Survival in Rats

Background: Human placental extract (HPE), prepared from the placentas of healthy, postpartum females, displays various physiological activities, including antioxidative properties. In this study, a dorsal skin flap model was used to investigate the effect of HPE on flap viability in rats. Materials and methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent random-pattern skin flap surgeries. The animals were randomly divided among a control group and three treatment groups (localized injection (LI), 10 mg/kg/d localized HPE injections; low-dose treatment (LT), 10 mg/kg/d systemic HPE injections; high-dose treatment (HT), 40 mg/kg/d systemic HPE injections). Surviving skin flap areas were measured 7 days after surgery and tissue samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin; vascular endothelial growth factor expression was determined immunohistochemically. To evaluate the antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of HPE, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, and caspase-3 levels were examined. Results: Seven days after surgery, HPE-treated animals had significantly reduced necrotic areas, rats receiving the highest HPE dose demonstrated the greatest flap survival. In the HPE groups, the histopathological scores were lower than for the control group. Immunohistochemistry showed markedly more numerous vascular endothelial growth factor-positive cells in the HT group than in the C group. Malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower and glutathione peroxidase levels were higher in the HT group than in the C group. HPE treatment significantly inhibited apoptosis by lowering caspase-3 activity. Conclusions: HPE treatment yielded positive effects on flap survival, due to its antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties. These results suggest a new therapeutic approach for enhancing flap viability and accelerating wound repair.     

Presence of Vesicoureteral Reflux in the Graft Kidney Does Not Adversely Affect Long-Term Graft Outcome in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Introduction

We studied the incidence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in the graft kidney and its effect on the occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and long-term graft function.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 64 adult kidney transplant recipients based upon voiding cystourethrography at 12 months post-transplantation. Patients underwent analysis of survival, incidence of UTIs beyond 1 year, and graft function.

Results

Thirty-seven male and 27 female patients in the study populations showed a mean age 42 years. VUR in the transplanted kidney at 12 months post-transplant occurred among 78.1% (50/64) of subjects: grade I (n = 6), grade II (n = 30), or grade III (n = 14) reflux. Patients followed for a median 61 months (range 44–74s) showed 11 cases of UTIs in 9 subjects. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics or incidence of, UTIs according to the presence or severity of VUR (P = .81) or the Serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate values at 12, 36, 48, or 60 months post-transplantation.

Conclusions

VUR present in 78.1% of patients after kidney transplantation affected neither graft functions or graft survival. The incidence of UTI did not differ according to the presence of VUR.     

Comparing the short-term outcomes of totally intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy with extracorporeal gastroduodenostomy after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a single surgeon’s experience and a rapid systematic review with meta-analysis

Background

Since delta-shaped gastroduodenostomy was introduced, many surgeons have utilized laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) with totally intracorporeal Billroth I (ICBI) for gastric cancer, because it is expected to have several advantages over laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy with extracorporeal Billroth I (ECBI). In this study, we compared these two reconstruction options to evaluate their outcomes.

Methods

The data of 166 gastric cancer patients who underwent LDG performed by a single surgeon between April 2009 and February 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. The subjects were divided into ECBI (n = 106) and ICBI (n = 60) groups, and then the clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes, symptoms, and change in BMI at 3 months after surgery were compared. Furthermore, a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted.

Results

The operative time was significantly shorter in the ICBI group (197.4 ± 45.5 vs. 157.1 ± 43.9 min), but blood loss was similar between the groups. Regarding surgical outcomes, there were no significant differences in the length of hospital stay, soft diet initiation, visual analogue scale, frequency of analgesics injection, and postoperative white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein levels between the groups. The surgical complication rates were 5.7 and 13.3 % in the ECBI and ICBI groups, respectively, and one case of anastomosis leakage was observed in each group. At 3 months after surgery, reflux symptoms were more frequent in the ICBI group, but other gastrointestinal symptoms and the change of BMI were similar between the groups. The meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in the operative time, time to first flatus, length of hospital stay, frequency of analgesic usages, and rates of anastomosis complications between the groups.

Conclusions

We could not demonstrate the clinical superiority of ICBI over ECBI based on our data and a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis. The anastomosis method may be selected according to patient conditions and the surgeon’s preference.     

Conjoined lumbar nerve roots: a frequently underappreciated congenital abnormality

Nerve root anomalies are frequently underrecognized on advanced imaging studies and may account for some percentage of failed spinal surgical procedures. The conjoined nerve root represents the most common nerve root anomaly. It is a well-known cause of false-positive readings for bulging and herniated disks in patients with purely axial neuroimaging studies. A retrospective evaluation of consecutive microsurgical lumbar diskectomies in 80 patients during a 5-year period was undertaken. A total of four patients (5%) were found intraoperatively to have evidence of a conjoined nerve root by the classification of Neidre. None was diagnosed preoperatively. Coronal magnetic resonance imaging offers the best means of visualizing a conjoined nerve root. The chance for a successful operation can be significantly enhanced if the surgeon is prepared to encounter this pathology.     

Diagnosis of intrahepatic stones: superiority of MR cholangiopancreatography over endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for the diagnosis of intrahepatic stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 318 patients who underwent MRCP examinations at our institution during an 18-month period, we identified 49 patients who subsequently underwent surgery or cholangioscopic stone removal with proof of intrahepatic stones. Thirty-four of these patients also underwent ERCP; they made up our study population. All images were interpreted for the presence of bile duct stones: MRCP images were interpreted independently by two reviewers, and ERCP studies were interpreted by one reviewer who was unaware of the MRCP findings. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of MRCP for detecting intrahepatic stones were 97% and 93%, respectively, whereas those of ERCP were 59% and 97%, respectively. MRCP showed a significantly higher sensitivity than ERCP in the diagnosis of intrahepatic stones (p < 0.001). We found no significant difference between MRCP and ERCP in sensitivity or specificity for detecting calculi in the common duct or gallbladder. CONCLUSION: MRCP is a more effective diagnostic method than ERCP for the evaluation of intrahepatic stones.