Endoscopic Reconstruction of Cranial Base Defects following Endonasal Skull Base Surgery.

The expanded endonasal approach provides access to the entire ventral skull base for resection of neoplasms involving the skull base and brain. The creation of large defects of the bone and dura endoscopically presents unique reconstructive challenges. A layered reconstruction of the dura with inlay and onlay fascial grafts covered with fat grafts is an effective technique for repair. An intranasal balloon catheter is used to provide counterpressure in the early phase of healing and a lumbar spinal drain is a useful adjunct in patients at increased risk of a cerebrospinal fluid leak. Vascularized flaps may be necessary in some patients receiving radiation therapy. Continued advances in surgical technology and the introduction of new biomaterials will facilitate the reconstruction of skull base defects following endonasal brain surgery.     

Structural determinants of vertebral fracture risk.

Vertebral fractures are more strongly associated with specific bone density, structure, and strength parameters than with areal BMD, but all of these variables are correlated. INTRODUCTION: It is unclear whether the association of areal BMD (aBMD) with vertebral fracture risk depends on bone density per se, bone macro- or microstructure, overall bone strength, or spine load/bone strength ratios. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From an age-stratified sample of Rochester, MN, women, we identified 40 with a clinically diagnosed vertebral fracture (confirmed semiquantitatively) caused by moderate trauma (cases; mean age, 78.6 +/- 9.0 yr) and compared them with 40 controls with no osteoporotic fracture (mean age, 70.9 +/- 6.8 yr). Lumbar spine volumetric BMD (vBMD) and geometry were assessed by central QCT, whereas microstructure was evaluated by high-resolution pQCT at the ultradistal radius. Vertebral failure load ( approximately strength) was estimated from voxel-based finite element models, and the factor-of-risk (phi) was determined as the ratio of applied spine loads to failure load. RESULTS: Spine loading (axial compressive force on L3) was similar in vertebral fracture cases and controls (e.g., for 90 degrees forward flexion, 2639 versus 2706 N; age-adjusted p = 0.173). However, fracture cases had inferior values for most bone density and structure variables. Bone strength measures were also reduced, and the factor-of-risk (phi) was 35-37% greater (worse) among women with a vertebral fracture. By age-adjusted logistic regression, relative risks for the strongest fracture predictor in each of the five main variable categories were bone density (total lumbar spine vBMD: OR per SD change, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.3), bone geometry (vertebral apparent cortical thickness: OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1-4.1), bone microstructure (none significant); bone strength ("cortical" [outer 2 mm] compressive strength: OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-4.8), and factor-of-risk (phi for 90 degrees forward flexion/overall vertebral compressive strength: OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.4-7.5). These variables were correlated with spine aBMD (partial r, -0.32 to 0.75), but each was a stronger predictor of fracture in the logistic regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The association of aBMD with vertebral fracture risk is explained by its correlation with more specific bone density, structure, and strength parameters. These may allow deeper insights into fracture pathogenesis.     

In Vitro Comparison of Two Different Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices Installed in Series and in Parallel

This study investigates the novel approach of placing a ventricular assist pump in the descending aorta in series configuration with the heart and compares it with the two traditional approaches of left‐ventricle‐to‐ascending‐aorta (LV‐AA) and left‐ventricle‐to‐descending‐aorta (LV‐DA) placement in parallel with the heart. Experiments were conducted by using the in‐house simulator of the cardiovascular blood‐flow loop (SCVL). The results indicate that the use of the LV‐AA in‐parallel configuration leads to a significant improvement in the systemic and pulmonic flow as the level of continuous flow is increased; however, this approach is considered highly invasive. The use of the LV‐DA in‐parallel configuration leads to an improvement in the systemic and pulmonic flow at lower levels of continuous flow but at higher levels of pump support leads to retrograde flow. In both in‐parallel configurations, increasing the level of pump continuous flow leads to a decrease in pulsatility to a certain extent. The results of placing the pump in the descending aorta in series configuration show that the pressure drop upstream of the pump facilitates cardiac output as a result of afterload reduction. In addition, the pressure rise downstream of the pump may assist with renal perfusion. However, at the same time, the pressure drop generated at the proximal part of the descending aorta induces a slight drop in carotid perfusion, which would be autoregulated by the brain in a native cardiovascular system. The pulse wave analysis shows that placing the pump in the descending aorta leads to improved pulsatility in comparison with the traditional in‐parallel configurations.     

Recurrence Patterns and Prognostic Factors in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Noncirrhotic Liver: A Multi-Institutional Analysis

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) primarily affects patients with a cirrhotic liver. Reports on the characteristics of patients with HCC in noncirrhotic liver, as well as predictors of recurrence and survival, are scarce.

Methods

Between 1992 and 2011, 334 patients treated for HCC in noncirrhotic liver were identified from three major hepatobiliary centers. Clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed and independent predictors of recurrence and overall survival were identified using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Median patient age was 58 years and 77 % were male. Most patients had a solitary (81 %) and poorly or undifferentiated tumor (56 %); median size was 6.5 cm. The majority of patients (96 %) underwent liver resection (microscopically negative margins in 94 %), whereas a few had transarterial chemoembolization or transplantation (4 %). Median recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 2.5 years, and 1- and 5-year RFS was 71.1, and 35 %, respectively. Elevated alkaline phosphatase levels [hazards ratio (HR) = 1.82], poor tumor differentiation (HR = 1.4), macrovascular invasion (HR = 2.18), and the presence of satellite lesions (HR = 1.9), or intrahepatic metastases (HR = 2.59) were independently associated with shorter RFS; in contrast, an intact tumor capsule independently prolonged RFS (HR = 0.46). Median overall survival was 5.9 years, and 1- and 5-year overall survival was 86.9, and 54.5 %, respectively. Tumor size ≥5 cm (HR = 2.27), macrovascular (HR = 2.72) or adjacent organ invasion (HR = 3.34), and satellite lesions (HR = 2.18) were independently associated with shorter overall survival, whereas an intact tumor capsule showed a protective effect (HR = 0.51).

Conclusions

Following resection of HCC in the setting of no cirrhosis, more than one-half of patients were alive after 5 years. However, even among patients with no cirrhosis, recurrence was common. Factors associated with RFS and overall survival included tumor characteristics, such as tumor capsule, satellite lesions, and vascular invasion.     

Poor patient-reported outcome after shoulder replacement in young patients with cuff-tear arthropathy: a matched-pair analysis from the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry

Background and purpose — Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has become the treatment of choice for cuff-tear arthropathy. There are, however, concerns about the longevity and the outcome of an eventual revision procedure. Thus, resurfacing hemiarthroplasty (RHA) with extended articular surface has been suggested for younger patients. We compared the patient-reported outcome of these arthroplasty designs for cuff-tear arthropathy.

Patients and methods — We included patients operated on because of cuff-tear arthropathy and reported to the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry (DSR) from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2013. 117 RHA cases were matched by age and sex with 233 RSA controls. 34 of the RHAs were conventional and 67 were RHAs with extended articular surface. The Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) Index at 1 year was used as primary outcome. The score was converted to a percentage of a maximum score. Revision, defined as removal or exchange of any component or the addition of a glenoid component, was used as secondary outcome.

Results — Median WOOS was 49 (30–81) for RHA and 77 (50–92) for RSA (p < 0.001). For patients younger than 65 years, median WOOS was 58 (44–80) after RHA, similar to the 54 after RSA (37–85). For patients older than 65 years, median WOOS was 48 (28–82) after RHA and 79 (55–92) after RSA (p < 0.001).

Interpretation — In all patients RSA had a clinically and statistically better patient-reported outcome than RHA. However, in patients younger than 65 years the functional outcome was similar and poor for either arthroplasty type. The optimal treatment of CTA in young patients remains a challenge.     

基于主成分分析下慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重频率的判别分析

目的 对慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者（COPD)）一般资料及临床资料进行主成分分析和判别分析,研究影响疾病急性加重频率的因素,以预测患者后续发病频率。 方法 选取我院2016年1月～2017年10月收治的350例COPD患者为研究对象,收集患者例入院时一般资料、24h内动脉血气分析,首次降钙素原（PCT）含量、C反应蛋白（CRP）含量及血常规,及入院结束治疗时的抗生素治疗时间、住院时间。对入选患者随访1年,并明确1年内慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重（AECOPD）次数,根据疾病加重次数将患者分为三组（A组：≤1次;B组：＜3次;C组：≥3次）。比较三组一般资料及临床资料的差异,利用因子分析提取上述临床指标及一般资料主成分,并利用主成分对AECOPD患者急性加重频数行判别分析,比较提取主成分前后判别分析率差异。结果 共纳入患者321例,其中A组105例、B组105例、C组111例,三组一般资料及临床资料除吸烟年无明显差异,其余指标组间比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。从临床指标及一般资料中共提取5个主成分,综合信息提取率833%。一般资料及临床指标判别分析提示,总体判别正确率为748%,A、B、C组三组正确判别率分别为88.6%、65.7%、70.3%;利用提取的主成分进行判别分析提示,总体判别正确率72.0%,A、B、C组三组正确判别率分别为971%、60%、595%。结论 利用常见一般资料及临床资料进行判别分析,可预测患者发病频数,主成分分析的判别正确率与综合资料判别正确率间无明显差异。     

Inhibition of Intra-Abdominal Adhesions: A Comparison of Hemaseel APR and Cryoprecipitate Fibrin Glue

Our previous studies demonstrated fibrin glue (FG) prepared from cryoprecipitate (cryo) inhibits intra-abdominal adhesions in rats. A new FG, Hemaseel APR, is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for hemostasis during cardiac surgery and splenic trauma. This study was undertaken to determine if Hemaseel FG prevents intra-abdominal adhesions, and to compare it to cryo FG. Forty-five rats underwent laparotomy. Bilateral peritoneal-muscular defects were created. Polypropylene mesh was sewn into each defect with a running silk suture. The bowel was abraded with gauze. The rats were then randomized to mesh covered with Hemaseel FG, cryo FG, or control. On postoperative day 7, the severity of adhesions were graded by percentage of mesh covered by adhesion (0-100%) and degree of adhesion (0-3). The mean percentage of mesh covered by adhesion was 9% for Hemaseel FG, 43% for cryo FG (p = .005), and 65% for the controls (p &lt; .0001). The mean density adhesion score was 0.5 for Hemaseel FG, 1.2 for cryo FG (p = .04), and 2.1 for the controls (p &lt; .0001). In the Hemaseel FG group, 77% of patches had no adhesions, compared with 37% in the cryo FG group (p = .004) and 13% in the controls (p &lt; .0001). Thus, Hemaseel FG significantly decreases intra-abdominal adhesions, and is more effective than cryo FG.     

Noninvasive monitoring of somatostatin receptor type 2 chimeric gene transfer.

Noninvasive monitoring of gene transfer will benefit basic research and patient care. Most gene-transfer imaging systems do not directly detect the gene of interest, and most do not exploit radiopharmaceuticals that have Food and Drug Administration approval for total-body use. (111)In-Octreotide is used clinically to locate tumors overexpressing primarily somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2). We report the in vitro and in vivo detection of SSTR2 chimeric gene transfer with this radiopharmaceutical. METHODS: Full-length SSTR2A was ligated into a vector downstream of a 5' Igkappa leader sequence and the hemagglutinin A (HA) sequence. The vector plus insert was then introduced into HT1080 cells. Igkappa and HA domain functions were confirmed by immunologic methods. Receptor binding was studied in transfected cells incubated with (111)In-octreotide with and without somatostatin-28. Mice bearing tumors produced by transfected cells were injected with (111)In-octreotide for biodistribution and imaging studies. RESULTS: Cell-membrane localization by the amino-terminal Igkappa domain was confirmed by immunofluorescence. The HA domain was identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting analysis with anti-HA antibodies. (111)In-Octreotide detected the SSTR2 portion of the fusion protein in vitro (receptor-binding assay) and in vivo (biodistribution studies and gamma-camera imaging). In addition, in vitro studies using either the anti-HA antibody or (111)In-octreotide correlated with biodistribution and imaging studies when cell clones expressing different levels of the fusion protein were tested. This approach may be feasible clinically because we were able to discern chimeric gene transfer in tumor-bearing animals with (111)In-octreotide at doses similar to those already used in humans. CONCLUSION: With this method it may be possible to monitor transfer of a gene of interest directly and noninvasively.     

Activated protein C decreases plasminogen activator-inhibitor activity in endothelial cell-conditioned medium

Confluent cultures of endothelial cells from human umbilical cord were used to study the effect of activated human protein C (APC) on the production of plasminogen activators, plasminogen activator-inhibitor, and factor VIII-related antigen. Addition of APC to the cells in a serum-free medium did not affect the production of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) or factor VIII-related antigen; under all measured conditions, no urokinase activity was found. However, less plasminogen activator-inhibitor activity accumulated in the conditioned medium in the presence of APC. This decrease was dose dependent and could be prevented by specific anti-protein C antibodies. No decrease was observed with the zymogen protein C or with diisopropylfluorophosphate-inactivated APC. APC also decreased the t-PA inhibitor activity in endothelial cell-conditioned medium in the absence of cells, which suggests that the effect of APC is at least partly due to a direct effect of APC on the plasminogen activator- inhibitor. High concentrations of thrombin-but not of factor Xa or IXa-- had a similar effect on the t-PA inhibitor activity. The effect of APC on the plasminogen activator-inhibitor provides a new mechanism by which APC may enhance fibrinolysis. The data suggest that activation of the coagulation system may lead to a secondary increase of the fibrinolytic activity by changing the balance between plasminogen activator(s) and its (their) fast-acting inhibitor.