MUC 1 core protein as a marker of gallbladder malignancy.

AIM: The significance of MUC 1 expression in the gallbladder tissues in relation to cancer and non-cancer disease is not well understood. The aim of this study was to clarify the significance of MUC 1 expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A monoclonal antibody (CA 15--3; DF 3) was applied to stain MUC 1 core protein in surgical specimens. RESULTS: MUC 1 expression is significantly higher (p<0.0001) in gallbladder cancer (69/88) compare to non-cancerous tissue, while, very trace in normal and inflammatory tissues. The expression rate was significantly lower (p<0.0001) when the cancer did not penetrate the mucosal layer than when cancers did penetrate this layer. The MUC 1 expression rate was (4/14) in T1 tumours, (11/14) in T4, (40/45) in T3, and (14/15) in T2, respectively. Every cell of normal and inflammatory mucosa, and T1 cancers had the polarized pattern. The depolarized pattern was dominant in cancer cells from the advanced tumours of T2, T3 and T4. That is, (45/74) of cancer cells from the mucosal layer and (58/74) of penetrating cancer cells in submucosal layer had the depolarized pattern. There was no significant correlation of MUC 1 expression rate and staining pattern with cancer differentiation and microscopic venous invasion. On the other hand, lymphatic vessel invasion was significantly correlated with the staining pattern but not with expression rate. CONCLUSION: MUC 1 core protein expression rate and pattern are suggesting that MUC 1 core protein would be a marker of malignant transformation of gallbladder epithelium and its depolarized expression would also be a marker of invasion of gallbladder cancer.     

Auricular skin-cartilage sandwich graft technique for full-thickness eyelid reconstruction

Full-thickness deficiency of eyelid tissues can result in coloboma or retraction or both. Here we report our initial experience on the use of auricular skin-cartilage sandwich graft technique for full-thickness eyelid deformities. Five patients (4–32 years) underwent the procedure. Patients with full-thickness eyelid deformity were included. Three patients were operated for large-sized coloboma and two for eyelid retraction. One patient had congenital, and four patients had acquired etiology. The following parameters were specifically assessed: correction of deformity, ocular surface problems, graft status, and epithelization of skin-cartilage graft. All the patients had a good correction of eyelid position, except one patient who had severe eyelid retraction (8 mm) at presentation. None of our patients had corneal erosion/defect, persistent ocular surface redness, or graft loss. The auricular skin-cartilage sandwich graft technique produces optimal results with no graft loss. Advancement of orbicularis muscle in between the auricular skin and cartilage grafts (sandwich technique) is an imperative step that leads to the survival of both grafts.     

Prediction of antimalarial activity of some cyclic peroxy ketals using physico-chemical and topological indices

This study is based on modeling the anti-malarial activity (log IC₅₀/nm) of 20 cyclic peroxy ketals using topological and physicochemical parameters. The multiple regression analysis reveals that the five-parametric model containing MW, ST, χ _eq, ⁰ χ ^v, IP₂ as correlating parameters is the best for modeling the activity of the compounds under present study. The cross-validated parameters have been calculated by LOO cross-validation procedure for validation of proposed model.     

The implications of lighted ureteral stenting in laparoscopic colectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The placement of indwelling ureteral catheters during colorectal surgery has been recommended for prevention of ureteral injuries. With the advent of laparoscopic colectomy (LCo), the role of preoperative placement of lighted ureteral stents (LUS) has also become commonplace. We sought to evaluate the value of lighted ureteral stent placement in laparoscopic colectomy. METHODS: Sixty-six patients underwent LCo with LUS inserted preoperatively. Stents were removed in the immediate postoperative period. Two surgeons performed all the colectomies; 32 patients were males and 34 were females. Fifty patients underwent sigmoid colectomy, 4 had abdominoperineal resection, 4 had right colectomy, and 1 each had transverse or subtotal colectomy. Eighteen patients had a diagnosis of cancer, 34 had diverticular disease, and 14 had neoplastic polyps. Forty patients had bilateral and 26 had unilateral stent placement. A review of the incidence of ureteral injuries, hematuria, and anuria as the cause of acute renal failure was accomplished, comparing the unilateral and bilateral stented groups. RESULTS: One (1.5%) patient suffered a left ureteral laceration during sigmoid colectomy. This was managed successfully with stent reinsertion. Sixty-five (98.4%) patients had gross hematuria lasting 2.93 days (1 to 6 days). The cost of bilateral stent placement was $1,504.32. A statistically significant difference occurred in the duration of hematuria (days) between patients who had unilateral (2.5 +/- 0.82) and bilateral stent placement (3.37 +/- 1.05), (P < 0.001). Four patients suffered from anuria, 2 required renal support needing hemodialysis for 3 to 6 days, 3 (75%) had bilateral stents, and 1 (25%) had a unilateral stent. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the placement of lighted ureteral stents as a valuable adjunct to laparoscopic colectomy to safeguard ureteral integrity. Transient hematuria is common but requires no intervention. Reflux anuria occurs infrequently and is reversible.     

Laparoscopic Adjustable Banded Sleeve Gastrectomy as a Primary Procedure for the Super-Super Obese (Body Mass Index > 60 kg/m<Superscript>2</Superscript>)

Isolated laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is increasingly being used for the treatment of morbid obesity. However, doubts still persist regarding long-term weight loss, and the 5-year results are awaited. Whether the aetiology of failed excess weight loss is the result of an inadequate sleeve or attributable to dilatation of the sleeve is not clear. In an effort to prevent gastric dilatation and increase gastric restriction to promote further weight loss in the long term, we performed a combined procedure of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding with sleeve gastrectomy. The patient was a 39-year-old woman with a life-long history of obesity and a body mass index of 79.8 kg/m². The surgical technique of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banded sleeve gastrectomy is described. There were no immediate complications, and the patient was discharged home on the third postoperative day. She is doing extremely well on clinic follow-up at 6 weeks. To the best of our knowledge, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banded sleeve gastrectomy, as a primary operation, has not been described in the literature. It is hoped that this combined procedure will be most useful in the super-super obese (body mass index > 60) patients. More patients with a long-term follow-up are necessary to provide definitive conclusions regarding long-term benefits and complications of this combined bariatric procedure.     

Laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy in esophagogastric cancer

BACKGROUND: Patients with esophagogastric malignancies often require nutritional supplementation in the perioperative period, especially in the setting where neoadjuvant therapy may delay tumor resection. A simple technique is described here that can be performed at the time of staging laparoscopy and that has not been described before. RESULTS: Forty-three patients treated over a 4-year period who had a laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy placed at the time of staging laparoscopy were reviewed. Of these, 35 had preoperative chemotherapy according to a modified MRC OEO2 protocol. In the period between staging and eventual resection, 32% required immediate feeding, and in 14% of those who were thought not to need feeding it later became necessary. More patients gained weight or had a rise in albumin in the group that had jejunal feeding (p < 0.05). The mean time to surgery was 10 weeks. There were no conversions to an open procedure, nor were there any laparotomies for tube-related complications. Dislodgement was recorded in 6 patients; blockage, in 4. In most of these cases a simple bedside replacement of the tube was all that was required. Mean time in the operating room for each procedure was 44 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic percutaneous feeding jejunostomy is a safe and simple technique that adds little to the morbidity and cost of managing patients with esophagogastric cancers. It facilitates optimization of nutrition in the perioperative period for these patients, especially in those receiving preoperative chemotherapy.     

Esophagogastric Cancers Secondary to a Breast Primary Tumor Do Not Require Resection

Background Breast cancer metastasis to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is rare. When it does occur, the upper GIT is more frequently involved, and lobular infiltrating carcinoma apparently has a greater apparent predilection for the GIT than the ductal type does. This study reviewed the clinicopathological features of esophagogastric secondary tumors from breast cancer. Patients and Methods Patients with breast cancer metastases to the upper GIT referred to us for treatment of either esophageal or gastric cancers between November 1997 and November 2004 were identified from our database. The medical records of these patients were then reviewed for clinicopathological data and outcome. Results Nine patients with mean age of 71 (range: 57–90) years had median time of 6.5 (2.8–32.8) years between primary breast cancer diagnosis and upper GI metastasis. The sites of metastatic lesions included the lower esophagus (2 patients), gastroesophageal junction (1 patient), gastric body (3 patients), and pylorus (3 patients). Histological typing indicated 7 cases of the lobular form and 2 cases of ductal carcinoma. All but one biopsy specimen were estrogen receptor and CK7 positive. Treatment included hormonal therapy and stent in 3 patients, hormonal therapy alone in 1 patient, chemotherapy alone in 1 patient, chemotherapy and gastrojejunostomy in 1 patient, dilatation and stent in 1 patient, and palliative care only in 2 patients. The median survival following treatment of these metastases was 20 (range: 2.1–96.6) months. Conclusions The onset of nonspecific GIT symptoms in patients with a history of breast carcinoma should prompt the clinician to rule out the possibility of upper GIT metastasis even many years after the original breast cancer. The use of systemic therapy for breast cancer may result in longer survival.