Alterations of humoral immunity in patients with gastric cancer

For better understanding of the alterations of humoral immunity in gastric cancer patients, IgG, IgA, IgM, complement C3, C4, CH50, natural antibody (isohemagglutinin-IgM class), ESR, CRP, albumin and globulin were quantitated in sera taken preoperatively from 81 patients with gastric cancer and from 29 control patients with hernia. The results from patients with gastric cancer were grouped according to pTNM staging (including stage I + II, III, and IV). Serum globulin and IgG levels in all stages of cancer patients were significantly lower than that of the controls (p less than 0.05). The CRP and ESR levels in stage III and IV cancer patients were significantly higher (p less than 0.05). There was no difference between cancer and hernia patient groups in IgA, IgM, isohemagglutinin-IgM class, C3, C4, CH50, albumin, WBC and total lymphocyte counts. In conclusion, the significant changes in humoral immunity in patients with gastric cancer include: (1) decrease in serum IgG and globulin levels, and (2) increased levels of acute phase reactants (ESR, CRP). These results imply that patients with gastric cancer have lower acquired humoral immunity and have acute phase reactions.     

Stromal CD10 expression in mammary fibroadenomas and phyllodes tumours

BACKGROUND/AIMS: CD10 (CALLA) has recently been reported to be expressed in spindle cell neoplasia, and has been used to differentiate endometrial stromal sarcoma from leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma. In the breast, myoepithelial cells express CD10, but there are few studies of the expression of CD10 in mammary fibroepithelial lesions. METHODS: Stromal CD10 expression was studied in 181 mammary phyllodes tumours (102 benign, 51 borderline malignant, and 28 frankly malignant) and 33 fibroadenomas using immunohistochemistry, to evaluate whether differences in expression correlated with the degree of malignancy. RESULTS: There was a progressive increase in the patients' age and tumour size, from fibroadenoma to phyllodes tumours with an increasing degree of malignancy (p < 0.001). Stromal CD10 expression was positive in one of 33 fibroadenomas, six of 102 benign phyllodes tumours, 16 of 51 borderline malignant phyllodes tumours, and 14 of 28 frankly malignant phyllodes tumours. The difference was significant (p < 0.001) and an increasing trend was established. Strong staining was seen in subepithelial areas with higher stromal cellularity and activity. Stromal CD10 expression had a high specificity (95%) for differentiating between benign lesions (fibroadenomas and benign phyllodes tumours) and malignant (borderline and frankly malignant) phyllodes tumours. CONCLUSIONS: CD10 may be a useful adjunct in assessing malignancy in mammary fibroepithelial lesions.     

Concentration andpH dependent steady-state volume of distribution of methotrexate estimated by a simple physiologically based method

The effects of plasma concentration and pH on the steady-state volume of distribution, V_ss,of methotrexate (MTX) were studied in five conditioned male beagle-mongrel dogs. Steady-state plasma MTX concentrations of approximately 1, 20, and 100g/ml were targeted for by i.v. bolus doses followed by i.v. infusions. An isotonic solution of sodium bicarbonate or ammonium chloride was simultaneously infused for the purpose of inducing plasma pH change, while the infusion of an isotonic solution of sodium chloride served as a control. Plasma and urine concentrations of MTX were quantitated by a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method, and the V_ss of MTX was estimated by a recently reported physiologically based method of Chiou and Lam. Statistically significant (p<0.05) concentration and plasma pHdependent V_ss of MTX were observed. Concentration dependence of V_ss was noted in sodium chloride and ammonium chloride infused dogs, but not in bicarbonate treated dogs. There was an average 50.0 and 44.8% increase in V_ss at 1 g/ ml relative to the two higher concentrations (20 and 100 g/ ml) for dogs treated with ammonium and sodium chloride, respectively. However, V_ss of MTX at the targeted concentrations of 20 and 100 g/ml was relatively constant. Plasma pHdependence of V_ss was observed only at the plasma concentration of 1 g/ml, and on the average, ammonium chloride and sodium chloride treatments resulted in 50.0 and 31.3% higher V_ss,respectively, when compared with the bicarbonate treatment. These phenomena appear to be adequately explained by the reported tissue uptake kinetics of MTX.This research was supported in part by a grant from the National Cancer Institute, CA-29754.Abstracted from a dissertation submitted in 1984 by Chung Y. Lui to the Graduate College, University of Illinois at Chicago, in partial fulfillment of Doctor of Philosophy Degree requirements.     

乳酸及降钙素原对一氧化碳中毒后迟发性脑病的预测价值

目的探讨检测血乳酸、降钙素原和联合检测对急性一氧化碳中毒后迟发性脑病(DEACMP)的预测价值。 方法随机抽取我院在急诊科收住院的ACMP患者70例,随访3个月,以其中发生DEACMP患者10例为DEACMP组,其余60例为非DEACMP组,随机抽取同期笔者医院40例健康体检者为对照组。对患者立即行动脉血Lac和血清PCT检测,并计算Lac和PCT诊断DEACMP的灵敏度、特异度。 结果DEACMP组血Lac和PCT检测值均明显高于非DEACMP和对照组,差异有统计学意义(采用秩和检验,P<0.05);检测异常率亦明显高于非DEACMP组及对照组,差异有统计学意义(采用χ²检验,P<0.05)。Lac和PCT升高预测DEACMP的敏感度均为90.0% ,特异度分别为50.0%和65.0% ,准确性分别为55.7%和68.6%。联合检测时若其中1个指标为阳性时即预测DEACMP发病,则联合检测的敏感度为100.0%,特异度为41.7%,阳性预测值为21.7%,阴性预测值为100.0%,准确性为71.4%。 结论DEACMP患者早期动脉血Lac和PCT均明显升高,PCT诊断价值优于Lac,联合检测较单项指标检测对DEACMP发病预测价值更理想。     

Risks of AKI and Major Adverse Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or Coronavirus Disease 2019

BackgroundSevere acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are closely related. The effect of AKI on the clinical outcomes of these two conditions is unclear.MethodsThis retrospective, territory-wide cohort study used an electronic public healthcare database in Hong Kong to identify patients with SARS or COVID-19 by diagnosis codes, virologic results, or both. The primary endpoint was a composite of intensive care unit admission, use of invasive mechanical ventilation, and/or death.ResultsWe identified 1670 patients with SARS and 1040 patients with COVID-19 (median ages, 41 versus 35 years, respectively). Among patients with SARS, 26% met the primary endpoint versus 5.3% of those with COVID-19. Diabetes mellitus, abnormal liver function, and AKI were factors significantly associated with the primary endpoint among patients with either SARS or COVID-19. Among patients with SARS, 7.9%, 2.1%, and 3.7% developed stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3 AKI, respectively; among those with COVID-19, 6.6%, 0.4%, and 1.1% developed stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3 AKI, respectively. In both groups, factors significantly associated with AKI included diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Among patients with AKI, those with COVID-19 had a lower rate of major adverse clinical outcomes versus patients with SARS. Renal function recovery usually occurred within 30 days after an initial AKI event.ConclusionsAKI rates were higher among patients with SARS than those with COVID-19. AKI was associated with major adverse clinical outcomes for both diseases. Patients with diabetes mellitus and abnormal liver function were also at risk of developing severe consequences after SARS and COVID-19 infection.     

Concomitant Lateral Ankle and Peroneal Tendon Instability Treated With Simultaneous Arthroscopic Broström and Tendoscopic Superior Peroneal Retinaculum Repair: A Case Report

Chronic lateral ankle instability is a prevalent condition, and it is commonly associated with other foot and ankle injuries. Among the associated injuries, peroneal tendon pathologies and anterolateral ankle impingement are frequently encountered. In this report, a case of concomitant chronic lateral ankle instability and dislocation of the peroneal tendons is described. While this combination of injuries is not uncommon, the method of treatment entailed arthroscopic repair of the anterior talofibular ligament and endoscopic repair of the superior peroneal retinaculum, procedures that eliminated the anterior drawer instability that had been present, and the patient remained symptom free after 24 months of follow-up.