Effect of Antioxidant Treatments on the Gut–Liver Axis Oxidative Status and Function in Bile Duct-Ligated Rats

Background Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated the pivotal role of oxidative stress in the promotion of hepatic and intestinal injury in obstructive jaundice. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of well known antioxidant treatments on the gut–liver axis oxidative status and function in bile duct-ligated rats. Methods A total of 60 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of 10 animals each: controls, sham operated, bile duct ligated (BDL), and BDL treated with either N-acetylcysteine (NAC), allopurinol, or α-tocopherol (α-TC). Ten days after treatment, the hepatic and intestinal oxidative status was estimated by measuring lipid peroxidation and a battery of biochemical markers comprising the organ’s thiol redox state (i.e., glutathione, cysteine, protein thiols, oxidized glutathione, nonprotein mixed disulfides, oxidized cysteine derivatives, protein symmetrical disulfides, and protein mixed disulfides). Portal and aortic endotoxin concentrations and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were also determined. Results All antioxidant treatments significantly improved intestinal barrier function and protected from cholestatic liver injury, as evidenced by reduction of the portal and aortic endotoxin concentration and ALT levels, respectively. This effect accompanied their significant antioxidant action in both organs, mediated by a certain influence profile on the thiol redox state by each treatment. Conclusion NAC, allopurinol, and α-TC, exerting a potent combined antioxidant effect on the intestine and liver in experimental obstructive jaundice, significantly prevented intestinal barrier dysfunction and liver injury. The variety of results depending on the antioxidant agent that was administered and the marker of oxidative stress that was estimated, indicates that a battery of biomarkers would be more appropriate in assessing pharmacologic responses to therapeutic interventions.     

Management of persistent groin pain after transobturator slings

Prolonged groin pain after transobturator tape is uncommon. Three women reported groin pain that had not improved by 3 months postoperatively. Combined steroid and local anesthetic was effective for pain relief in all patients. The differential diagnosis of persistent groin pain after transobturator tape includes adductor muscle strain, osteitis pubis, obturator/groin abscess, structural adhesions, and inflammation, edema or nerve entrapment of the anterior branch of the obturator nerve. No side effects of treatment were noted. Patients that do not respond to local injection may require mesh dissection and excision.     

Drug-induced granulomatous interstitial nephritis in a pediatric patient

Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a known cause of acute renal failure in children. In most instances, drug therapy is the offending agent. Although granuloma formation has been observed in drug-induced interstitial nephritis, it is not a commonly associated manifestation. This is a case of a 15-year-old white female with Tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia who developed acute renal failure secondary to drug-induced interstitial nephritis and renal granulomas. In addition to interstitial edema with eosinophils and lymphocytes, her renal biopsy showed interstitial granulomas, immune complexes within tubular basement membranes, and the unusual feature of multinucleated giant cells engulfing tubules. Her acute renal failure resolved after the withdrawal of antibiotics and the initiation of intravenous steroid therapy.     

Lymph Node Dissection Impact on Staging and Survival of Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinomas,Based on U.S. Population Data

Cholangiocarcinomas (CC) frequently demonstrate lymphatic spread. We investigated lymph node (LN) counts after resection of extrahepatic CC and survival based on the SEER 1973–2004 database. Out of 20,068 CC patients, 1,518 individuals were selected based on M0 stage and at least one LN examined. Primary cancer sites included gallbladder (29%), extrahepatic bile ducts (26%), and intrapancreatic/ampullary bile ducts (45%); 42% of patients were LN-positive. The median number of LNs examined was four (range 1–39). Median survival was 37 months for LN-negative and 16 months for LN-positive cancers. Multivariate prognostic variables were the number of positive LNs, primary site, age (all at p < 0.0001), gender (p = 0.002), size (p = 0.005), T category (p = 0.009), and total LN count (or number of negative LNs obtained, p = 0.01). The impact of total LN counts was seen in LN-negative (median survival, 1 vs 10 or more LNs examined: 27 vs 51 months, p = 0.002) and LN-positive disease (10 vs 22 months, p < 0.0001). Survival prediction of extrahepatic CCs is strongly influenced by total LN counts and numbers of negative LNs obtained. Although the resulting incremental benefit is small, dissection and examination of 10 or more LNs should be considered for curative intent resections.     

Effects of rhBMP-2 on cortical strut allograft healing to the femur in revision total hip arthroplasties: an experimental study

We have studied the effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on cortical strut allograft healing and remodelling in revision hip arthroplasty. Thirty adult New Zealand rabbits underwent bilateral onlay allograft strut procedures to the femur using wires. The left femur (experimental side) received the rhBMP-2 device (1.0-mg rhBMP-2/gelatin composites) interposed between the allograft and host bone, while the right side was grafted with an allograft strut as the control. The femurs and implants were retrieved at 4, 6, and 8 weeks postoperatively. The healing of cortical strut grafts to the femur was enhanced dramatically by the addition of the rhBMP-2 device in radiographic examination, contact radiographic examination, non-decalcification sections, fluorescence tag, and computer-aided image analysis. The remodelling of cortical strut allograft was also accelerated. The new bone formation ratio and radiographic scores of the experimental side were also much higher than the control side at all times. Strut healing with the rhBMP-2 device at 4 weeks postoperatively was superior to the healing in control sides at 8 weeks. Our findings showed that the rhBMP-2 device improved and accelerated the course of cortical strut allograft healing and remodelling with host bone.     

Risk factors for renal scarring in children and adolescents with lower urinary tract dysfunction

Risk factors for renal scarring in children with lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) were evaluated. The medical records of 120 patients were assessed concerning gender, presence of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR), bladder capacity, detrusor overactivity, residual urine, febrile urinary tract infection (UTI), bacteriuria, constipation, detrusor sphincter incoordination (DSI), high detrusor pressure at maximal cystometric capacity (PMCC), low compliance, and thickness and trabeculation of the bladder wall. Renal scarring was diagnosed by ^99mtechnetium-dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan (DMSA). Renal scarring was detected in 38 patients (31%). VUR, UTI, decreased bladder capacity, urinary residue, and trabeculated and thick bladder wall were associated with scarring at univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed VUR (P < 0.0001) as the independent risk factor for renal scarring. Thickness of the bladder wall was a marginal risk factor (P  = 0.07). Although UTI was not a risk factor, it was associated with VUR (P  = 0.03). In our analysis, VUR was the main risk factor; however, renal scarring was probably due to multifactorial causes, as VUR was associated with UTI.     

Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy: A Prospective Study From Pathology to Clinical Outcome

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy is widely accepted to treat hemorrhoids, but serious complications have been reported. In this prospective audit, we correlated clinical outcome with pathological findings. From January 2003 to April 2007, 94 patients underwent hemorrhoidopexy. Macroscopic appearance of the specimen (shape, size, and depth) was recorded. Microscopically, the presence of columnar, transitional, and squamous epithelium, the involvement of circular/longitudinal smooth muscle, and features of mucosal prolapse were assessed. Clinical outcome was evaluated by a validated questionnaire. Postoperative pain, secretion, and bleeding durations were 12.7 +/− 10.6, 5.6 +/− 9.6, and 6.3 +/− 8.4 days. Patient’s return to work averaged 16.7 +/− 10.7 days. Fissure, skin tags, and anal strictures were observed in 23.4%. Seven patients experienced pain for a significantly longer period of time. All specimens contained columnar mucosa, but 29.8% contained columnar and transitional epithelium and 12.8% contained columnar, anal transitional, and stratified squamous epithelium. Smooth muscle was observed in 62.7%. Pain was significantly increased if transitional epithelium was present in the specimen. No correlation or differences were observed if smooth muscle was present, although postoperative bleeding was more frequent. Hemorrhoidopexy is safe and effective. The specimen should always be sent for pathology examination. Only columnar epithelium should be present and, although the presence of smooth muscle does not influence the outcome in terms of functional results, its presence may play a role in postoperative bleeding. Presented as poster at the Digestive Disease Week, May 2007, Washington, USA     

Changes of collagen type III and decorin in paraurethral connective tissue from women with stress urinary incontinence and prolapse

Thirteen premenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), 6 with SUI and prolapse, 9 with prolapse, and 19 without prolapse were enrolled to observe the content change of collagen type III and the expression of decorin mRNA in paraurethral connective tissues. Collagen type III from transvaginal biopsies was assayed by immunohistochemical staining and decorin mRNA was detected by real-time PCR. Premenopausal women with SUI had a significantly decreased level of collagen type III. Decorin mRNA expression was significantly increased in both premenopausal SUI+prolapse group and premenopausal prolapse group reflected by the decrease of ΔCt value compared to their corresponding controls. The results suggest that a high level of decorin mRNA might be associated with the reduced content of collagen type III, resulting in a less flexible form of extracellular matrix in the connective tissue in SUI and prolapse patients. This study was supported by a grant from the Fujian Science and Technology Bureau Foundation (grant no. 2000I1003).     

Comparison of Laparoscopic vs Open Sigmoid Colectomy for Benign and Malignant Disease at Academic Medical Centers

Few studies have examined outcomes of laparoscopic and open sigmoid colectomy performed at US academic centers. Using ICD-9 diagnosis and procedural codes, data was obtained from the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) Clinical Database of 10,603 patients who underwent laparoscopic or open sigmoid colectomy for benign and malignant disease between 2003–2006. A total of 1,092 patients (10.3%) underwent laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy. Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy was associated with a significantly shorter length of stay (5.4 vs 7.4 days), lower overall complication rate (19.7 vs 26.0%), lower 30-day readmission rate (3.4 vs 4.6), and a lower hospital cost ($13,814 vs $15,626). When a subset analysis of malignant and benign groups was performed, a significantly shorter length of stay in both the malignant laparoscopic group (6.4 ± 6.4 vs 7.8 ± 6.6 days) and in the benign laparoscopic groups (5.1 ± 3.5 vs 7.2 ± 7.6) exists. A lower wound complication rate (2.1 vs 5.5%, malignant and 4.0 vs 6.1, benign) is also evident. Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy was associated with a shorter length of stay, less complications, and a lower 30-day readmission rate. The shorter length of stay and wound infection rate maintain significance when comparing laparoscopic vs open sigmoid resections for malignant and benign disease. Presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract at Digestive Disease Weak, Washington, DC, May 21st 2007. The information contained in this article was based on the Clinical Data Base provided by the University HealthSystem Consortium.     

Late-onset chylothorax following extrapleural pneumonectomy for mesothelioma

We report a 64-year-old woman treated with surgical intervention for late-onset chylothorax following a pleuropneumonectomy. The patient underwent an extrapleural pneumonectomy for diffuse malignant mesothelioma and was uneventfully discharged on postoperative day 29. Pleural effusion aspirated on postoperative day 9 was dark red. A chest roentgenogram taken at our outpatient clinic revealed a mediastinal shift on postoperative day 56. No bacterial infection was found in the milky effusion. We made a diagnosis of postoperative late-onset chylothorax based on the laboratory data obtained from tests of the pleural fluid. A repeat thoracotomy to ligate the lymphatic duct was performed because conservative management with chest tube drainage and no oral feeding was unsuccessful. The patient was discharged after the operation with a good clinical course.