Visceral fat is associated with high-grade complications in patients undergoing minimally invasive partial nephrectomy for small renal masses

Introduction:Minimally invasive partial nephrectomy is standard of care treatment for small renal masses.Objective:We evaluated the relationship between subcutaneous and visceral obesity with high-grade postoperative 30-day complications in patients undergoing minimally invasive partial nephrectomy.Methods:We retrospectively identified 98 patients at our institution from 2014 to 2017 who underwent laparoscopic or robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy due to suspected renal cell carcinoma. Patients were stratified based on presence or absence of high-grade (Clavien ≥ IIIa) 30-day postoperative complications. Means were compared with the independent t test and proportions with chi-square analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine independent predictors of high-grade 30-day complications.Results:Mean nephrometry score was 6.7 with 21 (21.4%) patients having hilar tumors. Mean estimation of blood loss was 207 mL, mean operating time was 223 min, and mean warm ischemia time was 23 min. The majority of patients had clear renal cell carcinoma (n = 83, 84.7%) and pT1a disease (n = 76, 77.6%) with negative margins (n = 89, 90.8%) on pathology. There were 5 (5.1%) patients who experienced a high-grade postoperative 30-day complication. Mean visceral fat index was an independent predictor of high-grade 30-day complications (odds ratio: 1.02; 95% confidence interval: 1.002–1.03; p = 0.027).Conclusions:Visceral obesity should be considered as a prognostic indicator of outcomes in patients undergoing surgical treatment for a small renal mass.     

Identification and isolation of OKT4+ suppressor cells with the monoclonal antibody WR16.

The monoclonal antibody WR16 was secreted by a hybridoma produced by fusing splenocytes from a BALB/c mouse immunized with human T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells and the murine myeloma cell line NS-O. WR16 reacts specifically with human lymphocytes and binds to 48% of OKT4+ T lymphocytes and the majority of B lymphocytes. Human OKT4+ tonsil lymphocytes were subfractionated into WR16-/OKT4+ and WR16+/OKT4+ subpopulations by the panning technique. The capacity of these cells to help or suppress pokeweed mitogen-induced immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion by autologous B lymphocytes was monitored after 9 days of coculture. Cells of phenotype WR16-/OKT4+ enhanced Ig secretion in excess of that found with non-fractionated OKT4+ lymphocytes, whilst WR16+/OKT4+ lymphocytes suppressed Ig secretion when added to a mixture of B lymphocytes and non-fractionated OKT4+ cells. The WR16-/OKT4+ subpopulation was further fractionated by use of the MoAb Leu 8. Forty-two percent of WR16-/OKT4+ lymphocytes bound Leu 8, and cells of the phenotype WR16-/OKT4+/Leu 8+ were found to induce B-lymphocyte Ig secretion, whilst WR16-/OKT4+/Leu 8- lymphocytes were less active in this system. These data confirm the heterogeneity of the human T helper/inducer subset and indicate the existence of a population of OKT4+ lymphocytes that can suppress Ig secretion in the absence of OKT8+ lymphocytes.     

Strain and Strain Rate Imaging in Cardiomyopathy

The most common indication for an echocardiogram is for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) function and, in the evaluation of cardiomyopathy (CM), this becomes even more important. However, conventional echocardiographic measures of ventricular function are insensitive at detecting subtle perturbations in contractility. In patients with CM, the ability to detect abnormalities early in the course of the disease to establish a diagnosis can be critical and often may influence specific treatments administered as well as establish important prognostic information. Technologic advances in echocardiographic imaging during the last decade now allow for the measurement of LV strain and strain rate (SR) imaging. Strain and SR imaging allow for a more precise characterization of the mechanics of myocardial contraction and relaxation (deformation imaging) and emerging data are establishing the use of these techniques in a variety of different cardiomyopathic conditions. After establishing a common understanding of strain imaging as well as defining the methods by which these measures can be incorporated into an echocardiographic examination, we will review the accumulating information illustrating the great promise that this imaging modality has in the care of patients with CM. This review will focus on the role of strain and SR imaging in CM.     

Otoacoustic emissions as a screening test for hearing impairment in children

Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) are low amplitude sound waves produced by the healthy cochlea. They can be recorded with a microphone in the external ear. TEOAEs are abolished by hearing losses of 30 dB or more. The feasibility of using TEOAEs as a screening test for hearing loss in children was studied. TEOAE recordings were attempted in 56 children attending an audiology clinic. Recordings were possible from both ears in 52 children; of these 104 ears, 32 had hearing deficits of 30 dB or more. Hearing status was compared with the results of six TEOAE screening criteria. All criteria had a sensitivity of 1.00. Four standard TEOAE criteria yielded specificities of 0.46-0.58. Two new criteria derived from analysis of limited frequencies from the TEOAE waveform gave specificities of 0.76 and 0.82. It can be concluded that, when appropriate pass/fail criteria are employed, TEOAEs are a feasible screening test in children.     

Open vs Laparoscopic Vertical Banded Gastroplasty: A case control study with 1-year follow-up

Background: Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG) is one of the most common bariatric operations. It can be performed by open or laparoscopic methods. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the 1-year results of 40 patients who underwent laparoscopic (20) and open (20). Methods: The initial 20 patients undergoing LaparoscopicVBG and the initial 20 patients in whom an Open VBG were performed in our Institution were comparatively evaluated. Demography, surgical details, complications, and 1-year weight loss were analyzed. Results: Both groups were highly comparable in terms of age, sex and body mass index. Laparoscopic VBG was a more prolonged procedure (median 4 hr) than the open VBG (median 3 hr). On the other hand, hospital stay was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic procedure (median 10 days for the open and 6 days for the laparoscopic). One year weight loss and complications were similar in both groups. Conclusions: Laparoscopic VBG is a safe procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity. This initial series shows comparable results.     

A BPA survey of recently appointed consultants

A postal survey of recently appointed consultant paediatricians was undertaken to determine whether they perceived their training had adequately equipped them for their current job. The response rate was 69% (207/299). After excluding replies from consultants trained outside the UK the analysis was carried out on 167 replies. Trainees held a mean 5.2 posts during general and higher professional training, necessitating a mean 1.8 house moves. Altogether 82% felt moves were beneficial to training but 46% found moves 'very disruptive' to family life. Only 12% of district general hospital and 22% of teaching hospital senior registrars took two research sessions a week. Supervision and training in research was absent or poor for more than 60%; 24% felt major changes and 55% moderate changes were needed to current training. Training in non-clinical skills was particularly in demand and a curriculum for both trainers and trainees with regular appraisals is required. Research at senior registrar level needs review and educational methods improved to achieve better training in a shorter period.