Non-invasive evaluation of therapeutic response in keloid scar using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

The pathogenesis and ideal treatment of keloid are still largely unknown, and it is essential to develop an objective assessment of keloid severity to evaluate the therapeutic response. We previously reported that our diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) system could assist clinicians in understanding the functional and structural condition of keloid scars. The purpose of this study was to understand clinical applicability of our DRS system on evaluating the scar severity and therapeutic response of keloid. We analyzed 228 spectral data from 71 subjects with keloid scars. The scars were classified into mild (0-3), moderate (4-7) and severe (8-11) according to the Vancouver scar scale. We found that as the severity of the scar increased, collagen concentration and water content increased, and the reduced scattering coefficient at 800 nm and oxygen saturation (SaO₂) decreased. Using the DRS system, we found that collagen bundles aligned in a specific direction in keloid scars, but not in normal scars. Water content and SaO₂ may be utilized as reliable parameters for evaluating the therapeutic response of keloid. In conclusion, the results obtained here suggest that the DRS has potential as an objective technique with which to evaluate keloid scar severity. In addition, it may be useful as a tool with which to track longitudinal response of scars in response to various therapeutic interventions.OCIS codes: (170.5280) Photon migration, (170.4580) Optical diagnostics for medicine, (170.6510) Spectroscopy, tissue diagnostics, (290.1990) Diffusion     

Serial changes in exercise capacity,quality of life and cardiopulmonary responses after pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background and Objectives

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often have poor health-related quality of life (HRQL), exercise capacity and cardiopulmonary function. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is beneficial to improve exercise capacity and HRQL. However, series changes of these parameters remain unclear.

Assessment of the pharmacokinetics,removal rate of hemodialysis,and safety of lactulose in hemodialysis patients

Lactulose is often used to treat hepatic encephalopathy or constipation, and also exhibits benefits to chronic renal insufficiency due to reduce nitrogen-related products in serum. The present study investigated the pharmacokinetics of lactulose, its removal rate through dialysis, and safety by administering lactulose 6.5 g (Lagnos Jelly Divided Pack 16.05 g) orally to six hemodialysis patients who resided in Taiwan. As a result, the means of maximum plasma concentrations (C_max) and Time to reach C_max (Tmax) were 3090 ± 970 ng/mL and 6.5 ± 2.3 hours, respectively. The mean plasma concentration was 2220 ± 986 ng/mL after administration for 24 hours. Sequentially, the mean plasma concentration reduced to 307 ± 117 ng/mL after the application of 4-hour dialysis. Area under the plasma concentration-time curve from zero to 24 h post-dose (AUC_0–24h) were 56,200 ± 21,300 ng h/mL and the AUC_0–28h was 61,200 ± 23,300 ng h/mL. The rate of lactulose removal by dialysis was 83.6 ± 8.9%. In addition, the multiple doses of lactulose using a simulated model suggested that no plasma accumulation would be expected while coordinating with dialysis. Good tolerability was confirmed, while the mild adverse effect of diarrhea was observed in one case during the study period. No death or serious adverse effect was reported. Based on the present study, we demonstrated the pharmacokinetic transition with respect to plasma levels of lactulose in patients with impaired renal excretion treated with hemodialysis.     

Neoadjuvant radiation therapy and its impact on complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer: analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP)

Objectives

This study investigated the impact of neoadjuvant radiation therapy (XRT) on postoperative outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer.

Methods

The American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program database was queried for the period 2005–2010 to assess complication rates following pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer. Two groups of patients were identified, comprising those who received neoadjuvant XRT and those who did not (control group).

Results

A total of 4416 patients were identified, including 200 in the XRT group and 4216 in the control group. There were differences in patient characteristics between the groups, including in age, hypertension and bilirubin level. Despite the fact that weight loss was more common, median operative time was longer (423 min versus 368 min; P < 0.001), and vascular reconstruction was more commonly required (20.5% versus 8.4%; P < 0.001) in the XRT group. In addition, the XRT group had a shorter median hospital stay than the control group (9 days versus 10 days; P = 0.005). Mortality (3.0% versus 2.7%; P = 0.818) and morbidity (40.5% versus 37.6%; P = 0.404) rates were not influenced by neoadjuvant XRT. Blood transfusion rates were increased in the XRT group (13.0% versus 7.4%; P = 0.003). Severe complications were influenced by age >70 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class >2, preoperative sepsis, dyspnoea, weight loss, impaired functional status, peripheral vascular disease and operative time of >8 h.

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant XRT is not associated with an increase in complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

Predicting the risks of venous thromboembolism versus post-pancreatectomy haemorrhage: analysis of 13 771 NSQIP patients

Background

The fear of an early post-pancreatectomy haemorrhage (PPH) may prevent surgeons from prescribing post-operative venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis. The primary hypothesis of this study was that the national post-pancreatectomy early PPH rate was lower than the rate of VTE. The secondary hypothesis was that patients at high risk for post-discharge VTE could be identified, potentially facilitating the selective use of extended chemoprophylaxis.

Patients and methods

All elective pancreatectomies were identified in the 2005 to 2010 American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. Factors associated with 30-day rates of (pre-versus post-discharge) VTE, early PPH (transfusions > 4 units within 72 h) and return to the operating room (ROR) with PPH were analysed.

Results

Pancreaticoduodenectomies (PD) and distal pancreatectomies (DP) numbered 9140 (66.4%) and 4631 (33.6%) out of 13 771 pancreatectomies, respectively. Event rates included: VTE (3.1%), PPH (1.1%) and ROR+PPH (0.7%). PD and DP had similar VTE rates (P > 0.05) with 31.9% of VTE occurring post-discharge. Independent risk factors for late VTE included obesity [odds ratio (OR), 1.5], age ≥ 75 years (OR, 1.8), DP (OR, 2.4) and organ space infection (OR, 2.1) (all P < 0.02).

Conclusions

Within current practice patterns, post-pancreatectomy VTE outnumber early haemorrhagic complications, which are rare. The fear of PPH should not prevent routine and timely post-pancreatectomy VTE chemoprophylaxis. Because one-third of VTE occur post-discharge, high-risk patients may benefit from post-discharge chemoprophylaxis.     

Generalized Anxiety Disorder,Comorbid Major Depression and Heart Rate Variability: A Case-Control Study in Taiwan

Objective

Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) has been reported in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), but the results are mixed. Little is known about the impact of comorbid major depression (MD) on HRV in GAD patients. Both issues necessitate further investigation.

Methods

Twenty unmedicated, physically healthy GAD patients, 20 GAD patients with a secondary diagnosis of MD, 40 MD patients and 60 matched controls were recruited. We used the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale to assess anxiety and depression severity, respectively. Cardiac autonomic function was evaluated by measuring HRV parameters. Frequency-domain indices of HRV were obtained.

Results

Three patient groups had more anxiety and depression symptoms than control subjects, but heart rates (HRs) were significantly elevated only in GAD patients with comorbid depression. Relative to controls, GAD patients had reduced HRV while GAD patients with comorbid depression displayed the greatest reductions in HRV among three patients groups. Correlation analyses revealed anxiety/depression severity significantly associated with HRs, variance, LF-HRV and HF-HRV. However, separately analyzing among individual groups and adjusting for HRV-associated covariables rendered the correlations non-significant.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that reduction in HRV is a psychophysiological marker of GAD and individuals with comorbid GAD and MD may be distinguished based on psychophysiological correlates (for example, HF-HRV) from non-comorbid GAD patients. Taken into account that comorbid depression may confer increased risks for cardiovascular events in GAD patients, this subgroup of GAD patients may benefit better from cardiovascular risk reduction strategies.     

Risk of venous thromboembolism outweighs post-hepatectomy bleeding complications: analysis of 5651 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program patients

Background

Historically, liver surgeons have withheld venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis due to perceived postoperative bleeding risk and theorized protective anticoagulation effects of a hepatectomy. The relationships between extent of hepatectomy, postoperative VTE and bleeding events were evaluated using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database.

Methods

From 2005 to 2009, all elective open hepatectomies were identified. Factors associated with 30-day rates of VTE, postoperative transfusions and returns to the operating room (ROR), were analysed.

Results

The analysis included 5651 hepatectomies with 3376 (59.7%) partial, 585 (10.4%) left, 1134 (20.1%) right, and 556 (9.8%) extended. Complications included deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (1.93%), pulmonary embolism (PE) (1.31%), venous thromboembolism (VTE) (2.88%), postoperative transfusion (0.76%) and ROR with transfusion (0.44%). VTE increased with magnitude of hepatectomy (partial 2.13%, left 2.05%, right 4.15%, extended 5.76%; P < 0.001) and outnumbered bleeding events (P < 0.001). Other factors independently associated with VTE were aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≥27 (P= 0.022), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class ≥3 (P < 0.001), operative time >222 min (P= 0.043), organ space infection (P < 0.001) and length of hospital stay ≥7 days (P= 0.004). VTE resulted in 30-day mortality of 7.4% vs. 2.3% with no VTE (P= 0.001).

Conclusions

Contrary to the belief that transient postoperative liver insufficiency is protective, VTE increases with extent of hepatectomy. VTE exceeds major bleeding events and is strongly associated with mortality. These data support routine post-hepatectomy VTE chemoprophylaxis.