Hepatic pseudotumor in long-standing biliary atresia patients undergoing liver transplantation.

A pseudotumor, giant regenerative nodule, or macroregenerative nodule is an unusual benign hepatic lesion in biliary atresia (BA) patients. This tumor may mimic malignant transformation and may preclude liver transplantation (LT). The clinical and imaging surveillance of patients after the Kasai procedure is therefore an important aspect of management of BA patients. Our objective is to report our experience and describe the incidence, imaging, and pathologic features of pseudotumors in BA patients awaiting LT. From August 1990 to December 2006, 133 LTs for BA were performed. Five (3.8%; 4 female, 1 male) patients were diagnosed with pseudotumor. The patients' records were reviewed. The diagnostic imaging modalities used were abdominal ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Histologic confirmation of the lesions was obtained in all cases. All underwent the Kasai operation in early infancy. Six of 7 lesions in 4 of 5 patients were demonstrated by pretransplant imaging. Two of 7 tumors were detected by US. Five of 7 lesions were detected by CT, and 5 of 7 lesions were demonstrated by MRI. In 1 patient, the lesion was not seen in the US, CT, or MRI but was found during surgery and confirmed by histology. An additional tumor was found incidentally during histologic examination in a patient previously diagnosed to have 2 tumors by CT and MRI. In another patient diagnosed to have 2 tumors on imaging, pathology revealed only a single tumor. In conclusion, although unusual, pseudotumor should be included in the differential diagnosis of liver masses in BA children.     

Foreign metallic pellet in the heart

Foreign bodies in the heart are a rare but serious form of cardiac injury. The objects usually are sharp pointed. Such as acupuncture needles,sewing needles, coat hangers, fragments of Kirschner wires, pins, etc. 1 We report a patient with a metallic pellet lodged in the heart, which was accurately diagnosed and successfully removed.     

3种常用化疗药对正常大鼠血清胃泌素及D-木糖醇浓度的影响

目的：观察3种常用化疗药对正常大鼠血清胃泌素及D-木糖醇浓度的影响。方法：将动物随机分为4组，即对照组、ETX组、5-Fu组和THP组，检测胃泌素及D-木糖醇浓度等指标。结果：3组化疗组上述指标与对照组比较，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05，P〈0．01）。结论：正常大鼠用ETX、5-Fu和THP，血清胃泌素及D-木糖醇浓度明显减低，从临床表现、胃肠功能方面提示3种常用化疗药可导致正常大鼠脾虚证的发生。     

Treatment of severe subglottic laryngotracheal stenosis using hyoid graft with sternohyoid muscle flap]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possibility and reliability of the hyoid-sternohyoid graft transfer in the correction of server subglottic laryngotracheal stenosis, and delineate the operation skills and clinical results. METHODS: Seven patients with severe subglottic stenosis underwent laryngotracheal reconstruction using the hyoid grafts with sternohyoid muscle flaps (HG-SHMF). Five of these patients had traumatic subglottic stenosis, one with scar tissue of unknown etiology arising in the subglottic region, another with tracheal narrowing caused by inhalation of hydrochloric acid. RESULTS: All seven patients were successfully decannulated with moderate good voice. The average time from reconstruction to decannulation was 15.4 months. The stent was endoscopically removed with a range of 3 to 22 months; the mean time required for stenting was 9.6 months. Two patients who received additional salvage reconstruction procedures because of graft or stent displacement were extubated with improved voices and satisfactory airway. CONCLUSIONS: The HG-SHMF transfer was a single-stage reconstruction, relatively simple procedure that can restore an adequate airway and a good voice. Patients undergoing laryngotracheal reconstruction with HG-SHMF must have regular, long-term follow-up since graft displacement and recurrent granulation tissue or scar reformation can cause restenosis after an initially successful surgery. This procedure should be used in a large number of patients to further test its reliability.     

Thymidine labeling index in breast tumors

The relationship between primary tumor proliferative activity and clinical and pathologic characteristics was analyzed in relation to menopausal status in 32 patients with malignant or benign breast disease. The thymidine labeling index (TLI) showed significantly higher median values in the cancer patients (3.48 per cent) than in the patients with benign diseases (1.02 per cent). TLI was not significantly affected by delayed incubation at room temperature for about 1 hour. In the breast cancer patients, TLI did not significantly correlate to tumor size, the presence of axillary lymph node metastasis or pathologic nuclear grading. The only significant difference was limited to the breast cancer patients without axillary lymph node metastasis in relation to menopausal status; the TLI in the premenopausal patients (5.10 per cent) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that in the postmenopausal patients (2.28 per cent). These data thus suggest that among premenopausal patients without axillary lymph node metastasis, those with a high TLI could be potential candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy.     

Perforation of the large bowel during colonoscopy in Singapore

The management of seven patients with colonoscopy-related perforations is described. This study demonstrates the need for an early laparotomy. A high index of suspicion is required to reach an early diagnosis. Patients with no preexisting medical problems who underwent early surgery recovered with little morbidity. In elderly patients (greater than 75 years), colonoscopic perforation can be fatal. Endoscopy should be performed with special care in such patients.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of poly(arylene-1,2,4-oxadiazole)s with flexible,linear alkoxymethyl side branches

Poly(arylene-1,2,4-oxadiazole)s (PAOs) bearing flexible, linear side chains, 3a - c , were prepared by solution cyclodehydration of their precursors, poly(arylene acyloylamide oxime)s (PAAs), 2a - c , which were synthesized by solution polycondensation of 2,5-bis(n-alkoxymethyl)-terephthaldiamide oximes (DIS-TADO), 1a - c , with terephthaloyl dichloride (TPC). The length of the n-alkoxy group was varied from methoxy via butoxy to octyloxy. The reduction of the phase transition temperatures and the enhancement of the solubilities of 3a - c were greatly affected by the length of the side chains. PAOs with longer side chains, 3b and 3c , are nematic type liquid-crystalline polymers.     

牛胎盘中肝细胞生长因子的纯化

用高速离心、分段盐析、亲和层析、超滤和阴离子交换层析法，从牛胎盘中分离纯化出一种肝细胞生长因子。结果表明，此因子的最终得率为０．００５ｍｇ／ｇ牛胎盘，其分子量约为９９０００ｕ，它能强烈刺激原代培养大鼠肝细胞的ＤＮＡ合成。提示利用自制的亲和层析凝胶，通过此提纯流程可以得到一种肝细胞生长因子。     

选择性髂内动脉结扎与栓塞对盆腔血供的影响

目的：旨在探讨选择性髂内动脉结扎与栓塞两种方法对盆腔血供的影响。方法：将两组犬在膀胱上动脉分支以下之髂内动脉分别行结扎与栓塞，对比观察两组膀胱创面出血、盆腔动脉造影及盆腔脏器组织学变化，以确定其盆腔脏器的血供情况。结果：①结扎组膀胱创面出血明显大于栓塞组；②结扎组髂内动脉侧支循环建立时间明显早于且数目多于栓塞组；③两组盆腔脏器均未见缺血坏死。结论：栓塞组阻断髂内动脉侧支循环的数目多于结扎组，故对盆腔血供的影响大于结扎组。避免髂内动脉阻断范围过广可减少盆腔脏器缺血坏死的机会。