The Utility of Intraoperative Evaluation of Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer

Background In breast cancer treatment, intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) evaluation is used to identify patients who may potentially benefit from immediate completion of axillary lymph node dissection. Methods Prospectively collected breast cancer registry data identified 516 SLN biopsies between January 2003 and December 2005. Intraoperative evaluation (IE) of the SLNs was performed in 479 axillae. Final pathology by hematoxylin and eosin and, for negative nodes, by immunohistochemical stains was compared with the IE result. The effect of IE and final pathology on surgical treatment was examined. Results The sensitivities for IE of N0(i+) (n = 39), N1mi (n = 41), and N1a–3a (n = 89) metastases were 0%, 5%, and 63%, respectively. The specificity was 99.7%. IE identified 57 (44%) of SLN-positive (N1mi and N1a–3a) axillae, thus resulting in synchronous axillary lymph node dissection for those patients. Reoperation for false-negative IEs (N1mi or N1a–3a with negative IE) occurred in only 27 axillae (39%). Conclusions IE of SLNs has adequate sensitivity and excellent specificity. In addition to allowing patients to benefit from synchronous surgery, IE helped patients to receive care in concordance with recommended practice guidelines. The false-negative IE of SLNs highlights uncertainty with the clinical significance of axillary nodal staging when only small amounts of metastatic disease are identified in the axilla.     

精神科约束带制作及应用方法的改良

目的 探讨精神科改良的新型约束带及应用方法在约束患者中的应用效果,为安全、有效约束提供参考.方法 在约束带的制作和应用方法上进行改进,应用于408例患者,观察、记录约束不良反应的发生和约束时间,并与实施前(418例)进行比较.结果 实施后约束引起的不良反应及约束时间较实施前显著减少(均P＜0.01).结论 我院约束带制作及应用的改良,加强了护理人员的工作责任心,减少了约束不良反应,缩短了约束时间,减少了患者的不舒适感,提供了更安全、有效、人性化的护理.     

RNA干扰抑制PC-3细胞survivin基因表达并诱导细胞凋亡的实验研究

目的:研究RNA干扰抑制人前列腺癌PC-3细胞survivin mRNA和蛋白表达并诱导细胞凋亡的效果。方法:设计、构建针对survivin基因的RNAi表达载体,分别以质粒A、B组,阴性序列组和空白对照E组用脂质体法转染PC-3细胞,应用RT-PCR及Western印迹、流式细胞术检测其对survivin mRNA和蛋白表达并诱导细胞凋亡的效果。结果:各组细胞survivin蛋白的表达强度分别为(18.94±0.63)%、(16.35±0.23)%、(46.41±0.76)%、(46.20±1.47)%。各组细胞中survivin mRNA的表达强度分别为(27.94±1.43)%、(24.51±1.37)%、(49.46±0.71)%、(48.49±1.32)%。各组细胞凋亡率分别为(12.80±1.33)%、(16.48±1.00)%、(3.03±0.62)%、(2.96±0.41)%。统计学表明构建的两种阳性表达载体均有效抑制了survivin mRNA和蛋白表达并诱导细胞凋亡。结论:RNAi可有效抑制PC-3细胞survivin mRNA和蛋白表达,并诱导细胞凋亡。     

Reconstruction of the face and neck scar contractures using staged transfer of expanded "Super-thin flaps"

BACKGROUND: The authors introduced the "Super-thin flap" concept, which is sometimes called the subdermal vascular network (SVN) flap, in 1994. Since 1994, we have reconstructed face and neck scar contractures using various types of "Super-thin flaps." In this report, we introduce expanded "Super-thin flaps" for reconstruction of the face and neck for the first time in a patient. METHODS: Since 2000 we have used 21 expanded flaps to reconstruct 21 face or neck scar cases in nine males and 12 females. In the first operation, an expander was inserted on the fascia of the pectoralis major muscle, and then about 1,000 cc of saline was injected during a 2-month period. In the second operation, the flap was thinned primarily and applied to the recipient site. Three weeks after the second operation, the pedicle of the flap was cut down and sutured. RESULTS: Flap size ranged from 4 cm x 14 cm to 10 cm x 22 cm. Expanded volume ranged from 800 cc to 1,200 cc. All flaps survived completely and scar tissues were replaced with normal skin. Flaps did not shrink after the operations, and contractures did not recur. CONCLUSION: Advantages of the expanded flaps are presented: (1) Large flaps can be harvested because of the expander; (2) Extremely thin flaps can be safely employed; (3) Texture and color match are good; (4) Donor site can be closed primarily; and (5) Microsurgery is not required. However, the disadvantage of the method is the requirement for two or three operations.     

Cardioprotective effects of cyclosporine A in an in vivo model of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence indicates that reperfusion of the heart after a period of ischemia leads to the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP). The aim of this study was to investigate cardioprotective effects of cyclosporine A (CsA), an inhibitor of the MPTP, in an in vivo model of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by 180 min of reperfusion. CsA (10 mg/kg) or vehicle was given 10 min prior to ischemia via the femoral vein. Sham myocardial ischemia-reperfusion rats (sham-operation group) were used as controls. Infarct size was measured using the staining agent TTC (2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride) and myocardial apoptosis by caspase-3 activity was determined by fluorescent assay. The myocardium mitochondria ultrastructure was observed through a transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: CsA significantly reduced infarct size (48.8 +/- 5.8% of left ventricle in vehicle + I/R group and 30.3 +/- 2.7% of left ventricle in CsA + I/R, respectively) and decreased caspase-3 activity in the myocardium [(0.62 +/- 0.17)/microg of protein and (0.42 +/- 0.15)/microg of protein, respectively] and relieved the injury of mitochondria. CONCLUSION: CsA reduced the cardiac damage associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury of the heart. The cardioprotective effects of CsA might be associated with the protection of mitochondria and the inhibition of caspase-3 activity. It also suggests that the MPTP might play an important role in cardiomyocytes death after ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Adrenomedullin and adrenomedullin-binding protein-1 downregulate inflammatory cytokines and attenuate tissue injury after gut ischemia-reperfusion

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that adrenomedullin (AM) and AM-binding protein-1 (AMBP-1) possess anti-inflammatory properties in sepsis. We hypothesized that administration of AM/AMBP-1 after gut ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) downregulates inflammatory cytokines and attenuates tissue injury. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (275-325 g) were used. Gut ischemia was induced by placing a microvascular clip across the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 90 minutes. Upon release of the SMA clamp, the animals were treated by AM (12 microg per kilogram of body weight) and AMBP-1 (40 microg per kilogram of body weight) in combination, or vehicle (1 mL 0.9% NaCl) over 30 minutes via a femoral vein catheter. The animals undergoing sham operation or ischemia for 90 minutes only, did not receive AM/AMBP-1 treatment. At 60 minutes after the completion of the treatment (ie, 90 minutes after reperfusion), blood samples were collected. Plasma AM and AMBP-1 were measured by radioimmunoassay and Western blot analysis, respectively. Serum levels of TNF-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, transaminases (ie, alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransaminase), lactate, and creatinine were determined with the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and other standard methods. In additional groups of animals, the 10-day survival rate was recorded after gut I/R. RESULTS: Ischemia alone was sufficient to downregulate both AM and AMBP-1. Unlike AMBP-1 that remained decreased, AM levels increased significantly after reperfusion. I/R but not ischemia alone significantly increased serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, I/R-induced tissue injury was evidenced by increased levels of transaminases, lactate, and creatinine. Administration of AM/AMBP-1 after ischemia, however, markedly reduced cytokine levels, attenuated tissue injury, and improved survival. CONCLUSIONS: AM/AMBP-1 may be a novel treatment to attenuate the reperfusion injury after gut ischemia.     

Treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head with hBMP-2-gene-modified tissue-engineered bone in goats

The efficacy of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-gene-modified bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was evaluated for the repair of experimentally-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in goats. Bilateral early-stage osteonecrosis was induced in adult goats three weeks after ligation of the lateral and medial circumflex arteries and delivery of liquid nitrogen into the femoral head. After core decompression, porous beta-TCP loaded with BMP-2 gene- or beta-galactosidase (gal)-gene-transduced BMSCs was implanted into the left and right femoral heads, respectively. At 16 weeks after implantation, there was collapse of the femoral head in the untreated group but not in the BMP-2 or beta-gal groups. The femoral heads in the BMP-2 group had a normal density and surface, while those in the beta-gal group presented with a low density and an irregular surface. Histologically, new bone and fibrous tissue were formed in the macropores of the beta-TCP. Sixteen weeks after implantation, lamellar bone had formed in the BMP-2 group, but there were some empty cavities and residual fibrous tissue in the beta-gal group. The new bone volume in the BMP-2 group was significantly higher than that in the beta-gal group. The maximum compressive strength and Young's modulus of the repaired tissue in the BMP-2 group were similar to those of normal bone and significantly higher than those in the beta-gal group. Our findings indicate that porous beta-TCP loaded with BMP-2-gene-transduced BMSCs are capable of repairing early-stage, experimentally-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head and of restoring its mechanical function.     

胰体尾腺癌的外科治疗

目的研究胰体尾腺癌的临床特点、肿瘤行为和外科治疗效果。方法回顾性分析1980年1月至2006年8月我院腹部肿瘤外科收治的有明确病理学诊断的108例胰体尾腺癌病人的临床病理资料。结果84％（91例）为导管腺癌。46%（50例）出现同时性远处转移，血行转移40％（43例）以肝转移为主（41例，38％），种植转移19例（18％）。54％（58例）切除了肿瘤，Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ期病人手术切除率分别为100％（5例）、100％（33例）、5％（1例）和38％（19例），差异显著（χ^2=56.80，P＜0.001）。和未切除肿瘤的病人相比，手术切除病人的男性比例（53％：72％，χ^2=3.92，P=0.048）显著较少，出现上腹痛（66%：84％，χ^2=4.78，P=0.029）、体重下降（22％：42％，χ^2=4.78，P=0.029）和种植转移的比例（0：38％，χ^2=26.74，P＜0.001）显著较低。I、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ期病人中位生存分别为35（11～73）、14（1～83）、6（2～25）和4（1～20）个月，存在显著性差异χ^2=30.07，P＜0.001）。Ⅲ、Ⅳ期胰体尾腺癌手术切除后中位生存8（2～25）个月，显著长于未切除病人的4（1～13）个月（χ^2=17.06，P＜0.001）。结论胰体尾腺癌手术时出现同时性远处转移的几率大。男性、上腹痛、体重下降、种植转移时手术切除的可能性降低。Ⅲ期病人虽然手术切除率较Ⅳ病人为低，但是术后生存无显著差异；对Ⅲ、Ⅳ期胰体尾癌而言，原发灶能够切除的病人术后生存期较长。     

Ghrelin down-regulates proinflammatory cytokines in sepsis through activation of the vagus nerve

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that administration of ghrelin attenuates inflammatory responses in sepsis through vagal nerve stimulation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Ghrelin has been demonstrated to possess multiple functions, including stimulation of the vagus nerve. Our recent study has shown that plasma levels of ghrelin were significantly reduced in sepsis; and ghrelin administration improved organ perfusion and function. However, it remained unknown whether ghrelin also decreases proinflammatory cytokines in sepsis and, if so, whether the down-regulatory effect of ghrelin is mediated by activation of the vagus nerve. METHODS: Male rats were subjected to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). At 5 hours after CLP, a bolus intravenous injection of 2 nmol ghrelin was followed by a continuous infusion of 12 nmol ghrelin via a primed 200-microL Alzet mini-pump for 15 hours. At 20 hours after CLP, plasma and peritoneal fluid levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were determined. The direct effect of ghrelin on cytokine production was studied using cultured normal rat Kupffer cells or peritoneal macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In additional animals, vagotomy or sham vagotomy was performed in sham and septic animals immediately prior to ghrelin administration and cytokine levels were then measured. RESULTS: Ghrelin significantly reduced TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in sepsis. In contrast, ghrelin did not inhibit TNF-alpha and IL-6 release from LPS-stimulated Kupffer cells or peritoneal macrophages. However, vagotomy, but not sham vagotomy, prevented ghrelin's down-regulatory effect on TNF-alpha and IL-6 production. CONCLUSIONS: Ghrelin down-regulates proinflammatory cytokines in sepsis through activation of the vagus nerve. Pharmacologic stimulation of the vagus nerve may offer a novel approach of anti-sepsis therapy.